Review of “Are You Ready?” by Dr. Kimberly Harms

Score: 95+/100 (9.5+ out of 10)

We all share a common destiny—death. While most of us move through life as if we’ll live forever, the reality is far from that. This thought-provoking and poignant book reminds us of the inevitability of death, but even more so, it challenges us to reflect on what we leave behind—our legacy.

Dr. Kimberly Harms’s Are You Ready? isn’t just a book about dying; it’s a blueprint for living with intention. Drawing from her personal experiences of overcoming adversity, Harms introduces us to the profound importance of preparing for the future—emotionally, mentally, and practically—for ourselves and our loved ones.

The author’s personal story grips you right from the beginning. Born with disabilities due to a medication her mother took, and later losing her mother to mental illness at the age of seventeen, Harms’s resilience and perseverance leap off the pages. She doesn’t shy away from the painful realities of life but instead reframes them into lessons on love, strength, and leaving behind a meaningful legacy.

What makes this book exceptional are the numerous inspiring examples of individuals who turned their hardships into triumphs. Harms shares stories that will captivate you—stories of Holocaust survivors, Rwandan genocide survivors, and even her own late son, Eric. Each narrative showcases the strength of the human spirit and the impact one person can have, even amidst the most unimaginable circumstances.

But this isn’t a book about staying in the dark; it’s about finding the light. Whether it’s building memorial libraries in Rwanda or reflecting on how even small acts of kindness, like fixing a broken statue of Jesus, can leave lasting impressions, Harms emphasizes that legacy is about how we live and love each day.

Dr. Kimberly Harms takes readers through the practical side of death as well, with humor and wisdom. From writing legacy letters to choosing what’s written on your tombstone, Harms covers it all with grace and a sense of urgency—reminding us that these decisions should be made now, not at the last minute.

This book is a powerful guide to living a life worth remembering, filled with inspiration, practical advice, and an undeniable truth: the way we live today shapes the legacy we leave behind tomorrow.

In this book, Dr. Harms blends the personal with the universal, weaving her life story into a tapestry of lessons on legacy, resilience, and preparation for death. From the very first page, it’s clear that this isn’t just a clinical guide to estate planning or funeral preparations; it’s a heartfelt call to live with purpose, knowing that our time here is finite. Harms expertly combines her own struggles and triumphs with the wisdom she has gleaned from others—survivors of some of the most horrific events in human history, including the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide.

One of the book's most compelling aspects is the way Harms shows that legacy isn’t just about wealth or material possessions. It’s about love. In one of the most memorable quotes from the book, she says, “Mental illness does not disqualify you from being a good parent. Lack of love does. Love is the greatest legacy.” This is particularly poignant given the personal challenges she faced with her mother’s mental illness, which led to her mother’s institutionalization and eventual suicide. Harms doesn’t shy away from these difficult truths but instead shows how even in the face of such hardship, love can—and does—persist.

Her son Eric’s story is another emotional thread that runs through the book. Eric’s tragic death is a deeply personal chapter in Harms’s life, but she uses his memory as a source of strength and hope. Through the establishment of the Eric Harms Memorial Libraries in Rwanda, Harms honors her son’s passion for literature and education, turning her grief into something that benefits others. It’s a powerful reminder that legacy often comes in the form of the lives we touch and the love we continue to spread even after we’re gone.

But this book doesn’t just dwell on the emotional or spiritual aspects of legacy; it also provides a practical roadmap for preparing for death. In Part Three, Harms introduces readers to the "Death Prepper’s Workbook," a hands-on guide to making sure your affairs are in order. This includes writing legacy letters, healthcare directives, and choosing how you want to be remembered—from selecting your obituary photo to deciding whether you want to be remembered in a traditional funeral or a living wake. Harms brings a touch of humor to these otherwise heavy topics, lightening the mood while emphasizing the importance of planning ahead. She even includes quirky ideas like having your ashes turned into diamonds or being launched into space—showing that preparing for death doesn’t have to be a somber affair.

The book’s structure moves fluidly from deeply personal reflections to practical, actionable advice, making it not just a memoir but a manual for life. Harms’s writing is warm and relatable, with a tone that feels like a trusted friend offering guidance on how to make the most of your time here. She consistently encourages readers to think about their own lives and the legacies they are building—consciously or unconsciously—through their daily actions and relationships.

Harms also uses historical and real-life examples to inspire. From Gandhi and Lincoln to ordinary people like Etta Hauptman, a Holocaust survivor whose family’s story of forgiveness and recovery leaves a lasting impact, these stories provide tangible proof that legacies come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it's grand historical achievements or simple acts of kindness, Harms shows that every person has the capacity to leave a lasting mark on the world.

Ultimately, Are You Ready? is more than just a book about preparing for death; it’s a call to live well, love deeply, and plan thoughtfully for the future. Harms reminds us that the greatest gift we can leave our loved ones isn’t money or possessions but a legacy of love, trust, and meaningful action. It’s a book that challenges us to think beyond ourselves and consider how we want to be remembered, and it offers both the emotional insight and practical tools to start building that legacy today.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to live a life that matters, and more importantly, leave behind something that will endure long after they are gone. Whether you're young or old, healthy or facing a terminal illness, Are You Ready? provides timeless wisdom and practical steps to help you prepare for the inevitable with grace and peace.

Check it out on Amazon!