What do you think?
Sticks and Stones: Poetry and Prose
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
A volume of poetry and prose focuses on a toxic work environment.
In a lengthy preface, DeVries shares how this thought-provoking collection was informed by emotional abuse, sexual harassment, and an unrequited office romance at a workplace “that felt like sandpaper on my skin.” In the first section, “Sticks,” the author examines the frustration of feeling unloved: “I’m just a girl / who wants that frat boy / with the sensitive side / to tell her she’s beautiful / right before he kisses her.” The second section, “Stones,” starts with a 15-page prose poem about DeVries’ initiation into the “blowjobs of jobs” that includes bullet-point lists of her object of desire’s personality and evidence that he had feelings for her. She then returns to ruminating on her former crush. Throughout, the author uses multiple epitaphs; some are Bible citations and others come from the likes of Dostoyevsky, Harold Kushner, and George Washington. Pop-culture figures and social media, like Taylor Swift, Facebook, and YouTube, are also referenced. In the preface, DeVries lays bare a litany of wrongdoings she’s suffered, from sexual assault and near-fatal medical negligence to ostracization and mental cruelty. The intent of sharing these harrowing experiences is admirable. In addition, the author’s similes and metaphors are often clever (“The look my sister just steered straight for me / Like a zamboni with no brakes”) or heartfelt (“Today I am sad / Like a wingless dove”).
A sincere and timely but uneven collection.
-Kirkus Review
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
A volume of poetry and prose focuses on a toxic work environment.
In a lengthy preface, DeVries shares how this thought-provoking collection was informed by emotional abuse, sexual harassment, and an unrequited office romance at a workplace “that felt like sandpaper on my skin.” In the first section, “Sticks,” the author examines the frustration of feeling unloved: “I’m just a girl / who wants that frat boy / with the sensitive side / to tell her she’s beautiful / right before he kisses her.” The second section, “Stones,” starts with a 15-page prose poem about DeVries’ initiation into the “blowjobs of jobs” that includes bullet-point lists of her object of desire’s personality and evidence that he had feelings for her. She then returns to ruminating on her former crush. Throughout, the author uses multiple epitaphs; some are Bible citations and others come from the likes of Dostoyevsky, Harold Kushner, and George Washington. Pop-culture figures and social media, like Taylor Swift, Facebook, and YouTube, are also referenced. In the preface, DeVries lays bare a litany of wrongdoings she’s suffered, from sexual assault and near-fatal medical negligence to ostracization and mental cruelty. The intent of sharing these harrowing experiences is admirable. In addition, the author’s similes and metaphors are often clever (“The look my sister just steered straight for me / Like a zamboni with no brakes”) or heartfelt (“Today I am sad / Like a wingless dove”).
A sincere and timely but uneven collection.
-Kirkus Review
170 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2020
About the author
Chelsea DeVries
9 books80 followersChelsea DeVries fell in love with skateboarding at the tender age of 12. A friend showed her a two page spread where this young skateboarder was actually flying over an electrical box. She googled him when she got home from school that day, and her heart was forever kickflipped. And no, she doesn’t skate. She just loves and supports those who do for the pure observation that it is a form of poetry in motion. Now she frequents visits to the annual Tampa Pro contest at the Skatepark of Tampa where the wheels on the complex are music to her ears. This is her debut NA novel. She began writing professionally at age 14 and went to college to study a business version of writing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Saint Leo University with a minor in International Hospitality and Tourism. Her mental health poetry collection Sticks & Stones: Full Story Edition is a multi-award winning book with it’s most recent win being a 2023 American Writing Award in Poetry and 2026 International Impact Award. When not writing, she’s fangirling over authors and musicians by managing her book and music publicity firm and publishing company The Smart Cookie Philes and sipping coffee, hanging out with her dogs Zoey and Cooper and creates characters with complexities of humanity, mental health and neurodivergent representation as she herself is Audhd since October 2020. All in all, DeVries hails from Hudson, FL and will always strive to dance on broken glass.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 10, 2021
ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ
"𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲,
𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆,
𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲,
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝘁.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹,
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵,
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝘁.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁:
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲."
