Fiction

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

What is most notable about this funny, touching, memorable first novel from Stephen Chbosky is the resounding accuracy with which the author captures the voice of a boy teetering on the brink of adulthood. Charlie is a freshman. And while's he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, if not very savvy in the social arts. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age, and gender, a stylistic technique that adds to the heart-wrenching earnestness saturating this teen's story. Charlie encounters the same struggles that many kids face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship, exploring sexuality, experimenting with drugs--but he must also deal with his best friend's recent suicide. Charlie's letters take on the intimate feel of a journal as he shares his day-to-day thoughts and feelings:

I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. If they like their jobs. Or us. And I wonder how smart they were when they were fifteen. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day, and how they are able to cope with having three quizzes and a book report due on top of that. Or wondering who did the heart breaking. And wondering why.

Standing on the fringes of life...

offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You

And Tango Makes Three

In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango's family is not like any of the others.

A Secret Edge

Hero

The God Box

How could I choose betwen my sexuality and my spirituality, two of the

most important parts that made me whole?

High school senior Paul has dated Angie since middle school, and they're

good together. They have a lot of the same interests, like singing in

their church choir and being active in Bible club. But when Manuel

transfers to their school, Paul has to rethink his life. Manuel is the

first openly gay teen anyone in their small town has ever met, and yet

he says he's also a committed Christian. Talking to Manuel makes Paul

reconsider thoughts he has kept hidden, and listening to Manuel's

interpretation of Biblical passages on homosexuality causes Paul to

reevaluate everything he believed. Manuel's outspokenness triggers

dramatic consequences at school, culminating in a terrifying situation

that leads Paul to take a stand.

Lambda Literary Award-winning author Alex Sanchez tackles a subject

ripped from the headlines in this exciting and thought-provoking

exploration of what it means to be both religious and gay.

Annie on My Mind

Freak Show

Billy Bloom is gay, but itÂ’s mostly theoretical, as he hasnÂ’t had much experience. When he has to move to Florida, he canÂ’t believe his bad luck. His new school is a mix of Bible Belles, Aberzombies, and Football Heroes, none of which are exactly his type. BillyÂ’s efforts to fit in and stand out at the same time are both hilarious and heartrending. In this novel from adult author and media personality James St. James, readers are in for a wild ride as he tells BillyÂ’s fascinating story of bravado, pain, and unexpected love, inspired by his own experiences.

Rubyfruit Jungle

Rubyfruit Jungle is the first milestone novel in the extraordinary career of one of this country's most distinctive writers. Bawdy and moving, the ultimate word-of-mouth bestseller, Rubyfruit Jungle is about growing up a lesbian in America – and living happily ever after.

Born a bastard, Molly Bolt is adopted by a dirt-poor Southern couple who want something better for their daughter. Molly plays doctor with the boys, beats up Leroy the tub and loses her virginity to her girlfriend in sixth grade.

As she grows to realize she's different, Molly decides not to apologize for that. In no time she mesmerizes the head cheerleader of Ft. Lauderdale High and captivates a gorgeous bourbon-guzzling heiress.

But the world is not tolerant. Booted out of college for moral turpitude, an unrepentant, penniless Molly takes New York by storm, sending not a few female hearts aflutter with her startling beauty, crackling wit and fierce determination to become the greatest filmmaker that ever lived.

Critically acclaimed when first published, Rubyfruit Jungle has only grown in reputation as it has reached new generations of readers who respond to its feisty and inspiring heroine.

Changing Jamie

JamieÂ’s pretty much your average gay teenager. HeÂ’s not out with his folks, heÂ’s got a crush on a fellow high school athlete, and his life isnÂ’t perfect. ItÂ’s a good thing he has his friend, Billy, to take his mind off things, and to show him that all things are possible. Billy seems to be all Jamie isnÂ’t. BillyÂ’s openly gay, he has enough money to follow fashion trends, and heÂ’s got dates all the time. Lots of them. With older men. When Billy starts acting weird and hiding things from him, JamieÂ’s whole life seems to tilt off its axis. His stepfather, who has never been the greatest role model, escalates his behavior until Jamie dreads going home. His English teacher assigns him tutoring sessions with the object of his crush, the gorgeous track star Dylan. JamieÂ’s not even sure he can talk to Dylan, let alone tutor him, but itÂ’s impossible to talk to Billy about it. BillyÂ’s too wrapped up in a very dangerous game they call bug chasing: trying to catch HIV. Learning about BillyÂ’s risk-taking nearly shatters their friendship, and forces Jamie to look at the world in a whole new way. Can Jamie try to keep Billy safe and still stay on top of homework, a new boyfriend, and keeping his step-father in line?