A father’s grief. A family’s resilience. A story of hope after unimaginable loss.On November 7, 2018, Arik Housley’s world changed forever when his 18-year-old daughter, Alaina, was murdered in a mass shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California. In the face of unspeakable tragedy, he was forced to confront the question every grieving parent asks:
How do you keep living after child loss?In
Always November: Lessons in Loss, Love, and Resilience, Housley shares his courageous journey through grief with unflinching honesty. This powerful grief memoir recounts the shock of loss, the lifeline of community, and the long road to healing after child loss.
With a voice that is both raw and tender, Housley explores how faith, family, and friendship became anchors in the darkest of times. His story is a reminder that while loss changes us forever, it does not have to define us.
Readers searching for
books on grief and healing, inspiration in
moving forward after tragedy, or reflections on the
power of faith and resilience in grief will find comfort, hope, and kinship in these pages.
"Housley's journey shows that even unimaginable grief can become a catalyst for growth...Read this book and be encouraged!"
Jon Gordon, 17x bestselling author of The Carpenter and The One
“Housley’s book stands out for its openness and accessibility, offering reminders that healing can be found in small, everyday acts of grace. An uplifting remembrance about choosing happiness in the face of loss.”
Kirkus Reviews
“Always November is a heartrending yet inspiring account of a family navigating a labyrinth of unfathomable loss. From the very first page, Housley’s memoir gripped me with its raw honesty, insightful reflections, and remarkable grace while serving as a guide toward hope and healing. A testament to the power of faith amid grief—and of profound strength found in love beyond limits.”
Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday and The Girls of Good Fortune
In Always November, Arik Housley writes with a “broken-open heart,” and you feel that love on every page of this deeply moving book. “Tell stories,” Housley and his family were advised in the days after their daughter Alaina was killed. That is just what he offers here: an unforgettable story of what it means to live—fully, generously, faithfully—with grief, and with joy.
Lissa Soep, author of Other People’s Words: Friendship, Loss and the Conversations that Never End
