Kindle Price: | £3.99 |
Sold by: | Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. This price was set by the publisher. |
Your Memberships and Subscriptions
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Audible sample
Holding Up the Universe Kindle Edition
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.
I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Once dubbed 'America's Fattest Teen', she is only seen for her weight. Not the girl underneath.
Since her mum's death she's been picking up the pieces in private, alone with her heartbroken father.
But now, Libby is ready. She's ready for high school, for new friends, for love and for every possibility life has to offer.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin too.
Be charming. Be hilarious. Don't get too close to anyone.
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.
When Jack and Libby meet, they discover that the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel.
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' Justine Magazine
'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
- Reading age12 - 18 years
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin
- Publication date6 Oct. 2016
- ISBN-13978-0141357058
Customers who read this book also read
Product description
Review
★ "Written in short chapters of alternating perspectives, this is a thoughtful exploration of identity and self-acceptance, with commentary on overcoming adversities that will hit close to home." --School Library Journal starred review
★ "This is a worthy addition to any young adult collection; the story is engaging and difficult to put down." --VOYA starred review
"Niven's honest writing shares a story of friendship, confidence, strength, and identity--and it's not one to be missed." --Buzzfeed.com
"Libby and Jack are two characters who will reach out of the page and climb into your heart! . . . [A] beautiful love story." --Justine Magazine
"A novel about love and how important it is to be seen." --Popsugar.com
"Moving. . . . The true heart of the tale lies in personal growth and learning to love yourself." --Bookish.com
"I've never fallen in love with characters as fast as I fell for Libby and Jack. . . . Holding Up the Universe is a beautiful reminder of the power of understanding." --Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why
"Gorgeously written and oh-so-deeply felt, Holding Up the Universe contains one of my favorite characters of all time! You will absolutely fall in love with Libby Strout!" --Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything
"At once hilarious and achingly poignant, Jennifer Niven's Holding up the Universe brims with love and heart and hope. A gorgeous, life-affirming book that--like its lovable and resilient main character, Libby--will make you want to open your arms wide, lift your face to the sky, and twirl." --Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned
Praise for All the Bright Places:
"[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." --Justine Magazine
"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
From the Back Cover
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 in new and bad-ass ways, 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.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are―and seeing them right back.
About the Author
From the Hardcover edition.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Libby
If a genie popped out of my bedside lamp, I would wish for these three things: my mom to be alive, nothing bad or sad to ever happen again, and to be a member of the Martin Van Buren High School Damsels, the best drill team in the tristate area.
But what if the Damsels don’t want you?
It is 3:38 a.m., and the time of night when my mind starts running around all wild and out of control, like my cat, George, when he was a kitten. All of a sudden, there goes my brain, climbing the curtains. There it is, swinging from the bookshelf. There it is, with its paw in the fish tank and its head underwater.
I lie on my bed, staring up into the dark, and my mind bounces across the room.
What if you get trapped again? What if they have to knock down the cafeteria door or the bathroom wall to get you out? What if your dad gets married and then he dies and you’re left with the new wife and stepsiblings? What if you die? What if there is no heaven and you never see your mom again?
I tell myself to sleep.
I close my eyes and lie very still.
Very still.
For minutes.
I make my mind lie there with me and tell it, Sleep, sleep, sleep.
What if you get to school and realize that things are different and kids are different, and no matter how much you try, you will never be able to catch up to them?
I open my eyes.
My name is Libby Strout. You’ve probably heard of me. You’ve probably watched the video of me being rescued from my own house. At last count, 6,345,981 people have watched it, so there’s a good chance you’re one of them. Three years ago, I was America’s Fattest Teen. I weighed 653 pounds at my heaviest, which means I was approximately 500 pounds overweight. I haven’t always been fat. The short version of the story is that my mom died and I got fat, but somehow I’m still here. This is in no way my father’s fault.
Two months after I was rescued, we moved to a different neighbor-hood on the other side of town. These days I can leave the house on my own. I’ve lost 302 pounds. The size of two entire people. I have around 190 left to go, and I’m fine with that. I like who I am. For one thing, I can run now. And ride in the car. And buy clothes at the mall instead of special-ordering them. And I can twirl. Aside from no longer being afraid of organ failure, that may be the best thing about now versus then.
Tomorrow is my first day of school since fifth grade. My new title will be high school junior, which, let’s face it, sounds a lot better than America’s Fattest Teen. But it’s hard to be anything but TERRIFIED OUT OF MY SKULL.
I wait for the panic attack to come.
Jack
Caroline Lushamp calls before my alarm goes off, but I let her go to voice mail. I know whatever it is, it’s not going to be good and it will be my fault.
