Holding Up the Universe
A New York Times Bestseller
From the author of the New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places comes a heart-wrenching story about what it means to see someone—and love someone—for who they truly are.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.
"Niven is adept at creating characters. . . . [Libby's] courage and body-positivity make for a joyful reading experience." --The New York Times
“Holding Up the Universe . . . taps into the universal need to be understood. To be wanted. And that’s what makes it such a remarkable read.” —TeenVogue.com, “Why New Book Holding Up the Universe Is the Next The Fault in Our Stars”
"Want a love story that will give you all the feels? . . . You'll seriously melt!" —Seventeen Magazine
From the author of the New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places comes a heart-wrenching story about what it means to see someone—and love someone—for who they truly are.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.
"Niven is adept at creating characters. . . . [Libby's] courage and body-positivity make for a joyful reading experience." --The New York Times
“Holding Up the Universe . . . taps into the universal need to be understood. To be wanted. And that’s what makes it such a remarkable read.” —TeenVogue.com, “Why New Book Holding Up the Universe Is the Next The Fault in Our Stars”
"Want a love story that will give you all the feels? . . . You'll seriously melt!" —Seventeen Magazine
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Community Reviews
I didn't love this. And then I remembered I didn't love her other book, and realized I got her confused with Jandy Nelson, and regretted reading this book.
The story revolves around two people who each have a major issue. The girl (whose name I can't remember) used to be America's heaviest teen and even though she's not anymore, she's still struggling with being seen as "the fat girl". The boy (again, I think his name's Miles but I couldn't be sure), suffers from "face blindness," which, I'm going to be real, I thought was made up for Arrested Development. Inexplicably, they form a connection. Hers is the only face he can really see, and he's vaguely nice. So they get together.
Honestly, it didn't do anything for me. And then her favorite book was We Have Always Lived in the Castle, which got me interested enough to read it. And then it was really weird and made me sad.
So, altogether, I'm not recommending it.
The story revolves around two people who each have a major issue. The girl (whose name I can't remember) used to be America's heaviest teen and even though she's not anymore, she's still struggling with being seen as "the fat girl". The boy (again, I think his name's Miles but I couldn't be sure), suffers from "face blindness," which, I'm going to be real, I thought was made up for Arrested Development. Inexplicably, they form a connection. Hers is the only face he can really see, and he's vaguely nice. So they get together.
Honestly, it didn't do anything for me. And then her favorite book was We Have Always Lived in the Castle, which got me interested enough to read it. And then it was really weird and made me sad.
So, altogether, I'm not recommending it.
Such an amazing read. Jennifer's writing is easy to get lost in. And these characters are AMAZING.
Full review to come
Full review to come
I love how jennifer niven doesn't just write a random plot. She genuinely educates people about serious conditions and disorders as in this book, about eating disorders and prosopagnasia. I feel lucky to have stumbled over this book for it was a real experience and not just some words on paper. Thanks Jennifer niven.
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