Why Reading Escape is a Form of Bibliotherapy, Car Wholesaling & Hugs That Never End
Weekly Literate Love: August 29, 2025
Happy Friday!
According to my own one-word theme for August, I was working hard at savoring the last days of summer. But honestly? This week has brought cooler, crisper weather to upstate NY and I am HERE FOR IT.
Just one day of cooler weather found me bringing out the hoodies and sweaters, pouring the Pumpkin Spice coffee at my local convenience store and getting out all of the apple-flavored recipes I bookmarked throughout the year.
I’ve already started my Fall bucket list and can’t wait for the temperature to keep dropping. Here are a few things on my list:
Go apple picking (and get cider donuts) at Hick’s Apple Orchard.
Visit Author’s Note, an independent bookstore in Medina, NY and browse the changing leaves on the way.
Bake these GF Apple Pie Bars and try not to eat them all in a single sitting.
Take the haunted tour and chocolate-making class at Barkeater’s Chocolates in North Creek, NY.
I’ll keep adding more, but you bet some of my items will take me closer to my daughter away at college. =) What should I add to my list? Comment below!
Keep reading for your weekly dose of literate love and click the button below to share with a bookish friend!
Happy reading & writing!
Stephanie
What I'm Reading:
NAKED IN THE NOW by Marijke McCandless (Amazon / Bookshop)
I love recommending books to others, but I really love when someone recommends a book to me. And I REALLY love when they send it to me so I can get started reading it right away.
This book was gifted to me by a virtual friend who shares my love of reading, writing, meditation, wellness and re-enchantment. It's a provocative book that invites readers to set down our stuff and strip everything down to what really matters most: you, us, the present.
I need this book desperately. How do I know? Because I'm fighting it. I am fighting the invitation to rest, to pause, to be, to play, to love.
Crazy, right?
But when we are in go-go-go mode and struggling with certain life phases, transitions and relationships, we tend to hold on tighter instead of loosening our grip a bit.
But practice by practice (there are 34 of them!), I'm doing just that and I'm learning a lot about myself in the process. In just ten minutes a day, I'm learning how to reclaim myself: my body, my mind and my spirit.
You were right, Charissa. I love this book!
What I'm Writing:
I did less writing this week, but I did a lot of teaching about writing and spent time rereading my own writing instead.
Last week, I dropped my daughter off to college and I am a bit nostalgic. So, I’ve spent time rereading and rereading and rereading (!) my 5 Year Journal and looking back on all of the entries of the two of us. I realized I’ve taken for granted just how easy it was to connect with her (and anyone, really) when she was close by and am determined to make the most of all the moments I have in the future. If you don’t have a 5 Year Journal yet, here’s how and why you should get started.
I also revisited three of my favorite journaling techniques to support mental health and shared them with a local eating disorder support group for caregivers. It was a highlight of my week to give back to those who supported me in my own caregiving journey. If you are a caregiver or if you’re part of a caregiver group, I’d love to share these with you and pop into your meetings to help in any way I can. Just reach out!
What I'm Learning:
My son is gearing up to graduate with his degree in Business Administration in December and is contemplating what might come next for him. He loves cars and in a previous job was a car wholesaler. We spent some time this week researching what it might like look if he started a business for himself and oh, what a learning curve it was for me (and him!). Licenses, LLC’s, dealer kits, physical locations, bonded insurance, signs in a particular color and much, much more. It was a lot, but is so exciting to see what might be next for him. If you have knowledge in this field, send it my way!
What I'm Loving:
Do you want an old-fashioned snail-mail pen pal? This Instagram account is getting people together! Let’s bring back those third grade vibes.
Did you know that wearing dresses can shift your energy more positively? I tried it this week. I agree!
Did you know that Disney has the best rule ever? When a child hugs a character, THEY CANNOT LET GO FIRST. They have to wait until the child is ready to let go. This makes my heart happy and from now on, every time I get a hug, I’m not letting go first. Click this link and read the science behind why this is so important.
Keep scrolling for my latest podcast posts and updates!
Podcast Highlights From the Last Week:
Why Reading Escape is a Form of Bibliotherapy
On this episode of the Get Lit(erate). podcast, I’m coming at you in real time as I expand my definition of restorative reading and bibliotherapy thanks to a recent session creating a book apothecary for a waiting reader.
Today, I am talking about the idea of reading escape: using our reading life as a way to escape our own. We’ll talk about my initial knee-jerk reaction to it, why reading escape is actually a form of bibliotherapy, how you might escape your own life through books and why it might be just the thing you need to make your actual life better.
From My Private Substack Community…
Every Sunday, I post additional content for my private Substack community to bring even more literate love to our lives. Here’s what I shared this week:
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Let’s Work Together!
I love to connect with others around our shared love of reading and writing.
Here are some ways we can work together to create a life you love where restorative reading and writing is at the center of it all:
🩷 Join my private Substack community for themed book calendars, bonus posts, book clubs and events each month!
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I wish the weather was cooling off here, too, but we have to wait until, at least, mid-October for that, although mornings should be getting more tolerable soon.
I happened upon the coolest Advent state calendars this week: deliciousfooddelivered.com, which might provide a nice treat for your daughter at college this December!
I would have a hard time with that Naked in the Now book, which suggests that I should read it now, too! Thank you for bringing it to our attention, Stephanie and Charissa!
Thank you for another great post!