On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m exploring the science behind why we should theme our reading lives around intentional one-word themes, curiosities or questions and how we can do it joyfully.

Come listen as I share the science behind the practice, offer concrete ideas on how to theme your reading life (and how not to!), how to create a TBR stack and book apothecary that embraces your theme and how to harness the power of the page to create a life you love.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/01/06/why-how-you-should-theme-your-reading-life/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

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On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m revealing my 2026 notebook stack: all the notebooks I’m using and loving and why. 

I’ll begin by answering the top 3 questions I receive every time I release my annual notebook stack episodes: Why so many? Why are they so different? How often do you write in them? Plus, I’ll share why I’m shifting my focus a bit this year, too. 

Then, I’ll walk you through each of my notebooks: what they are for, what they look like and how they feel, how I’ll use it and how often I’ll write in it.

Finally, I’ll end with a mic-drop question that could change the way you think about notebooking and journaling forever.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/12/30/my-2026-notebook-stack/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m inviting you to give yourself permission for a holiday pause, a bit of time to drop into your restorative reading and writing practice against a backdrop of beautiful, instrumental holiday music.

Come listen as I give a quick hello, offer a few things you might do during this time and invite you to settle in for some restorative rest.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/12/23/your-holiday-permission-to-pause/

No Copyright Background Music

Christmas Music Mix

   • 🎅 Christmas Music No Copyright Free Cozy Winter Holiday Background Instrumental Music

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m diving deep into epigraphs and why they are an essential element of a restorative reading and writing practice.

Come listen as I share my real-time reading life and the book that sparked this episode, what epigraphs are and why they matter for restorative reading and writing and how you can harness their power in your own reading and writing life

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/12/16/book-chapter-epigraphs-as-restorative-invitations/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m exploring how restorative writing can help us write our way to, through and beyond the holiday season. 

Come listen as I share why restorative writing can support you through the holidays with less stress and more joy and provide seven different ways for you to show up on the page based on what your particular holiday season looks and feels like. Remember, the page has your back. =)

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/12/09/writing-our-way-through-the-holidays-seven-invitations/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m diving into my favorite personality framework as a tool to help you build and grow your reading life: the Four Tendencies Framework created by Gretchen Rubin. 

Come listen as I share why right now is the perfect time of year to dive into this work, provide a quick overview of the Four Tendencies Framework and list ways you can boost your reading habits based on your particular tendency. I promise you, this episode could be a game-changer for your reading life.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/12/02/how-the-four-tendencies-can-grow-your-reading-habit/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m sharing my current favorite gifts to help others grow a restorative reading and writing practice….and my own, too. =)

Come listen as I open with a quick reminder of the elements essential to a restorative practice and link each to a host of gifts you could share this holiday season. Think handmade gifts of time, unexpected notebook delights, aromatherapy that brings the holiday spirit and much, much more.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/11/25/holiday-gifts-for-restorative-reading-writing/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m exploring my newest notebook obsession: creating a restorative recipe notebook. It’s a notebook full of my own personal recipes and the recipes that have been handed down to me. I recently shared my new project with my Get Lit(erate). community in hopes they’d offer suggestions and they did not disappoint.

Come listen as I open the episode with this new idea and talk about why I’ve chosen a new format to do so. We’ll explore the power of recipes as restorative writing, the varied ways you might create your own recipe notebook and hopefully, you’ll share your ideas with me as I piece together my own.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/11/18/create-a-restorative-recipe-notebook/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m exploring a particular reading practice: book annotation and marginalia. It’s something I’ve typically avoided in the past for various reasons, but am now ready to explore with gusto because of my recent book relay. 

Come listen as I share the experience that made me change my mind about marginalia, the various ways that you might choose to annotate your book pages, why the practice is so important to the reading experience and much more.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/11/11/e204-finding-magic-in-the-margins-of-book-pages/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

On this episode of Restorative Reading & Writing for Wellness, I’m getting a bit vulnerable and talking about a personal strategy I’m trying for keeping my ducks in a row, my t’s crossed and my i’s dotted and not dropping the glass balls. Don’t worry, it will all make sense once you listen.

Normally, I come to you with tried and true recommendations from my own restorative reading and writing life, but this week, I’m coming to you in real time as I try to make Sunday planning a staple routine of my week. Come listen as I reveal why I’m giving this routine a try, how I’m going to do it, what I need and what I hope to do and the ways I’m going to make it my own.

Spoiler alert: I need your help. This whole Sunday-planning system is new for me and I want to get it right so I can feel better all week long. I’ll try your ideas and report back in a later episode!

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/11/04/why-im-trying-a-sunday-planning-notebook/

Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Substack community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You’ll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. 

Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try: https://amzn.to/44wELKN

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit