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A Lit Life

Notebooks & Writing

Joyful Journaling with Becca Rae Eagle

October 10, 2023 in Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
I love meeting people who embody the kind of life I want to live and have mastered the habits and mindsets that I’m trying to grow.  Today’s guest is my ultimate guide for bringing joyful, mindful journaling into my daily life. Becca Rae...
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Restorative Reading & Writing

September 26, 2023 in Books & Reading, Life & Living, Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Books and notebooks have always been a large part of my life, but their role has shifted and changed over time.  Today, I talk about where I’ve been, where I am now and how I’ve been using reading and writing to make life better.  Come listen as I explore restorative reading...
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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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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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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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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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Getting Writing Inspiration from Books

June 27, 2023 in Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
This summer, I’ve set a goal to really lean into my writing life. I want to write more regularly, tackle some writing projects, write outside the box and boost my writing communities, too.  So, I’ve joined two very different writing groups and have been reflecting on what I like about each,...
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Lit Gifts for Graduates

May 30, 2023 in Books & Reading, Life & Living, Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
It’s graduation season! Today, I share a bit of my own graduation regret and offer a collection of fantastic gifts for graduates, Get Lit(erate). style.  You’ll find three picture books, three notebooks, three technology gadgets and three bookish gifts just for fun on today’s episode.  Here are the books and gifts...
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Five Fresh Notebook Experiments

May 16, 2023 in Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Writing daily in my various notebooks, especially my Morning Pages notebook, has been a life-changing practice for me, but sometimes, those gleaming white pages can feel daunting. Often, I’ll find myself writing about the same thing over and over again or writing in the same way over and over again. And...
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Super Bloom with Megan Tady

May 2, 2023 in Books & Reading, Notebooks & Writing, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
I love book birthdays: celebrating the day that new books are released into the world for readers to experience and learn from.  Today, we are celebrating the release of Megan Tady’s debut novel titled Super Bloom.  I devoured this book and it has a place on many of my personal book...
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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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