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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
A very heartbreaking and poignant journey of a teen diagnosed with schizophrenia. He's in an experimental drug trial, a new school, with a new stepdad, a new stepsibling in the future, and a deep desire to have a normal teenage life. New girlfriend? No problem, except he won't reveal his problem, which later proves to be a problem.
Well worth the time you spend with Adam. I knocked it down one star because I felt that Walton's portrayal of a Catholic high school was a bit old fashioned - 60s timeframe, not now.
Well worth the time you spend with Adam. I knocked it down one star because I felt that Walton's portrayal of a Catholic high school was a bit old fashioned - 60s timeframe, not now.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
5⭐️ I’m writing this review 2 months after first reading it and it’s already back on my TBR-A list. This is one of those books where I understand why it was made into a movie. The movie wasn’t nearly as good as the book (As these things tend to go) but I enjoyed this so much. The writing was so interactive. It felt like I was having a chat with the MC likely due to the vast majority of the book taking place in letter/journal form. I recommend this to anyone who isn’t sensitive about the topic of schizophrenia.
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I really liked this, though some parts hit a little ~ too ~ close to home… but, then again, I’m schizophrenic too, lol.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Real is subjective. There are a lot of things that aren't actually real to everyone. Pain, for example. It's only real to the one experiencing it. Everyone else has to take your word for it.
This young adult fiction book is about Adam Petrazelli, a teenager dealing with schizophrenia. The story is told through Adam's raw and personal journal entries to his therapist.
Adam's hallucinations make it hard for him to tell what's real, but he's trying to fit in at high school, keep his family life together, and have a relationship with a girl named Maya.
If you love well-written young adult fiction, this book is a must-read. Julia Walton does an amazing job of creating a story that feels real and relatable, while also tackling the tough topic of mental health in a way that's both sensitive and insightful.
I learned so much about schizophrenia from this book. It really opened my eyes to what it's like living with this condition. Adam's experiences are intense and sometimes terrifying, and the way Walton describes his hallucinations and his struggle to differentiate between reality and delusion is both powerful and educational. My empathy for anyone grappling with this illness grew tenfold.
Adam’s fear of the future really hit me. Not only does he not know if the experimental drug he’s taking will keep working, but he has no idea what his future holds. That kind of uncertainty is horrifying to me!
This book is a quick read, which is perfect if you’re looking for something you can get through in a few days. The journal entry format and Walton's easy writing style make it hard to put down.
I’m excited to see the movie adaptation. The story and characters are so vivid that I think they'll translate well to the screen. If you haven't read "Words on Bathroom Walls" yet, I highly recommend it. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and it’ll stick with you long after you’ve finished.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Sexual content, Outing
Minor: Mass/school shootings