Restorative Reading and Writing for Wellness

As a book-lover and notebook-hoarder, I love all things paper.

I love the smell of it. I love the feel of it. I love the way it holds ideas that others have shared with me and that I’m sharing with others.

It’s kind of an obsession.

That’s why I’m so excited to talk with Debra Glanz of The Paper Assembly. She’s the artist behind the repurposed book tree I love so much and much, much more.

Come listen as we talk all things paper, notebooks and making. I know you’ll find something you love AND will be inspired to create your own, too.

You'll find the show notes for this episode here.

If you loved this episode, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

It’s the most wonderful reading time of the year.

Reading under a warm blanket, next to a crackling fire that illuminates the twinkling Christmas tree lights is my very favorite place to be.

And reading books that embrace the holiday spirit is the frosting on the Christmas cake.

Today, I’m sharing FOUR books (yes, I added one!) that embody the ultimate holiday read: they take place in the holiday season, with a holiday spirit, with all the trappings of the holiday, too.

You'll find all the books mentioned here in the show notes page, plus much more!

And, if you want a direct link to my December book calendar, here it is!

If you loved these book pairings, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

Are you ready to end 2022 strong and start 2023 with a resounding bang?

Yes? Well, then you need to start this 30-Day Journaling Challenge with me. Today.

Come listen as I share everything related to the challenge: why you need to give it a try, what it’s all about and how to get the support and accountability you need to finish it.

It will be a game-changer. Promise.

You'll find the show notes for this episode here.

If you loved this episode, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

I recently had a wonderful dilemma: my mother took me on a book shopping date to choose my own books as my Christmas presents this year. Think good coffee, a beautiful bookstore and books. Lots of books. =)
So, how did I choose which books to make my own? I crowdsourced the opinions from the dedicated readers of the Friends & Fiction Facebook group. After just 24 hours, I had hundreds of reactions and clear winners for my holiday book buying adventure.
Today, I’m sharing the top three books (and a bonus book!) recommended from this group with my own thoughts on the order I’ll read them in. Come listen to the books they chose for me and which I’m picking up first!
You'll find all the books mentioned here in the show notes page, plus much more!
If you loved these book pairings, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.
Follow Stephanie:
Website  
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

It’s that time of year when the weather turns cooler, the leaves change color and fade away and we start looking forward to the holidays.

Here in the United States, we’re getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and that means food, family, friends, gathering and lots of gratitude.

Today, I’m sharing three books that will light a spark for your own gratitude practice. I’ve got one picture book, one ADULT picture book and one non-fiction title that are sure to bring a bit of thankfulness and gratitude your way…along with all of the benefits that accompany it.

You'll find all the books mentioned here in the show notes page, plus much more!

If you loved these book pairings, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

Today I am talking about one of my favorite topics…the topic that sparked the idea for this very podcast: bibliotherapy.

I get a lot of emails from listeners asking what exactly bibliotherapy is, what it entails, how to do it and how I can help them get started.

This episode starts to answer those questions. Here's what you'll find inside the episode:

• What bibliotherapy is and how I define it.


• How reading can literally make our lives better.


• A framework I designed to bring bibliotherapy into our lives.


• A simple 4-step sequence for getting started with bibliotherapy in your own life.

I cannot wait to introduce you to a topic that’s near and dear to my heart AND can make our lives better, too.

Come listen and then send me all your questions and ideas so we can continue the conversation!

You'll find the show notes for this episode here.

If you loved this episode, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve been choosing one word themes to guide my year for many, many years.

Until 2020.

My chosen one word no longer applied to the way the world was working.

So, I changed it. And I changed it again and again as the world changed and I changed along with it.

I haven’t looked back.

Now, I create monthly themes to guide my daily living and those themes seep into my reading life, too.

Today, I’m sharing three books that embody my new theme of the month: gathering. You’ll hear about one touchstone text on the topic, one cookbook that read more like an entertaining memoir and one fiction book that’s sure to touch your heart.

You'll find all the books mentioned here in the show notes page, plus much more!

If you loved these book pairings, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I’m talking to Colin Harrang about her bookish creation I instantly fell in love with: the Book Club Card.

The Book Club Card is a delightful library card with a powerful mission: to celebrate reading and connect readers together.

Come listen to explore what a Book Club Card is, how the idea came to be, how you can use it and much more….including a discount code at the end to try one for yourself!

You'll find the show notes for this episode here.

If you loved this episode, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

I don’t know about you, but I set personal reading goals.

Yes, my overall goal is to simply enjoy my reading life, but I do set other personal goals to help enrich my reading and my actual life, too.

Right now, my main reading goal is to diversify my reading life: the genres I read, the formats I read them in and the authors I welcome into my TBR stack.

Today, I’m sharing three books written by indigenous authors to broaden what I read and how I think about the world. It’s just in time to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month with a picture book, middle grade novel and young adult book you’re sure to love and learn from.

You'll find all the books mentioned here in the show notes page, plus much more!

If you loved these book pairings, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe

Years ago, I created my first holiday notebook out of sheer desperation to better manage the holidays.

Now, it’s a tool that I cannot live without.

Come listen to what a holiday note book is, how you can make one and why you need to start yours today.

If you like what you hear, you can join me inside my Get Lit(erate) Patreon community to create one with us LIVE in our annual holiday notebooking session! There will be holiday music, notebooking and more!

You'll find the show notes for this episode here.

If you loved this episode, you might like to take a look at my digital reading and writing community called Get Lit(erate). 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 a monthly bibliotherapy book calendar with a book recommendation for every day of the month, bonus episodes, live book club sessions and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co.

Follow Stephanie:

Website  

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alitlife.substack.com/subscribe