ScentBird

I was itching to try something new for the month of August, or as my mother would say “money was burning a hole in my wallet” and I wanted to be adventurous! I’ve seen alot of ads on my phone for ScentBird (you know how these phones listen to EVERYTHING WE SAY!) and decided to give it a try!.

Scentbird offers monthly subscriptions to new fragrances for perfumes and you can also get candles! (My Bath and Body Works people will love this).

I ended up choosing Bright Poppy which was recommended based on my favorite scents. From the description of the scent I thought I would like, little did I know I would LOVE it. I was so amazed at how great it complimented me and accurate the scent was described.

It’s been an entire month and there is STILL perfume in my travel size “sample” ( I used quotations because honestly this is more than just a sample ). If your like me enjoy new beautiful scents, I highly recommend Scentbird. You will not be disappointed with this $15.99/month being spent.

Check it out today: https://www.scentbird com/r/d/scentbirduser13776258

Everything, Everything + The Sun Is Also A Star – boxed set book review!

My little sister had been bugging me to read Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon before the movie came out so I decided to finally buy it. I got a BEAUTIFUL deal on getting the boxed set of her first two novels for like 13 bucks (a steal).

Ive never seen covers of books more beautiful than both Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also A Star! Once you read the book the covers make even more sense and mean even more to me than they did before

I decided to read Everything, Everything first since it was the first book she wrote and I quickly became a fan, falling more and more in love with her conversational writing style with every line. Each character in her books are unique and tell the perfect story through their point of view.

Spoiler alert: Love is worth everything. Everything.

Madeline a 17 year old girl has lived the safest, serene life inside of her bubble of a house. Suffering from a severe combinded immunodeficiency, the bubble baby disease, she spends her day reading books, new and freshly packaged just for her (any book bloggers dream).

I’ve read more books than you. It doesn’t matter how many you’ve read. I’ve read more. believe me – Nicola Yoon, Everything, Everything

For a long time books are the only thing she needs, she is complete and satisfied. Until her life gets turned upside down when the new neighbors move in and she finds herself falling in love with a boy named Olly. Olly is relentless, Olly is real, he opens doors she never knew could be open. But the problem is once there open they can’t always be closed again.

I was happy before I met him. But I’m alive now, and those are not the same thing.

This story is such a refreshing twist on “bubble boy” and Im happy it’s not another sad sick teen dying novel, but more of a coming-of-age romance. The ending will knock you on your a$$! lol

4.5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟

The only thing I really didn’t care for was that it felt like a book that was made for a movie. That sounds weird right? But when you read it you’ll understand, each page could have been called “act 1” “scene 2”

Still this book is definitely worth the read!!!

On to The Sun is Also A Star,

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is my favorite of the two, a full 5 stars for me here. It’s honestly just because this storyline was deep on so many aspects, Fate and forgiveness is a constant concept in both books and I’ve never wondered more about my “divine plan” and what love means to me more than when I read this book.

Natasha is soon to be deported (this is not even a spoiler, trust me) and she is fighting to find a way to keep her and her family from going back to their homeland of Jamaica. She does not believe in fate, destiny, or divine plans by an unspeakable force. She believes is facts and science, love is the last thing on her list.

Daniel’s waiting for fate to kick in and change his destiny. His parents expect him to go to Yale and become a doctor. His artistic souls speaks for something more fulfilling. Korean heritage runs deep through their veins and since “perfect son number 1” doesn’t want to follow it, they expect Daniel too. The world gives him what he ask for, a sign, and the sign is Natasha.

I know there’s no such thing as meant-to-be, and yet here I am wondering if maybe I’ve been wrong. – Nicola Yoon The Sun Is Also A Star

Ugh. This story. Spoke to me. Not only does Nicola Yoon take you on an epic adventure she slowly makes you fall in love with EVERYONE. Her writing is the same with both books, short chapters full of bliss and detail. I absolutely love her breakdowns of a characters emotion. Not only this but she gives a point of view FROM the emotions. What Fate has to say, what the Future has to say, even the past, it is simply brilliant.

I am anxiously waiting for this movie to premiere I will be pre-ordering tickets! But I hope you get a chance to read the book before hand and love them just as much as I did

P.s – this book has Quotable sayings for DAYS! it was really hard trying to pick my favorites to put in this review without overdoing it 🤣

The Suicide Tree – Book review!

