Audrey Books

A Very Potter Giveaway

Lauren from Shooting Stars Mag is celebrating 12 Years of Blogging! A while back she asked if anyone wanted to help her celebrate with some giveaways & I said of course!

She’s also doing a year’s worth of books (12) giveaway, too. Here’s the link to enter!

I was in 5th grade when I read Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone. I was the generation that “grew up with” Harry and Hermione and Ron. I remember pre-ordering books, waiting in lines, and seeing bookstore windows FILLED with the newest HP release. Rowling & Potter nourished my love of reading and writing, turning me into the book worm I am today. Harry Potter strongly shaped my adult personality.

Whether or not you’re “into” the Harry Potter craze, I strongly believe there are some deep lessons to pull from this series.

[1] Friends are family. Harry doesn’t have living family (…spoiler alert?) so his friends easily become his family. Ron has a wonderful, large family… and his friends are still his family and openly welcomed into the Weasley home.

[2] We all have light and dark within us. Every character in HP has shining moments and dark moments. Even our favorite heroes make bad choices sometimes. It’s a story of choices and redemption and consequences.

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” -Sirius Black, PoA

[3] Sticking up for others, aligning yourself with the meek or victimized, and taking a stand against your own friends isn’t easy. How many times are characters rewarded for doing the extremely unpopular right thing? I hate that S.P.E.W. didn’t make it into the movies, especially since it makes a later moment between Hermione and Ron all the more sweet.

[4] Bad things happen- it’s how you react that matters. The characters don’t always react “correctly”, but that’s because they’re not flawless. So many of them- especially the adults- handle the battles, deaths of friends, and monumental hurdles with patience and grace.

“What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.” -Hagrid, GoF

[5] Getting an education is incredibly important, but there’s a LOT to learn outside of the classroom, too. I think even Hermione would agree that she learned a lot about friendship and survival and life outside the Hogwarts classrooms.

Below is a giveaway for a new illustrated Harry Potter book (+ some goodies).

It says “Sorcerer’s Stone”, but you can pick which book you’d like. (For example, if you have SS and want CoS. Or if PoA is your favorite book.)

Click to Enter Rafflecopter Giveaway

And be sure to pop over and wish Lauren a Happy Blogoversary!!

Good luck, friends!

Audrey Shopping & Finances

Stuff I Want…

IT’S ALMOST MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!

Hello & welcome to my birthday/Christmas wish list. My family appreciates it when I put these together… To be honest, I like quirky things so you might find something you want on this list, too. Lots of mugs and books and snarky clothes…

Family & friends- I don’t need anything. My favorite part about this time of year is celebrating all the parties and holidays with you guys. I enjoy your company most of all ❤

Mugs

link | link | link

I have a mug problem but I can’t stop won’t stop. I love all of these so much.

(Kyle… I think I need another mug rack.)

Clothes

My closet has A LOT of dog & Harry Potter themed clothes. I like what I like.

link (lrg)| link (lrg)| link (lrg)| link (x-lrg)

Books

My mother-in-law is a wizarding saint. Every year for my birthday or Christmas she buys me the newest illustrated HP book (which has always been conveniently released in October). Since GoF is so massive they’ve pushed the date into 2019. SIGH.

I’ve become a pretty big library and Kindle fan, but I’d really like hard copies of these two books.

Etsy & Target Stuff

link | link | link | link (my laptop is a new MacBook Pro 13, no touch bar)

The baby goat picture would perfectly match the baby Scottish highland cow print I have! 🙂

Once upon a time Target had this ridiculously adorable goat rug. Now I can’t find it 😦

Also… I made this list a week or so ago. Then I found these items:

link (lrg) | link | link

I’m a little smarter this year. I put together an Amazon wishlist for people because adult gift registries are fun and helpful. So if you’re really curious you can go see it HERE.

I’m 100% in love with that Beetlejuice sweatshirt. If you’re new here, Beetlejuice is one of my favorite movies ever.

