Joan Didion grief quote: Kaia Gerber shares loss in Instagram post following brother Presley’s passing
Books on grief and mourning
On November 8, Gerber posted a photograph of books that explore loss, mourning and ways of finding meaning. The collection included works by Marie Howe, Joe Brainard, Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough, and David Kessler.
Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking sat on top of the pile. Gerber shared a passage from the book describing grief as unpredictable and disruptive.
A book club connection
The club’s stated aim is to draw attention to books outside typical bestseller lists. The post brought Gerber’s reading choices to the club’s audience as well as her own followers.
Gerber’s tribute to Presley
The Instagram post came nearly a month after Gerber shared a tribute to her older brother. Presley died on September 20 at age 27. He died at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica following a suspected overdose. His autopsy had been completed, but the cause of death was listed as deferred.
Key points
- Gerber shared books about grief and a passage from Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking.
- Her post appeared on Liberty Science’s Instagram page, linked to the book club she co-founded.
- Presley Gerber died at 27 on September 20; his cause of death was listed as deferred.