I want to thank Chelsea for sending me a copy for an honest review. A lot of us have gone through a shit storm of a life. Many of us have learned to cope, others have not a single clue with what we are doing. Her SA story broke my heart but this collection truly was the inside thoughts of an author. It was beautifully written and I keeping finding myself taking a photo of a poem to post on my story. But at the end of the day we all want to find love and to be loved for who we are. It's so easy to find ourselves pretending to be something or someone to fit in with a crowd and its genuinely getting harder and harder to remember who we actually are.
So, never change. Make sure the person loves you for who you truly are inside.
Definitely would recommend this one if you're sceptical and need a good read.
"𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲,
𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆,
𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲,
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝘁.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹,
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿.
𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵,
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝘁.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁:
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲."
I want to thank Chelsea for sending me a copy for an honest review. A lot of us have gone through a shit storm of a life. Many of us have learned to cope, others have not a single clue with what we are doing. Her SA story broke my heart but this collection truly was the inside thoughts of an author. It was beautifully written and I keeping finding myself taking a photo of a poem to post on my story. But at the end of the day we all want to find love and to be loved for who we are. It's so easy to find ourselves pretending to be something or someone to fit in with a crowd and its genuinely getting harder and harder to remember who we actually are.
So, never change. Make sure the person loves you for who you truly are inside.
Definitely would recommend this one if you're sceptical and need a good read.
December 6, 2020
We have got to cherish our life to the fullest,
no matter how much ever they throw 'Sticks and Stones'.
.
Book - Sticks and Stones
Author - Chelsea De Vries
Genre - Poetry
Poems - 40
Pages - 170
Format - Paperback / Kindle
Rating - 3.5 / 5
.
"Sticks and Stones," by Chelsea De Vries is a collection of poetries in which she shares with the world her life story, her experiences in a toxic environment, and her genuine love. The title of the book is appropriate as the Sticks and Stones is a metaphor for physical pain. This book is divided into two parts. One is Sticks, and the other is Stones having twelve and twenty-nine poems each. Language is colloquial and easy to understand. Author's idea to name the characters in the Poetic prose such as K,R, and S is quite unique.
In this book, Chelsea speaks about molestation, mental breakdown, her rising beyond the state of being lovelorn. Her courage to share her life story is inspiring.
An excerpt from the poetry Someday my prince will come, Overrated, "Because boys diminish a girl`s light and shatter her crown
While men help to rise victoriously and shine" expresses how the author encourages maturity, love, respect, and feminism. Chelsea emphasizing the importance and need of a soulmate, vividly shows her morality. The book witnesses author`s will power, and motivation to survive all the hurdles and rise above them all. Self recognition of being distressed and opting for help creates awareness and is appreciable.
When Chelsea quoted, "Once a writer falls in love with you, you will never die," the fact is undeniably to be agreed.
The inclusion of photographs are feast for our eyes. The image of the cupcake and her farewell treat for the co-workers divulge her kind nature. Author's admiration for Betty Hatch makes us emotional.
Chelsea gracefully expresses her frustration in the poetic prose, "Drowning in an Ocean of No tomorrows."
Her Poetic prose is comparatively more entertaining than her poetries. I look forward for more prose from the author. The commendation shows her fandom for Taylor Swift. Never the least, I would like to rewrite Chelsea's words in mine,
"Who you are is ok
And I'm grateful
That at the end of the day
I see good in you."
Through the book Chelsea has already won many hearts and there`s more to succeed in both personal and professional life.
There is Love, loss, job, toxicity, mental breakdown, hopelessness, and then there is faith in God, motivation,and desire to succeed.
Happy Reading ❣️
no matter how much ever they throw 'Sticks and Stones'.
.
Book - Sticks and Stones
Author - Chelsea De Vries
Genre - Poetry
Poems - 40
Pages - 170
Format - Paperback / Kindle
Rating - 3.5 / 5
.
