The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I read this book many years ago - and saw the movie - but this was the book choice for our "family book club" since the main character is nearly the same age as my son. Since my (youngest) son isn't a big reader - and neither is my husband - I decided that the three of us would listen to the audio book together. We also watched the movie together before listening to the book. Anyway....yikes! I had apparently forgotten how boldly written the book is! At times it was downright uncomfortable listening to it with my son. Illegal drugs, underage drinking, suicide, sex, masturbation, homosexuality, physical abuse, sexual abuse by family members. You name it, it's in this book. It's actually quite shocking - especially listening to it with a 14 year old. So, would I have chosen a different book to discuss if I had remembered it better? Yes.

But, with that being said, the book is well-written and explores a lot of puberty-related issues that teenagers often struggle with. I certainly hope that most teenagers don't experience all the things that Charlie experienced though (best friend dies by suicide; sexual abuse; being hospitalized; not having a peer group). My childhood and adolescence was idyllic in comparison to Charlie's. I felt sad for Charlie and his struggles. Even though it was wonderful that Patrick and Sam befriended him with no judgement, they probably were not the best role models! They did encourage him to "participate" in his life more though, which was good. I also loved Charlie's English teacher, Bill, who took an interest in him and gave him extra books to read & writing assignments about the books. They say it only takes one adult in a child's life to make a remarkable difference in that child's life. Bill was that adult for Charlie. Bill saw something in Charlie and he valued that something, which had a positive influence over Charlie.

Both classic literature and music are prevalent in this book, and to Charlie specifically. Charlie uses music as a form of expression as to what and how he is feeling. The books that Bill gives Charlie are so meaningful to him that he splits them up and gives them all to the two people he values most in his life: Patrick & Sam. (Charlie's family is super important to him too and they provide a solid support system for Charlie when he needs it most.)

By-the-way, the book is MUCH more detailed than the movie. That is usually the case however, so anyone who reads regularly won't be surprised by that.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

I really enjoyed this fast-paced novel. The two main characters are Hannah and her 16-year old step-daughter, Bailey. Hannah's husband/Bailey's father, Owen, disappears suddenly one day, leaving Hannah a very short note ("Protect her") and leaving Bailey with a note and a bag full of money. Owen's boss is found to be corrupt and has been taken into custody by the FBI. Then there is the U.S. Marshal (Grady) from the Austin, TX branch showing up at Hannah & Bailey's home (a houseboat docked in Sausalito), in addition to some FBI agents. Pretty much no one knows what's going on, where Owen is - or who Owen really is.

Hannah & Owen have not know each other very long (two plus years) and they have only been married a year or so. I liked how the author shared their short history in flashback chapters. Both the reader and Hannah gets some insight into Owen and what's important to him in the flashbacks. His number one priority is Bailey, who lost her mother when she was really young. That's how Hannah knows that Owen's note refers to Bailey. Hannah knows she needs to protect Bailey, but she doesn't know from what. She also doesn't know who to trust.

Fortunately Hannah has a trusted friend, Jules, that assists her along the way. Hannah also turns to her ex-fiancé, Jake, who is a lawyer. In the end though, Hannah trusts her own instincts and does her own thing to discover who Owen really is and what he wants her to do. There is not necessarily a happy ending to this story, but there is an ending which makes sense. Sometimes in life we need to sacrifice one thing for another.

Wendy's Rating: ****

The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones

This was an entertaining beach read. The relationships between the six main characters were definitely complicated. Even though Rachel is married to Jack (and they have a teenage son) and Noah is married to Paige, Rachel and Noah used to be best friends. Now Rachel and Paige are best friends, even though there still seems to be some residual feelings between Rachel and Noah that appears to make Paige jealous. Then you bring in Jack's brother, Will, who is getting married to Ali, who is younger and beautiful and used to work with Jack. Jack doesn't seem to like Ali (and actually got her fired from his company), but Ali is always seeking out "alone time" with Jack, which makes Rachel jealous - and worried.

So these three couples fly to Portugal together for Will & Ali's wedding. Will, by the way, is a super nice guy and is liked by everyone. He is also the only one that seems ignorant of all the undercurrents flowing underneath the relationships of the other five people. Lucky him!

The four days spent in Portugal are filled with secret conversations, secret meetings, insecurities, fears of affairs, questions regarding paternity, unexpressed feelings, hurt feelings and erroneous suspicions. Personally, although the author sets things up to lead the reader in one direction, she leaves enough doubt and throws out some hints that things are not what they appear, which sent me in a different direction. I was correct about what was really happening (which I will let you find out for yourself!) and so I wasn't surprised at the "unveiling" of the truth. With that being said, I was surprised at the ending. It was a "just and fair" ending, in my opinion, therefore satisfying. ;)

Wendy's Rating: ****