Saturday, June 4, 2011

My intimate thoughts about The Perks of Being a Wallflower


image source: here

I had every intention of typing up a professional review (well somewhat professional review) for this book, like I do with everything else I read.  But 20 pages in I knew this wasn't like anything else I've read before.  I had that feeling inside that I was reading something of epic proportions.  There was no way I could critique this piece of literature.  No way.  But I didn't want to go on without mentioning this book on my blog either.  I want to share with my followers probably one of the best books I have ever read.  And I mean that with every ounce of my being.  Yes, that sounds extreme - but this book is extreme.  It's bittersweet beauty took me by surprise and I want every one else to have the opportunity to have the same experience as I did.

The writing in this novel is unlike anything I've ever read before.  You know when you read a line and you have to go back and re-read it 2 or 3 more times?  Not because you didn't understand it, but because you're so taken back by it's beauty that you want to keep experiencing the depth of it's words and aren't quite ready to move on.  I did this over & over through out this book.  A few lines that really grabbed my attention were:

"So this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."

"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite."

"We accept the love we think we deserve."

"I put my head under my pillow and let the quiet put things where they are supposed to be."

image source: here
If that doesn't grab you and make you want to read this book, then I'm not sure what will!  The story is both real and heart breaking.  Poetic and in your face.  I knew from the beginning that I was falling in love with Charlie.  Not the kind of love that you swoon over.  The love that you feel for an individual who has a lost soul, that you want to help find it's way.  A love that has no boundaries and can fill any empty space.  Charlie surprised me with his words of wisdom, he took my breath away by his innocence, and he mesmerized me by his strength.  He really was infinite.

This story isn't filled with magic and fairy tale romances.  It doesn't even have the "happily ever after" ending.  What it does deliver is the ability to make you think about your purpose in this world.  Why do we get up each day?  What makes us keep going?  How important are the faces we see time and time again?  I urge you to grab this book and lose yourself within it's pages. My emotions ran wild with it and I felt some intense pain, yet the pain was somewhat beautiful.  This is a book I'll always hold high up on my shelf.  Though it was published over 10 years ago, I wonder what my life would have been like if I had picked up sooner.  It's that profound, people.


* Thank you Yani from The Secret Life of an Avid Reader for gifting me with this book. I'm not sure I would have picked it up, if you had not sent it to me.  This is probably the most meaningful book gift I've ever received, so thank you. XOXO

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27 comments:

  1. Sounds beautifully epic!

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  2. Wow. There are less than a handful of books out there that have really touched my heart and mind. Just reading your thoughts on this book, I'm buying it.

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  3. I finished this book a few days ago. And I've gotta say, I'm just is much in awe of it as you are. It's fantastic and beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. I'm still struggling in thinking of ways to review it. This is a great post :)

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  4. <3 I couldn't have said it better. and your welcome, it's the most meaningful gift I have ever given =)

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  5. I listened to this one on audiobook. So good! The narrator was perfect. This book is in the running for my favorite YA book of all time. I love Charlie.

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  6. I loved loved loved this book. You chose some perfect lines to quote - my favorite is 'We accept the love we think we deserve'. If that doesn't just shoot through your soul, what will?

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  7. Beautiful, beautiful review Ginger. I recently reserved it at my local library, so now I'm even more excited to read it! :)

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  8. You definitely did it justice, Ginger! I'm so glad you loved it...I felt many of the same things. I'm hoping more people will be picking it up now! :)

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  9. This is a classic. I loved it on the first read and on the next. :)

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  10. Adding this one to the list...sounds like a keeper! Great review!

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  11. This books sounds pretty dang beautiful.

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  12. I remember reading this a while back, a few years ago actually. You just jogged my memory and I think I'd like to own this book now. Thanks for the great review. I love when a book just grabs you like that.

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  13. I loved this book as well. I also love the pictures you put in your post!

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  14. Time for a reread! I read this years ago, remember liking it, but don't remember being transported. Thanks for the reminder about how good good literature can really be!

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  15. I was lucky enough to come across Perks when it was a new release while I was in high school and I know EXACTLY what you mean. It is EPIC. I re-read it about once a year or so, but I've always wondered how I would feel if I picked it up for the first time now (in my late 20s)... Your post makes me feel like maybe it would be the same. It's brilliant and beautiful and one of my very favorite things (but I have no idea how I'd ever be able to really explain how or why, especially on my blog - maybe I'll try one day).

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  16. Reading how you felt while reading it just made me smile. :)

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  17. My brother read this one last year and the book has been sitting on the bookshelf since then waiting for me to pick it up. For some reason, I haven't yet, even though my brother has told me time and time again what a great book it is. After this lovely eulogy for this book, I will definitely be picking it up sooner rather than later.

    Thanks Ginger!

    PS: I just love that last photo with the glasses and underlined phrase...

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  18. thank you for sharing this, Ginger. i'm looking forward to digging in it myself and discussing with you! :)

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  19. I have heard such wonderful things about this book, and your passionate review really made me want to read this. Thanks so much for not posting a "professional" review :)

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  20. This is in a pile of books I HAVE to read for this month! So it will be read by the end of June! :)

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  21. Really you have outdone yourself with this post...yet again! I am stunned by your words. I have not seen someone this excited about a book in a long time. It really reminds me of why I love to read and why I read so much. The possibility of stumbling across a book that can so effortlessly change your life, like this one so clearly has with you, is just mesmerizing. Wonderful, beautiful, crazy-good post my dear! Not one single "professional" review could have made me want to read this book more than what you have with this great post :)
    -Katelyn

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  22. I read this book such a long time ago. I THINK I really enjoyed it but it's hard to remember. I definitely will have to get a copy to reread soon.

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  23. I need to read this one again. I remember being amazed by the story and the characters. There's an awful lot of strength to this story. Loved hearing your thoughts. Glad it touched you so strongly!

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  24. I read this book in high school and reread it several times because it was one of those game changers for me. I agree with pretty much every words you wrote about it: it is definitely one of my favorite books and I definitely fell in love with Charlie. I have quoted it over and over again because the words in that book are magical to me. It is a book that I will never forget.

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  25. I just finished this book and I was like - speechless and currently don't know what to write in my review. This is really a good book. 

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  26. I just finished this book and I was like - speechless and currently don't know what to write in my review. This is really a good book. 

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