Member Reviews

Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton is a story about love and a story about mental health. Adam is in new school after a falling out at his old school. He has schizophrenia and people at his old school stigmatized him. The story is told through journal entries he writes for his psychiatrist since he refuses to talk in session. He is taking experimental meds and is starting to have hope of having a normal life some day. I thought this was beautifully written and it was interesting to read from the point of view of someone with schizophrenia.

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This didn't up being a good fit for me - I have not been enjoying YA as much as I used to, so it feels unfair to criticize it for being YA

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I'm crying.
And laughing.
Hugging my blanket with a disturbed smile on my face.

This book is about Adam.
Adam is a "schizo".
And Adam wishes he were Harry Potter, because when Harry heard voices, they turned out to be real.
But he isn't. And that's why whenever he thinks someone is watching him, he says to himself he must be hallucinating, because he's not interesting - why would anyone want to watch him?
And he hears train whistle all the time.
But that's okay because he likes trains.
I dare you not to love Adam.

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Words on the Bathroom Walls is about a boy living with schizophrenia and I found it to be a realistic, heartbreaking and equally humorous in ways I wasn't expecting. Highly recommended.

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I read about 15% of this book before the time ran out so I just didn't get to it in time. I did end up buying my own personal copy to read when I get the chance. Thank you for allowing me to read this book!

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My students have loved this one. I only see it to check it out to another person.

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First, I'll tell you that I really enjoyed this book. I'm not sure that it has the staying power of Perks of Being a Wallflower, and I certainly didn't feel it as deeply, but it's a darkly funny, poignant, clever book with a lot of heart. I'd sort of forgotten about it when I pulled it up on my Kindle, and I was hooked by the first chapter. Adam's voice brims with both earnestness and snark. I felt like I knew him instantly. I cared so much about him that it was difficult to take breaks (even for food), because I needed to know what happened next. Not in a mystery kind of way. There are no gimmicks here, no aha! moments where so-and-so is actually a hallucination, zomg. It's just a really heartfelt book about a teen struggling with a chronic, debilitating illness, and learning that he still deserves--and can have--a full life.

But it's not saccharine. Adam doesn't pull any punches. He's blunt, vulgar at times, judgmental at others. He's kind of an ass sometimes. He's also swoonily sweet at others. And he loves to bake. This complexity shines through in the other characters--which is good, because it's very character driven. Maya and Dwight, his friends, both have distinct personalities and motivations, although I wish Dwight was around more. Maya is an abrasive character who doesn't like sappy stuff, and I loved her for it. She calls him on his BS. Even the school mean boy isn't a total evil dickwad, but a believable, realistic dickwad.

Family dynamics are such a huge part of this book, and so well done. Despite having a loving mother and stepfather, Adam doubts his own worth. His brain tells him that his stepfather hates him. Thinks he's crazy (his step-grandma definitely does). He worries that he's ruining his mother's happiness. He lashes out at them, and at himself. And his mom and stepfather react like humans--imperfectly. There are missteps and miscommunications, but you get to see everyone grow and learn and come to understand each other better.

Interestingly, one of the main characters is never on the page. The story is written in Adam's letters to his therapist; he sees the guy every week and spends an hour in total silence, then speaks in writing. Adam's one-sided conversation with his therapist reveals so much about his changing view of mental illness and himself. (Similarly, his conversations with his hallucinations reveal different aspects of his soul.) The epistolary format builds tension and allows for Walton to explore the idiosyncrasies of Adam's internal monologue in a way that straight narrative would not. Everything is Adam's interpretation of events--not necessarily reality--and the reader must sift through to find the truth.

The mental illness rep is dicey. If you want my full psychobabble, scroll down below the rating. In short: Walton's description of schizophrenia is somewhat exaggerated, given that visual hallucinations as persistent and talkative as Adam's are extremely rare. However, she approaches therapy, medication, and managing chronic mental illness with a compassionate, realistic bent, so that part helped to level out the somewhat sensationalized version of the disorder. Oh: love doesn't fix everything. THANK YOU DEAR LORD.

Okay, there's my soap box. When I read books about schizophrenia, I basically have to pretend it's a sort of special case or a different thing. Because there's a lot to enjoy about this book, and its compassion towards MI and its effects was palpable. It's witty, heartfelt, and cleverly written. Just know that it's not a totally accurate representation of schizophrenia, and then you can enjoy all the things it does very well.

in a sentence
Words on Bathroom Walls is a darkly witty, poignant, compelling account of a boy dealing with mental illness--and also school, dating, and life.

