I have exciting news to share. My book, Read, Reflect, Respond, has been awarded the Bronze Medal in the 2025 Global Book Awards in the category of Self-Help – Personal Transformation.
When I began writing, I wasn’t thinking about recognition or awards. I was simply listening to the stories people brought into my office and into my life, stories of feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or disconnected from what mattered most. Again and again, I saw how powerful it was when someone paused long enough to reflect, then chose a response that brought clarity or hope. That is where the title came from: Read, Reflect, Respond.
The process of writing was not quick or easy. There were nights I doubted the value of my words and mornings I wondered if the book would ever come together. But every time I considered setting it aside, I remembered the people who needed these tools. That reminder kept me going, page after page.
To now see this work recognized on an international stage is deeply humbling. The Global Book Awards honor authors whose writing inspires and transforms, and to be included in that community is an affirmation of the mission behind this book: helping people create meaningful change in their lives.
But as much as this is an author’s award, I see it as a shared celebration with my readers. Over the past year, many of you have written to me with your own reflections, how a passage made you rethink an old habit, how an exercise helped you through a difficult transition, or how the book gave you language for feelings you had carried silently for years. Those stories mean more to me than any medal ever could. They are the real evidence that Read, Reflect, Respond is doing the work I hoped it would.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to explore the book, you can find it on Amazon. My wish is that it becomes a companion on your journey, offering both gentle questions and practical steps as you navigate life’s changes.
This Bronze Medal is a milestone, yes, but it is also a reminder that the work of growth never really ends. We keep reading, we keep reflecting, and we keep responding. And together, we keep moving forward.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your encouragement, feedback, and willingness to engage with the book have made this possible.
With deep gratitude,
Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
