What the what...

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky was crazy and wonderful. I rated 3/5 stars, and that was mostly because of the subject material, that age of Charlie, and the book being classified as a Children's Book in some cases.

This book is deep. At the very beginning I was wondering if maybe Charlie had a mental handicap, like autism or something of the sort. It started becoming more and more apparent what the issue was.

After reading some other reviews, I noticed many people could not figure out what happened, or it took the whole book. I urge anyone who reads it to pay attention. I also urge you to use caution. I do not want to give away spoilers, but there is drug use and other mature topics. I went into this book blindly; I had no idea what to expect, and it caught me off guard. I feel like everyone should read this book at one point or another, but they do need to mentally prepared.

I also watched the movie. It was actually pretty tame, but it still has the same mature topics.

I am going back and forth, trying to decide if I should change my rating. If I can finally decide, I will make an amendment to this post.

Uhm... Wow!

Divergent by Veronica Roth is amazing. I completely fell in love with "dystopian future" books due to The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I was a little worried that Divergent would be like a cheap knock-off; not even close. There is so much detail and intensity. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

At sixteen, you must decide to live life as you always have: never changing, giving everything but the clothes on your back, or give up everything you know including your family. Add to that the fact that you are different, someone to be afraid of, someone to be taken care of. Try to fit in, try to make friends, no one can find out. You want to prove yourself and be who you want to be, not fit into a neat little mold and think with one collective mind. Love, war, and death. What would do?

I loved this book. The movie was pretty good, as usual they changed up a lot of things, but what do expect.

Highly recommended, 5/5 stars, can't wait to start the next book.

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

I don't usually read graphic novels, they just aren't my thing. I also don't really watch cartoons (anime). Anya's Ghost is a manga, and it was actually pretty good. I didn't go in expecting much, but I think there is a lesson to be learned.

Anya is the daughter of a Russian immigrant who struggles at a private school. She wants to fit in, but because of her background it makes it difficult. She doesn't use her real name outside of her home because it embarrasses her; it's Annushka Borzakovskaya. She doesn't like going to church because of how "Russian" it is. She has one close-ish friend, Siobhan, who teases her a lot and encourages her to smoke and skip class. Generally, she hates her life... until she falls down a well; that's when she meets Emily.

I feel like there is a moral to this story; love yourself, be true to yourself, and respect your heritage. Also, don't fall down wells and bring crazy ghost girls home.

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Wow, this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. When you pick up a book about World War II, Nazi Germany, you can't expect sunshine and puppy dogs, but I felt so many emotions. You feel Liesel's emotions; you feel like you are right there. You cry with her, you laugh with her.

 

Death. He tells the story from beginning to end. He gives many details of what is to come for the important people in Liesel's life; he jumps around quite a bit, but he does apologize.  Even through the foreshadowing, you don't always expect what is to come. 

 

This book is amazing. It makes you appreciate the little things in time of crisis, and appreciate your loved ones. It teaches you that family isn't blood, it's those who care for you, and those you care for.

This is definitely five out of five, and I will most likely be reading it again. The movie isn't bad either, but nothing beats the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of World War II fiction, love, hope, and semi-happy endings. It is a young adult novel, but I think anyone will enjoy it. 

 

*Spoiler Alert*

 

Her love of books will ultimately save her life, while everyone she loves perishes.

"The Book Thief"

I just started reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. It is set in World War II Nazis Germany; usually I like books, movies, and nearly everything else about World War II. This book, however, started out so slowly, I wasn't sure I would like. Now, though, it is beginning to pick up pace, and I am in love! I also just found out that it was turned into a movie, and the trailer looks amazing.  So, after I finish the book, I'm going to check out the movie. As we all know, though, the book is always better.