Jennifer Niven

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 see who she really is. Since her mum'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. 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 art of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a 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, but he can't understand what's going on with the inner workings of his own 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, Libby and Jack are both angry, 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. Praise for All the Bright Places: 'If you're looking for the next The Fault in Our Stars - this is it' Guardian '[A] heartbreaking love story about two funny, fragile, and wildly damaged high school kids' Entertainment Weekly 'A do-not-miss for fans of Eleanor & Park and The Fault in Our Stars, and basically anyone who can breathe' JustineMagazine 'At the heart - a big one - of All the Bright Places lies a charming love story about this unlikely and endearing pair of broken teenagers' The New York Times Book Review

Holding Up the Universe

Everyone knows Libby Strout. She s the girl who was so heavy she had to be lifted out of her house by a crane. After being homeschooled for years, she s ready to rejoin the human race, aka the junior class of MVB High. She s free, she s strong, and she s going to get through this or so she lies to herself. (Okay, fine, she s terrified out of her skull.).

Holding up the universe

Nova <3

It’s okay to be a person. We’re all afraid. We all get hurt. It’s okay to hurt. You’d be so much more likeable if you just acted human.

And then she smiles this beautiful, encouraging smile, like Maria in 

and i float out of there like I'm full of helium. 

Aubrey Hennig

Nikita

I loved how the characters didn't meet and automatically their life revolves around each other. Instead they were able to help each other in different ways.

It was an easy read that I couldn't put down and I think other people should definitely read it.

Kadeea McElroy 

I loved how the characters didn't meet and automatically their life revolves around each other. Instead they were able to help each other in different ways.

A gradual and real kind of love story.

It was an easy read that I couldn't put down and I think other people should definitely read it.



Bria

energetic, outspoken bsf 🤝 quiet, mousy bsf

this book is adorable and has a good message. the message isn't told in any new or fantastic way, but people obviously haven't gotten it yet so kudos to jennifer niven for reiterating it.

chloe rae

This book is extraordinary. I am so thankful this book exists.
This novel follows Libby, someone who I'm very sure I'd be very good friends with. She's feisty, smart, kind, and most of all: fat. She was previously the 'World's Fattest Teen' and this story picks up after she's already lost some weight and is regaining her confidence and ultimately, her life back. Now, there's something you might not know about me and that is this: I am a fat girl. That is a part of who I am and I refuse to think there's anything negative/wrong/bad about that. And this book does an AMAZING job at further enforcing that fact. The author deals with the subject of weight and fat-ness in such an incredibly honest, real way. Libby deals with confidence issues and self-love like we all do, showing that sometimes its easier and then sometimes, its unbearably hard. She starts this path of truly believing in herself and knowing that she has worth even when the world is constantly trying to tell her she doesn't. She is a strong force of nature and I LOVED that. She wasn't the victim. She struggled but she always got back up again.
This book is important. I related to this book in ways I haven't been able to with YA before. But that doesn't even matter; this book is just good. Simple as that. Besides really finding herself, Libby deals with loss and family and friendship and, of course, love.
The love interest, Jack, is kind of wonderful. He's dealing with his own problems (one of those being a flipping brain disorder) but he was also extraordinary in his own way. Though I found myself relating to Libby, I never once had more love for her than Jack. I loved both of their characters equally, which I think can be hard to accomplish when you have two POV's in a story. He was just as interesting and flawed as Libby, which is why I had such fun following both of their stories.
I'm just really happy this book found it's way into my life.
Read it.

lexie

it’s hard to read this when you’re in their age. a lot of YAs focuses on traumas or mental illness.

peyton 

This book is a pretty amazing book. But the only reason it I didn’t give it five stars cause I believe there could have been more to the story than what it gave us. The book helps with body positivity which was really something I needed. And it helps you realize you don’t have to go through life alone.

Melissa Palmer

Book #82 Read in 2016
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Jack is a popular high school student who has a secret--he suffers from a disorder of face blindness--he cannot recognize faces of anyone, including his family. Libby was once so overweight that her house had to be cut into for her to be able to leave it for medical care. The unlikely duo work their way to couplehood, hitting quite a few bumps in the way. Told in alternating chapters of Jack and Libby, this book is raw with emotion and real. These two characters are ones that readers will care about and root for to get a happy ending. High school students will love this book. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

Larisa 

Let me just say that i absolutely and without a doubt adore Libby. And honestly i cant find the right words to express my admiration. Starting from the beginning, losing her mother, being held in the house without leaving it and hoping every day to escape her "prison", the gaining confidence in herself because she was positive she can do it, and after that being in a relationship with someone who knew the way she was before, without being said that this was one of her greatest fears. It made me think that if she can do the things she did, well then what can she do next? And me? I must be able to do things myself. So i looked at her like one of my examples. Jack's story was captivating at least, because i was acquainted to this disease, i heard of it before, but it was so nicely put together that i enjoyed every page of it.

lavaaaa

Mellanie Ann Duque

This I the first Niven book, I haven’t read AtBP before. And it took me a while to pick this up. I bought the book last December 2016 but I read it March of this year. 

