Now seems like a good time to write this, as I'm on a plane for another 45 minutes with it much to do.
I LOVED this book.
I know a lot of people rag on it for "romanticizing" suicide and bipolar disorder. But I don't think it does. I think it tells the truth in a very accessible way. It teaches. (Not to mention the author had a friend who committed suicide so excuse me how could she possibly want to romanticize it??) if you don't believe me, ask my best friend, who's struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, and who recommended this book to me.
The characters are amazing. Sure, a little pretentious, but what 17 year olds aren't? I know I was! I connected to Finch more than I expected (I don't have bipolar disorder, but I do have ADHD and it often seems as if I'm going faster than everything else). Violet was such a sweet, sweet person. And they were both utterly human. And that's what I look for. Not characters who always do the right thing or are all-knowing. I want characters who are human. And these two are. And, for the record, so are their classmates and families. So human.
The writing was also beautiful. I said in one of my updates that it made me want to write poetry and dance in the rain. This may not appeal to some people, but for me, it's perfect.
I would recommend this book. To anyone who knows someone who struggles with mental health or who has friends or family who do. Because I think it's important.
ETA: I do not, repeat: DO NOT agree with a lot of the things Finch and Violet do. For one thing, if you're struggling with these issues, YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE. And while I know the book was in fact trying to push that message, a lot of people seem to be taking it as the opposite.