"Sticks and Stones," by Chelsea De Vries is a collection of poetries in which she shares with the world her life story, her experiences in a toxic environment, and her genuine love. The title of the book is appropriate as the Sticks and Stones is a metaphor for physical pain. This book is divided into two parts. One is Sticks, and the other is Stones having twelve and twenty-nine poems each. Language is colloquial and easy to understand. Author's idea to name the characters in the Poetic prose such as K,R, and S is quite unique.
In this book, Chelsea speaks about molestation, mental breakdown, her rising beyond the state of being lovelorn. Her courage to share her life story is inspiring.
An excerpt from the poetry Someday my prince will come, Overrated, "Because boys diminish a girl`s light and shatter her crown
While men help to rise victoriously and shine" expresses how the author encourages maturity, love, respect, and feminism. Chelsea emphasizing the importance and need of a soulmate, vividly shows her morality. The book witnesses author`s will power, and motivation to survive all the hurdles and rise above them all. Self recognition of being distressed and opting for help creates awareness and is appreciable.
When Chelsea quoted, "Once a writer falls in love with you, you will never die," the fact is undeniably to be agreed.
The inclusion of photographs are feast for our eyes. The image of the cupcake and her farewell treat for the co-workers divulge her kind nature. Author's admiration for Betty Hatch makes us emotional.
Chelsea gracefully expresses her frustration in the poetic prose, "Drowning in an Ocean of No tomorrows."
Her Poetic prose is comparatively more entertaining than her poetries. I look forward for more prose from the author. The commendation shows her fandom for Taylor Swift. Never the least, I would like to rewrite Chelsea's words in mine,
"Who you are is ok
And I'm grateful
That at the end of the day
I see good in you."
Through the book Chelsea has already won many hearts and there`s more to succeed in both personal and professional life.
There is Love, loss, job, toxicity, mental breakdown, hopelessness, and then there is faith in God, motivation,and desire to succeed.
Happy Reading ❣️
January 9, 2021
There is heart and emotions behind this book. As a writer, as a human being, we bear our souls when it comes to our work and life's experiences. We want to be seen, heard, and most importantly, we need to feel like we exist. This book did not fall on deaf ears, or rather it didn't pass me without noticing. I resonated with "Heavy Heart" and "Never Enough; Mistake", even "Feelings are Fickle", among a few others due to feelings I had in my 20's. This may not be one's usual poetry, even prose. I don't know how proper some things have to be. But I do know this spoke to me. It brought back memories of past love, regret, self-denial of wanting what may have been out of my reach in my youth to begin with... Even friendships lost. All are a part of life. My life. Her life. And I understand hers a bit better now. I appreciate that.
January 6, 2021
•Sticks and Stones," by Chelsea De Vries is a collection of poetries in which she shares with the world her life story, her experiences in a toxic environment.
•In this book, Chelsea speaks about molestation, mental breakdown, her rising beyond the state of being lovelorn. Her courage to share her life story is inspiring.
•This book is divided into two parts. One is Sticks, and the other is Stones having twelve and twenty-nine poems each. Chelsea is very transparent in this book and I loved how she held nothing back.
•The poems themselves resulted in me feeling speechless. I could read this book over and over again simply due to how emotional these poems are.
•It is an exquisite piece of an art, where it helps you enhance all kind of emotions that one might experience in their life.
•Beauty lies in simplicity and that’s what the author has done with her work. The author definately poured her heart out. The poems deliver the message of healing through the pain. You grow through what you go through.
•I found myself smiling, laughing, and tearing up as I read. So beautifully written. I felt every word! The majority of the poems were pleasant and relatable. So many of these poems felt like a punch in the chest, they took my breath away.
•In this book, Chelsea speaks about molestation, mental breakdown, her rising beyond the state of being lovelorn. Her courage to share her life story is inspiring.
•This book is divided into two parts. One is Sticks, and the other is Stones having twelve and twenty-nine poems each. Chelsea is very transparent in this book and I loved how she held nothing back.
•The poems themselves resulted in me feeling speechless. I could read this book over and over again simply due to how emotional these poems are.
