Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown

Release Date: May 21st, 2013
Publisher: Little Brown | Hachette Canada
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 288 Pages
Series: Stand Alone
Format: Hardcover
Source: From publisher
Reason: For review
Find the Author: Website | Twitter
Buy the Book: Amazon CA | Amazon

Ashleigh's boyfriend, Kaleb, is about to leave for college, and Ashleigh is worried that he'll forget about her while he's away. So at a legendary end-of-summer pool party, Ashleigh's friends suggest she text him a picture of herself -- sans swimsuit -- to take with him. Before she can talk herself out of it, Ashleigh strides off to the bathroom, snaps a photo in the full-length mirror, and hits "send."

But when Kaleb and Ashleigh go through a bad breakup, Kaleb takes revenge by forwarding the text to his baseball team. Soon the photo has gone viral, attracting the attention of the school board, the local police, and the media. As her friends and family try to distance themselves from the scandal, Ashleigh feels completely alone -- until she meets Mack while serving her court-ordered community service. Not only does Mack offer a fresh chance at friendship, but he's the one person in town who received the text of Ashleigh's photo -- and didn't look.

Acclaimed author Jennifer Brown brings readers a gripping novel about honesty and betrayal, redemption and friendship, attraction and integrity, as Ashleigh finds that while a picture may be worth a thousand words . . . it doesn't always tell the whole story.

Jennifer Brown had me at Hello. I became an instant fan of hers since I read Hate List, and have since read all of her works(And loving each one!). When I learned about her upcoming novel, Thousand Words, tackling an issue that seems to be happening more and more everyday I couldn't wait to see what she would do with it.

I shouldn't be surprised that it was just perfect. Jennifer Brown's writing style and character building  was right on point. Even though I knew the basic premise of this story, I couldn't help but really like Kaleb in the beginning; He seemed like your typical sweetheart. Then it turns ugly, and poor Ashleigh has to endure the affects of a spur of the moment decision, that ended up with long lasting consequences.

My heart literally ached for Ashleigh. I could feel every hit and blow that was tossed her way. I wanted to defend her, and snatch her away from the cruelness of the situation.  Though, she handled it well. I think better than I would have if it were me. She was a very strong character! 

I also loved the pacing of the story, the way Jennifer Brown had everything unfold. There was no beginning, middle and end. It was all woven together in a way that gave it a little Mystery. Making me fly through the pages and never ever to stop at just one chapter! The Past to Present structure was a perfect touch!

Jennifer Brown tackled another tough topic and she did it just right. She pens some of the most intense character casts I have come across, and touches on issues the a lot of authors shy away from; The thing is teens DO go through these things! I love how Jennifer Brown rises to the challenge to bring this issues to the surface.

In Today's Day, Thousand Words should definitely be required reading for Young Adults in school. Maybe reading about the consequences and what happens AFTER the fact, would result in a change of heart, and would be saved a whole world of hurt.

Jennifer Brown does it again!

Sum it up with a Song

Stacking the Shelves

Hosted by Tynga's Review

No review books for me this week! However, I did buy a few!

Bought

Emily Bronte Delux Classics: Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey and The Professor

Shadow Show: All New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

Skinny by Ibi Kaslik

The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank

(I cannot believe I have not read this yet! About to change that soon!)

What books are stacking your shelves this week?

Facebook Trivia Giveaway!

Happy Tuesday, Crazy readers!

The Crazy Bookworm is launching a Facebook Giveaway starting this afternoon! Except this giveaway is different from previous giveaways. How so? Well, instead of stopping by the blog and filling out a form, you will be stopping by The Crazy Bookworm's Facebook Page. I will be posting  Book related trivia throughout the duration of the giveaway. You simply submit your answer in the comments. Sounds fun doesn't it?!

What's up for grabs?

(1) Hardcover copy of:

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

(Another copy will be given away upon my review later this Spring)

Giveaway Starts: Tuesday, May 14, 2013(Right now!)

Giveaway Ends: Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Open to: Canada and Us Only(Publisher's request)

The Trivia questions will be posted in the Mornings throughout the duration of the giveaway. So be sure to stop by each day to check if there is a trivia question. You can answer them anytime throughout the day/week. Even the previously posted trivia questions. 

This IS a Facebook giveaway so be sure to use a Facebook account that you use regularly. The Winner will be contacted via Facebook(Private Message) and will be announced on The Crazy Bookworm Facebook Page and on the blog. 

You will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

'Like' The Crazy Bookworm on Facebook

Have fun!

*Just to clarify. It is meant to me fun, not competitive. The winner is chosen randomly, not based on who commented first/right. But you must answer in the comments section to qualify for the giveaway*

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Release Date: April 2nd, 2013
Publisher: Hachette Canada
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 416 Pages
Series: Stand Alone
Format: Hardcover
Source: From Publisher
Reason: For Review
Find the Author: Twitter | Website
Buy the Book: Amazon CA | Amazon

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?
When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

“It was exactly as he’d thought it would be, like the first time and the millionth time all at once, like being wide awake, like losing his balance. Only this time, it wasn’t just him; this time, they were losing their balance together.”- Graham

I have a confession to make; I actually finished this book about a week ago. Why has it taken me longer than usual to write a review? Well, I needed to find the words! I wanted to write a review right away. I finished the book, let myself absorb it for a few seconds, then bolted to my computer and just stared at a blank screen. I. Had. No. Words!

