The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

In this coming of age novel, Charlie enters his freshmen year of high school. He is suggested to write letters to a "friend" who may listen to him by his therapist. His best friend had died the year prior by suicide. Now, he was friendless, in a new school, and no one really knew what to do with him. He is taken under the wing of two seniors named Patrick and Sam. Patrick is the sarcastic, openly gay friend. Sam, in Charlie's eyes, is the prettiest girl in the world inside and out. The two of them help Charlie on a road of self-discovery where he ends up learning the truth about his childhood. I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, cried, got angry, got happy again, and when the book ended, felt like the hours spent reading it were worth it. I don't remember the last time I was so emotionally moved by a novel like this. Stephen Chbosky makes it seem as if you are on the journey of discovery with Charlie and the epistolary format is perfect. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not sure the book would be as powerful if he hadn't of used the letters to tell the story. I highly recommend this book, but it is not for the faint of heart. Earliest age I would recommend is 15. Even then, make sure the reader could be mature enough to handle the themes and context. I do recommend it for everyone to read at some point in their life. Content Warnings: -Mild Language -Drugs/Alcohol use -Sex: Gratuitous rape scene, mild homosexuality (just a kiss), moderate teen sex scenes -Disturbing/Challenging: Child molestation, rape, mental illness, sexual awakening, drug use Age Recommendation: 16 and up. MINIMUM! This book deals with some very serious issues and the reader needs to be mature enough to handle these things.