What’s on your Christmas wish list? It’s never too early 😉

Audrey Books

Thoughts While Rereading Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban

Grab your cauldron and teas leaves, and join me for another installment of thoughts about Harry Potter. I’ve already covered the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. Today we’re talking about my favorite book!

I feel like The Prisoner of Azkaban is the book that ties Harry’s past with his future. His friendships are cemented with Ron and Hermione, and the Weasley’s prove to him that they’re on his side (Arthur fills him in, Molly loves him, Fred and George help him out AGAIN). He learns more about his past and starts to visualize a future. He’s finally comfortable being a wizard. I LOVE the relationships in this book.

Alright. Let’s do this. *No true spoilers, but there’s alluding. Just FYI.

Every single time Crookshanks goes after Scabbers I silently cheer.

I know I said last time that McGonagall is my all time fav, but Lupin is, too. I love that man.

When Ron stands up for Hermione in Snape’s Defense Against the Dark Art’s class I actually lost it and laughed while also gasping.

In comparison, I like the way Harry finds out about Black’s actions better in the film. I like the way the full moon events unfold better in the book.

I appreciate how Snape and Lupin treat one another throughout the year. I like that we’re getting some history without ACTUALLY getting their history (or knowing that there’s beef there). Well, until they actually tell the trio about it.

Let’s address the weird elephant in the room… When I was a pre/teen reading these books I obviously had little crushes on Harry and the Weasleys and all their friends. As an adult? Remus Lupin is looking goooood. And a cleaned up Sirius ain’t half bad himself. Weird, man. Weird. (George Weasley will always have my heart, though.)

Hearing the adults talk about Black makes me so frustrated. But seeing Harry be so comfortable with Lupin warms my heart. This book gives me ALL THE FEELS.

“Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs,” sighed George, patting the heading of the map. “We owe them so much.”

No mention of the fidelius charm in the movie…

The depth and complexity in which Lupin’s tale intertwines with Harry’s is masterful. Lupin has such a rough go at life & every single time he feels joy is so bittersweet. He’s so resilient and strong. And he’s so calm and collected. I just love him.

I’d forgotten how invest HR&H are involved in Hagrid and his court case. 

Hermione’s interaction with Malfoy: 🙌 🙌 🙌 

McGonagall yelling at Lee during the Quidditch games is my favorite part of every game. 

Poor Neville…

The respect that Lupin has for Hermione is THE BEST. He’s is sooooo aware of the fact that H & R would be dead without her. 

The movie makes Dumbledore look suspiciously oblivious to Harry & Hermione’s final task. In the book he’s in cahoots with them and I think it makes it that much better. 

The movies make Dumbledore so explosive and Snape so calm. That is the COMPLETE opposite in the books. Snape constantly loses his temper. 

Listen… if you’ve *tried* to read the HP series and only made it through book 2, I am begging you to pick up #3 and give it a read.

I’m not sure when I’ll get around to book 4. They’ve pushed the release date back to 2019 and I heard that it’s being broken up into two books…

Which Harry Potter book is your favorite? I feel like a lot of people love PoA 🙂

Audrey Books

Thoughts While Rereading Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets

*Hedwig’s Theme plays while the words in this post float into focus*

If only, right? Anyway, if you caught my last post like this you know that I’m rereading the HP series as the illustrated versions are released. (Also, I’m taking my time. I know they’ve already released #3 and I’m just finishing the second one. I know, guys 😜) So anyway, I’ve collected my thoughts on The Chamber of Secrets because I know you’ve been dying to read them.

*No true spoilers, but there’s alluding. Just FYI

The movie makes the escape from the Dursley’s house much more dramatic than it actually is…

Fred and George (F&G) damn near figure out the whole mystery in Chpt 3.

You learn SO much more about the Weasleys in the books.

Lucius Malfoy actually behaves like a father in the books (but also like an ass).

I found myself reading with vigilance during the exchange with the Malfoys in the bookstore.

There’s a lot more fist fighting in the books, lol. I like it.

