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A Lit Life

Literate Love

Stepping Stones, Wellness Notebooks & A Reset Challenge

July 30, 2021 in Literate Love
How can we possibly be barreling into the end of July already? This week, I got out my 21 for 21 list and turned it into a summer bucket list for August. I’m planning for a fishing outing with my son, some colorful...
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Crying in H Mart, Anime & Scratch Offs

July 22, 2021 in Literate Love
Here in New York, it has rained 16 out of 17 days. Whew! I tried to sneak outside for walks with the dog when I could, but spent more time stuck indoors then I would have liked. Thankfully, I had a great book to keep me busy and some fun links...
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How to Find What You’re Not Looking For, The Book You Need to Write & Reading Dealbreakers

July 15, 2021 in Literate Love
It was an amazing week! I lead a think tank of amazing educators on the power of teacher learning, went to my happy place in reading and enjoyed pockets of sunshine here in upstate New York. Here’s what I’m reading, writing, learning and loving! What I’m Reading: Have you read The...
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Milk and Honey, Picture Book Biographies & #Bookstagram

July 9, 2021 in Literate Love
It’s Friday! This week went by so slowly and so quickly, all at the same time. It was busy, busy, busy, so I treasured my early morning reading and writing routines even more than usual. How do you make time to nourish your reading and writing life? Whether it’s in the...
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Willodeen, Butt Books & Miniature Notebooks

July 2, 2021 in Literate Love
It was the official first week of summer! And while I work all summer long, I can definitely feel the later mornings and slower pace. And that feels good. This week, I’ve got an eclectic mix of books (about butts!), writing challenges and even some new screensavers to share. What I’m...
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The Bluest Eye, Living with Integrity & Electric Lit

June 25, 2021 in Literate Love
It was a big week in our house! My oldest is now a senior in high-school and my twins are officially high-school freshmen. Where has the time gone?! I’ve got a great mix of things for you today: a powerful book, an even more powerful prompt and a few links you’ll...
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The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris, a Town Underwater & Drift

June 18, 2021 in Literate Love
How was your literate life this week? I read two incredible books, revved up my notebook and fell into a rabbit hole of learning about an underwater town….join me there! What I’m Reading: The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan was pure delight, from start to finish. When I...
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When Stars Are Scattered, Going Sugar Free & A Journal Freebie

June 11, 2021 in Literate Love
What a lovely week! The weather was warm, the sun was shining and I was able to watch my daughter play the bass in a wonderful outdoor orchestra concert. Life is good. And so are the books, prompts and links I’m sharing with you today! What I’m Reading: Oh, my. This...
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My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me, New Notebooks & Workshop Week!

June 4, 2021 in Literate Love
It’s been a busy week with a lot on my plate, just as I know you have on yours. But I still made time to read and write and have a few fun links to share with you this week! What I’m Reading: I adore Amy Rosenthal. Ever since I read...
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Boundary Boss, Affirmations & Time Confetti

May 28, 2021 in Literate Love
Oh, I’ve got some goodies for you this week! Think powerful books, incredible writing prompts and some links to give your literate life a bit of love this weekend. =) What I’m Reading: This week, I savored Boundary Boss by Terri Cole. Normally, I am a pretty swift reader, but this...
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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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