Holding Up the Universe

From the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places comes a poignant tale about truly seeing and loving a person for who they are deep inside. Many people think they understand Libby Strout, once known as 'America's Fattest Teen', but few have looked beyond her weight to discover the real person underneath. Since her mother's passing, Libby has been quietly trying to mend her life, supporting her grieving father and dealing with her own sorrow. Now, she's ready to embrace high school, forge new friendships, find love, and explore every opportunity that life presents. At MVB High, Libby knows she wants to be the girl who can do anything.Similarly, everybody believes they have Jack Masselin figured out. He's confident and seems to blend in effortlessly. Yet, what remains hidden is Jack's struggle with a unique condition—he cannot recognize faces, not even those of his own siblings. As a brilliant problem-solver in technology and engineering, he puzzles over the mysteries within his own mind. Jack's strategy has always been to maintain a cool demeanor: be charming, be funny, but never allow anyone too close. This stance is challenged when he encounters Libby.After an unfortunate and cruel incident at school leads them both to group counseling, Libby and Jack find themselves surprised by each other's company. As they navigate these shared moments, they begin to feel a mutual connection, diminishing their feelings of loneliness. This story reveals how meeting someone can transform your world—and theirs—forever.