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hannahsquid's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The first 20% I would say is just character development and little to no plot. However after getting past the first 20% its becomes a good mix and I just couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent
vvsmydiamonds's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such an amazing read. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get through All The Bright Places (without feeling sad) because I watched the movie first. However, Holding Up The Universe was less devastating but still a hard hitter. I loved it. I read every letter, I re-read pages, I took pictures, and I wrote quotes. This book was wonderfully written, it is a gem. I’m grateful for Libby and Jack. I’m thankful for Rachel, Bailey, Iris, Jayvee, Marcus, and Dusty. 🤍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Eating disorder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, and Fatphobia
lily_298767's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The first 200 pages are just build up and although it has a okay ending I had trouble soldiering through this book, I don’t suggest this book, especially for people who don’t enjoy reading or prefer only to read interesting books with lots of thing happening. I also think it was really weird when Libby kept saying stuff about Pauline potter having marathon s e x and losing 98 pounds. She basically walks around the school and says “I wonder who will make me lose 98 pounds” Another thing is that I just felt like Libby’s weight was brought up like a hundred times and after a little it gets annoying but I understand that she’s insecure but it just sort of annoyed me. Anyways that’s just my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Cursing, Eating disorder, and Sexual assault
There was a lot of talk about how she received hate mail with death threats, then there’s a part about fat girl rodeo and also Libby talks a lot about marathon sexmlovationer1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Grief, Bullying, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Death, and Body shaming
Minor: Alcohol, Racism, Drug use, and Cancer
epeolatrist's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I was so disappointed in Holding Up the Universe. Especially due to the fact that I absolutely adored All the Bright Places. I think that Jennifer Niven is a phenomenal writer, but she did not hit a home run with this novel. I wanted to love it. Especially since I bought a signed hardcover copy (hey, I'm a financially unstable college student and I CANNOT afford signed hardcovers...).
The story was too predictable for me. Obviously, Jack and Libby were destined to fall in love. I mean, as soon as they have their first encounter, it's plain to see that they will "find theirselves in each other." It's a trope in YA romance novels, but there are many authors that have written the trope exceptionally.
In addition, the book focused completely on Libby and Jack's issues (obesity and prosopagnosia - AKA face blindness) instead of the two characters as PEOPLE. It's all they ever talked about???? I understand that the entire point of the book was the idea of two people with "issues" finding a place in the world, but a little bit of depth would have been nice.
My last critique that I'm going to talk about is the stereotypical high school scenario. I mean, honestly, does everyone have to be so awful?? This sort of writing never failed to anger me when I was actually IN high school and it still irritates me now. Jack is "popular" (sort of?), but he's also so self-absorbed and obsessed with himself and his illness. In a way, Libby is the same way. She's obsessed with her weight and yet she wants to rid herself of the title "America's Fattest Teen," yet she brings it up nearly every time that she speaks. When I had reached page 200, I was overwhelmingly tired of it. It took me WEEKS to trek through the rest of this book. I actually read other books while reading Holding Up the Universe to distract myself from how much I didn't like it.
I did enjoy a few things, however. I really liked learning a bit about prosopagnosia. I had never heard of it before. When Jack went to the doctor, it was cool to learn some facts about the condition. Other than that... there wasn't much that impressed me. Also, Jack's little brother carried a purse to school and it was pretty cool.
All in all, the book was a total miss for me. I really wanted to love this story. Honestly. Much love to Jennifer Niven because I love her, but this one was not my favorite and I'm sad to say that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.
The story was too predictable for me. Obviously, Jack and Libby were destined to fall in love. I mean, as soon as they have their first encounter, it's plain to see that they will "find theirselves in each other." It's a trope in YA romance novels, but there are many authors that have written the trope exceptionally.
In addition, the book focused completely on Libby and Jack's issues (obesity and prosopagnosia - AKA face blindness) instead of the two characters as PEOPLE. It's all they ever talked about???? I understand that the entire point of the book was the idea of two people with "issues" finding a place in the world, but a little bit of depth would have been nice.
My last critique that I'm going to talk about is the stereotypical high school scenario. I mean, honestly, does everyone have to be so awful?? This sort of writing never failed to anger me when I was actually IN high school and it still irritates me now. Jack is "popular" (sort of?), but he's also so self-absorbed and obsessed with himself and his illness. In a way, Libby is the same way. She's obsessed with her weight and yet she wants to rid herself of the title "America's Fattest Teen," yet she brings it up nearly every time that she speaks. When I had reached page 200, I was overwhelmingly tired of it. It took me WEEKS to trek through the rest of this book. I actually read other books while reading Holding Up the Universe to distract myself from how much I didn't like it.
I did enjoy a few things, however. I really liked learning a bit about prosopagnosia. I had never heard of it before. When Jack went to the doctor, it was cool to learn some facts about the condition. Other than that... there wasn't much that impressed me. Also, Jack's little brother carried a purse to school and it was pretty cool.
All in all, the book was a total miss for me. I really wanted to love this story. Honestly. Much love to Jennifer Niven because I love her, but this one was not my favorite and I'm sad to say that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Bullying
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Eating disorder
thriiiii's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Bullying, Grief, Cancer, Cursing, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Body shaming
milakzm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
fat girl + face blind boy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Bullying, Fatphobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
vlmollylv's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Eating disorder, Body shaming, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Cancer, and Alcohol
dramagirl2003's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought this book was excellent! loved the diversity of characters, and the conditions the MCs learned to live with. I learned a lot about face blindness through this book. the storyline was so intricately woven together. overall absolutely brilliant read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Bullying, and Chronic illness
molly_appleby's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent