Aza Holmes is convinced that she is going to contract C. diff, a potentially-fatal infection of the bacteria Clostridium difficile. She knows that bacteria is everywhere, and that other people eat raw vegetables and kiss boys without dying, but she cannot stop the obsessive thought-spirals that plague her mind. Her best friend, Daisy, a semi-famous Star Wars fan-fiction writer, has always understood “Holmsey”, and proposes a distraction that will simultaneously solve both girl’s financial strife. A local billionaire has disappeared, presumably on the lamb prior to his imminent arrest, and Aza knows his son, Davis, from summer camp years ago. If Aza can reconnect with Davis, they may be able to determine what happened to his father and collect the reward money, but Aza’s relationship with Davis, friendship with Daisy, and mental health may all suffer in the process.
Why It's Worth Reading:
For one thing, this is John Green we're talking about - author of The Fault in Our Stars, creator of Hazel and Augustus, beloved Nerdfighter and vlogger to the world. Some readers need no more information than that to pick up this novel. And if you're worried that your sky-high expectations will be disappointed, fear not. Green delivers characters with remarkable self-awareness and the same incredible wit that we have grown to love. His portrayal of Aza’s obsessive-compulsive disorder, modeled after his own experiences, will be comforting to readers with anxiety issues and provide an eye-opening window for those who have never experienced such distress. The relationships between characters are satisfyingly stable, yet not without the complexities that add realism and depth. Turtles All the Way Down is a perfect blend of compelling mystery and the more serious aspects of life that you find in every person's backstory if you take the time to look. Perfect for a quick weekend read!
Book Details:
Title: Turtles All the Way Down
Author: John Green
ISBN: 9780525555360
Publisher: Dutton Books
Publication Date: October 10, 2017
Format: Hardcover
Awards/Accolades: 3 starred reviews so far
Do We Own a Copy?: 3 copies!