Title: Sticks and Stones
Series: Standalone
Author’s Name: Chelsea DeVries
Publisher: Barnes and Noble Press
Genre: Poetry
Page Count: 170 Pages
ISBN: 978-1663585714
Author or Book Website: N/A
Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Sticks and Stones: Poetry and Prose: DeVries, Chelsea: Books
Link to Goodreads: Sticks and Stones: Poetry and Prose by Chelsea DeVries | Goodreads
Release Date: N/A
How I Got the Book: Review Copy
Summary of the Book:
I mean
for ten months
I was basically
dead inside
and not one person
even my family
smelt the stink
of my rotting
flesh
the stench
of my grave clothes
the formaldyhyde
perfume
I wore.
In Sticks and Stones, DeVries uses poetry and prose to share the story of an abusive workplace and the young man she met there who saved her life. The loss of this love and friendship left DeVries with a desire to heal and rebuild oneself back up by accepting her own demons: her mental health, her sexuality, and her faith, and by sharing those truths, started giving herself the love she never felt worthy enough to receive.
Sticks and Stones will help you out of the dark, and lead you back to the brilliant light of self-love, self-care, and self-discovery.
In Sticks & Stones, DeVries has presented an open and deeply honest account of her life and experiences. Gathered poems, prose, and photographs detail hardship, hope, toxicity, love found, love lost, and empowerment. If you don’t yet know this poet, you will know her thoroughly by the time you finish this collection. And you will root for her when she proclaims the need to:
“Get out
And
LIVE.“
-Nicholas Trandahl, Author of Pulling Words and Good Brave People and Army Veteran
“Chelsea’s collection takes you on a raw and honest journey into the unknown. Her writing is vulnerable yet powerful, allowing you to realise that you have strength, even when you feel your weakest. This book shows the complexity of life and love and all things in between. Though trauma exists, you don’t have to let it consume you. Chelsea is a warrior, and after reading this, you’ll feel like one too. ‘Sticks and stones may break your bones’ but words will help to heal you.”
-Venetia, @venxtiapoetry & Self-Care Artist
My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I always find that poetry and prose is a little hard to review. It is all depend on how one is feeling for that could change how they feel about what is being talked about. This one is about loss and life. I found that is was relatable and that is something that I needed when I got it.
My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars
From the Book Reviewer's Desk 