• 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

Create a Restorative Reading & Writing Altar

October 28, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m sharing the nuts and bolts behind creating a restorative reading and writing altar for yourself in your home.  Come listen as I explain exactly what a reading and writing altar is, the...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

A Beautiful Holiday Season Starts with a Notebook

October 21, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m talking all about my holiday notebook tradition, how it helps us cultivate the kind of holiday season we want to have and how you can make one, too. Come listen to how the holiday notebook tradition began, what exactly a...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

E200: Celebrating 200 Episodes!

October 14, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, I’m putting my party hat on, cueing the confetti and celebrating 200 episodes of the podcast! Come listen as I talk about where the podcast started and how it has evolved over the years, the top downloaded episodes you might want to listen...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Book Clubs with Heart: How Group Reading Can Foster Collective Healing

October 7, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, I’m exploring the healing power of books clubs and why they are an underestimated tool in our quest to make life better through books and reading. Come listen as I talk about: the research-backed power of book clubs. how you can create (or...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Affirmative Writing Ideas to Change Your Mood

September 30, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, we’re exploring the newest addition to my restorative writing framework: affirmative writing.  Come listen as I explore what affirmative writing is (writing that affirms and uplifts your mindset) and offer 5 ways to try affirmative writing in your notebook: Affirmations Gratitude Manifestation Joy...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Reading Your Way to Wellness: The Last 90 Days

September 23, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, we’re exploring how to read our way to wellness in just 90 days.  Come listen as I explore the idea behind a 90 day project, particularly at the end of the year, and why focusing on our reading life could make our actual...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

E196: How A Restorative Pencil Pouch Could Change Your Life

September 16, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, we’re diving into how and why your pencil pouch could be the key to changing your life. Really. =) Today, we’ll explore the unexpected benefits of creating a restorative reading and writing pencil pouch: a little container to hold all the things you...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

The How & Why of Restorative List-Making

September 9, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, I’m exploring all things restorative list-making. With only a sticky note, a pencil and 5 minutes, you can literally change your mood and physical well-being.  Today, we’ll explore my new one word theme for September and why list-making is central to bringing it...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

When Writing Literary Letters Becomes Healing with Jeannine Atkins

September 2, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, I am talking with Jeannine Atkins about the power of writing to heal.  Janine is the author of several books for young readers about courageous women and teaches writing for children and young adults. She’s here today to talk about her newest release,...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Why Reading Escape is a Form of Bibliotherapy

August 26, 2025 in Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, I’m coming at you in real time as I expand my definition of restorative reading and bibliotherapy thanks to a recent session creating a book apothecary for a waiting reader.  Today, I am talking about the idea of reading escape: using our reading...
Read More...
Leave a Comment

Posts pagination

Previous 1 2 3 4 … 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