The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

     The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky opened my heart and held it gently from cover to cover as it revealed a unique, touching story I won't soon forget. I put this book down slowly, my heart overwhelmed with euphoria. Though moments were often bittersweet, it was the main character Charlie who made it one of the sweetest, truest stories I've read in a while.

     There's a certain innocence and rawness about Charlie as he tells his own story via letters to a friend neither he nor we, as readers, ever meet. It's a coming-of-age story told honestly from the perspective of a wallflower. "He's a wallflower. You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand."

     Encouraged by his English teacher Bill to participate, Charlie tries at times to "step away from the wall" and "participate" in what he'd normally observe and think about within the cage of his mind. Charlie had no enemies but was a target of bullying because he was "weird" or a "freak." It would seem keeping to yourself and staying quiet isn't any safer than expressing yourself freely in the halls of high school. Luckily for Charlie, he finds a group of friends who are equally strange in their own ways and accept and love him for who he is.

Author Stephen Chbosky

     Perhaps one of our hardest challenges in life is to accept the past for what it was, to blame no one and to move forward without a burden on our shoulders. Forgiveness, understanding and self-esteem. Charlie reminded me that we have to face the ghosts of our past and present. We have to accept things for what they were and are. We have to believe in ourselves and participate. And we have to make the most of every day remembering that we each are special and deserve happiness.

     I feel as though this book will speak to each reader in a different way from a different direction. Personally, I walked away attached to the following quote. It really summed up this novel's significance to me at this point in my life.

"So I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them."

     You can find The Perks of Being a Wallflower at your local library. You can also purchase it from Amazon for your Kindle, as hardcover, paperback or audiobook (Audible edition).

Five, Six, Seven, NATE! by Tim Federle

     Tim Federle follows Better Nate Than Ever with another awe-inspiring story from the heart. Nate's journey in New York continues and takes turns so exciting and sharp you had best wear your seat belt.

     In Five, Six, Seven, NATE!, Nate Foster (my new superhero) is an understudy to the role of E.T. in Broadway's production of E.T.: The Musical. Nate must deal with a wide variety of creative staff, some old and some new, including a director who can't remember Nate's name and a choreographer fueled by junk food and poor fashion. At times it seems no matter how bright Nate shines, the staff only sees a sparkle and then other times when Nate would rather not be noticed, he's seen by all.

     In a rather interesting series of events Nate befriends Asella, a fellow understudy with 25 years' experience, who it would seem never carried much of a liking for children until Nate. With his best friend Libby's support from afar and the local support of Asella and his aunt Heidi, Nate is armed with all tools needed to navigate the business of show business in this gripping sequel.

Author Tim Federle

     I couldn't put this book down. A note from a secret admirer, the uncertainty of the production's future, tension with the leading role of Elliot, Jordan Rylance, who is also originally from the Pittsburgh area as well and incidental miracles will entrust your hands to the covers until you've finished the story, welcomed it into your heart, and shelved the book among your favorites.

     I finished this book in less than 24 hours and found myself filled to the brim with tears of joy throughout the final four chapters. I, as well as I'm sure many others, relate to the main character Nate and can't help but find myself going through so many emotions as if for the first time again with Nate. Euphoria, fear, worry, hopelessness, shame, hope, confusion, excitement, uncertainty and my favorite: love.

     Five, Six, Seven, NATE! will keep you on the edge of your futon and grinning from ear to ear by the end. Pre-Order Federle's newest book (to be released January 28th, 2014) in hardcover or for your Amazon Kindle.