There are Definitely Perks

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a part of the everyday life of a boy who is a freshman in high school?  This book is a set of letters written to an unknown recipient that “Charlie” pours his soul to during the course of his first year of high school.  We experience a lot of his firsts, his first kiss, date, new friends, drugs, and alcohol and the audience grows to love his character throughout the entire book.

I loved Charlie.  He was an excellent, honest, true character.  Although I could not relate to any character in the book I still found myself routing for Charlie, wanting what’s best for him and hoping that nothing bad ever happens to him.  I loved his friendships and the person he became through his relationships with his new friends, his teachers and even his family. 

This book reminded me a lot of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, that is a book in a different style, but about a girl going through a horrible time starting high school and feeling that she has no voice in her struggles.  This had the same tone, but entirely different take. 

I also loved how it was a 90’s book.  I remember going to my oldest cousin and my step-brother’s high school graduation in 1993.  I remember the style of the clothes and the attitude of the students and I can picture these parties and dances and everything Charlie was talking about I could see it through his eyes even though I was quite young during that time.  Rocky Horror Picture Show was a consistent section of the book.  I also remember loving RHPS about this time even though I was too young to know what was actually going on. 

I loved the suit.  The secret santa gift from Patrick.  I loved that Charlie wore it to school and was teased without mercy but his friends thought he looked great.  I loved that he got everyone a gift that Christmas and it matched their personality perfectly because Charlie was an excellent Wallflower.  He knew them all and he had these great perceptions about all of his friends that made sense and even if they didn’t know it was something they needed or wanted it would sting them down to their bone marrow because that’s just how Charlie was.  He knew them through and through. 

I have no criticism about this book.  I loved it.  I read it in 24 hours and I wish that I could turn around and re-read it immediately, although I cannot because I have my ever growing shelf that can get out of control if I don’t do something about it.

Thanks for reading and I hope this blog makes you want to read this book immediately.  Keep Reading my Friends!

               

Perfect Girls don't Exist.

Pretty Little Liars: Perfect by Sara Shepard

Perfect is the third book of the series.  Things are getting worse for the 4 ex-best friends that were separated after their best friend Ali’s disappearance.  With Aria she’s been kicked out of her house, Spencer is having black outs that have been happening since she was very young.  Hanna’s best friend Mona now hates her and is spreading all sorts of rumors about her, and Emily has just been shoved out of the closet.  There are a lot of misdeeds going on, hopefully the girls can figure out who A is or there will be nothing left of their lives to continue to live for.

I have a hard time relating to any of the girls in this series, I guess if I’m forced to it would be Hanna, she’s confident, yet not and she’s got the same insecurities that most teen age girls have about her weight, and other issues.  I can see my teenage self in her, and I hope that a change is coming for her, she seems to be making a good change with Lucas. 

This is a fun read, but there is not a lot to say about it.  I would not read these novels if you are trying to enhance your reading and intellect, but if you want a fun YA read then these books are perfect.  Keep Reading my friends.

How will Oscar Die?

The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

I liked Oscar and I hated him.  What a crazy life.  One characteristic of Oscar that I liked is even though he was a sad and lonely creature he found escape in sci-fi books, Comics, and other nerd culture.  He found other gamers and even tried to draw others like him, but to no avail, he was always alone.  I loved his sister and no matter what was going on in her life, she always loved Oscar and wanted him to have the best life.  She still traveled and did what she wanted in life, but always kept a close eye on Oscar through friends and staying in touch. 

It was immediately apparent that the author of Oscar Wao was in academia.  The introduction that explained a Fuku, which was the theme of the entire book and also the footnotes throughout the book carried the story line and gave interesting facts on Dominican history.  If these two stylistic features alone were not enough proof of Diaz’s background, the short blip about the author on the back explains that he is a professor at MIT. 

I was very confused by the narrator and the point of view pretty much the entire book.  Every time a chapter began I didn’t know who it was about until almost a page into the book or who was telling me about the chapter.  This was a good thing and a confusing thing.  It kept me on my toes, but also made me want to scream.  Each chapter took on the attributes of the characters within that given story and I enjoyed them all until it got to Oscar’s grandfather’s story.  That was the longest most boring chapter, but necessary to explain why Oscar’s mother was the way she was.  Even now, I do not feel confident in my reading and understanding to say who I believe the true narrator was, was there one?  Was there two?  I am unsure so I will not even disclose that information. 

When asked by a fellow book club member if I liked the book, I told her that it was better than a kick in the head.  But I could not say that yes I loved it or no, I didn’t like it at all.  I had mixed emotions about how I felt at the end of the book.  I will just say that it stretched me and it made me dig way back and try to remember some of my Spanish from high school and college. 

Keep Reading my Friends!