She calls three times but only leaves one message. I almost delete it without listening, but what if her car broke down and she’s in trouble? This is, after all, the girl I’ve dated off and on for the past four years. (We’re that couple. That on-again, off-again everyone-assumes-we’ll-end-up-together-forever couple.)
Jack, it’s me. I know we’re taking a break or whatever but she’s my cousin. My COUSIN. I mean, MY COUSIN, JACK! If you wanted to get back at me for breaking up with you, then congratulations, jerkwad, you’ve done it. If you see me in class today or in the hallways or in the cafeteria or ANYWHERE ELSE ON EARTH, do not talk to me. Actually, just do me a favor and go to hell.
Three minutes later, the cousin calls, and at first I think she’s crying, but then you can hear Caroline in the background, and the cousin starts yelling and Caroline starts yelling. I delete the message.
Two minutes later, Dave Kaminski sends a text to warn me that Reed Young wants to kick my face in for making out with his girlfriend. I text, I owe you. And I mean it. If I’m keeping score, Kam’s helped me out more times than I’ve helped him.
All this fuss over a girl who, if we’re being honest, looked so much like Caroline Lushamp that—at least at first—I thought it was her, which means in some weird way Caroline should be flattered. It’s like admitting to the world that I want to get back together with her even though she dumped me the first week of summer so that she could go out with Zach Higgins.
I think of texting this to her, but instead I turn off my phone and close my eyes and see if I can’t transport myself right back into July. The only thing I had to worry about then was going to work, scavenging the local scrap yard, building (mind-blowing) projects in my (kick-ass) workshop, and hanging out with my brothers. Life would be so much easier if it was just Jack + scrap yard + kick-ass workshop + mind-blowing projects.
You should never have gone to the party. You should never have had a drink. You know you can’t be trusted. Avoid alcohol. Avoid crowds. Avoid people. You only end up pissing them off.
Product details
- ASIN : B01BFGIYIC
- Publisher : Penguin; 1st edition (6 Oct. 2016)
- Language : English
- File size : 2879 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 424 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: 204,001 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer reviews:
About the author
Jennifer Niven is the Emmy Award-winning, #1 New York Times and International bestselling author of nine books, including All the Bright Places and Holding up the Universe. Her books have been translated in over 75 languages, and All the Bright Places has won literary awards around the world, including the GoodReads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction of 2015. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Time Magazine, NPR, the Guardian, Publisher's Weekly, YALSA, Barnes & Noble, BuzzFeed, the New York Public Library, and others, and was the #1 Kids' Indie Next Book for Winter '14-'15. The film starring Elle Fanning, Justice Smith, Luke Wilson, and Keegan-Michael Key, is currently streamable on Netflix, with a script by Jennifer and Liz Hannah (The Post).
Jennifer is at work on her fourth and fifth novels for young adults, with number three-- Breathless just out now. She also oversees Germ, a literary and lifestyle web magazine for girls and boys age high school and beyond that celebrates beginnings, futures, and all the amazing and agonizing moments in between. Her previous works include four novels for adults, as well as three nonfiction books. She divides her time between Los Angeles and coastal Georgia with her husband, kids, and literary cats.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book enjoyable and readable. They praise the heartwarming story, relatable characters, and writing style. However, some feel the plot is predictable and boring.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They describe it as a light read with a good message. The story is described as emotional and keeps readers hooked until the end. Readers mention it's a must-read for coming of age, with an interesting and insightful message about empathy.
"...This book was so good that I devoured it within a few hours...." Read more
"A must read for the coming of age. Empathy for others is a good message. Acceptance of people who are different and we all have crosses to bear." Read more
"I loved this book. Growing up in high school I pretty much felt the same. However, I gave in and lost 4 stone...." Read more
"...It was a quick read and was still incredibly captivating and I do believe people who are going through similar issues as the protagonists may enjoy..." Read more
Customers find the story engaging and inspiring. They describe it as an interesting read that makes them reevaluate their lives. The book touches on relatable topics and has many meanings for them.
"...This book is heartwarming and realistic in the best ways possible. The characters are far from perfect and that makes them so completely relatable...." Read more
"A must read for the coming of age. Empathy for others is a good message. Acceptance of people who are different and we all have crosses to bear." Read more
"...Once after New years and once around my birthday because it just refreshes my mind and allows me to be vulnerable." Read more
"...It was a quick read and was still incredibly captivating and I do believe people who are going through similar issues as the protagonists may enjoy..." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing style and pacing of the book. They find it very readable and relatable.
"...The characters are far from perfect and that makes them so completely relatable...." Read more
"...On the one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the pacing of the book and thought the plot line was great...." Read more
"...I found it very well written and I fell in love with the story instantly...." Read more
"I recommend this book for anyone who has been bullied. It's very relatable...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's character development. They find the characters well-written and inspiring. Readers also appreciate the dialogue and plot.
