"It's okay to not be okay and say that." QOTD: What are you doing for yourself today? AOTD: I will be zoned out in music because that is my happy place at the moment. Lately I pick up books and only read half. I try to read but nothing sinks in. The stress of my life just won't allow it right now. As women, especially WOC we are always under so much pressure to shrink our emotions, act and look a certain and be strong all the time. We are supposed to keep it all together. We are expected to be all things for everyone inspite of ourselves. To society we have no value outside of our proximity to someone else. This past week has been one of my roughest this year. I have an important medical test to take tomorrow which was scheduled as an emergency. Physically I feel the worst I've ever felt. Mentally my anxiety is trying to take residence where it doesn't belong. Spiritually, I'm a little bit broken. And I'm not okay. But this is perfectly normal. Don't force yourself to be all things for everyone. Don't pretend to have it all together. Take time to participate in the things that bring you joy. Don't smile if you don't want to. Take care of yourself first if that's what you need to do. Step up for yourself before you step in for someone else. Society and social media don't own you and the only expectations that matter are those that you set for yourself and give value to. #selfcare #Sundaypost #toberead #books #bookstagram #bookstack #readtoescapelife #bookdragon #bookworm #moodyreader #bookish #bibliophile #anxietysucks #reallife #pretendingtoread #booksoutside #diversereader #beyourself #bereal #unfocused #readingisrelaxing #nerdlife #unreadbooks #reading #Sundaymotivation #bookphoto #itsjustsocialmedia #reallifematters (at Bushwick) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMIjMgTAF9Y/?igshid=crwda1p23t4f

Cooking. Gardening. Taking a break. This is what I call multitasking. I really don't want this book to end. Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera is giving me life. QOTD: What book did you read that you did not want to end because it was so good? #readcarribbean #readtoescapelife #readingisrelaxing #backyardreads #quarantinehobbies #bookstagram #bookishphotos #bookmark #books #bookdragon #bookworm #booknerd #readbooksoutside #readingiscool #readlatinxbooks #latinxreader #weneeddiversebooks #bibliophile #bookwormactivity #booksandplants #relaxandread #takeabreakandread #neverlookback #lilliamrivera #yalit (at Bushwick) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE5ImWNAhmT/?igshid=12cldttp6l7ab

It's #thrillerthursday! Thank you @gallerybooks and @goodreads for this great giveaway win. I love a good thriller with female protagonists and a strong web of lies, one of my favorite tropes. I'm prepared to have my mind blown. QOTD: What is your favorite thriller with a strong female lead? *****SYNOPSIS***** Laura has returned to work at Morris and Wood after her maternity leave, only to discover that the woman she brought in to cover for her isn’t planning on going anywhere. Despite her close relationship with the agency’s powerful CEO, Harry Wood, she feels sidelined—and outmaneuvered—as she struggles to balance the twin demands of work and motherhood. Mia was only supposed to be a temporary hire at Morris and Wood, but she’s managed to make herself indispensable to everyone. Everyone, that is, except Laura. If people only knew why she was so desperate to keep her job, they might not want her to stay. Janie gave up everything to support her husband and the successful agency he runs. But she has her own dark secret to protect…and will go to any lengths to keep it safe. #thrillerthursday #thrillernerdigans #goodreadsgiveaway #bookstagram #therillersareaddicting #thrillers #bookdragon #bookworm #booknerd #booksandsunsets #booksarelife #takebooksoutside #readtoescapelife #threeperfectliars #heidiperks #book #gallerybooks #simonandschuster #bluebooks #bluespines #thrillerlover (at Middle Village) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEaQuVjAp0X/?igshid=83png561w90

All the confirmation I need...It's not hoarding if it's books. I may or may not be hoarding book totes however. 😜🙃🤣😂🙂 QOTD: Which book have you been hirading on your shelves unread for over a year? #readingisrelaxing #ilovebookishstuff #readinginthepark #readtoescapelife #bookstagram #bookdragon #books #bookishtote #bookishsocks #nerd #bookworm #bookaddict #reading #readbooksoutside #bookactivities #bookphotos #booksarecool #booksarefun #booksofinstagram #itsnothoardingifitsbooks #booknerd #outofprint #lovelitgifts #booksarelit (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CENnGVOAhsp/?igshid=iubpwn1q22ri

Watching the sunset and reading a book is where you will find me. Isn't this a vision of beauty? Thanks for the giveaway win @irishgirliereads. I have been wanting to read this one for so long. QOTD: What time of day do you get the most reading done? Do you enjoy indoor or outdoor reading? ***SYNOPSIS (GOODREADS)*** The beautiful island of Barbados, world-renowned for white sand beaches and tranquil blue seas, became the scene of an international crime in 1967. Forty years after Susan Taylor’s whistle-blowing novel, ‘The Unspeakable Truth’ became the most famous novel by any Caribbean author, she reaches out to a young writer to write her biography. Lia Davis has no idea why Susan would choose her, but there's more to Susan's story than meets the eye. The Girl with the Hazel Eyes will show you just why there is trouble in paradise. #readcarribbean #giveawaywinner #booksandsunsets #booksinthepark #readtoescapelife #readingisrelaxing #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #blacklivesmatter #readblackstories #readdifferentgenres #caribbeanlit #bookdragon #bookworm #booknerd #bibliophile #bookaddict #bookphoto #thegirlwiththehazeleyes #bajanbook #goodreadswithaview #ownvoices (at Grover Cleveland Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD44L7Yg8q3/?igshid=3yksrs8t7oxt

July turned out to be a great reading month for me. I read over 10 books and that's the most I've read in one month in years. I have so many plans for August reading. I'm starting off next month with a non-fiction book and comedy on audio. QOTD: What is your first book of August going to be? #readinggoals #readingoutside #booksinnature #booknerdactivities #readingisrelaxing #readingiscool #readtoescapelife #bookstagram #bookdragon #bookworm #booknerd #neverleavehomewithoutagoodbook #booksbooksbooks #bookishlife #readyourfannyoff #bookishphotos (at Juniper Valley Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDVCOMlg5oc/?igshid=mnqyongonj3d

I needed some fresh air after being sick all week. I'm slowly getting better but a quick trip for some reading and book photos is exactly what was required.. Reading in the park requires essentials. I had to bring along my latest bookish things from @outofprint. They always have the cutest bookish items. QOTD: What are your reading essentials? #readbooksoutside #readingishealing #outofprint #bookishtote #fannypack #velocireader #readyourfannyoff #readtoescapelife #readingisrelaxing #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #picnictablebooks #readatthepark #getfreshair #stayhydrated #selfcare #readingislife #bookstagram #books #MexicanGothic #readspookybooks (at Juniper Valley Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDPwzBaAb6N/?igshid=1kb1nob00lm2o

Donating. Protesting. Advocating. Elevating. Literacy. Conversations. That has been my life for the last week or so. Today I get lost in a book because it is my safe space and my knee has had enough. Being in the park and in nature in general just eases my spirit. QOTD: What are some of the ways that you are supporting BLM? #blacklivesmatter #readtoescapelife #readingisselfcare #readingisfun #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #bookstagram #readoutsidetoday #readbooksinnature #readingiscool #parkbenchchronicles #bibliophile #quarantinereads #socialdistancing #booksharks #booksparks #bookish (at Maria Hernandez Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBPD5E_gscx/?igshid=cktw1tjjnke4