1/13/2026

Dear Jennifer Niven,

The first time I read All the Bright Places, I picked it up because it looked interesting on the shelves of the library. I read it once, then twice, and eventually five times because I could not set it down. The pain with which Violet spoke of losing her sister, and the
frustration and truth that embodied Finch struck a chord within me. Suddenly, my own confusion at my emotions could be explained through the words of Finch and Violet. Your book made me understand my own emotions and even helped me get out a dark haze of depression.

I was bullied throughout fourth grade. My father has always been an in-and-out figure, like the breeze. I had suffered several losses in my family and later got diagnosed with depression. I felt alone. No matter how anyone tried to understand, I knew they
couldn’t. Not fully. Then I hit rock bottom. I couldn’t seem to get out of bed. I stayed there for an entire weekend when my mother finally managed to drag me to the library. It’s there I found All the Bright Places.

I read about Finch, and how he lived in his closet for weeks, just like I had spent that weekend in my bed. I read about Violet, and how angry she was at everything, quote, “It’s like I’ve got this angry little person inside me, and I can feel him trying to get out.” I, too, had an angry little person inside of me. Their pain seemed to mirror my very own. I had finally found people who somehow knew exactly how I was feeling. I was indignant, like Violet. I was hurt, like Amanda Monk. I, too, had been bullied for my physical features and personality like Finch. In finding this book, I found I was not alone. There were people- real or fictional- who understood. That realization gave me the push I needed to get up, to start again, and to see life differently.

Finch speaks of hope throughout the entire book. He points out to Violet that it is still early in their lives. Without knowing, you were pointing that out to me too. I suddenly stopped crying and realized: it was still early. I have time to change. I didn’t have to succumb to my depression. Finch’s hope slowly began to swallow me, until I began to feel better, and eventually to find happiness in the little things. I began to get help, like Finch did when he went to the Life is Life meeting. I began my own post it note wall in my room, as Finch showed me that thoughts can swallow you whole if you don’t get them out. I write down all my positive thoughts at the end of the day and scrap the rest.

People noticed my new change in attitude, which then made me start to notice them as well. Just like Finch. I started to notice the ailments of my friends. Violet was a stranger to Finch, yet he still talked her off the belltower and took the cover for her. Why
couldn’t I do the same for strangers, let alone people who were already my friends? Your book taught me that empathy can be a form of hope.

Two years later, I am still thinking about your book. I’m not surprised, as your book helped me find hope for the future. I don’t believe I would’ve been able to cope with my mental illnesses had it not been for Finch’s guide to surviving Quicksand.” Your book quite literally saved me from a “blue hole,” like the one Finch got lost in. Violet got a fresh start in her website. Finch helped make many peoples’ lives better. Thank you for that. Thank you because your book gave me the courage and reassurance that I was not alone. It gave me the inspiration to go out and dream again.

If I were in your book now, I would approach the church chalkboard wall and write:

Before I die, I want to… find my own Bright Place.

With gratitude,
Rilyn Snell