In my junior year of high school, life hit me hard. It seemed as all the pieces of my life were falling out of place, and I felt like a puzzle that couldn't be put back together. The things I once loved seemed pointless and bland to me, and I couldn't find it in me to do the most basic of tasks. I felt as though I was completely and utterly alone in the world, and that nobody felt or thought the way I did (no matter how silly it sounds). One day, I was determined to get out of this slump and casually started to browse through the books available on Ibooks. Reading had always been one of my most treasured past times, and I had decided to revive my love for the written word. While browsing, I stumbled upon a book titled "All the Bright Places" written by Jennifer Niven, and while reading the description, I felt an instant connection. Deciding that a good book was just what I needed, I bought it, not knowing it would have a profound impact on my life.
The book follows two broken souls, Theodore Finch and Violet Markey, who met atop a school bell tower during an attempt to kill themselves. They stop each other from committing the act, and as a result, the two become close. Throughout the book, the two grow closer through their misery, and in each other they find solace from their sadness. Although the story of this book is altogether moving, what really struck a chord with me was their inner monologue and thoughts. As two individuals suffering from mental illness, I felt as though their thoughts reflected mine in a way I had never experienced before. I found things that both Violet and Finch felt and thought lined up perfectly with my own. There were times in the novel that rung clear and true to me. When they talked bout how they felt crazy in their thoughts or when Violet was trying to find herself again after darkness, I felt as if my thoughts were theirs. I felt as though my own thoughts were validated through theirs, and that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't so alone in this world of darkness I found myself in.
When I initially started this book I knew I was going to be reading a deeply moving, and at times, sad novel. But never in a million years did I expect to be so completely and utterly shaken to the core by it. Often times while reading, I see myself reflected in the characters of the book, but never have I truly felt as connected to any characters as I did with Finch and Violet. Their essence and thoughts were just as much mine as they were theirs. Our thoughts and feeling were one in the same, and I could not be more grateful to a book, or author. This book changed my outlook on life and helped me out of a dark slump that I couldn't get out of on my own. After finishing the book, I sat and cried for 30 minutes, not only because of the sad story, but also because I finally felt as though I was no longer alone. It came to me at the perfect time in my life, and helped me to get through the sleep and back into the awake. When my life gets blurry and out of focus, and I lose sight of how to be happy, I think about this book and remember that I am not alone.
I just want to say thank you to Jennifer Niven for writing the book that helped me in my darkest times. Your beautiful writing and inspiring characters have changed lives, and I cannot wait to read your next book.
