The perks of being a wallflower

"...even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn't really change the fact that you have what you have," Stephen Chbosky writes in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Charlie is a fifteen year old writing anonymous letters to an unknown person. Charlie is unemotional throughout these letters, he states that he feels things deeply and gets angry, but his narrative is consistently calm. I think this lack of emotion doesn't deprive the reader of anything though, perhaps the reader makes up for Charlie's lack of emotion by feeling it for him. This detachment also makes us feel there is something off about Charlie, in the beginning of the book I wondered if charlie might be slightly autistic... He say " I didn't know that other people thought things about me. I didn't know that they looked."The book has some great lines for thinkers of any age, such as "It's strange because sometimes, I read a book, and I think I am the people in the book." and "I feel infinite"

Saint Iggy by K. L. Going

This book reminded me of Mrs. Dalloway. It seems like a stream of consciousness book, following Iggy's jumpy thoughts. It is more suited for YA though because of Iggy's imagined conversations. Dialogue is what keeps books going, after all. Like the title, and the corresponding scene in the book, imply, Iggy wants to do something saintly. Then everyone will understand that they were wrong about him, and he's fantast. I think this has big empathy appeal with teens. I used to think about this all the time when I was one; if I just do THIS, everyone will think THAT. Or fantasies of what would happen after I died. I think the book is relate-able, but the ending unrealistic. What does it say to teens about dealing with life and consequences?

Blankets by Craig Thompson

Blankets by Craig Thompson is the first graphic novel I've ever read, or even looked at. I was slightly overwhelmed when I first picked it up from the library, it was very thick, and I was sure what I was in for. It is a seemingly autobiographical story about Craig, him growing up, his family, his religion, his identity, his art, his loneliness. It definitely reminds me of "bidungsroman"; the author goes from child to teen and then in his early twenties. He goes on both a mental journey (growing up) and a physical one (to see Raina). He matures by the end, figure out his own identity rather than doing as his pastor and parents say, and finds his place as an artist in society and reconciled with his brother.
I liked the title, blankets was a relevant term when Craig struggled with his brother as a child and also when he first falls in love and Raina makes a blanket for him. I felt the author was very in touch with his teenage self, even if his teenage self (with that strong religious attitude-reading the bible every day, no masturbating) wasn't exactly typical. He was relatable, and his artwork was well-done. I especially like the fantasy scenes with Raina and all the swirling patterns of the quilt. The short caption style caused Craig's thoughts to be more concise, and sometimes more profound.
Overall, it was a great first graphic novel, no complaints.