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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
"And if I don’t believe in god?”
“Than use the time to think about the kind of person you want to be. And at the very least” he said quietly, “believe in yourself.”
This book is hands down one of the best books I have read on mental illness. Its so breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreakingly brutally honest.. I can’t even..
Lets talk about all the things I have liked/disliked about this book >
++ Adam (main protagonist) of this book has got schizophrenia. I loved how brutally honest he is about his condition. He definitely does not feel sorry for himself. He just wants to be treated like a normal person. He is so damn scared of himself, it broke my heart.. He is scared what he could do to people if he looses control. What will people do to him if he looses control.
I don’t waste time feeling sorry for people with mental problems, because I don’t want people to waste time feeling sorry for me. I don’t need the pity — it doesn’t do anyone any good. We see the world differently and make our own rules. That’s what terrifies everyone.
I loved how sassy he is. How kind and considerate. There are places where he was indeed wrong, but he is only 16! I was really sad cause Adam kept referring to himself as crazy. I also know its nobody’s fault. Sometimes our brain is too cruel on us and keeps saying us things like “You are not good enough“, “Worthless” or in his case “YOU are CRAZY!”, “YOU are the problem!!”. Specially when we have depression or other mental illnesses.
++ The book is written as basically as a journal full of journal entries/letters from Adam to his psychiatrist. We also get his psychiatrists little notes regarding his dosage and behavioral changes here.
Its helpful on the sense that we get to know what Adam thinks about things. It gave us Adams perspective on things. We got to really connect to him. But on the other hand, I really could not help but wonder, what other people like his mothers/Maya‘s perspective on this? Also, what if he emitted some informations as he knew his psychiatrist will be reading this?
++ I loved Adams parents! Adam’s mom is a full on protective mama bear (OHH! I love mama bears *_* ) . Adam’s step dad though came of as a little timid and a little scared of his condition , loves him none the less. I guess its his thoughtfulness that really had me on my tears from time to time. The quote I am going to use is a bit spoiler-y, but nothing sinister.. so fear not my friend 😀
Spoiler
“I met Adam when he was eleven years old. He could have rejected me completely, but he didn’t. By letting me into his life, he taught me that being a parent means becoming what your children need most. Right now, my son needs me to protect him from narrow-minded people motivated by fear.”
++ I loved Maya and DWIGHT. They are just what Adam needed. And I am so happy for them!!!!
++ This book has HP reference everywhere!!! I mean!! WHATTTTTTTT!!!
At least Dumbledore came back towards the end of the last book. Remember? Maybe you don’t. It was at King’s Cross station. That hallucination where he told Harry he had a choice. And then, when Harry asked if it was real or if everything was just happening inside his head, he said: “Of course it is happening inside our head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
He’s right, isn’t he?
It doesn’t really matter that no one else can see what I see.
That doesn’t make my experiences any less real.
Real is subjective.
++ The book was an emotional roller-coaster and so much informative! It has honest to god discussions on mental illness and not all of it is pretty. Its emotional as hell and when some of it will make you feel warm inside, others will make you a mess.
As I said, it was an emotional roller-coaster and I enjoyed the ride! So my rating is >>
4.5 out of 5 Stars!!!
*Thank you TimesReads for sending the Review copy on my way in exchange of an Honest Review.*
I ended up liking this book a lot more than I initially thought I would. I think the movie adaptation did this book very dirty. The portrayal of Adam's mental illness is really well done: and feels a lot more realistic than what the movie tried to do. But this is a book review; and therefore I will shut up about the movie now.
I loved Adam's character. I loved how Maya was written. I actually really liked stepfather Paul and how his relationship with Adam evolved. It was cool to read Adam's diary entries; as if I, the reader, was also his therapist. That added a nice touch.
If you're looking for an easy book that deals with serious topics, that also doesn't shy away from the occasional humor and wit; look no further. You'd probably adore Words on Bathroom Walls.
I loved Adam's character. I loved how Maya was written. I actually really liked stepfather Paul and how his relationship with Adam evolved. It was cool to read Adam's diary entries; as if I, the reader, was also his therapist. That added a nice touch.
If you're looking for an easy book that deals with serious topics, that also doesn't shy away from the occasional humor and wit; look no further. You'd probably adore Words on Bathroom Walls.
I watched the movie before reading this book, but I will say I loved both! Julia Walton did a wonderful job portraying Adam as a character to empathize with and not fear. Definitely on my re-read list in the future.
“I’m not supposed to call myself crazy anymore.”
I decided to trigger myself so I chose to read this but I knew right from the start that this was going to be a (potential) 5-star read. I’m so glad it stayed that way.
