Holding Up the Universe

Author: Jennifer Niven

From the author of All the Bright Places comes a heartwarming love story that poses the question: as much as one fears pursuing their dreams, wouldn't the fear be greater if they didn't pursue them? Libby Strout lives in her own world, having earned the title of America's fattest teenager. She struggles to overcome her mother's sudden death and deal with her heartbroken father. She strives to break free from this world and overcome societal perceptions to find friends, love, and acceptance. Jack Masselin also lives in his own world, suffering from a rare condition called prosopagnosia (face blindness) which prevents him from recognizing his family and friends, without them knowing about his illness. He constantly tries to overcome this by adapting to everything around him and pleasing everyone so as not to lose his loved ones and friends, but he can no longer keep up with his condition. Libby and Jack meet in high school after both are subjected to disciplinary punishment. Then her world meets his, and they draw closer, each getting to know the other for who they truly are. The barriers between them disappear, and their worlds merge, becoming one.