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I appreciate this novel for the perspective that it represents. It was one of the best representations of what it might be like living with schizophrenia that I have read. I was interested in the inclusion of ideas about how drugs can affect people and how they sometimes work and then fail. I think the novel holds some important concepts within, but I didn't find it to be a particularly compelling read. I wanted to read it on principle, but wasn't totally delighted by it in reality. Still, I will buy it for my library because of the unique qualities that it has compared to a great many other mental health books that I have read.

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Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton sounded like such a great book, but I found I was disappointed.

Adam refuses to talk to his therapist, as he doesn't think therapy will help - it's not going to cure him, not going to make him better, so why bother? So instead, his therapist gets him to write instead; he asks him questions during therapy sessions, and Adam answers them and tells him what's happening in his life later, on a notepad. And that is how the story is told, by Adam writing to his therapist. I've read books previously where the whole book was the main character writing to someone, but Words on Bathroom Walls is more realistic in that Adam doesn't write as if the things are happening as he writes them. Which means there is very, very little dialogue, and mostly just stream of consciousness on Adam's part. And I just really didn't like it.

Everything we read is told to us by Adam, we don't actually see any of it. So we don't see relationships develop, we don't really get to know the other characters, we're just told about them, told about the things that happened, and told how Adam is feeling and what he's thinking. And to be honest, not much really happens. He's taking this new medication, which means he now is now able to tell that his visions and the voices he hears aren't really real, which makes it easier to ignore them when they tell him to do things. So, they're just there, while he goes about his normal teenage life where nothing all that interesting happens. He meets a girl, a relationship starts. He makes a friend. He's bullied. But, again, we're all told about it rather than getting to see it. There's a detachment. And I didn't like it, I found it really difficult to connect with the story.

And the story was also really predictable. As we're told in the blurb, the drug works for a while, until it doesn't, and then things start to go wrong. And you can tell what will happen, and you know where things will go after the events. It was just so predictable. That, along with storytelling that isn't to my taste, I just didn't really enjoy the book.

I must say that I think Adam's Schizophrenia was dealt with well - being said who has no experience of Schizophrenia. I just felt like I understood Adam and how he was feeling. What it was like to see and hear things nobody else could see or hear. It was emotional, especially when the class is talking about a Schizophrenic guy who went into a school and shot teachers and kids, and someone shouts out 'Why didn't he just kill himself?' At those times, it was just heartbreaking to read Adam really seeing what people think of people like him, and he can do nothing about it, because he doesn't want anyone to know, but still it hurts, and makes him angry. No-one knows what it's like to be him, and no-one knows what it's like to lose control.

But overall, this book just wasn't for me. I much preferred Made You Up by Francesca Zappia, thought that is about a girl with Paranoid Schizophrenia, so it's slightly different. This wasn't the right fit for me, but it might be for you, so do read a few other reviews before deciding whether or not you want to read Words on Bathroom Walls.

Thank you to Random House Books for Young Readers via NetGalley for the eProof.

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As a psychology major, I'm always fascinated with YA books that feature mental illness, which is why I immediately requested this one when I saw the synopsis, and this book did not disappoint. However, I can only give this book 4 stars because it felt kind of flat and didn't really capture my emotions that way other books did.

Words on Bathroom Walls centers on Adam, who was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, and thereafter was sent to another school because of the bullying from his previous school. As a result, he kept his condition a secret from his classmates in this new school while he is undergoing this new drug trial. In this new school, he meets Maya, whom he slowly falls in love with. However, the threat of a bully is still present.

Words on Bathroom Walls, in my opinion, did a good job at portraying what schizophrenia is. I'm not an expert on the subject, but based on what I know the portrayal is pretty accurate. Adam was only able to distinguish visions from reality upon starting medication. Moreover, although he knows they're only visions, they still feel real to him. I think that's really what schizophrenia is like.

I think my favorite character in this book is the step-father. Many would think that Maya is a great character for understanding and supporting Adam all the way through, and I think that she's great, but I think the step-father is the best character. He sort of just lingers there most of the time, not exactly knowing how to interact with Adam, but you know that deep down he loves the kid. He may not always show it, most likely because he doesn't know how to, but he's definitely there ready to defend Adam when it matters the most.

Overall, the book was a good one, I just didn't connect to it in an emotional way. I absolutely love the portrayal of both schizophrenia and family in this novel, and I recommend this to anyone who would want to delve into the mind of someone with schizophrenia for a few hours to know what it feels like.

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I read it in less than a day, so I suppose that means I liked it. I struggled with whether to give it a 4 or a 5, but only because I wish things were not so tidy in the end. I'm a lover of the open-ended end, as it were, where I get to decide the future of the book.

