In 2025, DSF launched a new program with the hope of connecting parents in a fresh and creative way: the Community Book Club. This virtual club invites parents to join in a shared experience—reading a book and then coming together in real time to talk about it. And now, we are excited to launch the 2026 season of the DSF Caregiver Community Book Club.
How It Works:
The basic premise of this book club is much like any book club you might find in your hometown—read a book and discuss it. The difference is that everything is virtual. We discuss online and meet via Zoom.
We also understand that time is precious, and that sitting down to read can feel like a luxury, especially when you are a parent and caregiver for a person with Dravet syndrome. With that in mind, we read one book every two months. At the end of the second month, we meet live on Zoom for a group discussion.
What We Will Read:
The books for 2026 were selected by the 2025 book club participants. This allows caregivers to join for one book, two books, or the entire year—while knowing what’s coming next. The 2026 reading list includes:
February/March
How to Handle More Than You Can Handle: Caring for Yourself While Raising a Disabled Child by Amanda Griffith-Atkins
A guide to navigating the emotional experience of caring for and raising disabled children with high-support needs, from a therapist and parent of a disabled child.
April/May
Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life by Alice Wong
This groundbreaking memoir offers a glimpse into an activist’s journey to finding and cultivating community and the continued fight for disability justice, from the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project.
June/July
Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose by Colin Campbell
A powerful account of one father’s journey through unimaginable grief, offering readers a new vision for how to more actively and fully mourn profound loss.
August/September
The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving: A Novel by Jonathan Evison
Bursting with energy and filled with moments of absolute beauty, this big-hearted and inspired novel ponders life’s terrible surprises as well as what it takes to truly care for another human being.
October/November
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama
In an inspiring follow-up to her critically acclaimed, #1 bestselling memoir Becoming, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today’s highly uncertain world.
How to Get Involved:
If you’d like to join us, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Join Our Family Network
If you are already part of our Family Network—great! If not, no problem. Please complete the form on our website to join. This book club is designed for parents and legal guardians/caregivers of individuals with Dravet syndrome, so you must fall into one of these roles to participate. - Create an Account with Bookclubs.com
To help facilitate organization, we use Bookclubs.com. This platform supports meeting planning, message board discussions, and meaningful connection with one another. - Join Our Club!
Once your account is created, you can join our book club directly through this link.
Sharing books together has been a powerful way to connect as parents. We have laughed, cried, and discovered just how much we have in common. We hope you’ll join us this year as we explore themes of self-care, resilience, relationships, grief, and—ultimately—hope.
We can’t wait to dive in. Happy reading!
If you have any questions please email Austin Watson at austin@dravetfoundation.org
