Emerging by Nancy Stordahl is a nonfiction, self-help book with four parts outlining the book's scope (Part 1 Cancer, Part 2 Loss, Part 3 Pandemic, Part 4 Emerging). It's a narrative based on her own story as a cancer patient that shows readers how rich and challenging life experiences are never easy to forget or resolve. The unpleasant, depressing, or even tragic truth cannot be erased by sugarcoating or sentimental expressions of being a survivor. Recognizing and acknowledging this part of our lives, no matter how unpleasant and difficult the process, is crucial to healing. The act of striving to overcome hardships and misfortunes, which differs for everyone, must be accepted, adjusted to, celebrated, and told.

Emerging by Nancy Stordahl is an informative, encouraging, and confidence-building book about handling grief, loss, and crisis. She teaches how to face the reality that our situation has no instant fix, and it is a process that should not be done in haste. We must consider and work with the flaws, imperfections, and coping mechanisms we are equipped with. No one is superhuman, and weakness is not something to be ashamed of. I highly recommend Emerging for those seeking mindful, nonjudgmental, and realistic wisdom about knowing ourselves and how we should handle the adversities and problems we face in a gentler, compassionate, if not healthier, and more well-adjusted blueprint for healing and emerging.

Emerging: Stories from the Other Side of a Cancer Diagnosis, Loss, and a Pandemic is an enlightening self-help book by Nancy Stordahl. Noting that we all go through difficult times in life, the author draws on her own experiences and shares them with her readers. The book comprises three parts: Cancer, Loss (I’m an Orphan Now), Pandemic, and a conclusion titled Emerging. This is the story of a woman who was stricken with cancer, suffered the loss of both parents, and lived through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, she emerged not necessarily an improved version of herself, but wiser in dealing with what life has in store for her. She also deals with the theme of aging and making tough decisions in life. By sharing her life experiences, the author offers hope to all of us through her story.

Nancy Stordahl’s Emerging is an inspiring story that is a must-read and suitable for a wide audience. Written to help us tackle life’s challenges with resilience, it is an informative work. The book is well-structured with the first three parts featuring stories about cancer diagnosis, loss, and the pandemic and the last chapter tying everything together. The author delivers her message clearly by encouraging readers to weave their life experiences into who they are, not necessarily expecting to be transformed into a better version of one’s self. Authentic and highly credible, the author also reveals that sharing our stories and letting others see our flaws will help us overcome life’s tough challenges. Highly recommended.