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A Lit Life

Books & Reading

Books with Pie

November 21, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Pie is the most-loved Thanksgiving holiday dessert and that means that many of us are either buying or making a pie this Thanksgiving week. So today, I’m sharing three books (make that four!) that have pie as a central theme: one classic must-read,...
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The Cozy Mystery Food Connection (Or All This Talk of Pie is Making Me Hungry) 

November 8, 2023 in Books & Reading
I am thrilled to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for Secrets Laid to Rest by Catherine C. Hall. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review that I’ll share in just a few days. Today, I’ve invited Catherine on the...
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Padma Venkatraman: Born Behind Bars

November 3, 2023 in Books & Reading, Kidlit Love Podcast
I am thrilled to welcome you to the inaugural episode of Kidlit Love!  Today, I am talking with Padma Venkatraman, author of multiple young adult and middle grade novels and novels in verse. We’re talking specifically about her books The Bridge Home and Born Behind Bars, two incredibly powerful novels that...
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Shine a Light on Mental Health with Sagit Schwartz

October 24, 2023 in Books & Reading, Life & Living, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
October is World Mental Health month and I’m talking with Sagit Schwartz on the power books have to shine a light on mental health. She’s here to talk about her debut novel: Since She’s Been Gone. Sagit Schwartz is a writer, producer, and licensed psychotherapist. Her work has been featured in...
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Cozy Books with Fall Flavors

October 17, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
It’s officially Fall and that means I am enjoying my favorite season of the year. Time for warm socks, crunchy leaves and cozy reading.  Did you know that the term cozy is actually a special subgenre? Think cozy mysteries, cozy romances and even cozy fantasy novels.  And where there are cozy...
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Books That Feel Like Therapy

October 3, 2023 in Bibliotherapy, Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Today, I am sharing three books that blur the boundaries of bibliotherapy in different ways. In fact, I think this blur might be one of my new favorite genres. One book is a bestseller, one is brand new and one is yet-to-be-published, but should be in your pre-order cart.  Come listen...
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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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Books That Spark Wild Curiosity with Elora Maxwell

September 12, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Recently, I read a historical fiction novel that sparked my interest in a historical event in a way that no other book has done: The Shore of Forever by Elora Maxwell. This book was completely captivating. It was focused on a fascinating period of history and told the story of three...
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Three Books with Back to School Vibes

September 5, 2023 in Books & Reading, Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness
Here in the United States, we’ve just observed Labor Day. That means back to school, cooler weather and my favorite pumpkin flavors.  Today, I’m sharing three books with back-to-school vibes: two fiction novels set squarely in academia and one memoir with strong threads of school excellence throughout.  Here are the books...
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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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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 Christy Mandin about two of her new releases: MILLIE FLEURS WORST DAY EVER and MILLIE FLEUR’S PUMPKIN PROBLEM.

These two picture books are her most recent additions to her MILLIE FLEUR series and teach important life lessons while inviting readers into the beautiful world of Garden Glen. You’ll want to reread them again and again!

Come listen as we talk about the way Christy both writes and illustrates the books likened to a Willy Wonka ride, the shocking reveal about her color palette that I loved and her beautiful hopes for readers around permission to feel, to be and to ask for help. You’ll love this conversation!

https://kidlitlove.substack.com/p/e256-millie-fleurs-worst-day-ever?r=azy11&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
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
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