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I Can't Tell You
After he opens his big mouth in a big fight with his best friend, Jake concludes that talking = trouble. He decides that communicating through writing is safer. Through notes scribbled on napkins and in notebooks, on upside-down calculators, and on walls with pudding-covered fingers, Jake explores new ways to express himself. But there are also the notes he never sends. To his flirty friend. Who is just a friend. But could be more than a friend. But isn’t—or is she? Hillary Frank’s inventive style envelops her readers in a new dimension of storytelling. Jake + Xandra = a story about what it means to be “just friends.” All without saying a word.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
8 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Hillary Frank
6 books41 followersHillary Frank is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She is the author and illustrator of the novels Better Than Running at Night (Houghton Mifflin 2002), I Can't Tell You (Houghton Mifflin 2004), and The View From the Top (Penguin 2010). Better Than Running at Night was named a Top Ten First Youth Novel by Booklist and a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association.
Hillary is also an independent producer for a variety of programs on public radio.
Her work has aired on This American Life, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Studio 360, Marketplace, Day to Day, Weekend America, and Chicago Matters. She has won awards for her radio stories from the Association for Women in Communications, the National Mental Health Association, and the Third Coast International Audio Festival, one of the highest honors in public radio.
Hillary has taught courses and workshops to young and grown adults at Loyola University, River Oak Arts, Off Campus Writers' Workshop, and the City of Chicago's inner city writing program Words37. She has also appeared as a guest speaker at many schools and libraries, including the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, the Chicago Public Library, Tufts University, Simmons College, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and high schools around the country. Both Hillary's first novel and her first radio story started as unsolicited submissions, which she hopes is proof to aspiring writers that getting published really is possible.
Hillary is also an independent producer for a variety of programs on public radio.
Her work has aired on This American Life, Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Studio 360, Marketplace, Day to Day, Weekend America, and Chicago Matters. She has won awards for her radio stories from the Association for Women in Communications, the National Mental Health Association, and the Third Coast International Audio Festival, one of the highest honors in public radio.
Hillary has taught courses and workshops to young and grown adults at Loyola University, River Oak Arts, Off Campus Writers' Workshop, and the City of Chicago's inner city writing program Words37. She has also appeared as a guest speaker at many schools and libraries, including the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, the Chicago Public Library, Tufts University, Simmons College, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and high schools around the country. Both Hillary's first novel and her first radio story started as unsolicited submissions, which she hopes is proof to aspiring writers that getting published really is possible.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
March 22, 2024
This book had SO MUCH POTENTIAL. It had a good story line and interesting writing but there was so much opportunity missed that could have made it better.
October 17, 2008
Drivel; don't waste your time. I originally picked it up because the format seemed interesting and I wanted to see what the author could do with it. Unfortunately it became clear about twenty pages in that the answer was a disappointing "not much."
It took me a long time to accept that the characters were, in fact, college students - I kept thinking there had to be some mistake. I tried time and time again (unsuccessfully) to invent a scenario in which a bunch of fourteen-year-olds might have been dumped into a college setting and, failing this, was forced to conclude that the author has simply never seen, heard, or otherwise interacted with the cultural phenomenon known as the college student. ...Ever.
In other words, it's DEFINITELY a book aimed at highschoolers, NOT college students, so don't pick it up thinking that the characters are actually going to be acting their ages or you might be sorely disappointed. I was.
Besides their lack of mental and emotional maturity relative to their ages, the characters were also depressingly predictable. It wasn't particularly hard to guess what they were going to say or do at any given time, which made for a very boring read. I'd say they were unrealistic, two-dimensional, cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all plot device characters as well, but I feel that this is going a bit far seeing as I didn't actually finish the book. However, if the first third or so was enough to put me off reading the rest of it, I'm inclined to think that I made the right decision.
Waste of eight bucks. That's what I get for buying a book on a whim...
It took me a long time to accept that the characters were, in fact, college students - I kept thinking there had to be some mistake. I tried time and time again (unsuccessfully) to invent a scenario in which a bunch of fourteen-year-olds might have been dumped into a college setting and, failing this, was forced to conclude that the author has simply never seen, heard, or otherwise interacted with the cultural phenomenon known as the college student. ...Ever.
In other words, it's DEFINITELY a book aimed at highschoolers, NOT college students, so don't pick it up thinking that the characters are actually going to be acting their ages or you might be sorely disappointed. I was.
Besides their lack of mental and emotional maturity relative to their ages, the characters were also depressingly predictable. It wasn't particularly hard to guess what they were going to say or do at any given time, which made for a very boring read. I'd say they were unrealistic, two-dimensional, cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all plot device characters as well, but I feel that this is going a bit far seeing as I didn't actually finish the book. However, if the first third or so was enough to put me off reading the rest of it, I'm inclined to think that I made the right decision.
Waste of eight bucks. That's what I get for buying a book on a whim...
June 4, 2014
i very difficult concept to get right away. Pointless not very good story line. its about multiple kids at a high school and pages i guess from their diaries. unnecessary words and situations. made me laugh.
