Turtles All The Way Down ~John Green

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.
   
Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 
 
In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.

Book Review:

This was my most highly anticipated book of 2017. I knew that I was going to read it, even if its above premise, sounded a bit strange because it was by John Green and I read everything by that man. I'm so glad that I did read it!!!

John Green depicts Aza's OCD so realistically, that even I, who doesn't suffer from OCD, felt as I was experiencing what she was. The feelings were so real that my anxiety was even heightened when reading some scenes because the way Aza's mind spirals, mine does as well, and it felt so real how he explained it. Much of its authenticity comes from the fact that John Green suffers from OCD himself. 

I was so in love with this book that I finished it in two days. I cried when it was over, not because it was sad but because I didn't want it to end. I literally cried for at least ten minutes. This book didn't have the same impact on me as Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars did while I was in high school but that may be because I'm no longer in high school. However, this book holds a unique place in my heart as being the most impactful representation of mental illness that I have read to date. 

Thank you once again, John Green. DFTBA.

Pages: 289                                                                                                                                Rate:5/5

Favorite Quote:

“Anybody can look at you. It's quite rare to find someone who sees the same world you see.” 

Favorite Reads of 2017

Some of these, I am sure you will be able to guess because they were extremely hyped but here goes nothing. Also, I will link the ones that I have already reviewed and look forward to seeing others.

The Hate You Give ~ Angie Thomas

There was a lot of hype surrounding this book but it was so well deserved. She put out an incredible debut novel with social justice filling the pages. It was amazing. 

milk and honey ~ Rupi Kaur

Rupi Kaur's debut poetry collection got me back into poetry. I'm currently reading her second one and I am loving it so very much. I really love that she includes sketches, as well.

American Street ~ Ibi Zoboi

This is a novel that I read right after I read The Hate You Give and I was pleasantly surprised that it had just as many social justice messages in it, but those messages were pertaining to very different issues. It gave amazing insight to immigration. 

Moxie ~ Jennifer Mathieu

I just finished this and have yet to write a review on it. Once it is published I will try and remember to link it to this post. However, this book is incredible. The main character reminds me a lot of myself and the messages that she and those who participated in Moxie were making, were incredible for young feminists to read.

Girls Like Us ~ Rachel Lloyd

I was assigned this reading for my class at University focusing on Human Trafficking and I am so glad that I read it. Rachel was a victim, who became a survivor, who became a surviving leader and she is helping others do the same. She gives amazing insight to her experiences and the mindset of those in the life as well. 

What Happened ~ Hillary Clinton

I was nervous to read this for many reasons but I am so glad that I listened to it. It gave great insight to her life and she gave a great perspective on the campaign and the first few months afterwards as well. 

Everything, Everything ~ Nicola Yoon

This was such an intriguing young adult contemporary novel. It dealt with family lies, love, fear, dreaming. It was just beautifully written. I really want to watch the movie. 

Turtles All The Way Down ~ John Green

This is John Green's best book yet!! He presents mental illness in such a real and raw fashion that I actually felt like I was experiencing some of my own anxieties as I read it. I cried when it was over just because I didn't want it to end.