Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven

(Thank you to Blogging For Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

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.
my thoughts:

Holding Up The Universe is YA at its best.  The writing is top notch.  The characters are fleshed out and fully developed.  The story is intriguing and unputdownable.  I just loved this book!

Niven has written an engaging, honest, and realistic portrayal of high school life and the teens who experience it all.  We get the highs and lows, from two teens who are opposite sides of the popularity spectrum.  Libby, an obese girl who finds the courage to face the cruel bullies who fat-shame her on a daily basis (herself included).  Jack, a popular boy who suffers from face-blindness and is trying to avoid the truth/reality of his medical condition.  Both are trying to just get by in school and life.  Of course, sometimes trying to blend in is what makes you stand out.  The two get stuck with each other and gradually develop a friendship and then a romance.  Its interesting to see how their stories unfold as they get to know one another and how their relationship affects their lives in so many different ways.  I loved getting to know these two characters so much - they made this book such a treat to read. 

This story is about hope in the face of adversity.  Its about finding the strength to be true to yourself and having the confidence to follow your own path.  Its about not letting others influence you with their cruel, negative jabs about your body, your self-worth.  Its an emotional read that has you tearing up, cringing, seething, laughing, and cheering.  Holding Up The Universe is a story with heart.  And its one that I won't forget.

I would happily recommend this book to fans of Jennifer Niven and fans of YA literature - you will LOVE this book!!



I received this book from Blogging For Books for this review.