SHS Book Club: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I have been a reading fiend lately! Because the kids have had so many extracurricular activities, I find myself waiting a lot so I bring a book along.

My most recent finished book is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I haven't seen Perks of Being a Wallflower movie yet--it's on my list! If you have seen it and read the book, tell me if the movie is good or similar to the book.

I thought this was a really quick, easy read. I thought it was interesting that the main character's (Charlie) journal entries take place in 1991. I may or may not then be close to Charlie's age. Not telling.

Anyway, I like the main character and hearing his story through his journal entries was different but it worked for the book. Charlie experienced the death of his friend Michael shortly before entering his freshmen year. This isn't giving anything away but Charlie does reflect on Michael a bit. I remember being in high school when peers would die either of suicide or an accident of some sort. It really is devestating when a young person dies. That led me to think that this was the reason that Charlie is journaling and possibly why he's so shy and introspective.

Without giving it away, this is not the reason Charlie is so deep and has the emotions that he has. Charlie has some very real and painful reasons that he is who he his and you find them out through his entries eventually.

Charlie is a great kid. We all know a Charlie. He's that kid that is not noticed in high school but turns out to be quite a special person. My favorite part of the book is when he attends a Christmas party and his gifts to his friends reveal that Charlie is indeed a person who is sensitive and has a lot of depth. His friends realize it that night too.

Ah, oh my gosh, his teacher Bill. We could've all used a Bill growing up, couldn't we? I had one teacher like Bill who always encouraged my creative writing and gave me two poetry books that I still have to this day. That sounds strange as I write it but he honestly would pull me aside and tell me that he thought I had a special creative gift. I so appreciated him. But anyway, back to Bill. :) He sees that Charlie is a unique kid and encourages and guides Charlie through this awkward lifestage. I love when Bill tells Charlie "we accept the love we think we deserve." That is so profound, especially as a teenager who struggles socially. Love it!

I hope you will read this book and like Charlie as much as I do. I can't wait to see the movie. I love Emma Watson. Then entire time I read the book, I pictured her as Sam. I bet she makes a great Sam.

The book I'm reading now is called The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. I just found out this one was a movie too in 2008. I had no idea. The movie starred Emily Thompson and Dermot Mulroney (of My Best Friend's Wedding fame--love him!). I can't wait to share about this one!