Summer Reading Club: July Book - The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

By Kaytlin Hall

The Glass Castle is a book that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. It's a memoir about Jeannette Walls and her nomadic family as they navigate extreme poverty, instability, and a childhood unlike most of us can imagine.

I had a true love-hate relationship with this story. As a parent, I was often frustrated with Jeannette's parents, Rex and Rose Mary. Every time Rex showed glimpses of becoming the father his children deserved, I was hopeful. Then, just as quickly, my heart would break as he returned to drinking and once again abandoned his family. Rose Mary, their mother, is eccentric and fiercely independent, choosing to avoid the stability of a traditional teaching job despite the hardships her family endured.

Throughout the book, I kept thinking about the small choices that could have dramatically changed the trajectory of this family's life. By the end, I was amazed that the children had survived everything they experienced and even more inspired by the resilience they developed along the way. At the same time, my heart ached that Jeannette and her siblings had to endure such a difficult childhood.

As parents, we can't shield our children from every disappointment—I know that. But we can provide a foundation of love, consistency, and security. We can teach responsibility, encourage independence, and model perseverance when life doesn't go according to plan.

One of my biggest takeaways is that while money can certainly open doors, the greatest gifts we give our children often aren't financial. They're the values we model, the stability we create, and the confidence that comes from knowing someone will always be in their corner.

My Rating: 6/10

This was one of those books that left me with mixed emotions. I admired the resilience and determination of Jeannette and her siblings, but I also found parts of their childhood incredibly difficult to read. It's not a light summer read, but it is a memorable one that sparked a lot of reflection for me as both a parent and a financial planner.

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Kaytlin Hall is a Financial Advisor of Santa Monica, California-based Gerber Kawasaki Inc., an SEC-registered investment firm with approximately ~$4.78B billion in assets under management and assets under advisement as of 06/30/26. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which course of action may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Readers shouldn't buy any investment without doing their research to determine if the investments are suitable for their situation. “All investments involve risk and one should consult a financial advisor before making any investments. Past performance is not indicative of future results."