January 14, 2019
Personal Response
I really liked the plot of the book. At points, it was difficult to understand, but I loved the conversation through writing. Also, the relationship between Jake and Xandra is very compelling. Hillary Frank did a great job constructing Jake and Xandra’s relationship to really understand and relate to each other but also have the sophistication of a college relationship and relationships with other people. Overall, I really liked the emotion poured out in the book and I wish there was another.
Plot Summary
Jake and Sean break up their friendship when Sean finds out Jake slept with 3 of his ex-girlfriends when he was still in a relationship with them. Jake decides to write out his conversations to make sure doesn’t say anything stupid anymore. He everything. Conversations with his friends which other people start picking up on, journal entries to his dead fetus twin sister, and letters to his crush. Xandra believes her and Jake are just friends so she starts to see another guy. Jake’s mom also thinks he is mad at her since he is not talking to her, or anybody for that fact. When Jake finds out that Xandra kissed Lester, Jake gets very depressed. He decides to burn all his love letters to her and falls into a state of depression. He accidentally talks and gives up on him writing out his conversations. His very last entry is to himself about how he will move on from his bad state.
Characterization
Throughout this book, Jake really develops relationships and understands himself. Conversations through writing really show the development of his character. It shows he is nervous of his feelings but really cares. It also shows he wishes he could fix his broken relationships. His confidence grows throughout the story even by him not talking. Jake goes from a mad guy who is writing to hide himself to a happy guy who started a trend and built stronger relationships with other people but also with his self.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to high schoolers and up. It is a bit confusing and there is sexual context. Mature readers should read this book. It is in the perspective of a boy, but both boys and girls would like it. I recommend this book to confused kids in relationships.
I really liked the plot of the book. At points, it was difficult to understand, but I loved the conversation through writing. Also, the relationship between Jake and Xandra is very compelling. Hillary Frank did a great job constructing Jake and Xandra’s relationship to really understand and relate to each other but also have the sophistication of a college relationship and relationships with other people. Overall, I really liked the emotion poured out in the book and I wish there was another.
Plot Summary
Jake and Sean break up their friendship when Sean finds out Jake slept with 3 of his ex-girlfriends when he was still in a relationship with them. Jake decides to write out his conversations to make sure doesn’t say anything stupid anymore. He everything. Conversations with his friends which other people start picking up on, journal entries to his dead fetus twin sister, and letters to his crush. Xandra believes her and Jake are just friends so she starts to see another guy. Jake’s mom also thinks he is mad at her since he is not talking to her, or anybody for that fact. When Jake finds out that Xandra kissed Lester, Jake gets very depressed. He decides to burn all his love letters to her and falls into a state of depression. He accidentally talks and gives up on him writing out his conversations. His very last entry is to himself about how he will move on from his bad state.
Characterization
Throughout this book, Jake really develops relationships and understands himself. Conversations through writing really show the development of his character. It shows he is nervous of his feelings but really cares. It also shows he wishes he could fix his broken relationships. His confidence grows throughout the story even by him not talking. Jake goes from a mad guy who is writing to hide himself to a happy guy who started a trend and built stronger relationships with other people but also with his self.
Recommendation
I would recommend this book to high schoolers and up. It is a bit confusing and there is sexual context. Mature readers should read this book. It is in the perspective of a boy, but both boys and girls would like it. I recommend this book to confused kids in relationships.
Read
May 22, 2017 "I Cant tell you" by Hillary Frank, had a confusing story line. The main character Jake, has taken the literal course of not talking because he said the wrong thing and wrecked his friendship with his best friend. Not talking makes things difficult for Jake, but he gets buy with post it notes, different ways to communicate. The way the book was formatted was different, but it made it enjoyable. It was difficult to get into the book at first and like the characters. I recommend this book to any teenager, it was a quick easy read that some can relate to.
June 30, 2017
I first read this about ten years ago (so not long after it came out, I guess) and have retained a soft spot for it ever since. At one point I picked up a secondhand copy, and it's been hanging out happily on my shelves until now...but I'm moving, and it doesn't make the cut. So! Time for a reread.
I'm a little less patient with the side characters this go-round, because they're not especially mature. I still get a kick out of Jake's workaround efforts to simultaneously get the girl and not talk, though...and I appreciate the ending for its ambivalence. I think that's one of my favourite parts, really—I tire quickly of happily-ever-afters where the characters get everything they want after some mishaps and misunderstandings.
It's time to let the book go, but it was nice to revisit it.
I'm a little less patient with the side characters this go-round, because they're not especially mature. I still get a kick out of Jake's workaround efforts to simultaneously get the girl and not talk, though...and I appreciate the ending for its ambivalence. I think that's one of my favourite parts, really—I tire quickly of happily-ever-afters where the characters get everything they want after some mishaps and misunderstandings.
It's time to let the book go, but it was nice to revisit it.
January 19, 2009
I learned about this book on NPR, and it makes sense that I did. Hillary Frank is a local author and the writing method she uses in the book are a little artsy and quircky. It is a whole book without dialogue. The main char, Jake has taken the literal course of not talking because he said the wrong thing and wrecked his freindship with his best freind. Not talking makes things difficult for Jake, but he gets buy with post it notes, dry eraser boards and upside down calculators, very clever.
The story hit a little close to home and made me squirm a lot. He has feelings for a girl, and he can't tell her because he is afraid of wrecking their freindship, which ultimately screws everything up in a painful aweful way. You see it coming from a mile away, and it made me uncomfortable as hell. Maybe it hit a little close to home.
