I must admit that I am very excited that the first novel of the year was such a delightful read! The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the coming-of-age story of Charlie, a high school freshman who is incredibly gifted despite his own low self-esteem. Through a series of letters written by Charlie that are addressed to “Dear Friend,” we see the young man come to terms with his unique family situation while exploring relationships, sexuality, and the individual’s role in community. Just when the reader thinks he has figured Charlie out, Chbosky masterfully weaves new revelations into the novel’s fabric. (Now that I have the entire picture of what makes Charlie who he is, I’m excited to revisit the novel in the future to see how the book reads differently with these new insights.)
While written about a teen, this novel is definitely best suited for adults due to the frank discussions that are sometimes graphic.
Reading for Me 
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