The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I think I know why so many people like it. Things that teenagers go through are kinda well depicted in this book. And it gives a lot of (stupid) quotes to underline, copy and paste somewhere.
I wasn't a fan of how the book started because it was getting boring but thank god, this picked up pace.
Charlie was kind of too naive and I couldn't emotionally connect with him but I enjoyed his introverted thoughts.
The book reminded me of [b:The Catcher in the Rye|5107|The Catcher in the Rye|J.D. Salinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1398034300s/5107.jpg|3036731], which I like more.
But I didn't hate anything in the book and I think that is saying a lot. ( )

Fun but kinda depressing. ( )

DNF at page 132.

I feel ridiculous DNFing this with 80 pages left, but I physically cannot make myself keep reading. I'm bored out of my mind. I can't stand the writing style. Other than Charlie, the characters have absolutely no development, and I just can't bring myself to care about Charlie. There's NO plot, just a series of unrelated events. This is one of the most tedious books I've ever tried to read, and I feel SO relieved to be DNFing this. I've literally been reading this book for eight months, and I'm still only on page 132.

I just don't get what's so amazing about this book. If you love it, that's great, but it's just not working for me, and I'm not going to force myself to finish.

I really enjoyed this book. The diary/letter writing style was very interesting and it made the read even more fun. I loved how it brought me along for the roller coaster of emotions. I liked that the book touched on depression and abuse. ( )

“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”

Perks of Being a Wallflower is the memoir of a 15-year-old Charles who just got into a high school and is trying to steer through life as he tries to "participate" in life more and more.
I watched the movie first, and read the book after quite some time. I'll have to say that reading the book after watching the movie was definitely worth it, since the book has a more intimate, one-to-one feel to it as compared to the more third person approach which the movie takes. The movie definitely does justice to the characters, especially Patrick and Sam retaining their easy-going, quirky character.
It was a light and easy and heart-warming read for most of the part, many references were made to really good books that Charlie's English teacher gave to him (To Kill a Mockingbird, Fountainhead, etc.) and Charlie mentions multiple songs which he made a mixtape out of (it includes a couple of Beatles songs too!). There was also a rather accurate thing his English teacher mentions (or should I say, the author does) about Fountainhead: When he gave me the book, Bill said, “Be skeptical about this one. It’s a great book. But try to be a filter, not a sponge.”


Don't expect it to have any deep exploration of the numerous topics it touches upon, including, but not limited to, relationships, child abuse, coming-of-age, homosexuality. Treat it as what it is, the memoirs of an awkward wallflower trying to find his place in life. ( )