It is a great fast change of pace book, since most of the notes between chars are around four words 196 pages is really more like 50. It did take me a while to read still because of the uncomfortable subject mater and self inflicted torture Jake excercises.
I bought the book to make someone else squirm five years ago, and it turned out i needed the hot coals to walk over, how weird is that?
The story hit a little close to home and made me squirm a lot. He has feelings for a girl, and he can't tell her because he is afraid of wrecking their freindship, which ultimately screws everything up in a painful aweful way. You see it coming from a mile away, and it made me uncomfortable as hell. Maybe it hit a little close to home.
It is a great fast change of pace book, since most of the notes between chars are around four words 196 pages is really more like 50. It did take me a while to read still because of the uncomfortable subject mater and self inflicted torture Jake excercises.
I bought the book to make someone else squirm five years ago, and it turned out i needed the hot coals to walk over, how weird is that?
July 16, 2008
My sister gave this this book because it was very punny, and The Spouse (yes, The Boy has been upgraded) enjoys puns. I read it in the car on the way back from Chicago, reading out loud the best and/or dirtiest puns. The Spouse enjoyed them very much.
As a book, however, I couldn't really stand it, mainly because all the characters are completely foreign and unrealistic to me. To me, it seemed like a high schooler's conception of what college would be like, not what college was actually like. Everybody's different, and maybe there are people out there for whom this rings true, but it really felt like these characters had fooled themselves into thinking their very immature problems were, in fact, Very Mature Problems, whereas when I was in college it seemed like I had a much clearer conception of which of my problems were mature and which were immature. But maybe I'm giving myself too much credit.
Anyway, thanks for the puns, Sis. They made the 500-mile drive a bit easier.
As a book, however, I couldn't really stand it, mainly because all the characters are completely foreign and unrealistic to me. To me, it seemed like a high schooler's conception of what college would be like, not what college was actually like. Everybody's different, and maybe there are people out there for whom this rings true, but it really felt like these characters had fooled themselves into thinking their very immature problems were, in fact, Very Mature Problems, whereas when I was in college it seemed like I had a much clearer conception of which of my problems were mature and which were immature. But maybe I'm giving myself too much credit.
Anyway, thanks for the puns, Sis. They made the 500-mile drive a bit easier.
June 7, 2011
A truly heart shattering yet amazing book. Told in notes and texts because the main character decides that it's safer that way. This is a story that will grip your heart and then shatter it to pieces, but its all worthwhile because its so amazing and addictive
January 22, 2016
And absolute must-read. Unforgettable.
October 29, 2019
3/5 : I Can't Tell You - Hillary Frank.
The author tries to do something different in a original way, but unfortunately it doesn't go all the way through. The book is about a main character named Jake who uses writing as his main form of communication but you never know who he's really communicating with or who he's responding to. The dialogue seems as if Jake is talking to himself. And as a college student, you'd expect more maturity and logic out of someone like Jake. His reason to writing instead of talking is illogical and his solution to avoid saying the wrong thing by writing is time consuming and takes way longer. Jake is a bad communicator and majority of the time, he's putting words in other people's mouth. Although, other readers will understand why Jake is afraid to risk everything especially after his parent's separation and Sean not wanting to be his friend anymore. Jake is very good with words, but makes vulgar jokes and is sensitive. The author did a good job with including other characters as they write along with Jake.
The author tries to do something different in a original way, but unfortunately it doesn't go all the way through. The book is about a main character named Jake who uses writing as his main form of communication but you never know who he's really communicating with or who he's responding to. The dialogue seems as if Jake is talking to himself. And as a college student, you'd expect more maturity and logic out of someone like Jake. His reason to writing instead of talking is illogical and his solution to avoid saying the wrong thing by writing is time consuming and takes way longer. Jake is a bad communicator and majority of the time, he's putting words in other people's mouth. Although, other readers will understand why Jake is afraid to risk everything especially after his parent's separation and Sean not wanting to be his friend anymore. Jake is very good with words, but makes vulgar jokes and is sensitive. The author did a good job with including other characters as they write along with Jake.
February 20, 2019
I’m not a huge fan of will they won’t they plot lines but the interesting concept of someone only “talking” through text kept me interested until the end. As someone who also finds it easier to text than speak, because of the delete button, I wanted to know what would happen if you had the time to think before you “spoke.” Not my newest favorite but glad I read it.
April 23, 2015
I thought this book might be interesting because of the premise and the format, but it was pretty disappointing. The format was cool, and an interesting concept, but other than that I had a lot of trouble getting into the story and I'm not sure who I'd recommend this book to. The writing wasn't bad, but there were a lot of issues that put me off the book.
My main issue was the protagonist, Jake. He wasn't very likable to me. He betrays his best friend and then kind of acts like was justified, and never actually realizes how wrong he was. Plus, that plot line was never actually resolved. He treats other friends in a similar way -- blaming them for things he did without taking any responsibility. He just comes off as very immature and not a character I want to continue reading about. At many points he comes off as the cliche "Nice Guy" who thinks he deserves to be the one girls are with, and then he blames others when things don't go right. As soon as I found out what he did to Sean, I had no sympathy for the character and didn't really want to finish reading the book (I did anyway) because Jake's attitude was "I was wrong, but I was right, and Sean should just get over it." It was annoying, and it's never resolved.
Plot-wise, I felt like a lot is left unresolved, and the only part of the story that is resolved is Jake talking in some respect. Every other plotline is just sort of left open. Which, considering how much time is dedicated to them, was disappointing. I feel like if the story was really about Jake rediscovering his voice (which since it's the only plotline resolved IS what the story is about), then the ending of the book doesn't have enough of a payoff. We don't see Jake say anything at the end worth while of all the buildup. It didn't have to be something profound or brilliant, but something that mattered in the grand scheme of the story. I felt like the ending was too anticlimactic. I like the way he ended up talking, but I felt like his letter talking about it at the end could have done a better job of capping the story.
Ultimately, as I said I'm not sure who I'd recommend this story to. It's definitely YA and the characters all read like they're in High School, not college. I have a feeling the author only put them in college because she didn't have them actually in class much, she didn't want the parents around, and she had the characters having sex and wanted it to be less controversial. Problem is, they read like high schoolers - 10th grade specifically.
Not to end on too bad a note -- I did like the style and there were some great lines throughout, but the characters and the ending just killed things for me. I wanted to like the book, but I spent most of it hoping the character of Jake would come around at the end and change (making the read worthwhile) but he never really did for me. If you don't mind the type of character described above, then the style of the book is worth checking out.
My main issue was the protagonist, Jake. He wasn't very likable to me. He betrays his best friend and then kind of acts like was justified, and never actually realizes how wrong he was. Plus, that plot line was never actually resolved. He treats other friends in a similar way -- blaming them for things he did without taking any responsibility. He just comes off as very immature and not a character I want to continue reading about. At many points he comes off as the cliche "Nice Guy" who thinks he deserves to be the one girls are with, and then he blames others when things don't go right. As soon as I found out what he did to Sean, I had no sympathy for the character and didn't really want to finish reading the book (I did anyway) because Jake's attitude was "I was wrong, but I was right, and Sean should just get over it." It was annoying, and it's never resolved.
Plot-wise, I felt like a lot is left unresolved, and the only part of the story that is resolved is Jake talking in some respect. Every other plotline is just sort of left open. Which, considering how much time is dedicated to them, was disappointing. I feel like if the story was really about Jake rediscovering his voice (which since it's the only plotline resolved IS what the story is about), then the ending of the book doesn't have enough of a payoff. We don't see Jake say anything at the end worth while of all the buildup. It didn't have to be something profound or brilliant, but something that mattered in the grand scheme of the story. I felt like the ending was too anticlimactic. I like the way he ended up talking, but I felt like his letter talking about it at the end could have done a better job of capping the story.
Ultimately, as I said I'm not sure who I'd recommend this story to. It's definitely YA and the characters all read like they're in High School, not college. I have a feeling the author only put them in college because she didn't have them actually in class much, she didn't want the parents around, and she had the characters having sex and wanted it to be less controversial. Problem is, they read like high schoolers - 10th grade specifically.
Not to end on too bad a note -- I did like the style and there were some great lines throughout, but the characters and the ending just killed things for me. I wanted to like the book, but I spent most of it hoping the character of Jake would come around at the end and change (making the read worthwhile) but he never really did for me. If you don't mind the type of character described above, then the style of the book is worth checking out.
February 7, 2009
Dateline: February 6th, 2009 : Somewhere over the Mediterranean. This review was posted. View briefing HERE.
D0 you haz a pencil?
I haz a pencil.
Do you likez teh girl?
Yes. I likez teh girl. But she hatez meeeee... *sad scribbling*
riting notez be fixing n0?
The above is an Aellafied example of basic conversation in this book. Or lack therof. Jake is in love with his friend Xandra, but due to the recent epic battle with his best friend, the future is looking shaky. And all because of a few misplaced, mistimed, misspoken words. So he decides that the world would just be a better place if he no longer spoke at all. I Can't Tell You follows him through e-mails, notes, writing on walls, and in the margins of science notebooks as Jake looks for the resolution to life, love, and a crazy messy tangle of a friendship breakup that will not let him move on.
I could not remember that this book was about college students. The entire work felt very junior high-high school transition emotionally. So frustrating, because there was so much potential for the very awesome format of this book. But once I got over the awesomosity of reading someone's ever-so-secret confessions of lurrrrve, I realized that it was a recycled plot with no spine that had been shoved into a cooler mold.
So many sexual references. Unnecessary ones that filled in what might have been a place for some quality humor. Ugh. Irritating. Also, it was like all Jake could think about was sex. It seemed almost condescending to males as his thought process was Twilight movie reminiscent, "SexSexSexSex...new pencil.... SexSexSexSexSex". Ugh x2. It kind of killed how much I could have cared for the protagonist and the people that surrounded him.
Overall, kind of a frustrating book with a clever format that could have. been. so. awesome. Note general lame book grumpiness. And that's two negative reviews in a row. Perhaps we should break it up with Paper Towns. That review will be up in two days time! Hint = John Green did not f.t.b.a.
2 out of 7 Confessions of Adoration (eeeeh... February....). Do you haz good book?
Rereading the Year of Secret Assignments,
Aella
D0 you haz a pencil?
I haz a pencil.
Do you likez teh girl?
Yes. I likez teh girl. But she hatez meeeee... *sad scribbling*
riting notez be fixing n0?
The above is an Aellafied example of basic conversation in this book. Or lack therof. Jake is in love with his friend Xandra, but due to the recent epic battle with his best friend, the future is looking shaky. And all because of a few misplaced, mistimed, misspoken words. So he decides that the world would just be a better place if he no longer spoke at all. I Can't Tell You follows him through e-mails, notes, writing on walls, and in the margins of science notebooks as Jake looks for the resolution to life, love, and a crazy messy tangle of a friendship breakup that will not let him move on.
I could not remember that this book was about college students. The entire work felt very junior high-high school transition emotionally. So frustrating, because there was so much potential for the very awesome format of this book. But once I got over the awesomosity of reading someone's ever-so-secret confessions of lurrrrve, I realized that it was a recycled plot with no spine that had been shoved into a cooler mold.
So many sexual references. Unnecessary ones that filled in what might have been a place for some quality humor. Ugh. Irritating. Also, it was like all Jake could think about was sex. It seemed almost condescending to males as his thought process was Twilight movie reminiscent, "SexSexSexSex...new pencil.... SexSexSexSexSex". Ugh x2. It kind of killed how much I could have cared for the protagonist and the people that surrounded him.
Overall, kind of a frustrating book with a clever format that could have. been. so. awesome. Note general lame book grumpiness. And that's two negative reviews in a row. Perhaps we should break it up with Paper Towns. That review will be up in two days time! Hint = John Green did not f.t.b.a.
2 out of 7 Confessions of Adoration (eeeeh... February....). Do you haz good book?
Rereading the Year of Secret Assignments,
Aella
May 10, 2014
The idea to write a book written solely in notes was a very good one. It was an interesting concept that I've never seen before and I thought it could either be really good or really bad. It was neither, but it was more on the bad side.
For one thing, the characters. It was very confusing, at first, who was talking. It annoyed me that I had to check the back of the book just to find out some character's names. But then it started coming together later, which was good.
The major problem was the lack of moving forward. It was stuck on the same thing the whole book; are Xandra and Jake going to actually accept that they are very into each other? It was the same thing the whole time. And Frank did a really bad job of making me care about the characters. From what I was learning about Jake and Sean, they were both arrogant douchebags who deserved what they got. (Light spoilers ahead.) Sean was a jerk who cheated on his girlfriends all the time and Jake was a jerk who took three of his girl's and helped them cheat. It made me care about neither of them.
What was very interesting was Xandra's and Jake's conversations. Sometimes it was just weird, but sometimes it was really interesting. What I didn't like was that he gave her bruises. I don't care if they're playing, a guy shouldn't hit a girl so hard she gets a bruise. I'm not talking if a girl just goes and attacks him or something, but if they're just fooling around, she should not have gotten hurt that much. The guys in my life make me feel safe and secure. I would feel very unsafe if they hurt me on purpose.
But even with that, the most annoying thing about this book was THE FUNNY. AGH! The puns were funny at first. It was amusing how Jake thought about things. But then it was happening all the time, and it was NOT funny. It was especially annoying that he called it "the" funny. And he thought he took things literally, when really he just took them in a different way. "Make out" does not literally mean to kiss a girl.
Near the end of the book, I liked it. And by that I mean in the last thirty pages or so. But it should not take that long for someone to get into a book. So good for you, you got two starts instead of one.
For one thing, the characters. It was very confusing, at first, who was talking. It annoyed me that I had to check the back of the book just to find out some character's names. But then it started coming together later, which was good.
The major problem was the lack of moving forward. It was stuck on the same thing the whole book; are Xandra and Jake going to actually accept that they are very into each other? It was the same thing the whole time. And Frank did a really bad job of making me care about the characters. From what I was learning about Jake and Sean, they were both arrogant douchebags who deserved what they got. (Light spoilers ahead.) Sean was a jerk who cheated on his girlfriends all the time and Jake was a jerk who took three of his girl's and helped them cheat. It made me care about neither of them.
What was very interesting was Xandra's and Jake's conversations. Sometimes it was just weird, but sometimes it was really interesting. What I didn't like was that he gave her bruises. I don't care if they're playing, a guy shouldn't hit a girl so hard she gets a bruise. I'm not talking if a girl just goes and attacks him or something, but if they're just fooling around, she should not have gotten hurt that much. The guys in my life make me feel safe and secure. I would feel very unsafe if they hurt me on purpose.
But even with that, the most annoying thing about this book was THE FUNNY. AGH! The puns were funny at first. It was amusing how Jake thought about things. But then it was happening all the time, and it was NOT funny. It was especially annoying that he called it "the" funny. And he thought he took things literally, when really he just took them in a different way. "Make out" does not literally mean to kiss a girl.
Near the end of the book, I liked it. And by that I mean in the last thirty pages or so. But it should not take that long for someone to get into a book. So good for you, you got two starts instead of one.
