Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Release date: February 2nd 2009

SYNOPSIS (From Amazon):

" 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 mixed 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 Charlie 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."

I've wanted to read this book for a while now. At the same time as me buying The Fault In Our Stars my friend bought this, and I asked to borrow it after her. Although I had to deal with her feels when reading this (as she did me when I was reading TFiOS..) once a got my hands on it I couldn't wait to read it. 2 Days later I'd finished and was emotional. 

Charlie's story is so gripping that I read at least 50 pages at a time. It's told through the 1st person narrative of Charlie himself, and more differently; as individual letters to a 'friend'. I think that it's the fact that it's been written that way which makes it so effective. All his feelings, emotions and thoughts are clearly put across during these letters, which can be sometimes quite relatable. At first I thought Charlie wrote almost like a robot, but as the story progresses, so does his story telling. 

His relationships with different people throughout the book are so captivating. Whether it's his friendship with Patrick and Sam, his love for Sam, or his family. Charlie faces his fair few ups and downs, to do with sex, drugs , love and friendship as well as the unknown problems with himself. But these have been maturely written and, I didn't find, weren't cringy to read. There are also a few moments in the book that stay with you, even after you finish the book; 

GAAAH, I JUST LOVE THE BOOK! 

To those who don't know, this book was ACTUALLY MADE INTO A FILM last year! Staring Logan Lerman (o m g) as Charlie (O M G), Hermio- erm I mean Emma Watson as Sam and Ezra Miller as Patrick. 

*sobs uncontrollably* 

~Emily