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dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. The story is very well put together and flowed through nicely. There are a few parts of the book where I lost interest and it felt like the author was just trying to lengthen the book, but I was proven wrong because all of those moments contribute to the outcome of the book.
The way the author never fully describes Finch’s bipolar disorder shows how a lot of people’s mental health goes unlabeled and we should look out for certain signs.
This book also teaches a lot of valuable lessons about consent when you’re in a relationship. The most important lesson to take away from this book is to always be there for others because they may seem like they have it together but on the inside they just want to leave.
This is my own message to anyone who is reading this but please look out for your loved ones.
It doesn’t hurt to ask them how they’re doing every once in a while and it’s definitely not weird. You never know when you can unexpectedly save a life.
The way the author never fully describes Finch’s bipolar disorder shows how a lot of people’s mental health goes unlabeled and we should look out for certain signs.
This book also teaches a lot of valuable lessons about consent when you’re in a relationship. The most important lesson to take away from this book is to always be there for others because they may seem like they have it together but on the inside they just want to leave.
This is my own message to anyone who is reading this but please look out for your loved ones.
It doesn’t hurt to ask them how they’re doing every once in a while and it’s definitely not weird. You never know when you can unexpectedly save a life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a very eye-opening book that needs to be talked about more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Car accident
challenging
hopeful
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a hard book to read, from an emotional standpoint. It's absolutely worth it, though, because Niven somehow finds the beauty and the hope in the aftermath and the memories. I honestly think this book should be required reading in school.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
* Mental illness
* School Project
* Harsh Realities
* First Person Voice
Every school project is another chance to make a new connection, and the Bartlett High ‘Wander Indiana’ US Geography project is no different. For the school outcast and the popular girl still mourning the death of her sister, it’s the catalyst that keeps them together after a chance meeting on the ledge of the school bell tower. They begin to explore the beauty of the world around them - and finally face the traumatic challenges haunting them.
The author does a great job of developing empathetic characters and establishing their relationships with their peers and the world around them. It was easy to get drawn into their world and begin to root for them, which made the ending all the more impactful. The plot itself is messy and spontaneous, which I think is a reflection of the mindset of our characters - in that way I think it’s less of a love story, and more of a study of mental illness and how one person can change the life of another. Finch’s particular struggle isn’t named at the start of the book, and the author’s choice to not explicitly label Finch’s problems or the medical justifications behind why he makes questionable choices I think makes the story feel more authentic - not everyone who is struggling wants to know what’s wrong, or is aware of what they’re struggling with, or honest that they’re struggling at all until it’s too late .
That being said, I have mixed feelings about this book, and I wouldn’t recommend it to just anybody. As an isolated story, I think it was phenomenal. But for someone who’s really struggling with the darker concepts of this book, I’m not sure it’s the most encouraging portrayal out there (though I’m definitely not the one qualified to make the final determination). I’m not sure how I feel about how neatly things were tied up, and how Finch’s entire existence seemed to be reduced to a plot device. It’s especially jarring because the way the book is written it feels like it should be Finch’s journey as he is the one with the most autonomy and determination to change, yet Violet is the one who benefits from his efforts - as though no matter how hard you work at improving you’re reliant on external forces for the change to actually be successful. This book makes it feel as though once someone’s crossed over into suicidal ideation it’s inevitable, and trying to get help for someone can be a dangerous catalyst for them to end it.
This book is a good conversation starter for mental health and the struggle to feel normal. If you’re not in the right headspace for a depressing read that'll make you ugly cry over the injustices and romanticized tragedies of the world, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re in the mood to see the world from a different perspective and reflect on how little you might know about the people around you and your effect on them, you’ll love All the Bright Places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Suicide, Grief
Minor: Sexual content, Car accident
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Domestic abuse