Monday, March 22, 2010

Review and Giveaway!! Crazy Heart by Thomas Cobb

I was excited to receive a copy of Crazy Heart from Erica over at Harper Perennial, simply because I had heard all of the Oscar buzz about the movie. And since books are always better than the movie, I decided that yes, I needed to read this book.

Bad Blake is a down and out country star who has gone from headlining his own nationwide tours with his own band to playing in bowling alleys and dive bars with local amateur musicians. Time has not been good to Bad – he’s a raging alcoholic (though his benders have lessened through time), a chain smoker and a bit overweight…with no intentions on changing any of that. He’s been married and divorced four times, and has an estranged adult son who he hasn’t seen or spoken to in twenty years.

Thomas Cobb has written this story in such a way where you tend to sympathize and feel sorry for Bad, even though you know he’s brought all his heartache on himself. I felt sad that he couldn’t find the words to write new material, I felt bad to know that his former protégé, the guy Bad taught everything he knew and turned him in to a raw kid to a great musician, basically tossed him aside once he had his stardom.

When Bad meets Jean Craddock, you think this might just be the woman who’s going to turn things around for him. I just felt this ache for him, I wanted so badly for him to turn his life around, get in control of his drinking, quit smoking, lose weight, fall in love and live happily ever after… But remember, this book is about a country singer…

Even if you have seen the movie (which I haven’t yet!), this book is definitely worth a read. Thomas Cobb did a great job of creating this character and his world.

In fact, I am going to give away my gently used copy of Crazy Heart!!! All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post. You have to leave a valid email address – if you don’t I won’t be able to get a hold of you, and you won’t be entered!! Last day to enter is Wednesday, March 31, with the winner to be announced Thursday, April 1!! Oh, and let’s open it up to anyone!! Good luck!!!

Thanks again to Erica from Harper Perennial for allowing me to read and review this book!!!

19 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I've been interested in this because of all the Oscar buzz, so I'd love to be entered. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Julie P. said...

I'm with you. If the movie is good, then the book is almost always better. Please count me in!

bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

Darlene said...

I've got this posted at Win a Book for you :) No need to enter me.

Kate Barber said...

I'd love to be entered into the competition please! Been eyeing up this one for a while.
teakbrearb(at)hotmail.com

Sasha said...

I loved this movie so much, and I really hope I win this, haha. Bad Blake is a charming old coot, and a sweetie. Can't wait to see how he reads on the page.

esashamartinez(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I loved the movie and I bet I'd love the book! So exciting.

stuckinnv(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

ooh, i had no idea that the movie was an adaptation from a book! and i haven't seen it yet, so i'll have to hold off until i've had a chance to read it first!

which, maybe i'll get to do if i win it from you. :)

thelittlereader (at) gmail (dot) com

Margie said...

I'd like to read this book...because of all the buzz.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Anita Yancey said...

I have read several reviews on this book, and they have my interest peeked. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anne Cater said...

This sounds a great read, I want to watch the film but would love to read the book first!

Gwendolyn B. said...

oooo! I really want to read this - thanks for sharing your copy!

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Joanna B said...

I really wanted to love the movie and didn't so I NEED this book. Please please please pick me!

jmb0923@gmail.com

Vera said...

Would love to read this before finally seeing the movie! vvperesk@gmail.com

Lauren said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Miss you, KS! lelizrn at gmail.com

tetewa said...

I'd like to be included, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

Kat Bryan said...

I hardly ever go to movies but I like it when they make books into movies and I can picture the characters better when I read the book.
winterset AT peoplepc.com

Mystica said...

Please count me in for this giveaway.

mystica123athotmaildotcom

buddyt said...

I have read a few reviews that say, as you do, that the author really manages to get you to feel for the really unlovable "hero".

This has made me eager to read the book so please enter me.

Thanks for making it open to all.

Carol T (International entry)

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com