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A Lit Life

Books That Can Change Your Life

Here’s a collections of books that can change your life. How do know they can? Well, because they’ve changed mine. 

You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo was exactly the book I needed at the exact time that I needed it. Book serendipity at its best. Emerging from a few weeks of not feeling well, I needed a jolt, a kick-in-the-pants to get back at it. This book did exactly that. I read it quickly, devouring each page full of wisdom. I learned that indeed, everything is figureoutable and we have the power to change our beliefs, make our own choices and control our future moving forward. With just a few concrete, within-our-reach mindset shifts and actions, we can transform the way we think and the possibilities we can offer to the world. Forleo includes Insight to Action Challenges and Figureoutable Field Notes that inspire dreaming, but demand practical action. But the best part? This book isn’t just for those of us with grand or epic dreams, it’s for anyone who simply wants to be the best version of themselves. Please read this book.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

This book blew everything I knew about creativity right out of the water. It all started with her view on ideas: what they are, where they come from and where they go next if not nurtured. I devoured every word, trying to figure out how I’d nurture my own creativity (after I figured out what it was, of course) until Gilbert wrote about moving away from passion and toward curiosity. Every fiber of my being was at attention when she described how a tiny interest in keeping a garden ultimately led to her writing The Signature of All Things….simply by saying yes to the trail of curiosity. Now THAT I can relate to. I want to fill my life with lots of little yesses that ultimately lead to a live well lived, because we never know where one little yes will take us. Big Magic.

You, Happier by Dr. Daniel Amen

You, Happier has indeed made me happier. Not only did I read the book, but I learned my brain type (I’m a 9), completed EVERY recommended exercise, started a wellness journal to keep track of all my new brain-boosting routines, bought the supplements just right for me and am already seeing results. And I’m not done. I’m now diving into Dr. Amen’s backlist of books and even signed up for his online courses. I’ve been struggling a bit as we transition back to living through a pandemic and this has given me the tools I need to take 100% responsibility for how I feel and how I want to show up for my family for many, mean years to come. Please read this book. 

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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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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Huda Fahmy about her newest book: HUDA F WOULD LOVE YOU?

This book is the funny and tender finale in the HUDA F series and explores themes of love, dating, self-discovery, self-worth and what it’s like growing up Muslim in America. 

Come listen as we talk about how old Huda was when she knew she wanted to write, the stick figures she started drawing and the advice from her sister that launched the career Huda has today. It was a true delight!

@yesimhotinthis 
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO
#HUDAF
Books make Mondays better! Today, I'm starting TH Books make Mondays better!

Today, I'm starting THE LAST LETTER OF RACHEL ELLSWORTH by Barbara O'Neal. 

Here's the publisher's summary:

Recently and abruptly divorced Veronica Barrington is anxious for a new direction when she answers a listing for a travel companion. It’s from Mariah Ellsworth, a young woman adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career. She’s also grieving her mother, Rachel, a lauded food writer, and Mariah aims to trace the steps of her mother’s final, unfinished project so she can heal and also honor the woman she misses.

Veronica seizes on the opportunity to experience with Mariah the culture, traditions, and intoxicating aromas of Parsi cafés throughout London, Paris, Morocco, and India. Accompanied by a former war photographer who has a wounded history of his own, and with just Rachel’s letters to guide them, the quest is a chance to not only close a chapter in life but also begin a new one.

Following the letters one by one—each a clue to an illuminating mystery—Veronica and Mariah must face the painful and beautiful challenges of freeing themselves from the dark shadows of the past. Together, far from home, they can find the light.

I absolutely cannot wait to join these two on their journey!

What books are making your Monday better?

@barbaraonealauthor
#BooksMakeMondaysBetter
#IMWAYR
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Amy Sarig King about her newest release: IT CAME FROM THE CREEK.

Set in 1980, this middle grade novel deals with timely themes of community activism, environmental neglect and bullying in a kid-friendly way with lots of humor and heart. It’s a book that will invite you into the story, make you think and perhaps even take some action.

Come listen as we talk about why weird is good and the different ways Amy writes her middle grade novels versus young adult, the haunted house that planted the seed for this book and her dual hopes for readers everywhere. 

@as_king_
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Leslie Adame about her newest release: CHLOE VEGA & THE MISSING UNSEEN.

This book is the second in the middle grade CHLOE VEGA series that expands Choloe’s magical world and examines timely themes of identity and justice. Readers are sure to get lost in the fantasy, but feel the very real themes of the book in our present world. 

Come listen as we talk about the original career Leslie thought she’d have, the possibilities of the fantasy genre to explore real-world themes and topics and the two-word question that not only sparked the content of the book, but that Leslie hopes will spark readers, too. 

@leslieadame
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO
Books make Mondays better! I’m breaking one of my Books make Mondays better!

I’m breaking one of my reading rules this week and am reading a holiday book to celebrate the start of my annual Notebooking tradition: my holiday notebook!

It’s the notebook I create each year to launch the holiday season, keep it organized and make sure I enjoy as much of it as I can. I’m hosting a live co-notebooking session inside my community and this book is going to get me in the festive mood:

THE CHRISTMAS WISH by Lee Heart

Here’s the quick summary from the publisher:
A girl full of holiday spirit hopes to get her secret crush’s attention for Christmas in this latest installment in the acclaimed tween middle grade rom-com series, Spotlight Sprinkles—full of evergreen tropes like holiday parties and the magic of the season!

What books are making your Monday better?

One more thing: Comment or message me if you’d like to know more about my Notebooking session this Thursday at 7pm EST! 

#BooksMakeMondaysBetter
#IMWAYR
#ALitLife
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jasmine Guillory about her young adult debut: IT’S ONLY DANCING.

Her newest book addresses body image issues, socioeconomic status, perfectionism, coming of age, first loves and so much more. Plus, it’s loosely inspired by the hit movie Dirty Dancing, a movie I’ve loved for years. 

Come listen as we talk about Jasmine’s prolific writing career and how she stays motivated, how it was to shift from writing adult novels to young adult literature and the way readers can enjoy the book and connect on a deeper level, too. 

@jasminepics 
#KidLitLove PODCAST LINK IN BIO
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