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.

All the Bright Places is such a beautiful book; it broke my heart more than I thought possible. This time was actually a reread of the book, but my thoughts are pretty much the same after giving it a second read before the movie comes out!

Everything about this book is so realistic – the characters, the subject… all of it. I was in love with Finch from the first chapter! I remember that the first time I read this, I took longer to warm up to Violet, I’m not sure why, but when I did, I really felt for her.  I felt her grief for her loss of her sister and just wanted to give her a hug, then shove her at Finch!

Most of all, I love how the story focused on how they were able to help each other get through what they were going through, at least to some extent.  They were able to be real with each other, and they pretty much hid their feelings from their peers and the adults in their life because they thought nobody understood.

“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Theodore Finch, page 315

Their adventure toward becoming friends (and more) was one that I enjoyed reading and will remember for some time after.  Though if you hate books that make you hurt after, I have to tell you to stay away from this one, because it hurts.  Like, really freaking hurts.  However, if you like to be shot in the heart with pain that will last, then this is the book for you!

“The thing I realize is that it’s not what you take. It’s what you leave.” – Violet Markey, page 376

Rating: 5/5 stars