goodreads | 383 pages | contemporary romance,
coming of age | pub jan 6, 2015 | knopf books
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
spoiler-free review: ★★★★This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.
If you're looking for a funny yet sad read, this is what you're looking for. All the Bright Places manages to be both entertaining yet heartbreaking. What is discussed in this book is dark but never manages to be too overwhelming, and I can see this being a book that people will hail as important.
diversity: ★
I don't know if it's bad reading comprehension or not, but as far as I noticed all the characters in this book were white and straight. Finch, however, was vaguely implied to have bipolar disorder, so that's something.