•It is an exquisite piece of an art, where it helps you enhance all kind of emotions that one might experience in their life.
•Beauty lies in simplicity and that’s what the author has done with her work. The author definately poured her heart out. The poems deliver the message of healing through the pain. You grow through what you go through.
•I found myself smiling, laughing, and tearing up as I read. So beautifully written. I felt every word! The majority of the poems were pleasant and relatable. So many of these poems felt like a punch in the chest, they took my breath away.
January 21, 2021
"Who you are is ok
And I'm grateful
That at the end of the day
I see good in you."
❤️The title of the book is appropriate as the Sticks and Stones is a metaphor for physical pain and the cover is defining the title very appropriately.
❤️This book is divided into two parts. One is Sticks, and the other is Stones having twelve and twenty-nine poems each.
❤️Also the vocabulary is kept very simple so it does not require any special aid.
❤️It is a collection of poetries in which she shares with the world her life story, her experiences in a toxic environment, mental breakdown and her genuine love.
❤️The poems are so emotional that you will read them again and again as you will feel the emotions of the author.This type of writing tells us that author feels in developing herself as a human by growing on faith, passion and on self love.
❤️Not being a poetry fan this book has won my heart and I have developed a interest in this field of art.There were many moments where I smiled, laughed and also cried as i read. The majority of the poems were reletable and could feel the emotions.
❤️Was glad to review this book and would love to recommend it to everyone who is reading this review.
And I'm grateful
That at the end of the day
I see good in you."
❤️The title of the book is appropriate as the Sticks and Stones is a metaphor for physical pain and the cover is defining the title very appropriately.
❤️This book is divided into two parts. One is Sticks, and the other is Stones having twelve and twenty-nine poems each.
❤️Also the vocabulary is kept very simple so it does not require any special aid.
❤️It is a collection of poetries in which she shares with the world her life story, her experiences in a toxic environment, mental breakdown and her genuine love.
❤️The poems are so emotional that you will read them again and again as you will feel the emotions of the author.This type of writing tells us that author feels in developing herself as a human by growing on faith, passion and on self love.
❤️Not being a poetry fan this book has won my heart and I have developed a interest in this field of art.There were many moments where I smiled, laughed and also cried as i read. The majority of the poems were reletable and could feel the emotions.
❤️Was glad to review this book and would love to recommend it to everyone who is reading this review.
February 21, 2021
BOOK SUMMARY
This books is a collection of poems that potray love, pain', self-hatred, and loneliness, etc. Some of the poems are based on the Authors story and her faith on JESUS. The book uses poems to pray to the GOD for the support and courage to overcome the sticks and stones of life!
MY REVIEW
The author has shown courage by writing this poetry book, even after having an unpleasant experience. Every poem defines the feelings of the author that how, despite the difficulties of life, she has stood up all over again. Instead of falling apart. She gathered all the courage and took action to rebuild herself. This books is a self help/inspiration expressed through poetry.
WHAT I LIKED?
The abstract poetry will make you feel emotional and happy at the same time. It’ll encourage you towards self-love.
The writing style is lucid.
Every poem convey the message clearly.
WHO IS THE BEST READER?
Someone who likes to read about self-help.
Someone who likes inspiring poems.
Who likes to read about self love.
Who likes to draw inspiration from the true stories.
Who is looking for hope by reading something inspirational.
This books is a collection of poems that potray love, pain', self-hatred, and loneliness, etc. Some of the poems are based on the Authors story and her faith on JESUS. The book uses poems to pray to the GOD for the support and courage to overcome the sticks and stones of life!
MY REVIEW
The author has shown courage by writing this poetry book, even after having an unpleasant experience. Every poem defines the feelings of the author that how, despite the difficulties of life, she has stood up all over again. Instead of falling apart. She gathered all the courage and took action to rebuild herself. This books is a self help/inspiration expressed through poetry.
WHAT I LIKED?
The abstract poetry will make you feel emotional and happy at the same time. It’ll encourage you towards self-love.
The writing style is lucid.
Every poem convey the message clearly.
WHO IS THE BEST READER?
