Sharp Perks

Hello!

I hope you are all having a good weekend and enjoying this festive time. I apologize for the delay since my last post... Things have been crazy busy this month with the holidays fast approaching! In the last few weeks I have spent a weekend in Kananaskis for a girls' trip, hosted book club, celebrated Ryan's birthday, and of course, finished reading a couple books.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I read 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn first. As you might remember from my first blog posting, Fantastic Five, I selected 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn as one of my five recommended books. 'Sharp Objects' was just as intriguing and hard to put down as 'Gone Girl', but I found it extremely disturbing.

The story is about Camille Preaker, a journalist now living in Chicago having left her hometown of Wind Gap. Her editor asks her to head back to the town to cover the story of the murder of a little girl, the second girl to be murdered in Wind Gap in the past year. Camille is reluctant to move back, even for a short period of time, and you soon understand why. Gillian Flynn does a great job of setting the tone of desperation, isolation, and general unhappiness that consumes the small town.

Camille has some severe psychological issues. She had a younger sister who died when she was only 13 years old. She also has a cruel and beautiful half-sister who is only in junior high, but is already the town’s worst bully. In addition to her sibling strife, Camille’s mother has dark secrets of her own, and is very cold and unloving. Camille’s investigation into the town’s two murders slowly reveals that other disturbing events have been occurring in Wind Gap for years. This thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat (you won’t be able to put it down, trust me), but beware, Gillian Flynn spares no gruesome detail in her portrayal of this twisted small town.

Needless to say, I was in the mood for a more uplifting story after finishing this one. 'The Perks of being a Wallflower' was recommended to me, and am I ever glad I picked it up! This story is written in the form of letters from a very unique boy, Charlie, to an anonymous reader. He is struggling to start his first year of high school following the suicide of his friend Michael, and is still trying to cope with the death of his aunt Helen. Luckily, at the beginning of the school year he finds the courage to approach a popular and outgoing senior, Patrick, and is introduced to a new group of friends. His place in the group is a new experience.

In his letters you will find very endearing stories describing: his interactions with his new friends, his growing love for Patrick's sister, Sam, his friendship with his English teacher, Bill, and the struggles and development of his relationships with his older sister and brother.

It was refreshing to read a book written from Charlie's kind natured and positive perspective. Even though the plot was simple, it was a very touching story.

Although these two novels were so different, they both offer similar qualities. Both have unforgettable characters who will draw you into the story, both describe some very emotional moments, but most of all, both will leave you with a feeling that you have just read something out of the ordinary and will give you an urge to share your thoughts about what you read with others.

Happy reading!

Domi