I have heard so much good things about HUTU. Until I started reading it it became clear to me how beautiful this book is.

Let me start with the characters, Libby is such a cute girl; I love everything about her in fact i see myself to her in different ways. Jack is such amazing man and his personality quite surprised me when I turned to read each chapters. I just can’t describe how attached am I with the characters of this book specifically Libby. 

This book is about finding and loving yourself, friendship, fun, bullying.

Yes, the book discussed about bullying which for me is really amazing. Why? Because it shows how can bullying changes or ruins the person being bullied. This book is a big shout out for those who are afraid to speak up for themselves. 

I found the story really relating because I’ve been bullied when I was in high school. I guess me and Libby see High School as the worst time in our lives and of course it has still fun sides…

I am really happy to read such book like this, It literally made me feel loved and belong… I did enjoy reading it the whole time. 

If you are planning to read HUTU I guarantee you you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!… I don’t know but all I can say about this book is that it’s beyond great.. everything seems to be perfect. I love how Ms. Niven pictured all the things happens around us. A really inspiring and moving read…

Such an easy read you could finish it in one sitting without any hustle. A must read for teen who are being bullied. The book made me realize that no matter how much trouble we are experiencing we shouldn’t let these stop us from doing what we love. Though, we all know, in this world, people throw stones that happens to hurt us so much. Loving ourselves is the only key to be happy, being contented to what we have and what we are is the best and of course being sensitive enough for others feelings.

This book have thought me so much lessons.. I would highly recommend this to all, especially to parents and teachers… this book could be a guide to stop bullying..

Let us stop bullying and make everyone feel wanted.💙💙💙

This book has touched my heart and soul so much.

It wasn't bad, in fact it was quite a good piece of literature. But I didn't feel any love towords this book, but that doesn't mean it was terrible, it just meant I didn't feel that love for it like I do for others. I understood the whole point of the book and rarely found myself confused, which means it is an easy to understand book and I find that comforting. But my style for books, particularly of sensitive topics, is beautiful, eleqoquent and emotive. I'm not saying it was written boringly in anyway, but rather, I just compared it far too much to others, which brought my rating down. I would still recommend you read this book though, it allowed me a whole different perspective on certain situations. I do find that is is inevitable for us to have judgey thoughts, and this book proved to me just how harmful they are. 

A very high 3.5/5 star rating for that matter. Do not be devieved by my review which has been altered slightly due to my experience with other books.

surtified™

It wasn't bad, in fact it was quite a good piece of literature. But I didn't feel any love towords this book, but that doesn't mean it was terrible, it just meant I didn't feel that love for it like I do for others. I understood the whole point of the book and rarely found myself confused, which means it is an easy to understand book and I find that comforting. But my style for books, particularly of sensitive topics, is beautiful, eleqoquent and emotive. I'm not saying it was written boringly in anyway, but rather, I just compared it far too much to others, which brought my rating down. I would still recommend you read this book though, it allowed me a whole different perspective on certain situations. I do find that is is inevitable for us to have judgey thoughts, and this book proved to me just how harmful they are. 

A very high 3.5/5 star rating for that matter. Do not be devieved by my review which has been altered slightly due to my experience with other books.

Caroline Oestergaard

This was absolutely brilliant, the perfect feel good book for a grey September day. I love Jennifer Niven’s writing style and her way of creating amazing characters. Whizzed through this in no time.

I loved the characters (Libby & Jack), and I loved their individual stories, but the book felt long-winded and didn’t really go anywhere until towards the end.

I love the idea of Libby and Jack together, but can’t help but feel like they barely even spent much time with each other???

I liked the book, but I wasn’t crazy about it!  

It was ok…

I loved the characters (Libby & Jack), and I loved their individual stories, but the book felt long-winded and didn’t really go anywhere until towards the end.

I love the idea of Libby and Jack together, but can’t help but feel like they barely even spent much time with each other???

I liked the book, but I wasn’t crazy about it!  

AL :)

i liked it but the plot was super predictable so i was a bit disappointed there

Ivy X

I didn't like this as much as All the Bright Places. It could be that I related to the characters in All the Bright Places more than I did to Libby and Jack. I did enjoy this book though because the two characters had to come to terms with themselves in order for them to be happy. However, I didn't like the characters as much as I wish I did. I found Libby annoying at times and empowering in others. I found Jack super sweet at times and just problematic in others. Maybe that is the point of these characters? But I didn't see them coming together in any way after their numerous interactions. It was also hard for me to feel that angst they were all feeling toward the later half of the book...like it felt like it was exaggerated for a certain effect for the two characters to come back to one another and call each other "home." 

This book is definitely a lot better than the blurb made it out to be though and I did enjoy the book (mostly in the beginning).

Ana Paula

| "I think what an amazing world this would be if we all danced everywhere we went"

 I can't help but agree with the idea of this statement.

