The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Charlie is freshman in high school, and still trying to get the swing of things. After being emotionally scarred by the horrible event of his friend's suicide, his life takes a turn. He makes new friends who show him how to live and have a good time, and realizes life's too short to be a bystander, but a participator. His friends Patrick and Sam show him just how to do that, and the best part is that these friends genuinely understand him: "he's a wallflower....[he] see[s] things. [He] keep[s] quiet about them. and [he] understand[s]" (37).
This book reminds me a lot of "The Catcher in the Rye", both novels having to do with growing up and coming of age. I somewhat like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" better because it takes place in a more modern setting, making it more relate-able to myself.
Right now, his friend Sam (who is Patrick's step-sister) has given him his first kiss to make sure his first kiss comes from someone who loves him. That's what she says at least. But in reality, I think she really does like Charlie but doesn't want to go out with him because he is younger. I can see Charlie coming to hate High School's "Rules" as Patrick had told him earlier in the book, because these "rules" are what separates his love, Sam, from him.