Someone who likes to read about self-help.
Someone who likes inspiring poems.
Who likes to read about self love.
Who likes to draw inspiration from the true stories.
Who is looking for hope by reading something inspirational.
November 15, 2020
I will preface this by saying that I am typically not a reader of poetry. However, this year I committed to reading genres that a typically wouldn’t usually so when @wittywriterpoet26 reached out and offered to send me a copy of her new poetry collection I was so excited! Chelsea is such a sweet and beautiful soul and that definitely comes across in her poems. This book uses poetry to to tell the story of her experiences working in a toxic work environment and how she found and lost a love that left her broken and with a desire to heal and rebuild. Chelsea is very transparent in this book and I loved how she held nothing back. It is obvious that she’s passionate about growing as a person through her faith, passions, and journey to self love. This book was such a lovely introduction into the world of poetry and definitely left me wanting to read more.
November 13, 2020
The realities of life and emotional turbulence shared in honest and gut wrenching detail through prose and poetry. A book to which many readers will be able to relate. Expressing the ultimate lows to which life can cause us to crumble, and how we can all survive, but must never cease fighting the battle that will provide us with a semblance of happiness.
February 16, 2021
Sticks and Stones is a torturous and twisted read and the formaldehyde perfume intrigues me.
Yet, all jokes aside, DeVries opens up vital dialog about the struggles that every person has felt: social rejection, mental health, suicidal thoughts and the mixed signals from an unrequited lover. Yet, through, self-awareness, acknowledgement, and the power of faith, we overcome and arise strong.
Yet, all jokes aside, DeVries opens up vital dialog about the struggles that every person has felt: social rejection, mental health, suicidal thoughts and the mixed signals from an unrequited lover. Yet, through, self-awareness, acknowledgement, and the power of faith, we overcome and arise strong.
December 21, 2021
I love this book wholeheartedly!The author is the kindest person ever and her story was written very well in her book!There are a few TW such as SA/suicide but overall the qoutes and saying in this book was very heartfelt and very important to me too☺️
November 13, 2020
This book is truly written from the heart and soul. Sucks you in from the beginning! Enjoyable!
August 22, 2021
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.
November 10, 2020
Very relatable experiences. It is obvious Chelsea put her real thoughts and emotions into this collection. Highly recommend!
April 25, 2021
A beautiful and heart warming collection of poems and prose. There are some poems that you would like to note down. All the poems are so heart touching, you can relate to some of the poems so much. There are true emotions and experiences of author behind every poem. All the poems are expressing her thoughts and feelings so beautifully.
This book is for everyone who is broken, sad and dealing with some difficult phase. This book is a friend for those who never stop dreaming, who feel broken but never fail to smile, for those who live with anxiety but never give up, for those who dare to love despite all odds and for those who find strength in words.
My favourite poems are -
No Contact, No closure
Love me for me
This is one of the best self help book giving practical guidelines to help us prepare for and work through losses of every kind so that we can survive hard times emotionally, as well as physically and spiritually. The writer continues to bless the lives of her readers with new insights, experiences, and poetry that touch the heart and lift the burdens of a weary soul. This book offers incredible comfort, telling readers everywhere : You are not alone, and you will find your way. You should definitely read this book if you love reading poems that can make you feel better.
This book is for everyone who is broken, sad and dealing with some difficult phase. This book is a friend for those who never stop dreaming, who feel broken but never fail to smile, for those who live with anxiety but never give up, for those who dare to love despite all odds and for those who find strength in words.
My favourite poems are -
No Contact, No closure
Love me for me
This is one of the best self help book giving practical guidelines to help us prepare for and work through losses of every kind so that we can survive hard times emotionally, as well as physically and spiritually. The writer continues to bless the lives of her readers with new insights, experiences, and poetry that touch the heart and lift the burdens of a weary soul. This book offers incredible comfort, telling readers everywhere : You are not alone, and you will find your way. You should definitely read this book if you love reading poems that can make you feel better.
December 2, 2020
For anyone who has felt the pain of unrequited love, you will certainly identify with Chelsea's poetry.
