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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Words on Bathroom Walls is told via journal entries by Adam, a teenager recently diagnosed with schizophrenia. On one hand, the diagnosis helps because he can put a name to what he's been experiencing -- visions of people who aren't there, paranoid thoughts that aren't really his -- but on the other, now he has this label on him and he's afraid everyone's going to find out.
The book opens with Adam switching schools after he has an incident at his old school. He's on a new medication now, one that helps him better manage his symptoms. With the new medication, he's very self aware of what his symptoms are, and is developing the coping skills to deal with his hallucinations when he has them. He still refuses to talk to his therapist though, so instead he writes down his thoughts and responses to the therapist's questions, which is what we're reading.
I liked Adam as a character. His voice felt very natural and engaging, full of all of the regular fears and anxieties of teenagers, with the added complexity of mental health issues on top of that. He tries his hardest to appear neurotypical, because he doesn't want anyone to know his secret and be afraid of him. He puts up a bit of a "whatever, who cares" kind of attitude in his journal entries, so the times where he admits his fears or concerns, particularly in an entry that takes place at the same time of the real-world Sandy Hook shooting, feel even more shockingly vulnerable.
I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters and thought that they had surprising depth, particularly Adam's mom and step-dad. I wish we could have gotten a bit more around Ian, the rich kid bully who targets Adam, particularly his motivations, but overall I liked the world that the author created.
The romance with Maya is particularly sweet. She and Adam are a good fit for each other, and the story never turns into a "and then I was healed by the power of her love!" nonsense trope. I do admit to rolling my eyes at the passage about the first time Adam and Maya have sex, though -- it's not graphic but it's certainly unrealistic. (Obviously there is some sexual content in this book, but it's all handled sensitively and the characters make responsible choices, and nothing is described in great detail.)
The pacing of the book really worked for me -- once I got through the first few chapters, it was very quick reading, and the journal entry format makes it easy to read several chapters at a time and still have an easy stopping point, if you're not going to read the whole book in one go.
I can't speak to how much research the author did in regards to talking to people living with schizophrenia. The end notes talk a lot about work she did to understand treatment. Most of my knowledge of schizophrenia is from an academic standpoint, so while I can give you the DSM criteria for it, that's different than being intimately familiar with the way that symptoms manifest. I worry a bit that Walton's take on Adam's symptoms, actions, and self-awareness here seems a bit simplistic, or a bit too "Hollywood". I do know that I would be interested in reading this book from an own voices author, that is, written by someone who is schizophrenic. It could make for a more compelling, even harrowing, read, if the text felt just a bit more authentic.
Content notes: Some sexual content, brief discussion of the Sandy Hook shooting, self-harm, irreverent talk/making fun of religion, some mentions of suicide
The book opens with Adam switching schools after he has an incident at his old school. He's on a new medication now, one that helps him better manage his symptoms. With the new medication, he's very self aware of what his symptoms are, and is developing the coping skills to deal with his hallucinations when he has them. He still refuses to talk to his therapist though, so instead he writes down his thoughts and responses to the therapist's questions, which is what we're reading.
I liked Adam as a character. His voice felt very natural and engaging, full of all of the regular fears and anxieties of teenagers, with the added complexity of mental health issues on top of that. He tries his hardest to appear neurotypical, because he doesn't want anyone to know his secret and be afraid of him. He puts up a bit of a "whatever, who cares" kind of attitude in his journal entries, so the times where he admits his fears or concerns, particularly in an entry that takes place at the same time of the real-world Sandy Hook shooting, feel even more shockingly vulnerable.
I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters and thought that they had surprising depth, particularly Adam's mom and step-dad. I wish we could have gotten a bit more around Ian, the rich kid bully who targets Adam, particularly his motivations, but overall I liked the world that the author created.
The romance with Maya is particularly sweet. She and Adam are a good fit for each other, and the story never turns into a "and then I was healed by the power of her love!" nonsense trope. I do admit to rolling my eyes at the passage about the first time Adam and Maya have sex, though -- it's not graphic but it's certainly unrealistic. (Obviously there is some sexual content in this book, but it's all handled sensitively and the characters make responsible choices, and nothing is described in great detail.)
The pacing of the book really worked for me -- once I got through the first few chapters, it was very quick reading, and the journal entry format makes it easy to read several chapters at a time and still have an easy stopping point, if you're not going to read the whole book in one go.
I can't speak to how much research the author did in regards to talking to people living with schizophrenia. The end notes talk a lot about work she did to understand treatment. Most of my knowledge of schizophrenia is from an academic standpoint, so while I can give you the DSM criteria for it, that's different than being intimately familiar with the way that symptoms manifest. I worry a bit that Walton's take on Adam's symptoms, actions, and self-awareness here seems a bit simplistic, or a bit too "Hollywood". I do know that I would be interested in reading this book from an own voices author, that is, written by someone who is schizophrenic. It could make for a more compelling, even harrowing, read, if the text felt just a bit more authentic.
Content notes: Some sexual content, brief discussion of the Sandy Hook shooting, self-harm, irreverent talk/making fun of religion, some mentions of suicide
Audio book. I was pulled into this story pretty quickly and while I was waiting for something really bad to happen I was also rooting for the main character the entire time. Of course liberties were taken. Overall a good listen.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Alright, I am going to get straight to the point. I adored this book. Like, flew through it in two days, couldn’t put it down, almost missed my subway stop type of adoration. Words on Bathroom Walls is about a teenage boy, Adam, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is on a trial drug to see if it is of help to him. As he starts a new school he grows hopeful that this drug will be effective, his hallucinations will go away, and that he will finally be able to live a normal life.
