Book recommendations for those who can't stop rewatching/rereading the cult classic
The Perks of Being a Wall Flower, 2012 (Film still)
If you're like me, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is your go-to for the smallest (or biggest) inconvenience. It is rare when both the novel and film are equally good, but Charlie's story is an exception. We will save film recommendations for later.
As a Perks of Being a Wallflower fanatic, I come to you with 5 books that, at worst, come close to our emotional support staple:
#1 Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
Or any book by Alice Oseman, really.
Radio Silence is about Frances, a burnt-out student who probably relates to "Mirrorball." When she befriends Aled Last—the creator of her favorite podcast Universe City (that we all wish was real)—they both discover the freedom of being themselves in a friendship. Well, until everything goes wrong.
Both novels feature introverted characters who would rather stand on the sidelines of the dance floor. But, like Charlie, Frances finds a found family-esque friendship in Aled. Frances and Aled's friendship is so heartwarming and perfect for a comfort read. Both novels are quintessential coming-of-age stories that you have to read at least once. While Radio Silence is probably twice as long as Perks, I assure you that time flies just the same when you're immersed in Alice Oseman's world.
"Being clever was, after all, my primary source of self-esteem. I'm a very sad person, in all sense of the word, but at least I was going to get into university"– Alice Oseman, Radio Silence
#2 Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
You guessed it, it's yet another book about characters who find comfort and community in fandoms (that's probably you, isn't it?)
Eliza and Her Monsters follows Eliza, a quiet high school senior and the anonymous creator of the viral webcomic (think Webtoons) "Monstrous Sea." She finds comfort in her online community and the new student Wallace, who is a popular fanfiction writer but doesn't know Eliza's true identity.
Eliza's friendship with other online "Monstrous Sea" fans is, quite literally, her found family. They know more about her than her parents. Her relationship with Wallace is more friendly than romantic: he helps her with self-acceptance and introduces her to real-life "Monstrous Sea" fans. Both novels are coming-of-age stories that deal with mental health and self-acceptance.
#3 Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
For all those looking for adult recs, we didn't forget about you!
Never Let Me Go follows three friends from the secluded Hailsham boarding school, where they are constantly reminded of how "special" they are. As Kathy, the protagonist, reflects on their shared past, she reconciles with the harsh reality of makes made them special.
While Never Let Me Go occurs in a dystopian England, both novels deal with the characters' struggles to understand their identity and their place in the world. The bond between the three friends in Never Let Me Go is reminiscent of Perks.
Don't worry, Never Let Me Go will break you just as much as Perks did.
“Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don’t go along with that. The memories I value most, I don’t ever see them fading.” - Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go
#4 Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak, premise-wise, is the most similar to Perks on this list. Both follow a high school freshman struggling with mental health and have excellent film adaptations.
Speak follows Melinda, a high school freshman outcasted after calling the police at a summer party. As she deals with the aftermath of trauma from sexual assault, Melinda stops speaking. Through her art class, Melinda eventually begins to face what has happened.
Written in diary format, Speak's narrative has a feel similar to Perks. While Melinda doesn't have a heartwarming friend group like Charlie, both narrators face similar journeys toward facing their traumas.
#5 - The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Yes, we've finally arrived at Perks of Being a Wallflower's uncle. Would Charlie hang out with Holden Caufield? I'm not too sure.
The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden after he is expelled from his high school, and as he wanders New York City. Holden struggles as he grieves his brother's death and perceives the adult world to be "phony." We know it's American English class reading, but the book flies by.
Both are coming-of-age tales with outcasted characters—Holden feels that most people are "phony," and Charlie considers himself a "wallflower"—who struggles with past traumas. Most importantly, both Holden and Charlie confront the adult world and grapple with its complexities. Enjoyers of Perks will enjoy a more abrasive version of Charlie in Holden.
“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.” - J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye
We hope one of these will cure your heartache (ish). Let us know what your favorite book is in the comments, and we'll find similar books to cure your reading hangover.
Project Invisible String Blog Staff Member
July 8, 2024
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