Prof. McGonagall will always be my favorite professor.

The scene from the movie with Neville fainting during the Mandrake re-potting didn’t happen in the book, which makes more sense to me. He had a knack for herbology. The movie makes him look like a doofus in everything but that wasn’t true.

Lockhart in incredibly infuriating. Like Umbridge, we all know someone who behaves that way and it makes them hateable in a relative way.

I feel like Jo was making a very pointed statement about the Slytherin house when she pointed out that there were no females on their quidditch team (and 3 on Gryffindor’s).

The way F&G fight for what’s right, regardless of who or what they’re defending, makes me love them so so so much.

I’d have liked to see the Deathday Party portrayed in the movie. Ha.

The dueling scene is way more comical than the film gives it credit for…

I wish they’d have included the Dursley’s Christmas gift to Harry in the movie.

The comparison of Hermione to McGonagall is 👌 perfect.

Malfoy’s a right git. He speaks so openly about killing Mudbloods. He makes the movie version likeable. Grrr…

In the book Tom has motive to report the heir… It doesn’t show that in the movie.

I forgot the spider hunt is actually Ron’s first time in the Forbidden Forest. 

The sadness in the Gryffindor common room after Ginny is taken is so heartbreaking. (highlight for name)

I think Harry & Ron should’ve gotten some credit for at least trying to put the dangerous tasks in the adults’ hands…

Things explained in this book: Hagrid’s umbrella, the broken vanishing cabinet

I loved the handful of things alluded to- especially in regards to horcruxes.

I watch the films all the time when they’re on TV but I haven’t read the books in year. I know a lot of this was comparisons to the movies. It’s just strange (and sometimes sad) to see what they left out.

If you’re wondering if I’ll ever stop fangirling for the Weasley twins or praising McGonagall’s name the answer is NOPE. Also, I’ve said it a million times but these illustrated books give me all the heart eyes. I can’t wait to crack open the third!

So what’re your thoughts on The Chamber of Secrets? How about the film?

Audrey Holidays & Celebrations!, Shopping & Finances

My Wishlist (for friends & family & others like me)

I always feel like a brat when I make these posts but A) it’s a collection of cool stuff I think people like me might be interested in and B) when family & friends ask about birthday/Christmas gifts it’s SUPER easy to point them in the direction of posts like this…

SO without further ado… here are some things I wouldn’t mind getting for my birthday next month 😉 Also, the asterisks (*) are notes to family members.

Clothing.

Thanks to Erin, I now know of animalhearted.com…

link lrg| link lrg

More good stuff (all size lrg)…

link | link | link

And these…

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Books.

First things first… the newest illustrated HP book! ⚡🖤
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (released 10/3)

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (pre-order for release 11/7)

Other stuff.

Kindle Paperwhite
Right now I use the Kindle app on my iPad sometimes, but it strains my eyes. I know Kindles have come a long way and I get a free book monthly with my Prime account, so I’d really like one of the middle-of-the-road tablets. *I’ve mentioned this to Kyle

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
I don’t play video games as often as I used to… but I still keep my DS on my nightstand 🙂 I love these games!

Nintendo Switch
Have these been restocked yet? Lol. I’d also like this game 😁

Some may call it fate… Pottery Barn Teen just released their new HP line 😀

One of these and one of those and these, too! | *These prices are ridiculous. No one get me this stuff.

I mean… new house new decorations, right? I’m sure K will be on board 😉

ETSY for the win…

link | link (a+k, any color 🖤, and two paw prints)

I love these so-freaking-much:

In order of most-love to love: link | link | link | link

I am forever obsessed with artwork…

link | link | link | link

Ok, I’m done.

Actually… one more thing. A new president would be awesome. Preferably one that cares about equality, unity, safety, and people in general. Maybe one that tweets less and worries more about violence toward citizens, the health of citizens, and the overall lives of citizens (even the ones way out on an island THAT IS A PART OF THE USA).

K. Done.

*I just realized I could link up for Add It To My List with Lauren and Bre!