Letters to Myself from the End of the World

by Emily Stimpson Chapman

If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell her? If you could equip her for the challenges she would face today, with the Church plagued by scandal and the culture on the verge of collapse, what would you say? In Letters to Myself from the End of the World , Emily Stimpson Chapman answers those questions, weaving Catholic theology, biblical wisdom, and her own life experience into forty-five "letters" to her twenty-five-year-old self. Both personal and practical, Chapman's letters reflect upon sin and grace, the Church's sacraments and saints, scandals and injustice, social media and prayer, suffering, adoption, motherhood, and much more. Written in real time, during the summer and fall of 2020, while pandemics and riots filled the news and as Chapman and her husband prepared to adopt a second child, Letters to Myself from the End of the World is a faithful guide for pursuing holiness and spiritual maturity in a world broken by sin. It's also a testimony to the power of grace to heal our hearts, renew our minds, and transform our lives.

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality

288 pages, Paperback

Published June 14, 2021

Reviews

[Cailin Valente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! This book was so relatable as a wife, mother, sister, friend and daughter of God. Emily has the gift of wording things so beautifully and speaking straight to your heart. I read this book very slowly on purpose because there was so much I needed to think about after reading each section. This is a book I will be referring back to often.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Emily on instagram...she exudes such grace and honesty on her page, so I was delighted to read her book. It is a collection of letters that she writes to her younger self....covers many different topics that women struggle with today...motherhood, the Church, body image, social media, etc....Reading it felt like I was sitting with a lifelong friend. Recommend it to everybody!

[Danielle Kuboushek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 10 stars if I could. Best read slowly, so much wisdom and insight here, on a variety of topics. She’s writing to a younger version of herself but really to all of us. Highly recommend.

[Abby Avery · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t disagree with anything. She’s a pretty good writer. I guess it was just boring. Finished it a few days ago and already forgot what it was about.

My reviews are extra cynical tonight. Not sure why.

[Kelsey Kersting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and this collection of letters written in the heart of 2020 when the world was a different and changing place.

Emily did a beautiful job covering many sensitive topics, and I know it’s a book I can easily go back to when I need it. So glad I read it, and definitely recommend, especially for the catholic women among us.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I read: Letters to Myself from the End of the World by Emily Simpson Chapman

Why I picked it up: I’ve followed her for awhile and purchased this when they were having a sale and I could pre-order her new children’s book about Mary, but it took me weeks to actually begin.

How I read it: On paper, one letter at a time, even evening during Easter for night prayer/spiritual reading.

What it’s about: It’s a series of letters on holiness, prayer, motherhood, singleness, and more written from 45 year old Emily in the year 2020 to 20 year old Emily in the year 2000. Throughout the book she tells her younger self to be patient, to lean into the Lord, and to keep her eyes open to God’s love. They were such a good reminder about how we learn and grow and how no season is forever.

What I liked: I liked the idea of reflecting back, thinking about what I would tell my younger self to do, not because I have regrets, but because now I know things that would have made her life a lot easier if she’d known them.

What I disliked: It was written during the pandemic, and my pandemic experience was different than Emily’s – I didn’t have quite so much of “the world is ending” right now vibes during 2020, so sometimes it’s hard to read books that do.

Genre: Spiritual reading, spiritual memoir, pandemic.

Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and absolutely. Reading it letter by letter or in a small group to discuss section by section would be a great idea for a young adult ladies study. This would have made a great buddy read!

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book club choice, but really, it is written to be read a little at a time, so that you can think and absorb what Emily is saying. Emily has written forty-five letters to her younger self, and it is a great reflection on what is truly important in life. In 2020, Emily looks back through her younger days and writes a simple, heartfelt reflection that is especially aimed at younger women today. So again, to be taken a little at a time, and well worth the time.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably this book would hit different later in my life, since a lot of it is relevant to marriage and kids, but it did give me some great points to ponder.

One of these big points was, “Maybe Jesus answers every prayer we pray in the way we would want it to be answered if we saw what He saw and knew what He knew.”

An easy read

[Lori Guerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouragement, advice, consolation, and hope. I appreciated her take on loving the Church even when her people make it difficult and her letters on motherhood and God’s Love. Welcome thoughts to contemplate during this New Year which is likely to bring much change to me and the way I view the world, the Church, myself, and my relationships.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are needing advice or insight from a wise, caring, and thoughtful friend - this book will suffice. I loved Emily’s insights and honesty. Her heart is in these pages and it speaks directly to my heart. Beautiful book I know I will turn to again and again.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book! Emily’s writing truly speaks to my soul. Her writing gives me so much hope for myself and growing in my faith. She is such an inspiration to me.

(Side note: one critical comment is that I did notice a few proofreading errors in the book.)

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that you can return to over and over again! Wish we could offer advice and clarity to our younger selves! Well researched and thought out. Now I have a list of other books and documents to read!

[Molly Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book that touches on so many of my own struggles with religion. Emily is real and human about her challenges, weaving in scripture and theology to create relatable wisdom.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable and profound

[Daniel Hackenjos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down probably my favorite book I’ve read all year! Can’t recommend it enough.

[Cecilia Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly excellent. I’m going to be revisiting this many times.

[Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Stimpson Chapman is ALWAYS excellent; just too many books and too little time so I did not finish it.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the best books I have ever read. Ten bajillion stars.

[Megan Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I return to this frequently! Absolute balm for my soul when I am weary and need reminders of my belovedness.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I read it at a retreat in about a day! I felt so heard and seen as a single Catholic woman in her late 20s. I will definitely recommend to other Catholic women!

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Stimpson Chapman is one of my favorite follows on Instagram. I have enjoyed following along as her family has grown by adoption over the past couple of years, and I absolutely love her reflections on the Catholic faith. She writes beautifully about prayer, faith, motherhood, marriage, community, and the church, and really speaks to how Catholic women can live their vocations well.

This new book was written during the pandemic. Emily addresses letters to her younger self on those same topics that she often discusses on Instagram, passing on the lessons she has learned from her experiences living out the faith. Each letter is both specific to her circumstances and universally applicable to the lives of many Catholic women.

I started reading this book slowly, taking in just one or two letters at a time before bed each night. Sometimes, though, I was just so enamored of Emily's writing that I couldn't help but read an entire section in one go. Each time I was sure I had identified my favorite letter, I would turn the page and find another one that resonated with me even more strongly. I especially appreciated the letters that spoke to places where I may be failing in my own spiritual life. Emily has such a gentle, yet firm way of reminding her audience of the truth of our faith.

This is a wonderfully inspiring and uplifting book. It speaks to women at many stages of life and reminds us of the hope that we have in God even when it feels like the world may end at any moment. It's hands-down my favorite book of 2021 so far.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've followed Emily on Instagram for years. This is the first book of hers I have read. The format is fun. She starts writing during the shutdown - writing to herself, her 20 year old self. It's a beautiful memoir about what she has learned and experienced in life. The struggles of her young life, viewed through the lens of twenty years of living and experience. I found this book incredibly relatable, and very current. It's a great read for a woman in any stage of life. Also, a good reminder of what life was like during the pandemic.