September 7, 2009
I Can't Tell You
by Hillary Frank
Graphia, 208 Pgs
ISBN: 061849491X
Pudding fights, notes in the margins of science labs, and filled napkins full of words and conversations. Jack will communicate in any means necessary as long as it doesn't include speaking. Everyone at one point in their lives wishes they could take back something they say or at least edit something. Jack knows this very well because since he screamed out his secret to his best friend he wishes he could somehow edit what happened. So in an attempt and figuring out how to do that, he stops all talking and uses his writing. Only he finds out that maybe words can't say everything.
Jack told his secret. Now, he doesn't want to make the same mistake twice. Through his writing, he tries to repair a friendship, forms a stronger one and learns that maybe he needs his words to convey what he really means. Jack and Xandra form a stronger friendship with all the time they spend with each other but they secretly both want more than that. Jack has to learn that speaking is the best way to show someone how he feels as long as he thinks before he does it.
I thought that this book was really good. I liked how it wasn't a normal format on the page. It gave the book a unique feeling because you had to get used to how you have to recognize the different fonts that are associated with each character. This book is a good representation of how you have to think before you speak. Writing for Jack is his way of making sure he does that except not being able to speak causes there to be less emotion in what he wants to say.
I'd recommend this book to teenagers because it's an enjoyable easy read book that is something we may be able to relate to. I think that for some adults it might be kind of dull or immature but it's a good book to read if you're reading a harder book and want something to give your mind a break.
by Hillary Frank
Graphia, 208 Pgs
ISBN: 061849491X
Pudding fights, notes in the margins of science labs, and filled napkins full of words and conversations. Jack will communicate in any means necessary as long as it doesn't include speaking. Everyone at one point in their lives wishes they could take back something they say or at least edit something. Jack knows this very well because since he screamed out his secret to his best friend he wishes he could somehow edit what happened. So in an attempt and figuring out how to do that, he stops all talking and uses his writing. Only he finds out that maybe words can't say everything.
Jack told his secret. Now, he doesn't want to make the same mistake twice. Through his writing, he tries to repair a friendship, forms a stronger one and learns that maybe he needs his words to convey what he really means. Jack and Xandra form a stronger friendship with all the time they spend with each other but they secretly both want more than that. Jack has to learn that speaking is the best way to show someone how he feels as long as he thinks before he does it.
I thought that this book was really good. I liked how it wasn't a normal format on the page. It gave the book a unique feeling because you had to get used to how you have to recognize the different fonts that are associated with each character. This book is a good representation of how you have to think before you speak. Writing for Jack is his way of making sure he does that except not being able to speak causes there to be less emotion in what he wants to say.
I'd recommend this book to teenagers because it's an enjoyable easy read book that is something we may be able to relate to. I think that for some adults it might be kind of dull or immature but it's a good book to read if you're reading a harder book and want something to give your mind a break.
April 17, 2012
Jake's said some terrible things to his best friend that he wishes he could take back. Unfortunately the damage has already been done. Jake figures that talking=trouble and not talking=good idea. So Jake decides to stop talking, completely. He writes on napkins, whiteboards and in notebooks. Not many people understand why he stopped talking, but Jake just feels it was the right thing to do. His friend Xandra mostly understands, but there are some things he needs to tell her. If he keeps on not saying anything, he might just loose another friend.
This was an interesting story. I really love the idea of not talking for awhile. Jake makes the good point that when you're writing you have time to really think about what you're saying and also not talk about bullshit like the weather. The style of this novel is kind of a mash-up of all written forms; journals, notes, scribbled things, white board convos, everything. This added a great element to the story and also made it a super quick read. I really enjoyed the parts especially where Jake is the only one writing responses to what others are saying. You get to sort of guess and wonder about how the conversation went. Jake was a very interesting character, this was highlighted in his strange notes to "Miss Me". I don't want to spoil who they are, but it was neat. He struggled with his emotions and what to say/no say a lot. I really liked the inner struggle on all that. His friends were all fun too so, an all around great bunch. If you like realistic fiction about love and friendship and the line between as well as novels written in unique formats, make sure you check this one out.
First Line:
"Xandra,
I think you're faking it."
Favorite Line:
"Well, you're RE-COCK-ULOUS."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1sKP...
This was an interesting story. I really love the idea of not talking for awhile. Jake makes the good point that when you're writing you have time to really think about what you're saying and also not talk about bullshit like the weather. The style of this novel is kind of a mash-up of all written forms; journals, notes, scribbled things, white board convos, everything. This added a great element to the story and also made it a super quick read. I really enjoyed the parts especially where Jake is the only one writing responses to what others are saying. You get to sort of guess and wonder about how the conversation went. Jake was a very interesting character, this was highlighted in his strange notes to "Miss Me". I don't want to spoil who they are, but it was neat. He struggled with his emotions and what to say/no say a lot. I really liked the inner struggle on all that. His friends were all fun too so, an all around great bunch. If you like realistic fiction about love and friendship and the line between as well as novels written in unique formats, make sure you check this one out.
First Line:
"Xandra,
I think you're faking it."
Favorite Line:
"Well, you're RE-COCK-ULOUS."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1sKP...
May 15, 2017
This book had a format that I wasn't used to. Nonetheless, it was fairly enjoyable. The author used many creative ways of communication for Jake to get his "voice" across. The one fault was the portrayal of college. Although I have never been in college, the way it was depicted in the book didn't seem accurate and was more curated for the plot than actual college. Timing was simply too convenient.
