Hey, guys! For weeks now, really since the book was announced, I have wanted to read Turtles All the Way Down. The only reason I'm not writing this in October is that I haven't had time to read anything other than textbooks.
I was so excited for this book, and my excitement was 100% justified. This is a very different book than the John Green books we are used to (The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, Will Grayson Will Grayson, An Abundance of Katherines), but it is better for it. If John Green had tried to recreate the success of The Fault in Our Stars, it would have felt fake and would be like a sequel to the first, a slightly worse version of the thing you liked. Thankfully, John Green changed things completely.
The Cover:
It may seem that this has little to do with this book, but it actually ties in meaningfully with the rest of the story. Overall, A+ cover and title.
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
P.S. Sorry for the long hiatus. I really didn't have much time to read books last semester! I should have much more for this semester, so look forward to a return of The Secret Bookshelf!
Also, if anyone's curious, I have an interesting story of how I got this book for free.. from John Green.
I was so excited for this book, and my excitement was 100% justified. This is a very different book than the John Green books we are used to (The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, Will Grayson Will Grayson, An Abundance of Katherines), but it is better for it. If John Green had tried to recreate the success of The Fault in Our Stars, it would have felt fake and would be like a sequel to the first, a slightly worse version of the thing you liked. Thankfully, John Green changed things completely.
The Cover:
The Cover:
It shows the title framed by an endless, ever-tightening spiral. This spiral represents Aza's thought spirals that occupy her mind at any given time. The title is taken from a popular ancedote in the science community:
A scientist gives a talk on the universe. At the end of the lecture, an old lady stands up and tells the scientist that all he's been saying is bull. That really, the earth is just on a flat plate on a turtle's back. The scientist thinks himself smart and asks, "What is that turtle standing on?" The lady replies, "On top of another turtles back." The scientist grows frustrated ands asks what that turtle is standing on. The lady replies, "Sir, you don't understand. It's turtles all the way down."
It may seem that this has little to do with this book, but it actually ties in meaningfully with the rest of the story. Overall, A+ cover and title.
Official Description:
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.
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.
My Description:
This book was everything I had built it up to be and more. I was worried that I was overhyping myself, since I had become a big John Green fan (as a person) since I had read his last book. However, I was not let down at all.
This is the kind of book that sucks you in and makes you forget about the world. I read the whole thing in two sittings; it would have been one but I didn't want to rush my way through it! This book makes you take a step back and really consider the various aspects of your life, the things you should and don't appreciate, the intricacies of the most simple thing. All of this and it gives you a fun detective story.
The characters are intricate and easy to like. Aza is the main character and her thoughts are complex and really moving. The other characters were three-dimensional, yet they were not the focus of this book. It is about Aza trying (and often failing) to escape her own mind and in the process, she can often ignore the world around her. You get an idea of the complicated emotions of the other characters, but since Aza can't focus on them, you don't get a complete picture.
Overall, Turtles All the Way Down was phenomenal. It is a bit depressing at times, but it is a really helpful view of mental illness and just a powerful read. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking something that will make you think and will linger with you for a long time after you set it down.
Phrase:
Band-aid, check for pus.
This is the kind of book that sucks you in and makes you forget about the world. I read the whole thing in two sittings; it would have been one but I didn't want to rush my way through it! This book makes you take a step back and really consider the various aspects of your life, the things you should and don't appreciate, the intricacies of the most simple thing. All of this and it gives you a fun detective story.
The characters are intricate and easy to like. Aza is the main character and her thoughts are complex and really moving. The other characters were three-dimensional, yet they were not the focus of this book. It is about Aza trying (and often failing) to escape her own mind and in the process, she can often ignore the world around her. You get an idea of the complicated emotions of the other characters, but since Aza can't focus on them, you don't get a complete picture.
Overall, Turtles All the Way Down was phenomenal. It is a bit depressing at times, but it is a really helpful view of mental illness and just a powerful read. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking something that will make you think and will linger with you for a long time after you set it down.
Phrase:
Band-aid, check for pus.
If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookshelfSecret
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecretP.S. Sorry for the long hiatus. I really didn't have much time to read books last semester! I should have much more for this semester, so look forward to a return of The Secret Bookshelf!
Also, if anyone's curious, I have an interesting story of how I got this book for free.. from John Green.
