Fred Flare Book Club - Kinda The Best Thing Ever!

I can't believe that I'm a week late on posting this up...my excuse is that I didn't get the book right away and then was super-busy this week. Anyway, better late then never, riiiight?

Did you see the post on the Fred Flare Blog a month ago about the Fred Flare Book Club? You can click the link to  chex it out, but pretty much what happened is Keith posted about how awesome books are and asked for people's suggestions for the first ever Fred Flare Book Club pick! About a gazillion people commented, which was amazing, and about eight trillion fantastic books were suggested! Keith and I looked through all of them, and, after much difficult narrowing down, picked this book:

I first encountered it at SEP about 3 years ago or so when a girl had a copy and my entire floor read it. I totally loved it, but it kind of slipped to the back of my consciousness and I didn't really think about it much (except for random times) until now. So, what's it about? Well, the back has a pretty darned awesome blurb so I'll just type that up:

Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

So...that convince you? Not quite? OK. The reason why I love this book is that it is written in a beautiful, simple style. Charlie knows the perfect words to match the emotions and experiences of his life. Charlie is innocent, funny, insightful, and willing to share his life with the unnamed "friend" through letters. He's pretty much everything I wish I was, and, since he is named "Charlie," I kind of like to pretend that I am him, some times. It sure would be nice to have someone to write letters to, like he does. Someone who listens but doesn't respond so they don't judge you or tell you you're right or wrong or do this or that or anything...

I would definitely recommend reading this book!! If you don't have a copy, pick up one at the library! Fred Flare also has it on special for $9.99, or you can stop by your local independent bookstore. Read it, enjoy it, and stop in at the FF Blog on October 17 for a super discussion of fun!!

Love always,
Charlie