The books is written in the form of diary entries by Adam. This style of writing has always been hit or miss for me but Walton was spot on with her technique. Each chapter was so clearly written that you actually felt you were a part of Adam’s life. Even the secondary characters in the books were represented so perfectly in the diary entries that you felt you knew them all. In terms of Adam as a main character, he was so incredibly developed in the story that I felt an immediate attachment to him. I felt I knew him, understood him, and deeply cared about him. I think that is why I could not put the book down; I just needed to know what happened to him. The character development for every person in the story (even those who were Adam’s hallucinations) was actually really well-done. You felt for everyone, whether it was love or hate, and I actually felt myself most attached to one of his hallucinations!
One thing I really appreciate that Walton did was give info in her Author’s note as to how she went about researching schizophrenia, where she took liberties with Adam’s case, and how common his situation was. When I read books like this I always wonder how much insight the author had into the specific disorder being written about so I really appreciated Walton explaining her research and methods. She also tied in real world events that happened and some pop-culture references (Harry Potter!) that I loved. It made the story and the characters feel even more authentic. She also represented teenagers and their quirks and behaviors quite well.
If I had any complaint about the book it would be that I wish the setting had been described better. The majority of the time I was reading the book I really felt it could have been set anywhere in the United States and that the location was quite arbitrary. I just like to have a firm grasp on the setting of the book so I can picture in my head the area it takes place in. It just makes it seem a bit more real to me. Aside from that though there is not much negative I could really say about this book.
Words on Bathroom walls is emotional. It is going to tug on your heart and you will feel scared to turn the page at times out of fear of what will happen, but also compelled to do it because you need to know what happens. The book is brutally honest and heartbreaking at times, but you will also find yourself smiling and laughing throughout the course of reading it. I would not say it is an easy read, because of all the emotions involved, but it is a great read and so very worth it. I am actually very happy I chose this as one of my first reads of the year. I have been kind of at a low-point and this book was just perfect for the way I was feeling. If you want to feel emotions and connection to a character and story, this books is so right for that. I can honestly say I am going to miss Adam.
The books is written in the form of diary entries by Adam. This style of writing has always been hit or miss for me but Walton was spot on with her technique. Each chapter was so clearly written that you actually felt you were a part of Adam’s life. Even the secondary characters in the books were represented so perfectly in the diary entries that you felt you knew them all. In terms of Adam as a main character, he was so incredibly developed in the story that I felt an immediate attachment to him. I felt I knew him, understood him, and deeply cared about him. I think that is why I could not put the book down; I just needed to know what happened to him. The character development for every person in the story (even those who were Adam’s hallucinations) was actually really well-done. You felt for everyone, whether it was love or hate, and I actually felt myself most attached to one of his hallucinations!
One thing I really appreciate that Walton did was give info in her Author’s note as to how she went about researching schizophrenia, where she took liberties with Adam’s case, and how common his situation was. When I read books like this I always wonder how much insight the author had into the specific disorder being written about so I really appreciated Walton explaining her research and methods. She also tied in real world events that happened and some pop-culture references (Harry Potter!) that I loved. It made the story and the characters feel even more authentic. She also represented teenagers and their quirks and behaviors quite well.
If I had any complaint about the book it would be that I wish the setting had been described better. The majority of the time I was reading the book I really felt it could have been set anywhere in the United States and that the location was quite arbitrary. I just like to have a firm grasp on the setting of the book so I can picture in my head the area it takes place in. It just makes it seem a bit more real to me. Aside from that though there is not much negative I could really say about this book.
Words on Bathroom walls is emotional. It is going to tug on your heart and you will feel scared to turn the page at times out of fear of what will happen, but also compelled to do it because you need to know what happens. The book is brutally honest and heartbreaking at times, but you will also find yourself smiling and laughing throughout the course of reading it. I would not say it is an easy read, because of all the emotions involved, but it is a great read and so very worth it. I am actually very happy I chose this as one of my first reads of the year. I have been kind of at a low-point and this book was just perfect for the way I was feeling. If you want to feel emotions and connection to a character and story, this books is so right for that. I can honestly say I am going to miss Adam.
Not great, nothing bad, just another book about a teen with mental illness.
Finished this in under 24 hours, couldn't put it down.
If you want to read this book, I suggest that you go into it knowing nothing about it, but of you're here for the reviews, HERE IT IS
Adam is schizophrenic, while I'm not educated enough about schizophrenia, I think that this was such an impactful, emotional read. This isn't a typical teenage book with teenage drama, this book has a message and it delivered that message quite well.
I loved the unique writing style, it's written in the form of diary entries meant for Adam's therapist to read.
I really don't have much to say about this book because of how good and well written it is. AND did you know that it has a movie that came out this year?? I'll probably watch it soon.
If you want to read this book, I suggest that you go into it knowing nothing about it, but of you're here for the reviews, HERE IT IS
Adam is schizophrenic, while I'm not educated enough about schizophrenia, I think that this was such an impactful, emotional read. This isn't a typical teenage book with teenage drama, this book has a message and it delivered that message quite well.
I loved the unique writing style, it's written in the form of diary entries meant for Adam's therapist to read.
I really don't have much to say about this book because of how good and well written it is. AND did you know that it has a movie that came out this year?? I'll probably watch it soon.
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes