2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Have fun discussing The Perks of Being a Wallflower! Please be respectful and hide those spoilers. :)

Oh man, I am so excited for this guys! Even though it's a reread for me, I'm psyched to get started. :D

I plan on buying it Monday. Is it a quick read? I've got so much homework, plus the LSAT, plus Anna Karenina, I'm going to have a very busy month! I watched the trailer and got very excited.

It's pretty quick--or so I've heard. (At least it'll sure seem quick after Anna.)

Good luck on the LSAT! I had a lot of fun with it (but I also lucked out and got a reading comp as my experimental section).

It's very short. I read it the first time in one night. My brother read it in a few days. It seems to be one of those can't-put-down books.

This book is a very quick read. I read it at the beginning of the summer despite the mixed reviews I encountered. The Perks of Being a Wallflower was a book I didn't want to stop reading even though I didn't enjoy it that much. I kept hoping I could come to like the main character. The main character's revelation at the end of the book enlightened me about the reasoning behind his character flaws, but I still couldn't like him. Regardless of my opinion of the main character, I do still recommend reading this book, so you can make the judgement for yourself.

Kara wrote: "It's pretty quick--or so I've heard. (At least it'll sure seem quick after Anna.)

Good luck on the LSAT! I had a lot of fun with it (but I also lucked out and got a reading comp as my experimenta..."


Thanks! It's not until October 6, but I have to study study study all September and manage my course load and work. Reading will literally keep me sane this month! :) I hope I'm as lucky as you and get a Reading Comp experimental section. If it's ANOTHER Logical Reasoning section (the one I'm struggling with) I don't know what i'll do with myself!

But...excited for this book. I've heard great things about it.

Wow, this was a fast read! I read it in one day in a couple of sittings.

Let me know when you two finish, and we can discuss!

I'll read it on Tuesday when I get home from vacation. It's a pretty fast read and if things repeat themselves, I'll finish it in one sitting. :) Looking forward to discussing.

So, I'm number two on the waiting list still, looks like I'll have to wait just a bit longer!

I just re-read this book.
Is so beautiful and touched me so deep.
One of my favorites!

It's one of my favorites too, Francielle!

Looks like I'll be reading it tomorrow night. I don't work the next morning so I can get away with staying up the necessary hours to finish it. ;)

Finished! Took me a couple sittings but I loved it just as much as the first time. :)

I can't wait to discuss with you both!

Starting it tonight :)

Wow. I really liked it once I got used to the writing style. I think the only character I really sympathized with was Patrick, because I think his character was written the best. I liked Charlie, don't get me wrong, but I viewed him more as a middle schooler than a high schooler, and I found it hard to get over. Sam seemed selfish. Charlie's family seemed cold and disinterested.

I will say that i laughed a lot throughout the book. For example, the LSD trip, Charlie's grandpa, the Bob character.

I really did like the book and it is not something I usually pick up. Very glad I did.

I liked Patrick the best too.

Charlie struck me as possibly somewhere on the autism spectrum. What did you think?

Yes, I could see that. The scene where Bill tells him that he is exceptionally smart points to that. Charlie is a wallflower, with his own unique perspective, but for how different his style of thinking is, I could see him as autistic. The way his peers interact with him also help to illustrate just how different he is. His friends are willing to accept it, but the general school calls him a freak. He also does not pick up on social cues very well. For example, The Prettiest Girl in the Room debacle.

Exactly--he doesn't want to hurt anyone but seems to not understand what will and will not hurt them. Like watching Patrick basically self-destruct.

I hated the part with Mary-Elizabeth (Mary Beth? I can't remember her name...). She was so irritating to me, and poor Charlie didn't really know what to do about it.

I must say, reading this book was way harder than I remember! I forgot how sad it is at the end (and throughout, actually). I don't think I'll go see the movie after all. What about you guys?

Trevor wrote: "I hated the part with Mary-Elizabeth (Mary Beth? I can't remember her name...). She was so irritating to me, and poor Charlie didn't really know what to do about it.

I must say, reading this book ..."

Mary Elizabeth was very irritating for me too.
The book is sad but is beautiful, made me cry so much.
I'll see the movie, because is a beautiful story (sad too, but it beautiful), and I ADORE EMMA WATSON! An Logan Lerman and Nina Dobrev too.

haha, I've never seen Emma Watson in anything but I think she looks like what I though Sam would look like.

She's my idol *-*
She is the Emma I pictured!!

I wanted to see this movie before I had even read it because of Emma Watson. I'm a huge Potter fan, and I feel like I grew up with the cast/books so this is me being loyal. Weird, but so true. Potter people get it!

Kelsi wrote: "I wanted to see this movie before I had even read it because of Emma Watson. I'm a huge Potter fan, and I feel like I grew up with the cast/books so this is me being loyal. Weird, but so true. Po..."

I GET IT *-*

started reading, find it sad, having a teenagedaughter and recognize a lot, recognize a lot of myself in the same age and am so glad not to be a teenager anymore

Anja wrote: "started reading, find it sad, having a teenagedaughter and recognize a lot, recognize a lot of myself in the same age and am so glad not to be a teenager anymore"

It is a very sad book, Anja. But I hope you enjoy it in the end!

Thought some of you here might appreciate this: Stephen Chbosky on The Dinner Party

Interesting, Kara, thanks. :)

Hi, I'm Stephen Chbosky's assistant, Meera. I just wanted to share with your Goodreads group that he really appreciates and is truly honored to have you read and discuss his book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The movie version of Perks, which Stephen also wrote, is being released nationwide in the US today, October 12th, and he would love to invite you and your group members to see it. To find showtimes or theaters, visit http://www.facebook.com/WallflowerMov...

Thank you so much for all the support, it really means a lot to Steve. We hope you love the movie as much as we do!

Wow! I can't believe it took me so long to read this, I wish I'd read it sooner. I'm half way through and just loving it. Charlie is so sweet and innocent and this is just an amazing book so far. :)

Lilac wrote: "Wow! I can't believe it took me so long to read this, I wish I'd read it sooner. I'm half way through and just loving it. Charlie is so sweet and innocent and this is just an amazing book so far. :)"

Glad you're enjoying it! Let us know how you like it when you reach the end!

I still really like it but I've got to say the first half was better for some reason. I definitely agree that Charlie has some sort of autism, but it did still annoy me that he cried in just about every letter.

Yes, he was quite emotionally challenged, wasn't he? I agree that the first half was better, but I am partial to the end of this book for some reason as well. Not many books can get me to that point where I can not put it down no matter how I try!

I know what you mean. I was very close to giving this book 5 stars and might just change my mind about the 4 I gave it. I think this is one of those rare books that I'll be able to re-read one day.

Exactly!

Anyone else see the movie? I caught it last night, and I think I liked it more than the book.

Was it good Kara? I'm still deciding whether or not to see it in theaters.

I really enjoyed it. Emma Watson was just wonderful. Charlie wasn't exactly how I imagined him, but I got over that by the end. This is one of those that would be just as good curled up at home or at the theater.

Kara wrote: "I really enjoyed it. Emma Watson was just wonderful. Charlie wasn't exactly how I imagined him, but I got over that by the end. This is one of those that would be just as good curled up at home or ..."

Perfect! Thanks for letting us know. :) I'm looking forward to sitting in my pjs at home to watch it. haha

I just watched the movie and have got to admit it was really good! I'm glad I watched the movie as it even gave me a better understanding of what was going on in certain parts and the actors were really good too, especially Emma Watson and the guy who played Patrick. :)

Yes, Patrick was wonderful. Also not what I imagined but perfect nonetheless.