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A Lit Life

Literate Love

The Swag is in the Socks, Goosebumps & Personality

October 15, 2021 in Literate Love
The Halloween decorations came out this week, along with new pumpkin recipes, a not-so-spooky mystery novel and a fun book exchange. I’ve got two digital books to share, some interesting insights on personality and links sure to spark your Autumn spirit. Here you...
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Now That You Mention It, Halloumi Cheese & a To-Do Tackle Box

October 7, 2021 in Literate Love
Ah, the start of a long weekend! My children have today AND Monday off, giving us four wonderful days of slowness. We hope to sleep in, go apple picking, enjoy one last swim in the pool (yes, we are turning the heater back on) and end the season at our favorite...
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Pony, What I Want to Leave Behind & A Banned Books Give-Away

October 1, 2021 in Literate Love
I cannot believe we have already reached the end of September. Where did the time go? Here in NY, the leaves are changing, it’s time to go apple picking and the air is crisp and cool for walking the dogs. What does Fall feel like where you are? Here’s what I’ve...
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Firekeeper’s Daughter, Stop the Blur & Miniature Rooms Behind Electrical Outlets

September 24, 2021 in Literate Love
I love the changing seasons and I love Fall. This week, I celebrated the arrival of Autumn with a pumpkin coffee (my favorite!), a trip to the bookstore and a late afternoon reading session with a book I COULD NOT PUT DOWN. All in all, a good week! What I’m Reading:...
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Everything is Figureoutable, Stress Logs & #Last90Days

September 17, 2021 in Literate Love
Oh, I am getting my reading and writing groove back from my bout with COVID. I read two amazing books (one fiction and one non-fiction), spent some sorely needed time making my life better on the pages of my notebook and completed a free challenge to learn more about my habits...
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To Night Owl From Dogfish, The Isolation Journals & Bucket List Bookstores

September 10, 2021 in Literate Love
I’m back! I missed our weekly literate love letter last week because I was recovering from COVID. Progress has been slow, but I’m happy to be back in a place where I can write this email to all of you. So, here’s what I’ve been reading and writing over the past...
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The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, Lists & Binging on Netflix

August 27, 2021 in Literate Love
I cannot believe we are nearing the end of August. But the good news? I had my first sips of Dunkin’ Donuts pumpkin coffee, a sure sign that the goodness of Fall is coming. But for now, I enjoyed the sunshine, celebrated the fact that my children could return to sports...
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The Other Black Girl, Psychoneuroimmunology & Manifestation

August 20, 2021 in Literate Love
It was a bumpy, bumpy week full of ups and downs, work and play, reading and writing. I’ve got two books to share, a letter-writing prompt for your notebook and some fascinating mind-body research to ponder. Here’s hoping your weekend is everything you need it to be! What I’m Reading: Both...
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How High the Moon, Morning Writing & Caffeine

August 13, 2021 in Literate Love
Oh, what a week! It was FILLED with work, work, work and an unexpected hike in New York’s Adirondacks to help my daughter’s friend who had broken her ankle on a fall. And now, I’m looking forward to some rest and relaxation for as much of the weekend as I can....
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What Alice Forgot, Dog Training & Acts of Curiosity

August 6, 2021 in Literate Love
This was the first week in a long while that it did not rain each and every day. We enjoyed the pool, played a little miniature golf and visited our favorite ice-cream shop. It was a good week to have a good week! Here’s hoping your week was everything you needed...
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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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