Perks of Being a Wallflower | review

A couple of months ago I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and I recently remembered that I had this blog (oops) so I thought I would start my reviews. The book was really well written and I’m looking forward to watching the film J

The book begins with introducing a 15 year old boy called Charlie. It is really interesting as it is written from his perspective but he is writing letters to someone unknown which I felt was quite clever. You quickly learn about events in his past such as the death of his favourite aunt who he has flashbacks of and the suicide of his best friend, Michael. Charlie is a really reserved, emotional character but he doesn’t really express his feeling much to other people. 

Charlie becomes friends with two seniors, Patrick and Sam, who he falls in love with. He helps Patrick as he struggles with the fact that he is gay and throughout to book the growth of their friendship is shown in a really beautiful way.

As Charlie blends into his new group of friends he grows in many ways and does things he probably thought he never would. The book has a lot of laughs along the way. The book also shows the dysfunctional, typical relationship between a brother and sister but when his sister needs him most things change for them both and there are some really beautiful moments between the two.

Overall, the book is really beautiful as you get to know Charlie as well as the other characters.It is amazing to read the priceless moments he shares with Sam and Patrick. It really is a book worth reading. (there are many references to awesome songs ;) )

One thing I especially liked about the book was Charlie's English teacher. He sees that Charlie has passion for literature and reading and throughout the book he gives Charlie books to read and make reports on in his extra time which I thought was so sweet.

 It is a really great story that I'm sure many teens will be able to relate to today because it is not only insightful but really relevant to teens today.

PERSONAL FAVE QUOTE: "So I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. but even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, We can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them"- CHARLIE

Sorry for the short post! I wrote a big spoiler at the end so if you haven’t read the book yet please don’t read the end of this blog post!!!

/ Kisses /

Admittedly, I did not understand the Charlie was abused by his Aunt Helen until a few days ago when I saw a discussion on good reads and I was so surprised I missed it so I am definitely going to re-read the ending to catch that!

Five books for 2014

So It's a new year which means....

NEW BOOKS!

So I thought I would do a list of ten books that I have picked from my "to read" list and hopefully they might interest some of you to read them

1. Perks Of being a Wallflower-Stephen Chbosky

So I have heard and read really good reviews on this book and am desperate to read it! I havent actually seen the movie yet which I also really want to watch so I'm going to read the book first ( Because they normally tend to be better)

"Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up"

2. Thirteen Reasons why- Jay asher

I was in Waterstones a couple of weeks ago and I came across this book and found the blurb somewhat appealing So I added it to my list (because I was about 80p short to purchase it :'( .... )

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

3. Lock and Key-Sarah Dessen

This book earned its place on my list purely because I am not at all familiar with this author and Thought It would be nice to read someone new!

Ruby, where is your mother?

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

4. Exposed-Kimberly Marcus

I read the blurb for this book and already wanted to read it. It sounds so interesting and really gripping. I'm all ready attracted from the blurb! This is a what i call "magnet-book" and I'll be sure to blog about it when I have read it!

In the dim light of the darkroom, I'm alone, but not for long.
As white turns to gray, Kate is with me.
The background of the dance studio blurred, so the focus is all on her
legs extended in a perfect soaring split.
The straight line to my squiggle,
my forever-best friend.

Sixteen-year-old Liz is Photogirl—sharp, focused and confident in what she sees through her camera lens. Confident that she and Kate will be best friends forever.

But everything changes in one blurry night. Suddenly, Kate is avoiding her, and people are looking the other way when she passes in the halls. As the aftershocks from a startling accusation rip through Liz's world, everything she thought she knew about photography, family, friendship and herself shifts out of focus. What happens when the picture you see no longer makes sense? What do you do when you may lose everything you love most? Told in stunning, searingly raw free verse, Exposed is Kimberly Marcus's gut-wrenching, riveting debut and will appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins, Laurie Halse Anderson and Virginia Euwer Wolff

5.It's kind of a funny story- Ned Vizzini

I actually found this book through a website that I'll link at the bottom called "goodReads" ( this website is awesome) and I'm sure the majority of you reading this blog are most likely to be quite familiar with it. I thought this book would be interesting and especially as the author has included their own personal experiences. I like trying new authors out. I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes!

"A humorous account of a New York City teenager's battle with depression and his time spent in a psychiatric hospital...The book was inspired by Vizzini's own brief hospitalization for depression in November 2004."

Don't miss out on what is one of the best websites every invented: http://www.goodreads.com/

Happy Reading,

TheBookBlog