For a look at the soundtrack of Perks of Being a Wallflower, check out Jensen’s Music Blog:

Jensen’s Music Blog: The Perks of Being a Wallflower’s Soundtrack

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one one of my favorite books, I first read it when I was in the seventh grade. At the time, too immature to fully grasp the true nature of the book, although now I’ve read probably ten times since then and I can let this book engulf me. Each time I fall more and more in love with the characters; each time I let the book teach me something new.

In The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, readers follow around 15-year-old Charlie through letters he wrote to an unnamed receiver, much like a diary of sorts. Charlie writes about his first year of high school, which we all know can be stressful. Charlie is an introvert, unpopular and just overall awkward. When we first meet Charlie he says, “So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.” – Chbosky, Perks of Being a Wallflower. I myself relate to this in a personal way, I understand how he is feeling, unsure of his emotions. Previously, Charlie has suffered some depression from his best friend’s suicide the summer before and the death of his aunt from when he was younger. His family handles Charlie with fragility, knowing that he could get “bad again”. We don’t ever really find out what the degree of “bad” is throughout the story, but we don’t need to.

Charlie has a rough couple days before he meets seniors Sam and Patrick, who in the end become his saving grace. Step siblings, Sam and Patrick, accept Charlie into their circle with open arms. They are the extroverts that Charlie needs to come out of his shell. They open up new experiences to Charlie including: drugs, romance and newfound intimacy. These things all mold Charlie into one of them, for the first time he finally feels accepted.

Charlie is a special, he’s selfless and caring, he’s the kind of person that makes you want to become a better person. He teaches readers how to love unconditionally, much how he does Sam and Patrick, both in different way. Sam in a way where Charlie wants to fix her, she’s broken and Charlie doesn’t know why, he doesn’t know why she sells herself short and sleeps with people who don’t care about her. And Patrick, who struggles with his love for in-the-closet star football player Brad. Their love is a secret and it takes a toll on Patrick, making him distant and cold at times, but Charlie loves him anyway.

A quote that is stressed throughout the novel is, “We accept the love we think we deserve.” I think that this concept is not only insightful but also brutally honest. It’s something that no one has really likes to think about, its so genuine, it’s beautiful. This book has a lot of these one liners, deep and meaningful quotes of wisdom. Which is why it’s one of my favorites. The movie, although not exactly based off of the book is still a masterpiece.

Perks of Being a Wallflower the movie is beautiful and emotional, it’s directed by Stephen Chbosky, also the author, who does an exceptional job at the least. The actors chosen: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and many others, were perfect matches for their roles. There are so many other aspects that make this movie perfect, such as the soundtrack which plays a huge factor in the plot, music is something that bonds Sam and Charlie together. For a full review of the soundtrack by Ryan Jensen, check it out here.

There are plenty of times where I’ve cried like baby throughout this movie, the emotions that they draw out of me are incredible and the movie inspires me to be a better person, after every time I watch the movie I leave with inspiration and knowledge as to how to care for others better.