I highly appreciated this more lighthearted yet still heartbreaking take on schizophrenia that didn’t minimize it as a mental illness. I can’t think of another book where the young MC had schizophrenia themselves and not a parent. Adam as a storyteller was super funny and witty. I especially loved the quips in his thoughts, especially about his catholic school (as a former catholic student, I greatly appreciated the commentary). I honestly love reading MCs like Adam navigate catholic school and their traditions.
Maya and Adam were cute but if they ended up being platonic by the end, that would’ve worked for me too.But girl, he made lasagna for you and your family. I got so mad when she screamed at him for it because, girl, I WANT LASAGNA! She gets Filipino points though. Mom and Paul were great too. I loved that they were loving and supportive parents, especially Paul for subverting the mean/negligent stepparent trope. Go Paul!
I watched the movie trailer before reading the book because I didn’t know it was a movie until I borrowed the book with the movie cover. Given that, I expected more from the characters Adam hallucinated, but I’m cool with how they were in the book. And apparently, the movie is good so I can't wait to watch that.
I decided to trigger myself so I chose to read this but I knew right from the start that this was going to be a (potential) 5-star read. I’m so glad it stayed that way.
I highly appreciated this more lighthearted yet still heartbreaking take on schizophrenia that didn’t minimize it as a mental illness. I can’t think of another book where the young MC had schizophrenia themselves and not a parent. Adam as a storyteller was super funny and witty. I especially loved the quips in his thoughts, especially about his catholic school (as a former catholic student, I greatly appreciated the commentary). I honestly love reading MCs like Adam navigate catholic school and their traditions.
Maya and Adam were cute but if they ended up being platonic by the end, that would’ve worked for me too.
I watched the movie trailer before reading the book because I didn’t know it was a movie until I borrowed the book with the movie cover. Given that, I expected more from the characters Adam hallucinated, but I’m cool with how they were in the book. And apparently, the movie is good so I can't wait to watch that.
Huge fan of this one! Very interesting look into a mental illness that I'm not familiar with. Easy and captivating read!
Predictable, lots of cliches and stereotypical characters. The romance was quite boring.
I found the constant mocking of a religion unnecessary and offensive.
I found the constant mocking of a religion unnecessary and offensive.
Adam has schizophrenia and after a break from reality he going to a new school- a catholic one- and is keeping everything of his condition from Rebbeca to the mob personal a secret from any classmate. This comes after many tries and tries at medication that fails to capture the crux of what is needed- symptom tapering. Adam starts making friends when it comes to Dwight and Maya. He has a no-so-fan Ian that just class uppity.
Through the journal entries that Adam gives his therapist because he is not talking to the therapist, apart from the clinic trail round of doctors Adam needs to see when undergoing this trial we see the world of Adam just trying to live.
I like the book. I like how Adam is aware of the condition even when it gets severe (although not all with schizophrenia will have this awareness. Some have noo insight others like Adam have tremendous insight. I like the pacing for the most part although I did have hard times getting into it due to being slow at some points. I did love how the relationship he was able to have not because he had schizophrenia but because he was just Adam.
Through the journal entries that Adam gives his therapist because he is not talking to the therapist, apart from the clinic trail round of doctors Adam needs to see when undergoing this trial we see the world of Adam just trying to live.
I like the book. I like how Adam is aware of the condition even when it gets severe (although not all with schizophrenia will have this awareness. Some have noo insight others like Adam have tremendous insight. I like the pacing for the most part although I did have hard times getting into it due to being slow at some points. I did love how the relationship he was able to have not because he had schizophrenia but because he was just Adam.
emotional
medium-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
Please don’t. That’s my official review. Please don’t.
I could get past the medical inaccuracies, the poor research and personification, the glorification, and judgemental language, but I had to stop at the middle when the Sandy Hook shooting occurs. It comes to light that the author has chosen to use the same name for the main character as the shooter. Even if Walton were trying to make a statement, I cannot express how horrible it is to have schizophrenia and someone make this connection as a statement or otherwise. At the least, it’s misinformed and hurtful, at the most it is an extremely dangerous representation. I believe she has completely missed the mark on this one. Any other name in the world would have worked.
Like I said, there were many, many other issues, but this is where I stopped. Please, for the good, support, and representation of people suffering from schizophrenia, don’t glorify this book as “good representation.” If I could, I would give it 0 stars.
I could get past the medical inaccuracies, the poor research and personification, the glorification, and judgemental language, but I had to stop at the middle when the Sandy Hook shooting occurs. It comes to light that the author has chosen to use the same name for the main character as the shooter. Even if Walton were trying to make a statement, I cannot express how horrible it is to have schizophrenia and someone make this connection as a statement or otherwise. At the least, it’s misinformed and hurtful, at the most it is an extremely dangerous representation. I believe she has completely missed the mark on this one. Any other name in the world would have worked.
Like I said, there were many, many other issues, but this is where I stopped. Please, for the good, support, and representation of people suffering from schizophrenia, don’t glorify this book as “good representation.” If I could, I would give it 0 stars.