Sharing the Light: Stories and Reflections

by Monique Gray Smith

Uplifting stories, vignettes, and reflections to inspire gratitude, love, joy, and hope in navigating life in a changing, challenging world.


Through the lens of five transformative practices—gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope—bestselling author Monique Gray Smith weaves together short stories, poignant reflections, and thoughtful questions that invite readers to pause and reconnect with their inner light. As an Indigenous author, Monique brings her cultural wisdom and unique perspective to each reflection. This beautiful and welcoming book can be read cover to cover or used as a daily source of guidance, offering gentle wisdom that inspires and empowers.


Sharing the Light is a powerful reminder that when we embrace our light and share it with the world, that energy not only transforms us but ripples out to uplift everyone around us.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Jillian B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of stories from the author’s life and wise reflections meant to uplift and inspire. The writing is lovely, and I do think the stories delivered on the promise. That said, it felt like there was a lot of filler in this book and I wish that there was more content. There were several pages with only a few sentences or a single short thought on them. I wish this book had been more packed full of stories, as the writer does have a lot of wisdom to share.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book.

[thebookybird · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book for dark times and cold days

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book in which the author reminds us that love, happiness, joy, hope and gratitude are ours to have and to share. It can be read through in one sitting or picked up and read for a daily reminder. The cover of the book is beautiful and the writing is gently honest and motivating.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharing the Light is a gentle, meaningful reminder that small acts of kindness matter. Monique’s writing is warm and clear, making this a book you can return to whenever you need a bit of perspective and hope!

[Neeral Morzaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you're in a time of darkness, please take a moment to close your eyes and let in all the love and care and light people are sending you. Let it in." That statement, in the opening few pages of the book, felt like such an important one for me to read/hear right now, as I face some challenges of my own.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy Sharing the Light by Monique Gray Smith, through House of Anansi's Advance Reader program, and it was the first time I've read a book in one sitting. Everything in this book was perfectly articulated.

Throughout the book, Monique shares the five ways of being including a chapter for each: gratitude, love, joy, happiness and hope. Through her sharing of some deeply personal stories(all of which resonated) - each related to the theme of the chapter - she reminded me that even the small choices we make can shape our short and long-term well-being.

Monique also included a set of reflections in each chapter. My personal favourite was in her Hope chapter: "Find something that fosters hope - a photo, image, or object that reflects a dream of a possibility - and put it somewhere you will see it every day."

Sometimes a book just hits the tone perfectly at the exact right moment in your life - this book was that for me.

[Emily Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love Monique weaves into this book was the exact medicine I needed! The intention placed on gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope while also pointing to their interconnectedness made me feel lighter and brighter. The reflections really encouraged me to take stock and navigate through my emotions and thoughts, as well as how I want to adjust and amplify myself in the world going forward. I will absolutely be returning to this amazing work whenever I need a gentle nudge in the right direction. ❤️

Here was one of my favorite messages:

That day, I let go of the feeling of not being good enough, though it occasionally still rears its head. I also learned an important lesson about visioning. About not looking where I’m going, but rather what I want to create around the corner. About how to envision my goals, hopes, dreams, and possibilities before I can actually see them. This requires a delicate balance between being present in the here and now and taking time to envision what I want to experience and bring into the world. I continually ask myself: “What do I want to dream and speak into the future?”

[Mona Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book filled with tender stories that highlight the virtues and qualities the author emphasizes: love, hope, gratitude, and joy. It's also a book worth rereading.

My favorite quote is: “When you meet someone and there is just something special about them, you feel changed from being around them. They are sharing their light.” This quote instantly made me think of a friend who passed away several years ago. She had an inner light that inspired me and made me feel special just by being around her.

The remainder of the quote also resonated with me: “We do not have to share our light with everyone. We can choose who we share our light with. I cannot give away the oxygen that keeps my flicker burning.”

There are other passages I highlighted, and I believe you will too. Although the book's formatting wasn't the best, I attribute that to reading an ARC. There was also repetition that detracted a bit. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Laurie Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes on a cold Tuesday in January it can be difficult to find the light, let alone share it. But Monique Gray Smith's @moniquegraysmith new non-fiction volume, "Sharing The Light: Stories and Reflections" upcoming from @houseofanansi on January 27th can help you seek the joy.
Thank you to House of Anansi for the review copy. This is a beautiful volume dedicated to remembering gratitude, focusing on gratitude that can open the doors on goodness and grace. This is the sort of book that you will want to reflect and engage with in order to get the full experience and applications to your own life. If you are new to the practice of gratitude this might be a good place to start, but if like me it is part of your life, this is a good volume of gentle reminders and a book to return to when you need it again. When she speaks at the end about "honestly design who and how I wanted to be in the world" I was struck with the importance of finding your own path, and your own ways to joys while also sharing the light. A book to keep and reflect on.

[Bre ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, in the depths of winter when light feels scarce, you stumble across a small piece of magic that helps you hold on just a little longer—until it’s just a little warmer, and the sun shines just a little longer. Sharing the Light was that for me: a gentle reminder that I’m never as alone as I feel, or as lost as I think.

With the storytelling finesse of a true Indigenous baddie, Monique Gray Smith takes your hand and walks with you through the principles of relationship, responsibility, and reciprocity. Meeting you exactly where you are, this is a book you return to again and again, each time carrying something new back into the world with you.

This read is for anyone seeking a new perspective—especially readers who have found comfort in Richard Wagamese’s Embers or One Drum—and those drawn to quiet, thoughtful reflections you can return to over time.

Chi-miigwech to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for the gift of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book was simply lovely. Structured into five parts; gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and peace, it’s beautifully simplistic in the best way. A quiet, comforting read that feels like the exact hug you didn’t realize you needed.

I especially loved the pages devoted entirely to reflection. They invite you to slow down, pause, and be present with both the words and yourself. Taking intentional time with books is something I often forget, and this one gently reminded me why it matters.

Thank you House of Anassi for the complimentary copy.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to House of Anansi for sending this book my way to read and enjoy.

I love the cover of this book and it goes great with what is inside. This was a quick but beautiful book that held a punch. I enjoyed that we had such brightness in this book, it gave of words of wisdom and then little ways to show gratitude and reflect on things. I really liked this layout. It did make the reader think on somethings but we also got stories to go along with each section. It was a short but enjoyable read and I would recommend it to others.

[Ashley Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gray Smith's first foray into adult non-fiction is entirely gorgeous. She provides thoughtful meditations and reflections on joy, gratitude, hope, and love, all infused with knowledge and experiences of a life well-lived. Monique provides guidance for readers on how to cultivate these facets in our lives and how to give time to allow lessons to be learned and things to evolve, with moments of joy tucked into the pockets of everyday life. I know that I will return to this book again and again.

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beyond a 5 star read for me! I honestly wish I had this book years ago when I could have used a lot of guidance on living a more positive life. I totally appreciate this book and I think it is a great read when the world is not being so kind.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is packed with wisdom, delivered with a gentleness and vulnerability that invites self-reflection.

[Becky | myhyggereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Rounded up from 4.5 stars)

Special thanks to House of Anansi for my gifted copy.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made my heart happy. I do not typically reread books but I would reread for that heart happy feeling. A big thank you to the author.