She writes about what it's like when you find a connection, fall fast, but the feelings aren't returned. There's no heartache like unreciprocated love. Chelsea expresses herself beautifully over the confusion & turmoil she went through, showing sometimes anger, sometimes sadness, and eventually, discovery. With her love of the Lord and herself, Chelsea shows readers that it's through such experiences, however emotionally draining they may be, that we learn & grow. I have respect for such talent for poetry to help one get through such hurt. Such a lovely, deep form of catharsis this collection of poetry & prose is.
🙏🏼Thank you Chelsea for my copy of Sticks and Stones.🤗
She writes about what it's like when you find a connection, fall fast, but the feelings aren't returned. There's no heartache like unreciprocated love. Chelsea expresses herself beautifully over the confusion & turmoil she went through, showing sometimes anger, sometimes sadness, and eventually, discovery. With her love of the Lord and herself, Chelsea shows readers that it's through such experiences, however emotionally draining they may be, that we learn & grow. I have respect for such talent for poetry to help one get through such hurt. Such a lovely, deep form of catharsis this collection of poetry & prose is.
🙏🏼Thank you Chelsea for my copy of Sticks and Stones.🤗
October 9, 2024
If you like poetry give Chelsea Delvries Sticks and Stones a must read. The poetry is relatable. I loved it all. I haven't read poetry in a long time and her poetry brought back my love of poetry to me.
March 5, 2021
🌸This is the first book that made me speechless, I really don't know from where i should start, Its really difficult to sum up this book in some words or paragraphs.
🌸This novel is a prefect blend of poetries and memoirs, encompassing the stormy life of Author Chelsea, all the way right from childhood to the day she wrote this book. We all know, No one is leading a so called perfect life but if we all are having some difficult phase but everyone's suffering is different. I always feel that everything wrong happens with me only and everyone else is happy with their life, I always question to God, Why me?
But the truth is, we never know what someone else is going through.
🌸This book made me cry so many times. Here, Chelsea shared about her life and the bad phases she had in her life. She shared about everything, from her heart break to being molested at the workplace. But most importantly, she indirectly shared so many messages like, we should get up and fight for yourself, Get out and live, heal through the pain.
From every poem, I really get a positive message, she is a guide to lead a happy yet beautiful life. Through this book she is saying that lot of sticks and stones have been thrown at us but we have to use them to rebuild ourself.
🌸These poems gave me the courage to know the difference between when to be merciful and knowing when to be merciless, and when to walk away from people who always make it a point to focus on your mistakes. I feel connect with the author when she talks about love, self love, hope, empowerment, fight on fighter and so on.
🌸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.” I wish i could hug you and thank you for inspiring so many girls/women out there who had gone through all this.
🌸This novel is a prefect blend of poetries and memoirs, encompassing the stormy life of Author Chelsea, all the way right from childhood to the day she wrote this book. We all know, No one is leading a so called perfect life but if we all are having some difficult phase but everyone's suffering is different. I always feel that everything wrong happens with me only and everyone else is happy with their life, I always question to God, Why me?
But the truth is, we never know what someone else is going through.
🌸This book made me cry so many times. Here, Chelsea shared about her life and the bad phases she had in her life. She shared about everything, from her heart break to being molested at the workplace. But most importantly, she indirectly shared so many messages like, we should get up and fight for yourself, Get out and live, heal through the pain.
From every poem, I really get a positive message, she is a guide to lead a happy yet beautiful life. Through this book she is saying that lot of sticks and stones have been thrown at us but we have to use them to rebuild ourself.
🌸These poems gave me the courage to know the difference between when to be merciful and knowing when to be merciless, and when to walk away from people who always make it a point to focus on your mistakes. I feel connect with the author when she talks about love, self love, hope, empowerment, fight on fighter and so on.
🌸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.” I wish i could hug you and thank you for inspiring so many girls/women out there who had gone through all this.
March 1, 2021
💌In Sticks & Stones, DeVries has presented an open and deeply honest account of her life and experiences in the form of poems and prose.
