Book Review:
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Spoilers?
Maybe.
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Title - Holding Up the UniverseBy - Jennifer Niven
Publication - October 4th 2016 by Knopf
Format - Paperback, 388 pages
Genre - Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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 know who she really is. Following her mom’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. In that moment, 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 impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired 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 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 and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, 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.
The Cover:
I like the blue water color and the marble. For me, it signifies the two main characters relationship with one another.
The font is also very simple and beautiful too.
The Story:
Libby used to be Americas Fattest Teen now she lost most of the weight and has to start high school. Hoping most people had forgotten she tries her best to be herself. A dancing maniac with a heart of gold.
And then there's Jack whose the popular kid that everyone knows. Except that he's been hiding the fact that he has a condition that makes it difficult for him to see or remember people's faces. Even his family.
Relationships:
I was so rooting for them since the beginning. Jack did mess up by doing what he did but he was the perfect gentleman after.
I like how by reading the story you notice that they were kind of meant to meet and be friends. I like that. I also like how they looked out for each other in their own way. Libby helped Jack with his condition and Jack helped Libby realize she was awesome.
Family Dynamics:
As for Libby’s family.
I want to give Libby's dad a huge bear hug. I admire that man so much for being there for his daughter even in the hardest of times.
Losing his wife the way that he did and then seeing his daughter spiral like that must have been hard but he never wavered. He did the best that he could with what he had and that deserves a real golden 'Best Dad Ever' trophy.
Her mom sounded kick ass too.
Awesome mom + awesome dad = YAY!
Settings:
As for my favorite settings in this story:
I don't think I was paying attention to the settings but the car scenes where Libby is driving or where she's with Jack are the best. I also like where Jack and Libby are on their date and their dancing like it's nobody's business.
Overall:
I adored every part of this book.
Libby was amazing. Beyond what I thought she was going to be. She was so inspiring and so strong and courageous. I loved her as a character.
And Jack was an ass for most of it, but he was just lost. And I liked how Jennifer Niven portrayed that. Cause sometimes when we get lost we become bad guys and assholes.
Is it weird that I thought of Footloose while reading this?
I mean a dancing maniac (Libby) goes to a new school (Martin Van Buren High School) where no one knows him (kinda). And even though he just wants to dance and be free everyone around him, especially the town (the Martin Van Buren High School Damsels) don't want him to dance. But then a beautiful girl comes into his life (Jack) and they dance together.
Granted it has been a long time since I've watched Footloose and I never finished it from start to finish. So I don't know if I'm right.
Although they say never judge a book by it's cover I believe the cover should represent what the book is going to be like or at least some aspect of it.
I like the blue water color and the marble. For me, it signifies the two main characters relationship with one another.
The font is also very simple and beautiful too.
The Story:
Libby used to be Americas Fattest Teen now she lost most of the weight and has to start high school. Hoping most people had forgotten she tries her best to be herself. A dancing maniac with a heart of gold.
And then there's Jack whose the popular kid that everyone knows. Except that he's been hiding the fact that he has a condition that makes it difficult for him to see or remember people's faces. Even his family.
Relationships:
There werent many couples in this, so I'll just talk about the main ones.Libby x Jack
I was so rooting for them since the beginning. Jack did mess up by doing what he did but he was the perfect gentleman after.
I like how by reading the story you notice that they were kind of meant to meet and be friends. I like that. I also like how they looked out for each other in their own way. Libby helped Jack with his condition and Jack helped Libby realize she was awesome.
Family Dynamics:
As for Libby’s family.
I want to give Libby's dad a huge bear hug. I admire that man so much for being there for his daughter even in the hardest of times.
Losing his wife the way that he did and then seeing his daughter spiral like that must have been hard but he never wavered. He did the best that he could with what he had and that deserves a real golden 'Best Dad Ever' trophy.
Her mom sounded kick ass too.
Awesome mom + awesome dad = YAY!
Settings:
As for my favorite settings in this story:
I don't think I was paying attention to the settings but the car scenes where Libby is driving or where she's with Jack are the best. I also like where Jack and Libby are on their date and their dancing like it's nobody's business.
Overall:
I adored every part of this book.
Libby was amazing. Beyond what I thought she was going to be. She was so inspiring and so strong and courageous. I loved her as a character.
And Jack was an ass for most of it, but he was just lost. And I liked how Jennifer Niven portrayed that. Cause sometimes when we get lost we become bad guys and assholes.
Is it weird that I thought of Footloose while reading this?
I mean a dancing maniac (Libby) goes to a new school (Martin Van Buren High School) where no one knows him (kinda). And even though he just wants to dance and be free everyone around him, especially the town (the Martin Van Buren High School Damsels) don't want him to dance. But then a beautiful girl comes into his life (Jack) and they dance together.
Granted it has been a long time since I've watched Footloose and I never finished it from start to finish. So I don't know if I'm right.
Get a copy at:
Barnes&Noble | Amazon US
Barnes&Noble | Amazon US
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Book Depository
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