All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven | Book Review
Last week, on my commute to and from Las Colinas, TX (right outside of Dallas), I listened to the most incredible audio book called All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. It tells the story of two main characters:
1) Theo who has always had a fascination with death and who's always been on the cusp of suicide. He's curious about how death will feel and what happens after you die and how he's going to leave the world. He's spent most of his life being judged by his peers because he's unapologetic about what he loves, and he's always felt that if he wants to do something, it needs to be done right then. He has periods of extreme highs and horrible lows, and because of that, no one really knows what to do with him. His family mostly ignores his antics and his peers constantly make fun of him and call him names.
2) Violet who has spent the last year mourning the loss of her older sister who died in a car accident that she was in as well. She tiptoes around and uses her sister's death as a way to get out of school assignments and dismiss anyone who tries to get close to her, including her school counselor, her parents, and her so-called friends. She's lost her passion for writing and her life is just at a stand still.
It was easy to fall in love with these characters, and this book really does take you on an emotional rollercoaster. Jennifer Niven takes you into the perspective of people who have considered taking their own lives, and I think it provides readers with a unique view on something that more people should try to understand.
You can watch my full video review below and also hear a few of my thoughts on suicide. I also share a little bit about the Always Keep Fighting campaign that Jared Padalecki started with his Represent t-shirt campaign.
I give this book a 5 out of 5. I'm blown away by the fact that this is Jennifer Niven's debut YA novel, because it was seriously incredible.
1. This might sound weird, but you have such a nice voice! 2. Is that your book collection in the background?! SO MANY BOOKS!!! I also see you have one of my favorite YA authors, Meg Cabot, in there! 3. This books sounds so great! While I don't have too much time to read in my free time, I'm definitely adding this to my reading list!
1. Not weird at all! Thanks so much. I always think it's weird listening to my voice, but I'm really loving filming YouTube videos, so I'm getting used to it haha. 2. That IS my book collection, and it's actually not even all of it. I have random books spread throughout my apartment too. I just LOVE books! I love Meg Cabot too! 3. It was a really awesome book, and if you do read it, I hope you like it!
Okay I read this book in December and it absolutely made me ugly cry. It's fantastic and I've read it 3 times already. Ive officially added it to my collection of favorite books. She's a fantastic writer and she handled and expressed such emotional and dark issues beautifully.
This book really does sound amazing! I've struggled with some things I'm sure are shared in the book so I'm sure it's a great read! Adding this to my reading list! xx. Brittany Life Like a Twenty Something
Your library has an app!??! AWESOME! We are getting a HUGE new city center with library, etc... so hopefully they will hop on the technology bandwagon! That sounds awesome! Another book I am adding to my list... ugh... recommend a crappy book for once!!!!!!
ALSO! #TriedSuicied3xInHighSchool #ClosetedGay . . . . . I am so over it now, but people find it so shocking that I was so popular and was so unhappy. They can't even imagine I was like that behind all those jokes and my high energy. Also...you should read Prozac Nation.. REAL. TRUTHFUL. Loved it.
I should have save all these comments until I was end but its like I am live Tweeting your comments almost. I KNEW you were going to say "anger" when You said the first feeling/thought that came to your mind. #twins
OMG we're like soul sisters in so many ways. I just finished reading this book last night and I was bawling. I love the literary quotes they used, I love the road trip idea and I love the characters and stories. My favorite book ever.
Right?! So much ugly crying. So incredible though. That's awesome that you've read it three times since December. What?! It's definitely a new favorite of mine!
They use this app called OverDrive, and I think there are quite a few libraries that have it, so you should look into it! It's pretty handy, and I mainly use it for audio books for road trips or to listen to while I'm showering (okay, that just made me sound like the biggest bookworm ever...), but sometimes, I'll reserve hard copies too.
That's so depressing, and I'm so sad for you. High school is such a hard time, because people are seriously so mean. I'll definitely add Prozac Nation to my TBR list!
That's so crazy! I definitely shed quite a few tears myself, and I'm not ashamed. This book was so powerful. This is definitely officially one of my favorite books too!
You've made me want to give this a read! Also.. literally the first thing I spied on your page was that you loved Harry Potter and that makes me really super happy!
This book sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to add it to my ever-growing list of books I want to read.
xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys
This sounds like such a great book! Definitely adding it to my list :)
ReplyDeleteXX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
Sounds like a great read! Death is a heavy topic to write about sometimes but it sounds like this author did it well!
ReplyDeletexoxo A
www.southernbelleintraining.com
I've never heard of this book or the author! Emotional rollarcoaster books are my weakness; I love getting transported through a journey with them.
ReplyDeletexx Kim
mainelyfashion.blogspot.com
I've been looking for some new kindle reads, thanks girl!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book - will definitely have to check it out!
ReplyDeletePick Your Beau
Sounds like a definite read! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI loved this review! I'm definitely reading this when I can.
