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A Lit Life

Latest Podcast Episodes & Posts

Books That Spark Wild Curiosity with Elora Maxwell

September 12, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Recently, I read a historical fiction novel that sparked my interest in a historical event in a way that no other book has done: The Shore of Forever by Elora Maxwell. This book was completely captivating. It was focused on a fascinating period...
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Three Books with Back to School Vibes

September 5, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Here in the United States, we’ve just observed Labor Day. That means back to school, cooler weather and my favorite pumpkin flavors.  Today, I’m sharing three books with back-to-school vibes: two fiction novels set squarely in academia and one memoir with strong threads of school excellence throughout.  Here are the books...
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Summer Literate Love

August 31, 2023 in Literate Love, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Every month (almost!) I share a little bit of literate love: what I’ve been reading, writing, learning and loving all month long. Today, I’m sharing the summer edition of my monthly recap. I’ve got four great books to share, some fun writing experiences, a cookie recreation I am proud of and...
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Journaling in The Secret Garden with Keri Wilt

August 29, 2023 in Books & Reading, Life & Living, Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
There are many iconic books that we tuck into our reading hearts and one of those books for me is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  Originally published in 1911, this book still captivates the minds and hearts of many readers and I’d argue the lessons inside are even more...
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Fairy Tales as Life Coaching with Donna Fields

August 22, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
There’s one genre that I have not read in my adult reading life for a VERY long time…and I know because I keep meticulous track of the books I read: fairy tales.  That all changes starting now! Today, I’m talking with Donna Fields. She has spent years studying fairy tales and...
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Exploring Journal Tip-Ins

August 15, 2023 in Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Today, I’m sharing a new journaling technique that I’m trying in my notebook: a journal tip-in. It’s a fun way to add function AND beauty to your notebook and I wish I tried it sooner. I talk about what tip-ins are, how they can serve our notebooks and how we can...
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Books to Celebrate Book Lovers Day

August 8, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Let’s celebrate National Book Lovers Day! I love all things books and reading: books, bookstores, bookshelves, book bins, book covers, book sleeves, bookmarks, bookish culture, bookish fun and more.  That’s why I have a special place in my reading heart for books about books. Not only do they indulge my bookish...
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Joyful Junk Journaling with Jenn Begin

August 1, 2023 in Creativity & Inspiration, Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
I love all kinds of notebooking and journaling, but there’s one kind that I have not yet tried: junk journaling.  So, I’ve brought on a special guest to help me think through what junk journaling is, why we should all give it a try and how to get started. Jenn Begin...
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ABOUT

Stephanie

A book-loving, notebook-hoarding bookologist on a mission to change lives one book and one notebook at a time.

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Stephanie's books

Paperweight
Paperweight
by Meg Haston
I read this hauntingly beautiful book on the recommendation of my teenage daughter. She told me it was powerful, told me I wouldn't want to stop reading it...and she was right. Meg Haston invites readers into the mind of Stevie, causing ...
The Gifts of Imperfection
it was amazing
The Gifts of Imperfection
by Brené Brown
I haven't stumbled across anything written by Brene Brown that I did not love and this book is no exception. Written so conversationally as if Brene was literally speaking directly, and only, to me, I could'n help bu be personally moved ...
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
it was amazing
I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
by Anne Bogel
True to its title, this book was simply delightful. I felt like I was talking with a long-lost friend, a fellow book-lover whose life was just as entangled with the plots, settings and characters of fictional books as they were those in ...
Some Places More Than Others
it was amazing
Some Places More Than Others
by Renée Watson
It was almost like I was reading a book that was written just for me, even though the daily lives and locations of the characters were vastly different. The theme of love, self-worth and family connection was prevalent on each and every ...
Touching Spirit Bear
it was amazing
Touching Spirit Bear
by Ben Mikaelsen
This book shook me to my motherly core. I read this with my 13-year old twins as part of a school assignment and was swept into Cole's story of literally fighting for survival and for love. My children were drawn to Cole's story of survi...

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This book was a gorgeous exploration into love, lo This book was a gorgeous exploration into love, loss, family and the complications among them. Tasked with clearing out her family’s home after both her parents passed, Plum wades through the objects of the home and the emotions of her heart. It’s filled with lyrical writing and an invitation to consider our own roots, our own stuff and our next moves.

#ALitLife
#Memoirs
Surprise! I’m here with a bonus episode to close Surprise!

I’m here with a bonus episode to close out the end of National Library week with a delightful middle grade biography of an important bookish figure: Ursula Nordstrom.

Plus, for the first time ever, I invited an additional guest on to share the book love with me. Come listen!

@mother_goose_librarian
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO!
#ALitLife
#MiddleGrade
A Note From My Nudge Notebook… This week, I was i A Note From My Nudge Notebook…

This week, I was inspired to write a really terrible first draft of a picture book inspired by a conversation with my father and grandfather AND the writing advice from inside this incredible middle grade biography by Nancy Hudgins: BOOKS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU. Ursula Nordstrom will now stand on my writing shoulders forever.

What acts of inspired action are you taking from the books you’ve read this week?

#NudgeNotebook
Middle grade novels hold a unique kind of magic an Middle grade novels hold a unique kind of magic and Ann Braden unlocks that magic with every novel she writes.

Her newest book is no exception.

HIJACKED BY GOATS is a heartfelt middle grade novel that delicately captures Josie’s inner world and the sheer number of compulsive and overwhelming thoughts that battle for her attention. Officially diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Josie progresses through residential treatment and outpatient therapy as she navigates recovery and a kinder way of treating herself.

Ann delicately captures the challenges Josie faces, the overwhelming thoughts and feelings that won’t let her rest and the brave choices she makes to move through them with the support of new friends, family and knowledgeable professionals.

While every middle grade reader might not be able to relate to Josie directly, they WILL be able to relate to going through something hard, wishing away particular thoughts or feelings or knowing someone who is struggling with their mental health. So will every adult reading this book, too.

This book so beautifully captures the entirety of the human condition and invites every emotion to the table, holding out a hand to those that need it and providing a window of empathy to those that need that, too.

It’s an incredible book and I’m forever grateful for having read it.

@annbradenbooks
#KidLitLove
#ALitLife
#MiddleGrade
#OCD
#Bibliotherapy
This. I know this face. I’ve made this face. I now This. I know this face. I’ve made this face. I now have better words to explain the significance of it and the love it holds. Thank you, Ann. ❤️

HIJACKED BY GOATS by Ann Braden

Coming September 2026
Full review coming soon.
@annbradenbooks
A restorative reading and writing practice doesn't A restorative reading and writing practice doesn't just feel good.....it sends a signal of safety to our nervous systems and THAT is what starts well-being at a cellular level.

Come listen as I talk about the one thing standing in the way of a reading and writing life that makes your actual life better and helps you feel better, too. 

We'll take a sensory audit of our reading and writing and brainstorm key ways to speak the language of our bodies and truly enhance our practice. 

Click the podcast link in my bio or visit me on Substack to listen!
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