Good books really have a way of finding me, and this is another one added to the shelf of great reads.

I am so happy i found Shayla Raquel, author of The Suicide Tree, on instagram. She was on of the first writers i followed when starting my “bookstagram” account a month ago and fell upon her AMAZING NOVEL!. I mean really guys, this book was intriguing from beginning to end with no lag in the middle.

The name of the book “The Suicide Tree” threw me for a loop in terms of what i was expecting the book to be about (yea i could have read the back but i like a little of a surprise). The title is very fitting and unique, by the second chapter i screamed ‘BINGO’.

Knox Kevel has gone through an horrific event that no person should have to go endure… losing both his parents on the same day, watching it live on television, and watching their name get dragged through the mud. This hacker is talented no doubt , he hadn’t received the “scientist gene” from his parents, but he received the wit, talent and determination. Knox finds himself in trouble with the law. As a mysterious man waltzes into his life with half a million dollars and the power to get Knox out of his sticky situation, he dives into the opportunity, into a new life… with none of the major details disclosed about his new employer. Knox and his new gang embark on their journey for the truth, hunting down the devil herself, and uncovering answers he’s been so desperately seeking.

My parents, who were pure geniuses, created a tiny pink pill that could stop people from choking on their own blood, but chose not to let a single soul have it.
Knox Kevel

This book was amazing, the scenes were so vivid it was more like watching a film than reading a book. The Suicide Tree was full of suspense, closer to the end it got intense with thrill and horror. I knew a dark twist was coming but i didnt think it would be THAT dark.. i say that in the best way possible, it was exactly what the book needed to finish as strong as it started!

I hope you take the time to pick up this book and share the experience with me

Follow for more on instagram : @readwritethrume

Bill Hodges Trilogy: by Stephen King – Book Review

I took a hiatus from social media for a while but recently got back into twitter, the writing community is one of my favorites there. Today i seen a tweet asking “What was the first book that made you fall in love with reading?” Instantly i thought of the Bill Hodges trilogy.

I’ve read a lot of books even as a tiny teen, TV wasn’t much of an option with 6 siblings fighting over TV time so Stephen King was my refugee. Being a favored author of mine i jumped at every book he put out. This Trilogy was the tipping point of the ice berg to make me talk non-stop about fictional character’s to people who didn’t even like reading. I believed, and still believe that even if you are not some one who like’s to read, you will certainly find the love of reading through these books.

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A dark, twisted, beguiling thriller. Mr. Mercedes had me shuddering from the very beginning. The depraved scenes that caught my attention were exactly what i was hoping for in a Stephen King Novel. As Bill Hodges obsession with capturing nemesis Brady Hartsfield grows, so does your’s. With the perfectly woven moments between the two, setting up all your hopes then heart breathtakingly tearing them down. Brady seemingly getting away with his heinous acts needs more. Tantalizing Detective Hodges until he has no choice but to do the right thing, knowing hes the only who has a shot at stopping him. When he gets involved, he will stop at nothing to bring down Brady. The race against the clock has started because Hartfield’s will stop at nothing to make a name for himself.

5 stars – loved this book! i really didn’t think it could get any better.. and then i found out there was more books.

Finders Keeper (Part 2 of the Bill Hodges trilogy)

I actually read this series out of order and still loved this book. It was amazing by itself, seeing repeat characters is the cherry on top. After reading the 1st part of the series (second) it made even more sense and was even more exciting.

Brady Hartsfield’s first act of terror killed many people and crippled the a city that was already going through a financial crisis, only adding more fuel to fire for families, especially Pete Saubers.
Morris Bellamy is set to be released from prison soon, a day every prisoner is hopeful for, but unlike other prisoners, Bellamy will be going home to his hidden treasure… or so he thinks.
Pete Saubers, a bright student with a bright future knows college is a far sight with the financial troubles his family is going through, college might be but a dream, until he stumbles on a gold mine.
Now its Pete and his families live’s that are on the line that Bill Hodges and his idiosyncratic team have to save from the vengeful, menacing Morris.

