• Home
  • About
  • Podcasts
    • Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
    • Build Your Book Apothecary Guest Submission
    • KidLit Love
    • Podcast Merch
  • Free Lit(erate). Love
    • Substack
    • Bookology Lists for Adults
    • Bookology Lists for Children
  • Bookology
  • Bibliotherapy
    • Restorative Pencil Pouch
  • Journal Therapy
    • Restorative Pencil Pouch
  • Yoga
  • Social Media Nav Menu

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

A Lit Life

Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness

Writing Kidlit: Start Here with Victoria J. Coe & Cheryl Lawton Malone

June 25, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
If you have a dream in your heart to write a children’s book, or any book really, then this episode is for you.  Today, I’m talking with Victoria J. Coe and Cheryl Lawton Malone, children’s literature authors with books we know and love. ...
Read More...
2 Comments

Five Kinds of Notebooking

June 18, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Over the last couple of weeks here on the Get Lit(erate). podcast, we’ve celebrated the power, potential and joy of the summer reading season.  But what about summer notebooking? In this episode, I’m sharing the five different ways that you can show up to your notebook in a way that works...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Book Characters as Life Mentors

June 11, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Books and reading can make our lives better in so many ways and we’ve explored a lot of them on this podcast: how to find more time to read, how to choose books to help us grow through what we go through, how to enhance the reading experience with the five...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Ten Steps for the Best Summer Reading Season Ever

June 4, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Many of us hope to have a beautiful, relaxing summer full of reading books that are perfect for us.  But that takes planning. =) Come listen as I share the ten things you need to do TODAY to have the best summer reading season ever starting TOMORROW.  These small, actionable steps...
Read More...
2 Comments

Monthly Literate Love for May 2024

May 31, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On the very last day of every month, I share a bonus episode of what I’ve been reading, writing, learning and loving throughout the last month. Today, I’m sharing the highlights on my literate life in May and exploring some DEEP questions, too. I’ll describe the only three adult books that...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Get Lit(erate). Summer Reading Challenge

May 28, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
It’s time to gear up for summer reading season! Everywhere I look, I’m seeing summer reading lists, checklists and challenges and I typically DON’T enjoy them because they don’t always connect to the kind of reading life I want to have. So, I decided to create a summer reading challenge that...
Read More...
4 Comments

Inspiration for Morning Reading & Writing

May 21, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
I’ve stumbled upon a magical combination of reading and writing in the wee hours of the morning that makes me feel so good and sets my day up for success.  What is it? It’s the combination of reading small doses of personal development books and then heading to my notebook to...
Read More...
1 Comment

The Trouble with the TBR

May 14, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Reading and writing can make life better ONLY is you first make the time to read and write. =) In this episode, I’m tackling a problem I uncovered in my own reading life that stalled my reading and I have a feeling it could be one your grappling with, too: trouble...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Re-Enchantment Letters with Charissa Steyn

May 7, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
We know that books and reading and notebooks and writing have the power to make life better.  But what about an honest conversation with a stranger that results in encouragement elixir in the form of a printed letter to help you get re-enchanted with yourself and your life? Yes, please.  Charissa...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Literate Love for April 2024

April 30, 2024 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On the very last day of every month, I share a bonus episode of what I’ve been reading, writing, learning and loving throughout the last month. Today, I’m sharing the highlights on my literate life in April: three books that I could not put down, a writing life that was ON...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Posts pagination

Previous 1 … 9 10 11 … 23 Next

Primary Sidebar

ABOUT

Stephanie

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

SEARCH FOR POSTS

FOLLOW ME ON GOODREADS!

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...

goodreads.com

AMAZON AND BOOKSHOP AFFILIATE

As an Amazon and Bookshop Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Footer

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!
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m ta On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Melanie Dale about her newest upper middle grade novel: A GIRL OF LORE.

In this atmospheric paranormal novel, inner demons and town secrets collide in the haunting Southern town of London, Georgia. It had me guessing on every page, closing my eyes on some of them and truly inviting me into Mina’s world throughout.

Come listen as we talk about the unexpected way Melanie decided to write her first middle grade novel, the varied themes and entry points for all readers and why you should read it and hug it, too. Don’t be mistaken: even if you do not typically read novels like this, this book is for you. It’s enchanting. 

@melanierdale
#KidLitLove Podcast Link in Bio
#ALitLife
Books make Mondays better! This month, my one wor Books make Mondays better!

This month, my one word theme is RELEASE: of the past, of the things that no longer serve me....and the clothes that no longer fit. =)

This memoir is part of my book apothecary for the month to help me do just that:

THEY LEFT US EVERYTHING by Plum Johnson

It's been hailed as "a funny, touching memoir about the importance of preserving family history to make sense of the past and nurturing family bonds to safeguard the future."

I'm only two chapters in and I cannot get enough quickly enough. I have a feeling I'll hug this one after I'm done.

What books are making your Monday better?

#BooksMakeMondaysBetter
#IMWAYR
#ALitLife
#Memoirs
A Note from my Nudge Notebook... A Nudge Notebook A Note from my Nudge Notebook...

A Nudge Notebook is a special notebook where I track all of the whispers, nudges and ideas I get for making my life better from the books I read.

This week’s nudge came from The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Mary Claire Haver.

In it, she recommends tracking your daily nutritional intake through an app called Cronometer. I am NOT a person to track my food for a few reasons, but for some reason, it stuck with me and I’ve tried it for a couple of weeks with surprising results. 

My favorite takeaway is what I’ve learned about micronutrients: 

I’m not getting NEARLY what I thought I was, but after a couple weeks of tracking and making small changes, I am MUCH more balanced than I was and I can feel the difference. 

What nudges did you get from your reading this week?

@drmaryclaire
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM
  • About Stephanie
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

COPYRIGHT © 2026 · THEME BY WATDESIGNEXPRESS