Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky
Pages:216
Publisher: MTV Books

Release Date: February 1st 1999
Author Website | Twitter 
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

Source: Library

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.

Since its publication, Stephen Chbosky's haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion has received critical acclaim, provoked discussion and debate, and grown into a cult sensation with over one million copies in print. 

It is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates, family dramas, and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where all you need is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

My Take:

In Perks of Being a Wallflower, Charlie doesn't see himself fitting in any where, high school can be tough but Charlie sees things differently. His mind always wonders why and always questions logic. So fitting in isn't at all easy, so Charlie writes to a friend of sorts and tells that person about his day. Always addressing with a friendly hey, Charlie goes to let us all inside, and through his eyes we see the world differently. He is able to speak to us freely and even when he seems down about something his words always seem to let us all know what he is experiencing. As a freshmen, Charlie meets his English teacher Bill, who forms a friendship with Charlie and gives him different books along the school year. Charlie also meets two seniors willing to give him a chance, they also see him for what he is. 

Since its high school and its the 90's, Charlie goes to the parties he is invited too by Patrick and Sam, and along the way goes through adolescence, he of course questions everyones actions and of course wants answers. Girls? Drugs? Even when he asked out he seeks guidance from his sister, or brother and even Sam who seems to know a thing or two. But add in his sense of asking so many things, dating is further from his mind, at least we know his heart is in the right place. 

I loved this because the story itself told me things I was always blind too, questioning my actions along the way could be bad, but I liked that Charlie was able to be relatable in a sense. Of course when I found out what happened to him I couldn't stop crying, his story is so beautifully written and I am so glad to at least know he is able to move forward. His heart is still in the moment and of course his questions will never stop to amaze me.

5/5 Stars - loved every minute of this

The Movie based on the Book already in theaters 

Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge
Author: Kimberly Derting
Pages:320
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Release Date: November 15th 2011
Author Website
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed. 

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

My Take:

Charlie is a girl with a gift and doesn't understand how she knows every language out there, even ones she has never even heard before. No one has ever suspected that Charlie can understand until she slips up and acknowledges the person that is above her status a second longer than necessary. She is not only putting her life in danger her parents and sister know what she can do also and try as they might to hide her from the one person looking for her.... the queen. With the threat of an attack at any given time, Charlie knows and understands that lowering herself will prevent others in knowing her little secret. The queen on the other hand is searching every where because with every breath she takes can be her last, so she must find the girl she knows is out there.

When Charlie goes out dancing with her best friend Brooke, she meets a mysterious guy who talks in a weird and alluring language, which she never once heard before and yet understands every word uttered. One second to late the guy is intrigued and goes off tries to get to know Charlie a little bit better.

What I loved about this was the fact of the language barrier, I speak spanish myself and I love accents, so when I first heard about this I knew the concept would not only win my self interest but also leave with wanting and a need that only this story can give me. Kimberly delivers a 100% with this one because of the way I was able to see myself with Charlie telling her when she should look down and also when she would see Max. Don't get me started on how much he is every bit wonderful. Knowing that a threat can come about at any minute there were only a few things that had me gasping and of course being overjoyed that Charlie was every bit connected to Max. So if your looking for something with a romance and a little mystery than get your hands on this because this wont disappoint you at all I guarantee it.


5/5 Stars