Honestly if i could rate this book a 10 it would, it deserved more than 5 stars and is going down as one of my favorite books. ❤

The End of Watch (3rd book in the Bill Hodges trilogy

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-2.jpeg

You would think after being knocked into a vegetative state, where doctors say full recovery is slim to none, Brady Hartsfield’s reign of terror would be over. But it is just a new beginning. Stephen King brings the super natural, thrilling nature out of this crime novel full storm. Although on the outside, Brady seems done for, he is still in there. Mind strong and working diligently to finish what he started. If Bill Hodges and his gang don’t figure out something it will be their lives and the lives of children on the line. The mind is a powerful tool, this is heavily prevalent with the “End Of Watch”. Seeing the evil that lies behind the mind and influences that cause destruction.

By the sea
By the sea
By the beautiful sea
You and me
You and me
Oh how happy we’ll be

I did really like this book, and i gave the 1st two 5 stars… but 4.5 stars just because the ending wasn’t as great to me!! It got a little dull at times but was still amazing. ❤ Stephen king is a genius.

These books have a place high on my book shelf and i hope you take the time to read and love them too!

Read more reviews on my Instagram and twitter: @readwritethrume

Finding Me (diary)

How can we all come into this world so confidently and end up so confused. As babies fresh out the womb we felt no shame, no judgement, maybe just a little bit pissy seeing as our whole way of life has just been shifted and we find our selves in a cold world full of lights, but in an instant we were back happy.

I want to get back to this point. Not the whole baby thing but the idea of just being happy and willing to learn, willing to love, and willing to be freely me.. kicking and screaming included.

Somewhere between day one and year 25 I became a cautious, fearful, introverted freak. And I can say this because in order to change the parts of me I want to change, I have to recognize them and acknowledge that they are apart of me. I’ve always wanted to be the person who had many people they could talk to, yet I never struck up any conversations first, sadly. So this year I decided to start many conversations by making my thoughts public and allowing myself to let more people (maybe a shit ton of people) into my thoughts. Not only that but pushing myself to actual react with others on social media. This may seem small or stupid but I’ve never been more honest, and as much damage as social media can cause it has been my gateway into connecting with people who think, feel, and love the same things I love 💕. The little interactions lead to meaningful conversation with strangers who have turned out to be friends, my “digital village”.

My confidence is on 8 right now, and that’s on a scale of 10. Most people don’t realize the strength it takes to be open and honest in a harsh world without caring about the consequences. It’s easy for some, especially people growing up in this technological age but it took me a while to get here. I had to break out of the routine of making sure everything was perfect before 1. Posting a picture, 2. Writing something I really wanted to write about, and 3. Speaking my truth. What I mean by speaking my truth is not being nasty or deliberately trying to hurt others feelings but saying what I am and am not going to put up with.

“ no you can not have my last piece of chicken.”

“Yes I do mind if you move my stuff with out asking me.”

“Would you like to hang out sometime of coffee!?”

All in all I’ve stopped being so passive aggressive and I love myself for it. I love the people who stuck around even after finding my voice. People who understood where I was coming from which was a surprising relief.

Coming to fruition that my passive aggressiveness came from not wanting to lose the people in my life was the first step. Second was allowing myself to see that i didn’t want those people in my life if they couldn’t understand I was no longer going hinder myself by putting other people’s thoughts and feelings so highly above mine all the time. Third came the relief and another step of freedom.

The willingness to love myself more now than ever is a process, I, like everyone else, will always be a work in progress. Complete acceptance of everything that I am is the ultimate goal. I’m not a person who likes to believe other people can tell you how to love yourself or love others but I’ve opened my self up to the possibility. It’s one of the best things I’ve done for my self. Recently read a few self-help books that reminds me everyday of the person I’m trying to become and the importance in loving and believing in myself. I strongly suggest you pick one up if you have been trying to do it in your own and are not quite succeeding.

A few of my favorites

You Are A Badass Everyday – by Jen Sincero

She has a few books in the bad ass series but this short book is compacted with wonderful everyday pick me ups and reminders on just how great you are

The Gifts of Imperfection – by Brene Brown

I love this book, definitely a keeper, a reminder that you are good enough and tips to keep your souls in a good mood

UnFu*k Yourself – by Gary John Bishop

This title really says it all lol, and it is a great read, I happen to love the audio book and is great for listening to in traffic

Thanks for reading a part of my journey 🥰

Leave me some love if you feel like it

Twitter: @ReadWriteThruMe

Instagram: @ReadWriteThruMe