Aside from this, however, my tears, my sobs, my aching heart would indicate that this was a very well done book. Very. The chronicle of his experiences and feelings and thoughts gave me the "he's speaking to me" feeling while reading and I loved that. Adam is a wonderful character, too...not wholly lovable or attractive in the traditional sense, but I found myself wanting to grab and hug him so many times. I just love him. I just love his ability to memorize stuff and detach in a way that is clearly not detached and speak about himself as other than himself...he's just so well-crafted a character. I love him.

And I laughed a lot with this book. A lot!!! Dwight's name, the doctor's clothes, Ian naked in the hall? That's genius!!! I am a big fan of this book!

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I received a copy from Netgalley.

Never expected to get approved for this one and was quite surprised and pleased when I was. (I so rarely get approved by Random House). Really impressed with the book as well. (Always kind of makes me feel a bit guilty when I get approved for something by a publisher I don’t get approval from and then find I don’t like the book. Thankfully not the case this time.)

This novel tells the story of teenager Adam who suffers from schizophrenia. Adam has quite a unique personality, he knows he’s schizophrenic. He sees illusions, people who aren’t there but the interesting thing I found was while each of these illusions of his seem to have their own personalities and speak to him, he’s actually quite aware of the fact that these people aren’t real. They seem to be some form of emotion he can’t express.

The novel follows Adam as he struggles with his illness and a new experimental treatment drug and starting at a new private Catholic high school. Dealing with the bullies, the geek who winds up becoming a good friend and the girl he has a crush on who becomes a friend and something more.

The novel is told in diary entries through Adam’s therapy sessions – he refuses to speak to his therapist and writes down what’s been going on in his daily life. He’s got a brilliantly blunt tell it how it is attitude, and can be deliciously snarky. Added in some complicated family drama – dad not in picture, mom has new husband. The mom’s new husband was actually pretty decent if a bit dim. Though step dad’s mom was a nightmare. Some interesting ideas on faith as well considering Adam attends a Catholic private school without being too preachy.

Quite realistically handled as well, I though. Some deep emotional turmoil, a sweet romantic storyline as well. Well handled, without being sickly sweet, fair amount of drama, but not too over the top. Ups and downs, sad and funny. Likeable characters, believable parental involvement. A really good read.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children’s for approving my request to view the title.

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Adam Petrazeli has been struggling with schizophrenia since he was 12. When a new drug minimizes his hallucinations and the voices he hears, he switches schools for a fresh start. He befriends Dwight, a quirky braniac and Maya, a feisty intelligent Filipina girl and joins them on the Trivia Bowl team. Just when he life begins to exhibit normalcy, the drug begins losing its effectiveness. Told through journal entries Adam is recording for his psychiatrist, this is a realistic examination of a complex mental illness.

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Excellent depiction of daily life for young people with schizophrenia. Allows empathy for younger readers, even though they won't come away with a lot of factual information about this condition.

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This is a book that I should not be writing a review for after powering through a reading most in one sitting and finishing the last part past my bedtime the same day. But I will try to coherently form a review about why I love this book and why it needs WAY MORE press.

First, male main character with schizophrenia. I thought, hmmmm, can it be done better than Challenger Deep? I'm not so sure. Oh wait, wait. Yes, yes, she can. Wait, it's a female author because she seems (though I'm not male) to capture the essence of a male main character so well. Family? Sheesh, well I love a protagonist who understands what it means to be a part of a family and sees the value in step-dad Paul's approach to both Adam, main character/schizophrenic step-son along with how he treats his mom, how Paul treats his own mother who thinks that Adam is a step away from a murderous rampage, and more. There was so much life to the adults in the book that I can only applaud this.

Likewise, the historical element of references Sandy Hook- it was both traumatizing, shocking, and SO RELEVANT. Adam goes to a Catholic school- I like the religious aspect. Adam has a girlfriend and they share the awkward, sexy, hard, and fun parts of a relationship? I'm in. Irreverent in a teachable way? YES. Did I laugh out loud? Yes. Did I feel bad for laughing out loud but realized this is why the book is so endearing? Absolutely. There are layers to this beautiful story that can only be pealed back slowly.

And I was so, so nervous at the beginning with it being epistolary, but the originality coupled with the vividness of Adam's character made it important. Blog post in the works! Too many highlights and bookmarks on my Netgalley digital copy!

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DNF at 43%. Thank you to the Publisher for the review copy though!

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The best way to describe my feelings towards this book is to shrug. This is a solid 3 star read. As much as I wanted to fall in love with this story of a boy dealing with mental illness as he fell in love with his dream girl, I couldn’t connect. Since I finished reading, I’ve struggled with how to put into words why that connection was missing and it comes down to the plot, or lack there of, or maybe just the whole mundane, guy has secret, clichéd bullies, truth comes out, romance. It was all too familiar. And what irked me even further was the title. It’s catchy, it’s clever, it is barely in the story and while there could have been a serious, philosophical moment with the words, it fell flat, despite attempts to tie it in. And on top of that, it made the plot feel thrown together and nowhere near as cohesive or smooth as it could have been, but perhaps that was the point.