ReplyDeletehttp://thealwaysblog.com
You should! It was such a lovely (but sad) read.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely. I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing! I hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteYes! This is so good, albeit super sad, but really, just amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou'll definitely love this book then, Kim. My emotions were out of control!
ReplyDeleteShe really did an incredible job getting inside the head of someone thinking about suicide. No words for how much I loved this book!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! I loved it so much (obvs).
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing. I tore through it so quickly. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it!
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about this book, and I love your review of it! Adding it to my to-read list! <3
ReplyDelete1. This might sound weird, but you have such a nice voice!
ReplyDelete2. Is that your book collection in the background?! SO MANY BOOKS!!! I also see you have one of my favorite YA authors, Meg Cabot, in there!
3. This books sounds so great! While I don't have too much time to read in my free time, I'm definitely adding this to my reading list!
Sounds like a really interesting book. I may have to download it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so amazing! I just heard about it not too long ago, but now I'm obsessed. I think everyone should read it. I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDelete1. Not weird at all! Thanks so much. I always think it's weird listening to my voice, but I'm really loving filming YouTube videos, so I'm getting used to it haha.
ReplyDelete2. That IS my book collection, and it's actually not even all of it. I have random books spread throughout my apartment too. I just LOVE books! I love Meg Cabot too!
3. It was a really awesome book, and if you do read it, I hope you like it!
You should! I loved it so much.
ReplyDeleteOkay I read this book in December and it absolutely made me ugly cry. It's fantastic and I've read it 3 times already. Ive officially added it to my collection of favorite books. She's a fantastic writer and she handled and expressed such emotional and dark issues beautifully.
ReplyDeleteEeeeeek. I've been dyingggg to read this book! Every blogger I follow has been raving about it. Might have to use my BN gift card on it.
ReplyDeleteAdded to my reading list, thanks for the recommendation!!
ReplyDeleteThis book really does sound amazing! I've struggled with some things I'm sure are shared in the book so I'm sure it's a great read! Adding this to my reading list!
ReplyDeletexx. Brittany
Life Like a Twenty Something
Looks like I'm going to need to check this book out!
ReplyDeleteWhat an important issue and it sounds like a great book! Thanks for the review :-)
ReplyDeleteI finished this recently and also enjoyed it! Can't wait to see more from Jennifer Niven!
ReplyDeleteI'm adding this to my list of books to read right now.
ReplyDeleteSeems like an interesting book! Thanks for sharing, will add to reading list.
ReplyDeleteYour library has an app!??! AWESOME! We are getting a HUGE new city center with library, etc... so hopefully they will hop on the technology bandwagon! That sounds awesome! Another book I am adding to my list... ugh... recommend a crappy book for once!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteALSO! #TriedSuicied3xInHighSchool #ClosetedGay . . . . . I am so over it now, but people find it so shocking that I was so popular and was so unhappy. They can't even imagine I was like that behind all those jokes and my high energy. Also...you should read Prozac Nation.. REAL. TRUTHFUL. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteI should have save all these comments until I was end but its like I am live Tweeting your comments almost. I KNEW you were going to say "anger" when You said the first feeling/thought that came to your mind. #twins
ReplyDeleteOMG we're like soul sisters in so many ways. I just finished reading this book last night and I was bawling. I love the literary quotes they used, I love the road trip idea and I love the characters and stories. My favorite book ever.
ReplyDeleteRight?! So much ugly crying. So incredible though. That's awesome that you've read it three times since December. What?! It's definitely a new favorite of mine!
ReplyDeleteDO IT! I have a feeling you're going to love it. It just really hits home in a big way. Definitely a tear jerker.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Dana! It's such an amazing book. I can't praise it enough!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll really enjoy it, Brittany. The characters are so relatable, and it just hits home in a big way. It's so good!
ReplyDeleteDo it, Sierra! It's incredible.
ReplyDeleteIt was so, so good! There aren't enough words for how much I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it too, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteDo it, Samantha. It's an absolutely moving and incredible read.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely add it to your list. It's a tear-jerker, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThey use this app called OverDrive, and I think there are quite a few libraries that have it, so you should look into it! It's pretty handy, and I mainly use it for audio books for road trips or to listen to while I'm showering (okay, that just made me sound like the biggest bookworm ever...), but sometimes, I'll reserve hard copies too.
ReplyDeleteThat's so depressing, and I'm so sad for you. High school is such a hard time, because people are seriously so mean. I'll definitely add Prozac Nation to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteOmg, seriously this is so great. "Live commenting"
ReplyDeleteThat's so crazy! I definitely shed quite a few tears myself, and I'm not ashamed. This book was so powerful. This is definitely officially one of my favorite books too!
ReplyDeleteYou've made me want to give this a read! Also.. literally the first thing I spied on your page was that you loved Harry Potter and that makes me really super happy!
ReplyDeleteJess :) x
www.jessicagracemcguire.blogspot.co.uk
Yayyyy! I love finding other Harry Potter lovers. HP is literally the best!
ReplyDelete