"...The characters are far from perfect and that makes them so completely relatable...." Read more
"...I also enjoyed reading about the male protagonists life and about the issues this book presents (bullying, eating disorders, and more)...." Read more
"Beautiful, just amazing! Loved the story line and how inspiring both the characters were...." Read more
"The plot is a bit of a stretch but an unusual and heart-warming protagonist in Libby Strout really transforms this from a typical boy-meets-girl..." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and diverse.
"Beautiful, just amazing! Loved the story line and how inspiring both the characters were...." Read more
"...I would 100% recommend that book, it is truly beautiful and heart-breaking...." Read more
"Nice. A lovely read about being alone inside and about the courage you need to reach out and see other people...." Read more
"...Again another very poignant book from Jennifer Niven which was beautiful." Read more
Customers find the book suitable for younger teenagers and adults. It tackles issues that can be relatable to different age groups.
"...She is different. She is wonderful. Thoroughly recommend for adults & teens. We need more of this message in our lives :)" Read more
"Good book for younger teenagers, but was too simplistic to be for young adults." Read more
"An amazing read tackling many issues that can relate to many different age ranges." Read more
"Great teen/young adult book, would recommend" Read more
Customers find the humor in the book funny.
"THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!! this book is emotional and funny and made me feel every emotion possible...." Read more
"...bright places" and the book is just as good as the first one and funny." Read more
"Funny and charming, couldn't put it down. Will definitely be passing this one on. Can't wait to read more from Jennifer Niven." Read more
Customers find the plot predictable and boring. They find some situations unrealistic. While it's a solid message for teens, it's not a literary classic.
"...However, I found some of the situations and responses highly unrealistic..." Read more
"The plot is a bit of a stretch but an unusual and heart-warming protagonist in Libby Strout really transforms this from a typical boy-meets-girl..." Read more
"...However, I found it boring and was waiting for something big to happen. I read it because I wanted something t happen and it did not...." Read more
"...It's no great literary classic, but has a really solid message for teens of all genders, shapes, sizes and neurological capability." Read more
Reviews with images
Thanks
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 October 2016I was a huge fan of 'All the Bright Places' and naturally I had to pre-order this book when I saw it. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as all the bright places but I was pleasantly proved wrong. This book is heartwarming and realistic in the best ways possible. The characters are far from perfect and that makes them so completely relatable. This book was so good that I devoured it within a few hours.
There is so much more that I could say about the writing techniques and the way that you begin to root for the characters, but it would never compare to the reality. The best thing to do is read the book for yourself and fall in love with the characters yourself.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2024A must read for the coming of age. Empathy for others is a good message. Acceptance of people who are different and we all have crosses to bear.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 April 2022I loved this book. Growing up in high school I pretty much felt the same. However, I gave in and lost 4 stone. I was originally 11 stone in year 9 and I went down to 7 stone going cold turkey. I have a hip condition which caused me to gain so much weight as I couldn’t walk properly!
I wish I had the strength Libby had!! I’m now a mum and I’m still quite big but now I know im me! If people don’t like it I’ll be like Libby and prove that just because your big doesn’t mean it should affect friendships and relationships!
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2023I adore Jennifer Niven as an author but this book means the world to me. I re-read it twice a year. Once after New years and once around my birthday because it just refreshes my mind and allows me to be vulnerable.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 November 2020I have mixed feelings on this book.
On the one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the pacing of the book and thought the plot line was great. I also enjoyed reading about the male protagonists life and about the issues this book presents (bullying, eating disorders, and more).
However, I found some of the situations and responses highly unrealistic (although I will admit I’ve never been to an American school so if it’s like that there then fair enough) and I found it hard to sympathise with the female protagonist since the way she responded to things felt too perfect and unlikely given the age of the character and the things she’s dealt with.
All in all I would recommend reading this book especially if you like the author (I can’t comment on how well it compares to her other books). It was a quick read and was still incredibly captivating and I do believe people who are going through similar issues as the protagonists may enjoy it a lot more than I did. I still love it, I just didn’t love the female protagonist and I do believe it would be ideal for those between 13-15 ( I as a 17 year old wasn’t as keen on it as I would have been at a younger age ) however, if you’re buying for someone else be wary that there is some profanity in. Nothing extremely offensive, but still there.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2017Beautiful, just amazing! Loved the story line and how inspiring both the characters were. I found it very well written and I fell in love with the story instantly. I thought the book had an interesting take on what love really is and proved that it's the personality which matters over anything. Very inspiring and great to read. Definitely recommend.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 June 2021The plot is a bit of a stretch but an unusual and heart-warming protagonist in Libby Strout really transforms this from a typical boy-meets-girl coming of age story into a really enjoyable read. 4 stars
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 April 2020This book was bought for my daughter. She said its a great read by Jennifer Niven - she had read others by her hence picking this one. It’s an addictive read that she couldn’t put down. Strong storyline, she invested in the characters easily. A story of being seen - being accepted and love. We all need a little of that
Top reviews from other countries
- Racheal DonnellyReviewed in the United States on 17 February 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK!!!!
