In a world full of noise and screens, choosing stories isn’t just a hobby—it’s a rebellion. In this deeply personal Out Loud + On Purpose episode, Mandy shares why books have become one of the most powerful anchors in her family’s life—and welcomes Sarah from A Sweet and Simple Home, to explore how curating a home library is about more than just books... it’s about building a legacy.

In this episode:

• Meet Sarah from A Sweet and Simple Home [00:51]
• The Power of Books in Family Culture [02:13]
• Curating a Home Library [04:51]
• Seasonal Book Rotation [12:37]
• Tracking and Acquiring Books [14:24]
• Favorite Authors and Series [19:58]
• Philosophies and Influences on Home Libraries [24:31]
• Nostalgic Book Collections to Pass Down [27:07]
• The Reality of Reading Aloud to Kids [29:13]
• Listening to Audiobooks [32:43]
• Encouraging Reluctant Readers [34:50]
• Choosing Stories Over Screens [38:43]
• Books That Inspire and Change Us [47:34]
• Wildy Recommended [53:08]

Why it matters:

Books aren’t just entertainment. They’re anchors of identity, belonging, and imagination—especially in a world trying to flatten and digitize everything. Building a meaningful home library is an act of legacy-making.

Wildly Recommended:

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – Free books by mail for kids ages 0–5
• Read-Aloud Revival – Cozy booklists + read-aloud rhythms
• Five in a Row – The curriculum that changed how Mandy curates books
• Yoto Player - Screen free device for stories, music, and podcasts
• Explore every book mentioned in this episode - Browse both Sarah’s recs and Mandy’s Top Read-Alouds for Kids.

Reflection Question:

What’s one book your family keeps coming back to? Let me know!

Resources + Links:

• Sarah’s Home Library Starter Kit
• Library Thing - to inventory your home library

Connect with Sarah:

• Instagram: @asweetandsimplehome

If today’s episode stirred something real in you, pass it on. Send it to the friend who gets it — the one who’s walking their own brave, messy, beautiful path. Don’t forget to follow or leave a review if this episode sparked something in you!

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