Here’s what I liked:

I’m not a doctor. What I know about schizophrenia is pretty much the tripe, false portrayals in horror films or TV shows that make it seem like a dangerous, and deadly sickness that turns people into serial killers or something. It’s horrible, inaccurate, and even discussed throughout the story. Especially in relation to Sandy Hook. After the shooting, which happened during the timeline of this book, schizophrenia became something to be scared of. Knowing someone with the mental illness made people panic or at the very least feel apprehensive and on guard. Adam reflects on that and it’s a huge part of why he never confides in his friends about his schizophrenia, because he doesn’t want the looks, the doubts, the slow backing away and dissolution of friendships that has happened to him before out of fear. This is poignant and heartbreaking and a reality that needs to be called out and questioned. The stigma around mental illness and how it is perceived needs to be a discussion and unfortunately, like other timely issues, it is not. How schizophrenia is portrayed in the story may or may not be 100% accurate, the author does put a note in the back of the book addressing this, which I appreciated. Adam’s hallucinations are each unique and reflect parts of himself that he’s not in tune with, parts that he’s scared of or tries to hide and they speak to him, try to guide him through hard choices and situations. They pop in and out of the story. They’re memorable, but fleeting, and some are more solid than others. Adam’s emotions and voice were strong. They were all over the place, but he was honest, his voice never wavered, and at times his letters were like a confession to himself.

The structure. I think this is the only book I’ve read where the entire story is told through journal entries to a therapist. Because of the style, it’s introspective, reflective, and full of genuine voice. You really get a feel for who Adam is, what he’s going through, and his humor about the whole situation.

Love doesn’t save the day. So many times illness or some perceived flaw is solved simply by falling in love. It’s become a dangerous trope. I liked that at the end of this story, nothing was really resolved or fixed because mental illness is not something that magically disappears because feelings trump everything. Drugs can help manage, but they fail, they lose effectiveness, and sometimes the side effects are life threatening. Maya is great for Adam, don’t get me wrong. She listens to him. She befriends him when he felt so alone and scared on his journey and she sticks by him when things get weird. What more could you ask for?

Here’s what didn’t work for me:

The pacing, the plot. I was bored and what’s weird is that I shouldn’t have been. So many scenes were of your run of the mill, everyday life and while Adam’s perception and snarky comments were entertaining, the incidents themselves were not.

The enemy. The popular kids. The hot guy. So overdone and while there is some redemption it just didn’t do justice to the story. It was all too predictable. You could see that plot point coming from the moment you met the popular guy with connections because that’s always the choice. I was hoping for something more unexpected because of the subject matter but I guess the popular kids will always be evil bullies.

I wasn’t sold on Maya or Dwight. They were just…sort of there. Dwight especially has few scenes and while those scenes do give you a better picture of him, it feels like filler. For Maya…the emotions were, and this could definitely be because of the style, lacking. Because everything is told from Adam’s POV, how Maya really feels like seen through his gaze and it makes her feel aloof.

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Adam is a Schizophrenic teenage boy, who is going to start a new experimental drug therapy in hopes of improving the quality of his life. If he were Harry Potter, then hearing voices and having Hallucination wouldn't have been considered as a mental illness. But this isn't Hogwarts, and life can't be won by shaking a wand, and casting a fancy spell.

He is going to a new school where none of his classmates know about the illness; as well as, having a new therapist who has an interesting way of making Adam talk to him. Did I say talk? I meant write letters to his therapist.

Julia Walton nailed her debut YA novel with this slick depiction of Adam's battle with schizophrenia!
The way the chapters were designed in this book is really unique. We get to read Adam's diary entries to his physiatrist; as well as, the Drs comments on Adam's illness.

I really appreciated how the characters were built. Especially with Adam, he is not the charming, sweet, perfect teenage boy who exits in most YA novels. He is probably the closest thing that I have ever read in a book that actually represents a teenage boy.

The lie that Disney has been spreading for decades on how true love can conquer anything isn't a part of the story. Adam doesn't magically get cured when he falls in love. Having a loved one to support you and understand the kind of shit that you go through is best thing ever, and if there is a moral behind this book, it is definitely this.

I think this is a book that should be added to school curriculums. Everyone, no matter how old they are, from parents, to friends, and every single member of this society, will learn something important. 

Also, the Harry Potter Integration/ references were truly appreciated!!

I absolutely enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to see what Julia is going to write next.

I received an e-ARC of Words on Bathroom Walls from the publisher, in exchange with an honest review

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