by Kate Bowler
First published 2026
Kate Bowler survived stage four cancer and knows she should feel grateful. Instead, she aches for genuine connection and fewer ordinary resentments. The Duke University professor rejects toxic positivity and five step plans. She seeks joy that arrives without warning. A sunbathing lemur catches her attention. She laughs unexpectedly at a funeral. She dives into Atlantic waters alongside a shark wrangler. Bowler explores how delight can emerge during pain, boredom, and yearning. She refuses to offer life fixes. Instead, she makes space for small extraordinary moments. Her journey targets readers who feel stuck, hungry for meaning, or undone by loss. She writes for anyone who finds joy elusive or simply wants more fun. Through wit and honesty, Bowler proves that questioning "Is this it?" leads to discovering there is always more.
Genres: contemporary, non-fiction, biography-memoir, inspirational
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, grief
Setting: Millbrook
304 pages · Hardcover · The Dial Press
Content warnings: mental-illness