All The Bright Places - Jennifer Niven (Audiobook Edition)

All the Bright Places tackles some of the most difficult subjects from various perspectives. If The Perks of Being a Wallflower slaps you on the hand with touchy subjects, All the Bright Places punches you square in the jaw. I'm not knocking Perks at all, it's one of my all-time favorite reads, but it tip toes around the tougher issues. Niven throws the worst right in your face and forces you confront it. And for that, I can't commend her enough. These issues NEED to be talked about, before it's too late.

My absolute favorite thing about this book is that it starts as a dual perspective, and then continues on as one voice. Getting to experience both characters points and feelings drives the point home to survivors - it is not your fault. Sometimes, there are no warning signs. Sometimes, everything seems fine and it's not until it's too late. The people left behind in suicide are victims and survivors, and the scars that suicide can leave on them are very real and very deep. I don't think that is talked about as much as it should and Niven made it a strong point. She didn't leave behind the other obviously important point - if you think it's hopeless and you think there's nothing left for you, think again because there is always something worth living for. Someone who will miss you. Someone who thinks you are worth saving. This is obviously more of a PSA and a 'please don't give up' message than it is a book review, and that's typically how this topic gets me feeling, so I'll leave it at this - this book is important. Kids in high school need to read this. When I have a teenager, this will be on their reading list, because it's way too important to look past. People miss the most delicate of warning signs when it comes to mental health issues, which can ultimately lead to suicide. It has to stop being overlooked. It has to stop being treated like a cry for help. The stigma surrounding it has got to end or these issues will continue and worsen.

4 stars.