I love this book literally soooo much and it was a 5 star read, it was kind of a heavy topic but if you don't mind that it was a veryyyy good book it was so cute at the end too I feel like I can never read a book that was like this one, BUY THISSSSSSSS you will regret it if you dont ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Racheal Donnelly
Reviewed in the United States on 17 February 2024
Images in this review -
Yves BlacheReviewed in Canada on 5 January 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Se li bien
Pour un cadeau
-
Amazon-klantReviewed in the Netherlands on 29 June 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars aanrader
mooi boek, goede kwaliteit kaft
-
Montserrat VigilReviewed in Mexico on 21 June 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente libro
Súper libro, te deja picado y no lo puedes dejar de leer, una historia de amor, la vida y sus obstáculos.
- Arun kumarReviewed in India on 10 July 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing read from a trusted author
#BookReview ~
Name of the book: Holding Up The Universe
Author: Jennifer Niven (@jenniferniven )
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5/5
~
I picked this book up because Jennifer Niven had my heart when I read All The Bright Places all those years ago. If you asked me to pick out a reason as to why I love her work, it would be because she writes about things that matter and she writes it in a way that make them matter to YOU. I had ATBP when I had no clue about mental health disorders and I still felt it. That's what good writing does to you. Makes you feel what you cannot.
~
Coming back to Holding Up The Universe, I loved it for two reasons: the characters and the character development. This book is about Libby Strout and Jack Masselin. Libby Strout is America's fattest teen and Jack Masselin has prosopagnosia (face blindness). Their story is naked and vulnerable because you'll feel the humiliation and you'll feel the struggle. Libby and Jack have a rough start but they're both compassionate, both outlaws so they fall for each other. There's sunshine and roses until there isn't.
~
Through Jack I could only imagine how difficult it would be not to remember faces and not recognize people except by identifiers. When Jack says "You deserve to be seen" I know he means it. Libby is brave and Libby will take you out. She's the kind of character we all wish we knew because she fight body shaming. At one point Libby says "My only crime was that I was fat" and that's the best line in the book. This book made me hopeful, made me think that there is an end to bullying and body shaming and all the horrible things people do to feel about themselves. Hope is what takes us forward.
~
Things I liked:
📚Characters - real, naked, lovable
📚Focused on character development than plot
📚Seeing through Jack's eyes
📚Realistic, nondramatic situations that'll feel natural
📚Didn't end in suicide and that brought hope (mental health books can have an impact without the characters dying)
~
Things I didn't like:
📚The fact that it probably could have had a little more story to it but that's find
~Do I recommend?
Yes! If you like reading about things that matter, then yes.
Arun kumar
Reviewed in India on 10 July 2019
Name of the book: Holding Up The Universe
Author: Jennifer Niven (@jenniferniven )
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5/5
~
I picked this book up because Jennifer Niven had my heart when I read All The Bright Places all those years ago. If you asked me to pick out a reason as to why I love her work, it would be because she writes about things that matter and she writes it in a way that make them matter to YOU. I had ATBP when I had no clue about mental health disorders and I still felt it. That's what good writing does to you. Makes you feel what you cannot.
~
Coming back to Holding Up The Universe, I loved it for two reasons: the characters and the character development. This book is about Libby Strout and Jack Masselin. Libby Strout is America's fattest teen and Jack Masselin has prosopagnosia (face blindness). Their story is naked and vulnerable because you'll feel the humiliation and you'll feel the struggle. Libby and Jack have a rough start but they're both compassionate, both outlaws so they fall for each other. There's sunshine and roses until there isn't.
~
Through Jack I could only imagine how difficult it would be not to remember faces and not recognize people except by identifiers. When Jack says "You deserve to be seen" I know he means it. Libby is brave and Libby will take you out. She's the kind of character we all wish we knew because she fight body shaming. At one point Libby says "My only crime was that I was fat" and that's the best line in the book. This book made me hopeful, made me think that there is an end to bullying and body shaming and all the horrible things people do to feel about themselves. Hope is what takes us forward.
~
Things I liked:
📚Characters - real, naked, lovable
📚Focused on character development than plot
📚Seeing through Jack's eyes
📚Realistic, nondramatic situations that'll feel natural
📚Didn't end in suicide and that brought hope (mental health books can have an impact without the characters dying)
~
Things I didn't like:
📚The fact that it probably could have had a little more story to it but that's find
~Do I recommend?
Yes! If you like reading about things that matter, then yes.
Images in this review