Turtles All the Way Down

One of the things I've started to do fairly recently, is check out Audio Books from the library and listen to them while I check e-mail, work on my photography, or anything else I have to do while sitting at the computer.  In my mind, this doubles my reading time since I can be listening to the book while I get other things done that I need to do.

My most recent 'listen' was "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green.  The story itself was good, but I did have some issues with the narrator.  There was just something about the way she spoke that was irritating to me.  It wasn't something I couldn't get past though, and I was able to listen to the whole book.

Down to the meat of the story though...

I was intrigued by Aza as a character and her conditions.  I have experience with anxiety and O.C.D. but not to this extreme.  I can't imagine having my thoughts spiral to the degree in which hers did.  The toll it takes on her relationships and just her functioning as a normal individual are hard to fathom.

The mystery going on in the story is enjoyable, but also made me angry.  Without spoiling anyone, I just can't imagine how a person can do what Davis's father did.  And my heart hurt for Davis and Noah.  Sometimes, being a parent makes certain stories even more emotional for me.  When reading books like this as a child, I obviously identified with the child.  Now that I have kids of my own, I generally end up identifying with the adult, and I just couldn't see how this man behaved in this manner.

The dynamic between Aza and Daisy was different from other friendships I've read about and I think that the fanfic that Aza finally read ultimately gave them a stronger bond.  Daisy's feelings about her friendship with Aza made me reflect on my own friendships and how my anxiety might color people's opinions of me.  I think in the future I will be more conscious of how that anxiety manifests itself when hanging out with friends.

Like all Green novels, I did enjoy it.  It was deep and meaningful.  Some YA is what I call 'fluffy,'  it's easy to read and light and fun.  Those books are awesome, but so are the ones like this.  If you want more than a sweet romance, this book might be for you.