The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Goodreads Summary:

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.

My thoughts:

In my last review I had nothing more than blah to say about that book. This book was anything but blah. I was taken back to my own high school memories and the lives of my friends back then. I haven't looked back on those days with much fondness until reading this book. For better or worse our personal journeys make us who we are and sometimes it is good to relive it, even if it is through the eyes of someone else.

Stephen Chbosky captured the youth of a generation that hasn't realized they have grown up. We all make stupid choices and it is nice to look back at the common ones with humor and a smile rather than regret which so often comes with the inevitability of maturing. It seems like not so long ago that I met my friend Spencer at a night of Rocky Horror Picture show viewing and poetry (oh the bad poetry!) reading at a mutual friend's home.

I would recommend this book to anyone. It is heart breaking as much as it is heart warming but you come away from it in a good place.

While writing this review I was listening to Asleep by the Smiths.