The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I really wasn't sure what to expect going into this one. I knew there was a lot of hype surrounding it but I've never seen the movie or even knew what this book was about. I jumped in blind.

I'm surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did despite this being a sad, melancholy read. There are various small times of happiness but overall the theme seems to be about trauma and the eventual recognition and healing of that trauma.

Charlie could be any one of us as teens, or teens we knew growing up. Ones who struggle with experiences we never knew about. Yet somehow, despite his trauma (later revealed) Charlie is a keen watcher, sensitive and intuitive. He has trouble connecting with others and really getting involved...but then aren't most of us that way?