The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Getting Off the Sidelines

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Why did I read it?

A friend of mine mentioned the movie (based on the book, with a screenplay by the author) a couple of months ago and said he really enjoyed it, and it was in the house because my sister just got done reading it. 

What happened?

Charlie is what people might describe as a wallflower; he is fantastic at observing, understanding, and listening, but when it comes to participating in life, he has a much harder time.

That is until his freshman year of high school when he meets Sam and Patrick. They smoke, go to parties, participate in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and basically turn Charlie's world upside down for the better.

For the first time in his life, Charlie has friends, is trying new things, and feels like he belongs. But, the problem with participating is that living life is so much more confusing when you are stuck in the middle of it instead of watching from the sidelines.

What did I like or not like?

I have recently found that I really, really like stream of consciousness novels (which this one happens to be). The honest, babbly, uncertain questions and statements that the character makes really give a great look at who that character really is.

This novel deals with drugs, drinking, sex, homosexuality, and all the other things that typical, modern teens deal with and experience. But, I agree with my friend when he said that it deals with many hard topics, and yet deals with them well.

Chopsticks: Love (F)or the Piano

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

Why did I read it?

A photo as the cover caught my attention, and then I realized that the entire novel was told in pictures and scrapbook style pages. Legit!

What happened?

Glory was always fantastic at playing the piano. Her father has been training her since she was a very little girl, and at age 15, she is already playing sold-out concerts in fancy venues. But, Glory is lonely. Her mother also died when she was very young, and music is all she has now.

That is, until Frank moves in next door. He's the bad boy; the guy who messages her late at night, the guy making her mix tapes, and the guy that brings her out of her music back into the real world.

But, Glory's Dad has other plans. He'd rather have her focus on her music instead of some guy next door. Whisking her away to Europe seems like the best way to get her back on track. But, will she ever be able to give her entire life to music again when she would rather give it to Frank?

What did I like or not like?

The idea of having an entire novel told through photographs was pretty awesome. It isn't done too often, and the photographs themselves are awesome! The entire book felt very artistic, which fit with Glory's pursuing a piano career, but it also felt homemade and down-to-earth.

The only drawback for me was that you weren't exactly sure how the story ended. I have some assumptions and I think the story leads up to what I think happened. But it is one of those ones that you can't be entirely sure about.

I think you should read it and then tell me how you think it ended =D

P.S. There is a little bit of language and nude pencil sketches.

Daybreak and Broxo: Some Zombie Stories

Daybreak by Brian Ralph and Broxo by Zack Giallongo

Why did I read it?

Daybreak: I referenced this book in my Teen Literature class for my Master's in Information and Library Science.
Broxo: It was an advanced reader copy that looked interesting.

What happened?

Daybreak: Your eyes snap open and you see a one-armed man walking toward you. He mentions that you don't want to be out in the open when night falls, so you follow him. After grabbing some food and meeting his dog, you settle in for the night. But sleep won't be easy with a horde of the undead outside...nor will surviving...

Broxo: Princess Zora has traveled way too long for her quest to be this pointless! Hoping to open negotiations with one of her fellow tribes, Zora had traveled for many months only to find the supposed home of the clan abandoned. All she finds instead is a lone warrior named Broxo, who has become accustomed to the harsh landscape and random undead that make life interesting. Even though Broxo doesn't seem to mind, Zora can't rest until she finds out what happened to the missing clan, and the real secret behind these monsters.

What did I like or not like?

You might be wondering why I put 2 reviews into 1 post this week. First of all, I'm taking a break for the holidays, so I figured I'd give you 2 books to try and hold you over lol.

The other reason was even though I heartily enjoyed both books, there wasn't a whole lot to make a review out of. The stories aren't too long, so I didn't want to give too much of the plot away.

But here are some things I can tell you. Both are graphic novels, and both include the undead, but that is really the only similarity between them. Daybreak is first person perspective (in a graphic novel which is cool), and Broxo is third person. Daybreak is more realistic fiction/sci-fi, and Broxo is more fantasy. Daybreak has a very limited color palette, and Broxo has a very lively color palette.

You know how sometimes you read a book and it wasn't necessarily heart-wrenching, hilarious, thought-provoking, or amazing, but was still enjoyable to read and worth your time? That is how I would categorize these 2 titles.

Let me know what you think when you read them, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Whale of a Tale

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

Why did I read it?

The story actually starts last year with a book I read called Angry Management. Angry Management was written by Chris Crutcher as well, and in it he further explores the stories of side characters from his previous novels. Sarah Byrnes was one of the characters talked about in Angry Management, so I took the chance to read it for my YA Lit class.

What happened?

A swimmer who is big as a whale, and a burn victim who literally has Byrnes (pronounced Burns) as a last name don't seem like the likeliest of friends. But, Eric (Moby) Calhoune, and Sarah Byrnes have been inseparable for the majority of junior and senior high. Maybe it is their not-so-perfect home lives, or maybe it is having to deal with crap from others, but Sarah has always been the strongest person Moby knows, and he has always been there for her. However, when Sarah stops speaking, Moby has to figure out how he can help her deal with her demons; especially since she has never been one to accept help willingly.

What did I like or not like?

I'm a big fan of Chris Crutcher. He is able to deal with tough topics like abuse, bullying, and abortion, in a truthful, honest, and realistic voice that doesn't pull any punches. But, he is also able to discuss hope, courage, and friendship in a way that is so real that you have to appreciate it. Finally, Crutcher tells us a great story of someone who doesn't have anything to live for, and yet chooses to find the good in the bad and keep on going.

P.S. This book has some language in it.

Come In From the Cold

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Why did I read it?

In 2010, I worked with the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICFL) as a presenter for Teens and Technology. We held a workshop on creating booktrailers, and we used the 2010 Teen's Top Ten as the books. This fantastic book was on the list (and required reading for my Master's class, so I finally sat down and read the whole thing).

What happened?

Why hadn't she answered the phone? Could she have saved her? Could she have talked her out of it? After Lia's best friend Cassie is found dead, Lia is racked with guilt and quickly returns to her destructive patterns of depression, anorexia, and cutting. Convinced that becoming thinner will make her stronger, Lia ignores the pleading, begging and ordering of her mom, dad, and stepmom. But, her stepsister, Emma, thinks the world of Lia, and that love might be just enough to help Lia hold on and come in from the cold she has been creating.

What did I like or not like?

Wintergirls is a powerful and well-written novel that will make you understand where Lia is coming from, but will make you want to scream as she injures herself. Through powerful metaphors, scrambled words, and literally crossing out the thoughts that Lia wouldn't like, Anderson helps us comprehend Lia's experiences. While the novel deals with difficult topics, it ultimately has a hopeful message that will reach out to anyone struggling with depression, eating disorders, or cutting, as well as anyone who needs a realistic and helpful look at this subject.