Overflowing
My word of the year for 2021 is OVERFLOWING. I want to create a life so lovely that I overflow with all good things. A life that is so full and fulfilling and life-giving that I can’t help but spill… Continue Reading
Books
What Ginny Weasley in Chamber of Secrets Teaches Us About Abuse
Personally, I’ve found Ginny Weasley to be one of my least favorite characters in the Harry Potter series. To be fair, I can’t remember how I felt about her before the movies started coming out… but Bonnie Wright (and, more… Continue Reading
Visiting Austin’s Best Bookstores
A couple of weekends ago, I found myself with a startlingly good energy level. I felt like actually doing things (other than napping for 8 hours straight), which was definitely something new. For the first time in what feels like… Continue Reading
Harry Potter Fan Theories That Actually Make Sense
Over the past year, I may or may not have done quite a bit of zoning out in front of YouTube. I honestly can’t even begin to estimate the number of videos, hours of content, or new channels that I… Continue Reading
Mandi’s Best Books of 2016
Graduating really did me good– in more ways than I realized. In 2016, I read more books than ever before. A total of 30 completed books, and probably 10 others that got halfway finished. I’m really proud of myself, and… Continue Reading
HPB Labor Day Haul
I rarely ever have a reason to post a “haul” of any kind. Unless you count buying a fridge full of yummy produce, I don’t tend to buy things in huge batches. I tend to buy a book here and… Continue Reading
Best Day Off Ever
This week I have been feeling AMAZING. With all the energy I’ve had, the organization I’ve done, the creativity and inspiration I’ve felt, the delicious food I’ve prepared, the hairstyles I’ve braided, and the sheer amount of things I’ve gotten… Continue Reading
Love From Narnia
I’ve recently discovered the Chronicles of Narnia audio books, and they are changing my life for the better. I accidentally checked out Volume 2 of the collection (meaning the second half of the series) instead of the whole thing, and… Continue Reading
Why I Love Historical Fiction
As soon as a back cover reads “Set in France in the time of…” I am completely hooked. What is it about historical fiction that draws me in so deeply? Here’s a formula for a book that Mandi is 100%… Continue Reading
Welcome to Austin
The past few days have been my first official days as an Austinite! (Is that right?) Austin welcomed me with delicious food, interesting people, and less-than-delightful weather. Two out of three ain’t bad. My first week in Austin, I tried… Continue Reading