Words We Don't Say | 
pickA YA novel about Joel, a high school kid who has lost his best friend and lives in a world of text messages that he writes but doesn‘t send. Hundreds of text messages. This kid feels so much and it‘s all bottled up inside. I like the way he‘s always swearing at people, but then goes back and explains what he really said which did not include those swear words. An uplifting message lies in wait at the end.
pickA high school senior named Joel struggles to find a way to cope with his grief by composing texts he never sends to the school principal, his best friend, Andy, and Eli, the girl he loves. This novel is funny, thoughtful and sincere. It constantly asks Joel to consider other people‘s experiences, even as he tries to manage his own. I really enjoyed it.
This may be an unpopular opinion since I've only heard great things about this book.
So, the main character's voice comes across as much younger than most 11th graders voices do in YA books. Its throwing me off. I keep thinking he's 12.
(I still like the book, and I'm still in the process of reading it. Not done yet)
ETA: It got good
Oh my heart!! 😭💔 So many emotions..
I can now see why there is all those great reviews. I definitely recommend.
So many whispers of people and thoughts inside him, but Joel can‘t face that. Will he understand that the world outside him is bigger than his own pain?
“Time can never mend
The careless whispers of a good friend
To the heart and mind
Ignorance is kind
There's no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you'll find” 🎼
#carelesswhisper #anglophileapril @Cinfhen @emilyhaldi @Mdargusch @Reviewsbylola
pickJoel Higgins and Eli volunteer at a soup kitchen together. He's crazy in love with her but can't face his real feelings; instead writes text messages to her, and also his friend Andy who died last year. Saves them all as drafts, never sends them. So many important themes here. It's timely. Debut YA novel for J K Reilly. I RECOMMEND
pickBy utilizing text and text messages which the main character never sends, we are able to see the grief, anxiety, humor, and love that Joel rarely shows to the “real” world. Characters-A+. Story-A+. Writing-A. Resolution-A+. Destiny Diamond gives it 4 paws up.
so-so
