I have loved every John Green book I’ve read & this one is no different, he remains one of my favorite writers. That said, this was another book that I had on my tbb (to-be-bought) list for a really long time before I got around to buying & reading, I did not even know what it was about by the time of purchase. I ended up rating it 5 stars, let’s get into it.
Turtles All The Way Down by John Green
- Category – YA Contemporary
- Length – 304 Pages
- Read Time – 1 Day
- GR Rating – 5 Stars
I had no idea what this book was even going to be about when I started reading, it’d been on my tbb list for so long I just bought it & added it to my tbr stack. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, being in a reading mood means I’m finishing books quickly. When I opened this book to start reading I hadn’t even looked it up on Goodreads again, hadn’t read a single review, cover reviews or intro, nothing, I just started reading.
SPOILER ALERT, PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Main character Aza Holmes & her best friend Daisy take on the challenge of solving the disappearance of rich (filthy rich) man Russell Pickett, who disappeared in the night (literally) while under investigation for fraud & bribery. There is a $100k reward for information leading to Mr.Pickett’s whereabouts & Aza & Daisy want the mula!
Aza’s father died when she was young, which is why she attended “sad camp” where she met & camp-friended Davis Pickett who’d lost his mother. This childhood connection is part of the reason Aza is interested in this mystery. It isn’t until beginning the investigation into Mr.Pickett’s disappearance that Aza resumes her camp-friendship with Davis, being from very different ($$$) sides of town despite their budding friendship as kids they don’t maintain it thru the years, moving thru life in different circle$.
After rekindling their friendship, Aza & Davis discover deeper feelings for each other but each have their own things going on in their heads, & that is what this story is actually about. Aza & Daisy do end up solving the mystery of Richard Pickett’s disappearance, somewhat coincidentally. Davis & his younger brother have to contend with the unfortunate reality of being orphans & although Aza & Davis do grow closer they ultimately don’t pursue maintaining a relationship. But those are just details because again the story isn’t actually about any of that, it’s about Ava’s internal struggles.
It wasn’t until more than half-way thru the book that I realized this wasn’t really another coming-of-age light hearted kind of story. This is a story about mental health & how sometimes ones thoughts turn into suffocating deadly spirals.
“I think I might be a fiction”
Aza sees a psychologist, often controlled by thought spirals that make her think irrationally & in great detail of terrible things happening, this compulsion limiting her life in different ways & leading her to some drastic measures.
“I am circumstances”
Aza ends up in the hospital after being in an accident, arguing with her best friend Daisy while driving, while in the hospital her mother becomes aware of how far down the spiral Aza is & the book ends with the hope that she’ll get the help she needs & be able to overcome her thoughts before they bring her all the way down.
Loved this book.
Thank you for joining me for another review, I’d love to read your thoughts on my review & of course on the book too.
- Have you read this book?
- What was your favorite part? (Cereal box money! I wish lol)
- What was your least favorite part? (That there wasn’t more story!)
- How many stars do you rate this book?
Hasta la próxima – V
Chatting with V 
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