The Perks of Being a Wallflower – My First Giveaway!

So, basically, I am absolutely 100% obsessed with The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The book changed my life, and I’ve read it 17 times, most recently, in under 6 hours. (Not an exaggeration)

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you may know that a few weeks ago one of my girlfriends surprised me with tickets to see the Perks movie. We went to the Manor Theater, in Squirrel Hill, here in Pittsburgh, and what was even better? Stephen Chbosky was at the theater, signing books, and doing a Q&A session after the movie!!

Nikki had told me that if I missed out on her surprise, I would want to punch myself in the face. She added “with your glasses on”, to stress the importance. When I found out where she was taking me, I actually screamed in my living room. Then, when I told Justin, he asked if I had pee in my pants. I was that excited for this once in a lifetime opportunity. (And Nikki was right. I would have totally punched myself in the face with my glasses on!)

When I got up to Stephen to get my book signed, I told him that his book is the reason I moved to Pittsburgh. He was confused by that, and I continued with the following story:

My life changed the day I read the part of your book where you describe the Fort Pitt Tunnel. I had never been to Pittsburgh, or at least not when I was old enough to remember it, and after reading that paragraph, I knew I had to experience it myself. It took me a few years to get down here, but during my senior year of college, I drove down with a friend (same friend Nikki!) for a concert, and FINALLY got to drive through the tunnel. In that moment, not only did I feel infinite, but I made the decision to move here. And just two weeks after graduation, I did.

For those of you who may not know what part of the book I’m talking about, here is the excerpt:

There’s something about that tunnel that leads to downtown. It’s glorious at night. Just glorious. You start on one side of the mountain, and it’s dark, and the radio is loud. As you enter the tunnel, the wind gets sucked away, and you squint from the lights overhead. When you adjust to the lights, you can see the other side in the distance just as the sound of the radio fades because the waves just can’t reach. Then, you’re in the middle of the tunnel, and everything becomes a calm dream. As you see the opening get closer, you just can’t get there fast enough. And finally, just when you think you’ll never get there, you see the opening right in front of you. And the radio comes back even louder than you remember it. And the wind is waiting. And you fly out of the tunnel onto the bridge. And there it is. The city. A million lights and buildings and everything seems as exciting as the first time you saw it. It really is a grand entrance.

Stephen Chbosky seemed to be really surprised by all that, and said to me “Wow, you hear people say all the time, ‘oh, your book changed my life’, but my book actually, really did change your life. You chose a direction because of my writing. That’s so awesome.” Then he signed my book “Lindsey, Welcome to the other side of the tunnel! – Stephen Chbosky” and I held back my tears as best I could.

And he’s right. Everything in my life changed that day. Because I moved to Pittsburgh, I met my soulmate. Because I moved to Pittsburgh, I’m working toward some of my biggest dreams. Because I moved to Pittsburgh, my whole life is better. So thank you again, Stephen Chbosky, for showing me the beauty in the city I was meant to live in!

Oh, and just for the record? This was by far, the BEST book to movie rendition I’ve ever seen. Hands down.

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As soon as I found out Chbosky would be signing books, I knew I wanted to get an extra copy signed, to share with one of you! Now, I’m sure this book won’t effect everyone the way it did me, but I do think everyone should read it. It is a truly wonderful and inspiring story, that is so full of hope. I hope the winner enjoys it as much as I do! After all, we all have moments when we feel infinite, right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends November 2nd at 11:59 PM EST. Open to US Residents only. Winner will be announced Friday!

*I was not paid or perked for this. Stephen Chbosky doesn’t know who I am, anymore than he knows any of his other fans from that weekend. I just really like the book, so I wanted to share a copy!