RISE Book Club Reflections: When Memoir Meets Practical Healing
- bjaucoin
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Over the past weeks, I have had the privilege of connecting with book clubs across the United States as they read RISE: Living Life Over Cancer. The conversations, reflections, and thoughtful reviews have meant a great deal to me.
What stands out most is that every group, despite its different perspectives, has found something that resonates with it. Some connect deeply with the personal journey. Others lean into the practices, the tools, and the guiding principles. And many find themselves somewhere in between, reflecting, questioning, and engaging in rich conversation.
One theme that continues to surface is the book's dual nature. Readers often note the blending of memoir and guide. For some, this creates a unique and meaningful experience. For others, it invites discussion about how those two elements weave together.
I want to share that this was very much intentional.
I am not writing from a place of theory alone. I am living this experience in real time. The uncertainty, the joy, the fear, and the hope come with a stage IV, non-curative diagnosis. Alongside that, I bring over three decades of experience as an educator. I have always believed in offering practical tools, reflection, and guidance.
Those closest to me while I was writing, my "ten angels," encouraged me not to choose one voice over the other. They wanted both: the vulnerable human experience and the grounded practices that help navigate it.
So RISE became both.
What has been most meaningful is that, regardless of where readers land on that duality, they are still taking something with them. A moment. A perspective. A practice. A conversation that lingers after the final page.
That, to me, is the heart of why I wrote RISE.
If you are curious, I invite you to explore the reviews on Goodreads and see how readers are engaging in their own words. There is also a growing community. Now, over 870 readers are participating in the current giveaway. This is both exciting and humbling. Consider participating, too.
If you have read RISE, I would be grateful if you could leave a review and share your experience. I ask not for promotion, but for connection. Your voice may help another reader find what they need.
If you are interested in starting a book club with RISE, please reach out. I am happy to provide a facilitation guide to help your group have meaningful discussions.
Thank you for walking this journey with me.
Warmly,
Betty Jean 💚
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