I was here.
~Theodore Finch, All the Bright Places
See on Loupe
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. (Goodreads)
So… This book tore my heart up into little bitty pieces.
I did cry at the end. I mean, sometimes I exaggerate the fact that I cried. But I ACTUALLY CRIED reading this. In broad daylight. Not sure what my parents thought….
This book has the most unique voice.
I say this far too often, but this book honestly just surprised me. I totally was not expecting that. I NEED TO STOP HAVING SUCH CONFINING EXPECTATIONS. BECAUSE THIS BOOK WAS BEAUTIFUL. In the Goodreads synopsis, it is compared to The Fault in Our Stars, which is usually just ridiculous. (AUTHORS, PLEASE STOP TAKING TFIOS’ FAME TO MAKE YOUR BOOK SOUND GOOD.) But this book…. Is actually similar. *gasp* When you read TFIOS, you expect it to be disgustingly lovey-dovey and way too hyped. But the voice is so unique and hilarious, and it immediately sucks you in. I can definitely say that about this book. And both of the main characters were interesting in this way!
It seemed so realistic.
It made sense that Finch would get his reputation in the way he did. It made sense that Violet would react to her sister’s death in the way she did. It made sense with where they both were in their lives, based on their family support and friends. The ending made sense. And this all absolutely adds up to make you fall even harder for the characters and story.
It takes place in Indiana! Whoopee!!!
How exciting is that??? I mean that both seriously and ironically. Too many books (note: I’m talking about the books that are in the US; it’s even cooler to read about books set in other countries) take place in California, or Florida, or Hawaii, or on a road trip (scratch that, I love road trip books). It’s refreshing to see a book take place smack in the middle of “boring”, uneventful Indiana. Finch and Violet are just normal people, with your normal dysfunctional families and problems, in a normal little town, in a normal little state.
The romance. Is beautiful.
Theodore is so hilarious in how he falls in love with Violet. When he falls for her, it’s fast and… So obvious. And I love how Violet comes around slowly. Not to mention- they don’t magically make each other better. They both still have issues and baggage.
The whole ending.
I can’t even. It was absurdly realistic in how things tied up (I feel like it’s actually possible that something of that sort could be orchestrated). And just… UGH. I HAVE NO WORDS FOR THIS.
WRITING THIS REVIEW MAKES ME ALL TEARY.
Clearly, I have issues.
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I JUST REALIZED IT’S BECOMING A MOVIE THIS YEAR AHHHHH I’M SO EXCITED NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hmph. This is not… Turning out to be a conventional review. Let’s wrap this up, shall we?
This book was amazing. And glorious. You should read it. And sob. And then watch the movie. Because it’s GLORIOUS.
Overall rating: 5/5 stars! It’s amazing I’m still alive after reading this. I shed so much water and salt… And from my eyes…
Goodday! I love you all! I apologize for that mess of a review!
Lots of Love, Amy ❤
P.S. I created a Pinterest board of All the Bright Places things and then used Loupe to put together a collage! I’m super excited about this; I hope you all like it! Please let me know, I’d love to make more! You can click on the link below the picture and it’ll take you to the Loupe page, where you can enlarge all of the photos. 🙂
Ahem! So a quick little unrelated bone I’m throwing out there- I just recently went to a bookstore and saw something there that gave me an AMAZING idea for an event to do with bloggers! I would love to share this idea with as many bloggers as possible. I’m going to send out an email ASAP to some bloggers I’m friends with or think might be interested! If you are even mildly interested to hear about this idea of mine, please leave a comment below (and if you leave your email, that would be ten times greater, thanks!) and I’ll add you in! It would require a ton of bloggers to make it super fun.
If you’re a reader but not a blogger and wondering what this could be about and how you can join in, don’t worry! If and when I can figure out logistics to do this, I will definitely share the details on my blog, and try to use as much of your participation as possible.
Have I got you all interested yet? Leave me a comment down belowwww! 😉
I was thinking about reading this book and this review definitely won me over! I’d love to hear about your idea as well! 🙂 my email is cjaneblog@gmail.com.. I’m so excited! XD
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Yay, I’m so glad to hear it! I definitely hope you read and enjoy it. You’ll have to let me know what you think!
Fantastic! I’m so glad! XD
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OH MY GOODNESS THIS BOOK. KILLED. ME. arghhh I can’t form words lol
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OMG IM SO GLAD YOU READ IT AND LOVED IT YESSSSSSSS
HIW MUCH DID YOU SOB
INFINITE SOBS?????
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ITS BEEN LIKE FIVE DAYS AND IM STILL SOBBING 😭
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THE PAIN IS REAL
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I haven’t read this book yet, but now I know I need to! Great review. 🙂
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Yay, I’m glad you liked it! I hope you enjoy the book! 🙂
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I DIDN’t KNOW WHO YOU WERE AND THEN I REALISED IT WAS YOU AMY OMGGGG YOUR NEW URL OMGGG I LOVEEEE!!!!!! Sorry…. ANYWAY, I need ‘to read this. NOW!!! It’ll rip my heart out though!
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OMG HAHAHAHAHHAHA IM GLAD YOU FIGURED IT OUT!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
YES YES YES! (You shall cry MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA)
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MANY CRYING SUCH TEARS YES!!!!! AND ME Tooo OOMGGG WHAT IF I HADN’t?!!!
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IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE AWFUL NO GOOD VERY BAD SADNESS FOREVER
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YES MUCH SADNESS EVERY SINGLE SAD ALL THE SAD
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ELM YOURE THE BEST IM SO GLAD I FOUND YOU (or maybe you found me and I’m just taking wrongful credit but it’s great anyway)
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WE FOUND EACH OTHER
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YAY HUGS HAHAHA IM CRAZY
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SAMEEEE
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I’ve seen this book around and honestly, I don’t think it’s for me… Because I’m a crybaby and will probably feel destroyed afterwards XD But from your review, I can tell it’s an amazing story and really unique. When something tears you apart in broad daylight, you know it’s good hahaha
I really enjoyed reading your post! But this one is probably not going into my TBR anytime soon… I’ll still watch out for the author, though 🙂
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Hahaha that’s alright! Obviously, not every book is for everyone. 🙂
Thanks, absolutely!
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I’m so happy to see your level of enthusiasm with this book ahaha I love All the Bright Places as well! It’s beautiful and funny, although the ending makes me sad 😦 great review!
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Hahaha thanks! I’m glad to hear it. Exactly. I was just like… No…. no. no no. no no no no noooooooooooooooooo!!!!
Thanks! 😉
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I was so excited to read this and then started hearing some not so great reviews which put me off a bit. I’m so glad I saw your review, you’ve got me excited for it again!
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Awe, I’m sorry to hear that! Honestly, I can see how this book wouldn’t be for everyone, especially the way it ends, but it was right up my alley. I hope you enjoy it!
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