September 13, 2014
I read - and loved - the author's first book, Better Than Running at Night, and so picked up this one to see if she was able to continue her unique and interesting narrative style.
Not only does she continue it, she turns it on its head, with a completely NEW narrative style: the story is entirely told via notes written on napkins, dry erase boards, etc.
I'll admit, it's kind of hard to get used to the style, and at first I wondered what in the heck was going on, but once I fell into the rhythm, it made total sense.
Jake is a college freshman, and he stops talking out loud after a huge fight with his best friend and roommate. Of course, he still has to communicate, so he turns to writing, and he finds is not necessarily any better at not being misinterpreted when he's writing instead of speaking.
Jake is struggling with the loss of that friendship; the desire to turn a friendship with a girl, Xandra, into something more, but fear at loosing that friendship; his parents; what to do with his life after college, etc. In short, all of the things you struggle with mentally at that age.
The author perfectly captured the angst and joy and sadness and fear of that time in your life... almost uncomfortably so for me, 20+ years on from all that... yet, still not so far away that I've forgotten the "does he like me, does he not like?" dance....
I gave this four stars because there was more to be explored, and more I wanted to know, but the narrative structure kind of limited that; however, a great YA read overall.
Not only does she continue it, she turns it on its head, with a completely NEW narrative style: the story is entirely told via notes written on napkins, dry erase boards, etc.
I'll admit, it's kind of hard to get used to the style, and at first I wondered what in the heck was going on, but once I fell into the rhythm, it made total sense.
Jake is a college freshman, and he stops talking out loud after a huge fight with his best friend and roommate. Of course, he still has to communicate, so he turns to writing, and he finds is not necessarily any better at not being misinterpreted when he's writing instead of speaking.
Jake is struggling with the loss of that friendship; the desire to turn a friendship with a girl, Xandra, into something more, but fear at loosing that friendship; his parents; what to do with his life after college, etc. In short, all of the things you struggle with mentally at that age.
The author perfectly captured the angst and joy and sadness and fear of that time in your life... almost uncomfortably so for me, 20+ years on from all that... yet, still not so far away that I've forgotten the "does he like me, does he not like?" dance....
I gave this four stars because there was more to be explored, and more I wanted to know, but the narrative structure kind of limited that; however, a great YA read overall.
December 24, 2015
Hillary Frank's "I Can't Tell You" is a story told not through words and images but through a series of notes, slobber marks, and dry erase boards. It follows the character of Jake through a month + of mutism and his unrelenting crush on a girl called Xandra. There is no dialogue, no long paragraphs of description and narration, instead it is just the messages Jake and friends write throughout his silence. The only things to break the patterns are the letters to "Miss Me," Jake's unborn twin sister, and later on to his teacher. The story is riveting and intense, intense in the way conversation in intense, clinging on the cusps of what to say next. Instead of holding down the story, the lack of actual story telling works to free the story and makes the characters more human. We're not just given inside to their secret minds, their thoughts and actions, we only see what they write so in turn, what they want us to see. Jake's journey to find something is intriguing and powerful and when he finally does speak, without even meaning to or planning it, or anything...it's wonderful. Because his life has gone back to how it was meant to be.
Read
February 21, 2012The book I Can't Tell You is kind of confusing at the beginning, but once you start to understand it, it is a very good book. One of the things that I like about this book is that a lot of people can relate to the conflict, which makes the book better. The conflict in the book is about how two roomates get into a fight over a girl, and then they only communicate by writting notes. While this book is about two teenage boys getting in a fight, the book Touching Spirit Bear is about a boy that takes his anger out on everyone and he has to learn to overcome how he feels and control his anger. The conflicts in both books are similar in some ways. Both conflicts allow the boys and others around them to realize what the problem is and how to fix it on their own. The conflict also teach both boys a lesson about how to deal with future conflicts. Bothe of these conflicts make the books interesting to read, but I the book I Can't Tell You better because it describes a conflict that more people can relate to.
May 22, 2012
When I picked this book up several years ago in high school, I thought it had promise. I remember it dragging on and the ending being an unsatisfying pile of tripe.
The style was creative and rather interesting, but essentially, the story fell flat and didn't really do much for me. Others have commented on the amount of juvenile behavior and sex that goes on in this book, but honestly, I think to an extent the author is right about that.
College kids can be pretty juvenile, and I think she got it spot on. However, my main complaint was the lame jist of the story, the lame-ass ending, and the fact that the protagonist couldn't pull his head out of his ass soon enough to tell the girl he was crazy about how he felt - only to lose her to a guy who lists himself as Batman in the phone book. As much as I despise Twilight, that was a better read and less idiotic. At least those characters maintained their loony logic for why they did the shit they did.
Tears, folks.
The style was creative and rather interesting, but essentially, the story fell flat and didn't really do much for me. Others have commented on the amount of juvenile behavior and sex that goes on in this book, but honestly, I think to an extent the author is right about that.
College kids can be pretty juvenile, and I think she got it spot on. However, my main complaint was the lame jist of the story, the lame-ass ending, and the fact that the protagonist couldn't pull his head out of his ass soon enough to tell the girl he was crazy about how he felt - only to lose her to a guy who lists himself as Batman in the phone book. As much as I despise Twilight, that was a better read and less idiotic. At least those characters maintained their loony logic for why they did the shit they did.
Tears, folks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2007
Read this one because a patron felt it was not appropriate for teens due to sex. Well, I thought it was pretty good actuallly. I gave it 3 stars because I personally have a hard time with books that are snipits of converstions, like text messages, and this one was about a freshman at college who stopped talking and only wrote notes - on everything! I feel that this book handles a situation that comes up a lot in college, fighting with your best friend/roommate and liking a girl but not daring to take a risk and tell her. Sex was mentioned/talked about but the main character didn't have a sex scene that was descriped in detail. There was talk about masturbation amongst the boys on the floor (this was a co-ed dorm) and they could hear people having sex through the door/wall but again, nothing graphic and VERY normal for college life. Good read for high school seniors looking for interesting read about college.
April 23, 2012
I have had my moments with this book. Some good while some were...well not and sometimes frustrating for literal thinking people. Ironically, the main character has the same problem. These people are supposedlly college students, but they act like middle schoolers. They think it's funny when they get ketchup on another and that would be fighting language. Then you get over that, the other stupid things, literally think every student has the maturity of a middle schooler and you're ready to read. I know im really beating this book, but this is a great romantic novel overall. The ending is horrible...in a good way and will make the dumb jokes worth it. Most high schoolers can relate to it so it great to get for the class teachers. Well, there are some inappropriate moments in this book so I recommend you read it first and try not to cry.
Ps: Some of the jokes are really funny and make you laugh out loud. It makes you look worst than you just read.
Ps: Some of the jokes are really funny and make you laugh out loud. It makes you look worst than you just read.
January 18, 2016
I'm really disappointed with this novel. I really wanted to like it, and I forced myself to keep reading it in hopes that it could get better.
I thought I would like it because the style is so different and almost artsy. But it got really hard to follow. It was difficult to understand the time lapse between conversations; some happened simultaneously, and some where messages left and then the response that followed wasn't always immediately.
The characters were flat and had little development. The main character, Jake doesn't talk because he simply doesn't want to... and it takes the entire length of a novel for him to say something. It was hard to understand the feelings portrayed and just really hard to relate to anyone in the story.
I'm going to ignore the fact that these are college students who are writing/communicating back and forth. The amount of improper spelling and grammar drove me insane (however, I understand this is style, I'm letting it slide).
I thought I would like it because the style is so different and almost artsy. But it got really hard to follow. It was difficult to understand the time lapse between conversations; some happened simultaneously, and some where messages left and then the response that followed wasn't always immediately.
The characters were flat and had little development. The main character, Jake doesn't talk because he simply doesn't want to... and it takes the entire length of a novel for him to say something. It was hard to understand the feelings portrayed and just really hard to relate to anyone in the story.
I'm going to ignore the fact that these are college students who are writing/communicating back and forth. The amount of improper spelling and grammar drove me insane (however, I understand this is style, I'm letting it slide).
January 31, 2008
The style of this book is really interesting. It's told through a series of notes; paper notes, white board notes, and e-mails. It looks interesting on the page. The main character decides to stop talking thinking that he'll get in less "trouble". He's fighting with his best friend and afraid to tell another friend he is falling in love with her. I was a little frustrated with the 'will they or won't they aspect' of the sexual tension between these two friends. Clearly, they each feel more than friendship for the other but they are also only 20 so that drawn out flirting is probably pretty accurate. While my patience with the yes or no tease of this relationship was worn thin, it's a young adult novel and I'm sure high school students would relate to the book and enjoy it. Overall, I liked the book and I'd recommend it to young adults.
January 25, 2010
In this book, Jack gets into a harsh fight with his best friend concerning a girl who Jack was flirting with and was going out with his best friend. In order to keep his word on not talking to his friend, Jack then communicates by using and writing notes to people. He then starts many conversations with his friend, Xandra, and she becomes his writing buddy. Although Jack still needs to talk to his mom because she doesn't understand his reason for not talking, Xandra helps him out by telling his mom how he is and his true reason for not talking. Now Jack has to solve his problems with his best friend along with the help of Xandra by writing notes and learns that speaking is a better way of expressing himself instead of writing notes to the whole world.
August 1, 2010
The book pretty much explores the very wonders (and disappointments) of the teenaged hormones... The main character struggling to say and even write down his feelings- which is pretty much what other guys do... Which is a very well- known stereotype, kind of...
And the fact that he's different around Xandra, it shows perfectly how much he likes her, especially in the letters... And it's quite humorous how they write the notes and how they have fun, in their own little abusive kind of way... But underneath it all, it shows thier bonding, and how it's so common between friends, especially the way Rogers and Paul connect with Jake...
All in all, great book, even though I kinda wish that the book ended a different way...
And the fact that he's different around Xandra, it shows perfectly how much he likes her, especially in the letters... And it's quite humorous how they write the notes and how they have fun, in their own little abusive kind of way... But underneath it all, it shows thier bonding, and how it's so common between friends, especially the way Rogers and Paul connect with Jake...
All in all, great book, even though I kinda wish that the book ended a different way...
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