Just keeps getting better and better

This was probably really about my 5th time read THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chobsky rather than my 3rd.  I read it last year in May (2013).  Then I read it again over the summer with my English 111 students.  I also listened to it on audio CD.  I have read it on my Nook and I have read the actual book, myself.  And then I read it again this summer to my students.

And it just keeps getting better and better.  I see things each and every time that I never saw before.  For example, it just hit me during this read that Sam has long hair in the book, but in the movie, Emma Watson's hair is very short (and very cute).  While it's not a big deal that the hair is changed so much, it's still something that stands out when reading the book and then watching the movie!  My students and I spend quite a bit of time talking about the differences between the book and the movie, you know.

I relate so much to Charlie.  I haven't been through the same experiences as Charlie, but I understand the "bad place" Charlie goes to.  I get how things get "bad" and difficult to handle.  I have been in counseling and

I also have had to take various medications as a result of the trials I've been through.  I have never taken drugs or drunk alcohol in an attempt to deal with the problems in my life, but I have tried other coping mechanisms that, like Charlie's, Sam's, and Patrick's methods, simply don't work.

I cry every time I read this book and watch the movie.  It is a wonderful, powerful story and those who think it should be banned need to read it and see beyond the language, drinking, drugs, etc. to the point, the themes, the book deals with.  Everyone should read it at least once, but personally, I think that in order to get to the true essence of the book, it needs to be read more than once.

First read:  May 16, 2013 to May 19, 2013
Again:  May 16, 2014 to July 17, 2014