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Brandi Easterling Collins, independent author

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Archives

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General Thoughts

101 random things about me

I have been terrible about writing blog posts this year for many reasons that might sound like excuses. I launched my own publishing imprint, published my second novel, worked significantly…

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December 15, 2018
Essays, General Thoughts

When your mind betrays you: depression rears its ugly head again

I haven’t been silent about my (past) battles with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. All those issues hit me as a teen and came back in my 20s, 30s, and now…

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December 9, 2023
Essays, General Thoughts

Embracing the Holidays

I’ve written before that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s still true, and I keep the season pure in my home. I decorate for the seasons, which is a more…

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November 28, 2025
  • Sketch of movie tickets, popcorn and film
    General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    Movies I Will Watch Again and Again

    April 6, 2026 /

    I love movies almost as much as I love books. Over the years, there have been multiple movies that I’ve watched multiple times. They’re not all what critics would call cinematic masterpieces, but these films have meant a lot to me and still do. My first movie at the theater I still remember the first movie I saw in a movie theater: Ernest Goes to Camp. My aunt Diana took me to see it with my three cousins. It was a wonderful experience that spurred my love for movies and spending time with my aunt. She often took my siblings and me to the movies over the summer when she…

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    "Collins Family 23" drawn in the sand.

    First summer beach vacation

    July 1, 2023

    2021 in review: How the year played out and the best books I read

    January 2, 2022
    Illustration of two male singers with guitars.

    My 30 Favorite Male Singer-Songwriters

    November 19, 2023
  • Author read 75 books in 2025
    General Thoughts,  Pop Culture

    2025 in Book Reviews

    January 4, 2026 /

    I met my goal of reading 75 books in 2025 while I also finished writing and editing my sixth novel, Four Hearts, which was released on December 16. Here are my best reads: Top 10 best reads for 2025 (traditionally published) Apostle’s Cove (Cork O’Connor, #20) by William Kent Krueger Flight Patterns by Karen White If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne MacLean Misery by Stephen King The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5) Broiler by Eli Cranor Best nonfiction reads for 2025…

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    Day 10: Countdown of my favorite love songs (for weddings)

    February 14, 2018

    2019 in Book Reviews

    January 1, 2020

    Caroline’s Lighthouse Update and Free Preview

    October 14, 2016
  • Illustration of animals, presents and a snowman with text reading Happy Holidays
    Essays,  General Thoughts

    Embracing the Holidays

    November 28, 2025 /

    I’ve written before that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s still true, and I keep the season pure in my home. I decorate for the seasons, which is a more recent development, but since I’ve lived outside my parents’ home, I’ve always waited to decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. Some people prefer to decorate earlier, and I pass no judgment on what they choose to do in their own homes. When did autumn start to disappear? Maybe it’s my age, but it feels like autumn (or fall) gets shorter every year. When retailers have Christmas decor out before Halloween, it can feel like harvest or the season…

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    Illustrated race track scene with children driving cars at a starting line

    How Many Times Can You Start Over?

    February 16, 2025

    Childhood Lost

    July 25, 2016

    I grew up feeling ugly, did you?

    August 7, 2016
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Recent Posts

  • Movies I Will Watch Again and Again
  • 2025 in Book Reviews
  • Embracing the Holidays
  • Four Hearts: Coming soon
  • My Favorite Holiday Movies and TV Specials (Even the Guilty Pleasures)

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