This is a collection of emotional, inspiring and thought provoking poems, some will make you cry, and some will put you in deep thoughts.
💌The book is divided into 2 parts - Sticks & Stones. Both the parts have so many poems with really good and attractive titles that you really can't think to skip reading any of them. It is very clear that someone who has experienced a lot in her life is sharing everything that she is keeping in her heart since long. There is a connection you will feel while reading some of the poems.
💌All of the poems are different, talking about a different topic and feelings. But my most favourites are-
"Love Me For Me" - Such a beautiful poem with so many emotions attached to it, a layer of positivity and self love is conveyed through this poem.
"Stop Scrolling, Start Living" - Here she really shared a great message - Get out and Live, We all are so much involved in the social media and start comparing our live with others but remains Comparison is a tool of the enemy.
"No Contact, No Closure" - This is one such poem where she described her feelings of getting a heart-break. I could actually be able to connect with this poem.
💌This book is really beautiful. Much respect and Power to Chelsea. This book takes you on a raw and honest journey into the unknown. Her writing is vulnerable yet powerful, allowing you to realize that you have strength, even when you feel your weakest. Her journey of suffering from toxicity, sexual assault, heartbreak to being a happy and powerful soul is inspiring.
This is a collection of emotional, inspiring and thought provoking poems, some will make you cry, and some will put you in deep thoughts.
💌The book is divided into 2 parts - Sticks & Stones. Both the parts have so many poems with really good and attractive titles that you really can't think to skip reading any of them. It is very clear that someone who has experienced a lot in her life is sharing everything that she is keeping in her heart since long. There is a connection you will feel while reading some of the poems.
💌All of the poems are different, talking about a different topic and feelings. But my most favourites are-
"Love Me For Me" - Such a beautiful poem with so many emotions attached to it, a layer of positivity and self love is conveyed through this poem.
"Stop Scrolling, Start Living" - Here she really shared a great message - Get out and Live, We all are so much involved in the social media and start comparing our live with others but remains Comparison is a tool of the enemy.
"No Contact, No Closure" - This is one such poem where she described her feelings of getting a heart-break. I could actually be able to connect with this poem.
💌This book is really beautiful. Much respect and Power to Chelsea. This book takes you on a raw and honest journey into the unknown. Her writing is vulnerable yet powerful, allowing you to realize that you have strength, even when you feel your weakest. Her journey of suffering from toxicity, sexual assault, heartbreak to being a happy and powerful soul is inspiring.
February 27, 2024
"Sticks:
a thin piece of wood that has fallen or been cut from a tree.
Example: She gathered the sticks they threw at her together and tossed them in the fire
To create a collection of poetry"
_____ Chelsea Devries
Sticks & Stones
I'm freaking in love with this book!
I don't read poetry that much, but the style of this book made me read it so fast!!
Love it so much. I'm definitely memorising some of the lines I read💕💕
I love how I felt while reading, how I resonated with it, and how I wanted to shove this book in everyone I know's nose so they can read it too!
It really made me want to talk about it nonstop, and I love that💕
It's been a while since I had something like this 😌 and I couldn't be any happier 💗💗💗
a thin piece of wood that has fallen or been cut from a tree.
Example: She gathered the sticks they threw at her together and tossed them in the fire
To create a collection of poetry"
_____ Chelsea Devries
Sticks & Stones
I'm freaking in love with this book!
I don't read poetry that much, but the style of this book made me read it so fast!!
Love it so much. I'm definitely memorising some of the lines I read💕💕
I love how I felt while reading, how I resonated with it, and how I wanted to shove this book in everyone I know's nose so they can read it too!
It really made me want to talk about it nonstop, and I love that💕
It's been a while since I had something like this 😌 and I couldn't be any happier 💗💗💗
July 17, 2022
I really liked this book. Having the colored art work was such a fun touch as you were reading. There were also frequent pop culture references. There were some religious components that were meh for me (as an atheist) but I loved the rest of the book.
February 4, 2022
Two words: heartfelt and honest. Devries does it again in her collection of poems!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews