#stopthestigma

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

All the places that you went to with your love, all the places that left a handprint on your heart–they are the brightest ones. But sometimes the brightness of these moments cannot drown out certain darknesses in us. Sometimes the handprints fade. And sometimes, even though we romanticize it, love cannot save.

This is the truth: love is no magic pill when we’re talking about mental illness. Our biggest mistake is that we think our feelings can save the other person with just the right words and the right touch. It helps, sure; being there and caring and loving them help. But love won’t, and can’t, be the lone cure.

Jennifer Niven’s was able to touch this bit of truth with a deft hand in her book “All the Bright Places”. I cried so much and had to phone a friend in the middle of the night when I read the worst part. Recommended! (Full review to follow!)