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A Lit Life

Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness

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...
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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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Unexpected Books for Summer Reading

July 25, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Today, I am talking about a particular bookish problem I often have: reading the books on my tall TBR stack in the season I intentionally wanted to read them in.  I have many books that I wanted to read this summer IN the summer season because they have all the summertime...
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Reading & Writing in Five Senses

July 18, 2023 in Books & Reading, Life & Living, Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Ever since I read The Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin, I’ve been thinking about my days a bit differently. I’m noticing things more. I’m attempting to listen more. I’m striving to stay present in the moment, to really experience it.  I’m trying to choose a bigger life and this book is...
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Books as Tools to Take Us Places

July 11, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
One of the best things about having a podcast is the chance to talk books with people that you might never meet in real life.  Today, I’m talking with Kara Infante of the Bookish Flights podcast. What started as a chance to talk about hyperlocal books from the Midwest to broaden...
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The Get Lit(erate). Backstory

July 4, 2023 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
I always love a good literate backstory: how an author decided to write, the way a book came to life, why a writer shares specific stories on the page.  Knowing the backstory, connecting to the backstory and truly understanding ‘all the things’ connects me to authors and books in new ways....
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Literate Love for June 2023

June 30, 2023 in Literate Love, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
It’s time to share a little bit of literate love for June of 2023! Today, I share what I’ve been reading, writing, learning and loving in the month of June in hopes that it inspires your own reading and writing, too. Here are the books and resources mentioned in the episode:...
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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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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
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