Published in The Narrative Collective·PinnedMember-onlyA Yoga Teacher Put His Hand On My Butt During Class. I Never Went Back.How far does consent to adjust go in the yoga studio? — When I joined the local yoga studio that offered Early Bird classes, the owner thrust a “one size fits all” shirt at me after processing my registration form. It was a “welcome gift,” she said, yet something about it rubbed me the wrong way. Before giving it to me, she’d…Nonfiction6 min read
Published in About Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me — Amanda Kay OaksOn Twitter, where brevity reigns supreme, I sum myself up as: Writer, educator, yogi, runner, general nerd & wearer of many metaphorical hats. While that’s great place to start, a list of labels only gets you so far in learning about someone. In addition to the above, I… Work a…About Me2 min read
Published in Your Book Friend·1 day agoMember-onlyWhat We’re Reading Wednesday, August 10thOur weekly space to check in on books and reading — Happy Wednesday, book friends! Just when I thought things would settle in after a stressful week last week, our little Azula got sick. We were up most of Monday night/Tuesday morning as she was getting sick and needing to go outside. She’s curled up next to me now, resting up…Books4 min read
Aug 4Member-onlyThe Big Reveal: Which of My Truths Was a LieOne of you guessed correctly, but for the wrong reasons — Did I forget to reveal which of the facts in my two truths and a lie post was the lie? Absolutely not. A writer is never late, she always writes exactly when she means to. Okay, yes, I did actually forget. But I’m here now, ready to reveal the truth…This Happened To Me3 min read
Published in Your Book Friend·Aug 4Member-only“No Funny Business” Has Heart Behind the LaughsA review of Amanda Aksel’s No Funny Business — (Full disclosure: I received a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Book links are Bookshop.org affiliate links). Let’s be honest. I’m a sucker for a bright, vibrant cover. For all we’re told not to judge a book by its cover, the adorable and vibrant…Books4 min read
Published in Your Book Friend·Aug 3Member-onlyWhat We’re Reading Wednesday, August 3rdOur weekly space to check in on books and reading — August has arrived and with it, the busiest season for those of us who work in higher education. With new student orientation around the corner and the new semester right on its heels, I’m scrambling to get everything ready to go. This time of year is always difficult for me…Books3 min read
Aug 2Member-onlyMy Most Popular Stories from July 2022Of the 16 stories I wrote last month, these 3 got the most attention — The last time I took a look at the previous month’s stories to see which reigned supreme was back in March. A simpler time, before I came back from my honeymoon to find that summer wasn’t interested in existing at work this year. Though I can’t say things have slowed…Writing3 min read
Published in Your Book Friend·Jul 31Member-onlyThe Best Books I Read in July 2022Are you sure July’s already over? — Hello, August! Otherwise known as all hands on deck, crazy busy, what is a life outside of work time for student affairs professionals like myself. As I stare down the month of student leader training and scrambling to prep for orientation, my reading life has slowed down considerably. Even so…Books3 min read
Published in Your Book Friend·Jul 30Member-onlyMini Review: How to Be a MoonflowerA short and sweet review for a short and sweet read — (Full disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links). It’s no secret here at Your Book Friend that I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump. I just haven’t felt much like reading lately, for a variety of reasons I won’t go into here. Yet, I did recently finish at…Books2 min read
Published in Fanfare·Jul 28Member-onlyPrincess Diaries 2 is the Worst Sequel Ever MadeThis movie fails as an adaptation and a follow up to its predecessor — Thunderdome is a Fanfare series where our writers good-naturedly debate some matter of pop culture and then leave it to the readers to decide. Read each post and vote at the bottom! Is the first Princess Diaries movie a faithful adaptation of Meg Cabot’s beloved book series? Absolutely not. But…Thunderdome8 min read