The only words I could get out made me sound like a 13 year old crazy fan girl. "OMG, this book was so amazing" "You guys, you have to read this NOW!" My review was simply just going to be a rave at how...Epic this novel really, truly was. Instead, I thought I would give it a few days, collect my thoughts, and try to come up with something a little more mature...*Clears throat* So here I go!

This Is What Happy Looks Like is far from your ordinary boy meets girl story. The author took all of my favourite elements(Small town, romance, self discovery and swoon-worthy boy) and wrapped them up in this amazing little package.

This Is What Happy Looks Like will wrap you up in a cozy ray of sunshine and fill your heart with a romantic story line and spirited characters. I adored Graham from the moment I learned he had a Pig named Wilbur(Wanting a pig myself, I felt we could relate!) And talk about swoon-worthy!

The author didn't introduce Graham as this brooding tall, dark and handsome type. We got to fall in love with Graham before even learning about his appearance(Which didn't sound to shabby either!) A funny, witty, caring person he is. Just my type!

I loved Ellie. She was a character that could stand on her own. She was confident and independent. She had a tough exterior but we a softy on the inside. I loved learning more about her as her story unfolded! Which the author delivered at a perfect face!

Jennifer E. Smith really created something amazing with this book. Like how Ellie describes happiness: Sunrises over the harbor. Ice cream on a hot day. The sound of the waves down the street. The way my dog curls up next to me on the couch. Evening strolls. Great movies. Thunderstorms...And an amazing Young Adult novel titled This Is What Happiness Looks Like.

If this novel is not on your Summer To-Read pile than you need to change that, pronto! Pour yourself a cold glass of lemon-aid or iced tea, lay out in the sun, and be whisked by this heart-warming tale about love.

**Note: This book may have you constantly refreshing your e-mail page in hopes that Johnny Depp may accidentally e-mail you**

 Sum It Up With A Song
How could I not use a Taylor Swift Song?!

I'm still here!

Hi, Crazy readers!

I just wanted to drop a quick note that I am still around and kicking! Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I do have them planned and waiting to be written, I just have not found the time! This week has been a crazy one, for this bookworm!

Some stuff to look forward to that will be coming up next week:

1. I will be posting Book related Trivia on my Facebook page next week(Don't worry, an official post is to come about this) It will run all week long, and at the end, I will pick a winner(from the comments) and they will win a prize! Yay!

2. My review for This is What Happy Looks Like. This book was epic! Still trying to put it into words for my review's sake!

Thank you for being patient!

Stacking the Shelves

For Review

Five Summers by Una LaMarche

Mystic by Alyson Noel

Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Bought

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Partials by Dan Wells

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

What books are stacking your shelves this week?

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Release Date: February 26th, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 320 Pages
Series: Stand Alone
Format: Hardcover
Source: From publisher
Reason: For review
Find the Author: Website
Buy the Book: Amazon CA | Amazon

Bono met his wife in high school, Park says.
So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Eleanor answers.
I’m not kidding, he says.
You should be, she says, we’re 16.
What about Romeo and Juliet? Shallow, confused, then dead.I love you, Park says.
Wherefore art thou, Eleanor answers.
I’m not kidding, he says.
You should be.
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love—and just how hard it pulled you under.

“You can be Han Solo," he said, kissing her throat. "And I'll be Boba Fett. I'll cross the sky for you.” --Park 

I have to say, it was John Green's blurb that really made me want to read this novel--“Eleanor & Park reminded me not just what it’s like to be young and in love with a girl, but also what it’s like to be young and in love with a book.”—John Green

Once I started this novel, I began to understand what he meant. Yes, the characters were fantastic. Yes, the 80's references were just right. I started to fall deep into the story unfolding. However, once I got about half way through, my interest started to fizzle a lot. Eleanor seemed  to have way too much Teen angst for my taste, and it felt like the story was flat lining. There were little hits of a dramatic storyline, but as soon as anything was just about to get interesting, it would end. Just like that. Usually by this point, my interest would give out completely and I would just stop reading.

Something kept telling me to hang in there.

I am so glad I did! I think the lack of a super climatic storyline was fogging my view of this book. We are so used to 90210 and Degrassi High's(Canadian reference) dramatic story lines, that are so unrealistic that we forget that that's exactly what it is; Not real. Eleanor and Park is real. How the story unfolds in very real. By the end, my heart was breaking for Eleanor and I was reaching for the tissues. I also loved that fact that the characters were real. When I read about these brooding high school boys, and Gucci wearing high school girls I can't help but think "Where were these kids when I went to high school?" They didn't exist! Although these two characters were very average, that's what made them so attractive by the end. Eleanor kept describing Park's honey skin and jet black hair; Park talking about Eleanor's fire red hair and freckle covered face. That is true beauty. We started to love these characters for their personalities before their looks were even taken into account.

I loved that the author chose to deliver this story with the Duel perspective. It really added to the simple, straight to the point writing style.

Aside from the cute and adorable love story, there are some heavier issues at hand, and the way they slowly unfold will break your heart.

I hate that I ever had doubts about this novel. Any negative thoughts were instantly washed away! Eleanor and Park was beautiful tale about 2 kids falling in love.

 Sum it up with a Song

(Keeping in theme with the 80's)