You know when you read an amazing book that you simply cannot put down? I had the exact opposite problem. 
I started this book around March (I think) and since then, it's been off and on reading. There were parts were I was sucked it and couldn't stop, but mostly it was so easy to get distracted; stop and forget about it. 

I read the entire Harry Potter series (including the Cursed Child one) in a month, this book took me 5 months. 
The only reason I finished it was because I made the conscious choice to stop dragging it around and get it done with.

All in all, it wasn't my favorite book but it could have been a lot worse

Talia Dominguez 

This book was an interesting and moving read with complex characters and a unique storyline. 

The story centers around Libby Strout and Jack Masselin. 
Libby is formally ‘America’s Fattest Teen’. She spent a lot of her preteen life getting healthy and she is nowhere near thin, but she’s happy with herself. Libby is a fantastic character. I loved that she’s just herself. She has a great relationship with her dad and meets some good friends throughout this. 

Jack’s got it good in high school, or so everyone thinks. He’s popular,he’s funny, charming, cool, has a pretty girlfriend, and a lot of "friends" but struggles every single moment of every single day. Jack had tried to keep this secret that He can’t recognize faces: Prosopagnosia. He knows his brother’s hair style, and he can tell his other brother by his ears, but the system is not flawless. 

So Libby decides to take the plunge, stop homeschooling and go to high school. That is where she
meets Jack Masselin (in a very unconventional way). 

Jack and Libby’s relationship is complicated at first. The way they meet, the reason they’re spending so much time together. Their friendship grew and developed as the story progressed. I loved them both and I loved that they had each others backs. Just knowing Jack was rooting for Libby from the very start warmed my heart. Even though there were some hard to read moments, the story, overall, was a positive one. I felt happy when I finished the book. Libby is the only one who knows about this and is able to help him.

Yasmin H

'I am not a shitty person, but I am about to do a shitty thing...'

Libby was by far my favourite character because she doesn't let anyone tell her who or what she should be. I liked how she doesn't let her weight rule her life and how she overcomes all the hurdles life throws at her. The way she looks out for Jack, even after a horrifying incident took place, made me like her unique character even more, and her kind and caring personality. 

Jack was one of my favourite characters in this book because he sees Libby for the sweet, caring, beautiful person she is, and not former Americas Fattest Teen. I like how much Jack tries, despite his disability and how hard it is for him in everyday situations. 

I would recommend this book because it was very interesting, and I loved the characters. This book is very important because it shows that weight and size doesn't matter, and no-one should be ashamed of their body. It is also very informative about prosopagnosia and how hidden disabilities can still make daily tasks harder, even if you can't see it from the outside.

Emelie

Claire

Honestly not sure what to think of this book. I’d give it a 3.5. It gives me wattpad vibes but in a less dramatic way. In my opinion there didnt happen enough interesting things like the ending was very expecting. No twist or surprise. Just kind of an easy read if you dont want anything too dramatic i guess

Gisela Ayala 

This book has changed my life. 

Jennifer Niven can definitely write a story and make it into so much more than just a story. Holding Up the Universe is about about Libby Strout, who plainly put, is an overweight teenage girl. When went through a very traumatic event in her life which determined what came after. (I'm sorry if this sounds vague but I don't want to give too much away.) In short she was dubbed "America's Fattest Teen." And yet... she is brilliant and lovely and courageous. She is so determined and her thought process makes me rethink my own. 

On the other side, we have Jack Masselin and he has what is called prosopagnosia. He cannot recognize people, not even the ones he loves like family. He has to use identifiers; hair, ears, walk, to know who is speaking to. It was very interesting to read how Niven translated this disorder in the book. But as she explained in the acknowledgements, she did her research and it really is evident. Besides his disorder, Jack is so much more, just like Libby. He has swagger and deep deep down, past all the teenage doucheness, he has a heart of gold. And together with Libby, they changed my life. 

I finished this book in two days. I probably would have finished it sooner if it weren't for trivial things such as work. But mind has expanded and changed thanks to Libby, and I don't think I could ever go back to thinking the same. 

The message in the book is simple: "You are wanted." That is something that everyone must hear. 

Maybe I or you will never be the girl that people pine over. Or call pretty. Or want to be friends with. Not everyone will want to be friends with you. You might be the one that gets picked last in gym class. You may never be everyone's first choice. But maybe you or I shouldn't aim to be those things. I want to be like Libby. I want to be fierce, brilliant, brave, and most importantly resilient. I want to be remembered as that. More than just a face. 

We are wanted.

Taryn Quigg

I didn't know much about this book going into it but I was pleasantly surprised with it overall. I liked how each chapter switched between Libby and Jack's perspectives, it gave a lot more context and insight into who they are as people. Even though I gave this book 3 stars, I really enjoyed it and it was a pleasant read.

sarah meeks

** spoiler alert **
           Honestly, I thought it was kinda boring. There was nothing really special about the story. Besides the physical issues that Jack and Libby dealt with, it was a pretty generic story of a popular guy ending up with a girl who was deemed a “loser.” I probably wouldn’t bother to read it again.

Holding Up the Universe

Reviews

Highlights