Turtles All The Way Down

I too have a particular anxiety issue, and I hear you here, thank you for sharing. Perhaps I need to read this book!

I made a comment the other day on another piece of yours saying that I don't understand why people are afraid of death. Now after reading this, I do and I'm truly sorry for that comment that I made. It was never intended to be an insult, offensive or hurtful but if it made you feel that way, I'm so sorry Ashley. I hope you can forgive me 🥺 The only books by John Green that I know is The Fault In Our Stars and Paper Towns. I've not read them but I did watch the movie for The Fault In Our Stars. It wasn't my cup of tea and also, movies never do justice to the books. I really loved the excerpts that you've included here because I was able to relate to them. I too have downward spirals and panic attacks but for different reasons than yours. I'm glad this book made you feel less lonely.

Dear Ms. Ashley - While watching (60) year old sitcoms due to the writers strike; such a shame. Happy to see most are going back to 'Cracking-a-Book' - Although as an 'English~Prof' in the works - glad you seem to grade me on a curve. Jay

This seems like a book I want to read now

Inevitability is something that becomes more comfortable the older you get. I know this from experience. If you want to lighten things up read my story Being Dead. It may make you laugh, or at least smile.

You are expanding my list of books...and horizons! 🐢

Great review!!

Wow, Ashley! This was so compelling and fraught with suffocating emotion. I applaud you on this; a truly fantastic piece, challenge or no. These questions that plague you, I think are very common in people, especially in cultures like America, where we don't act out our beliefs, and instead dwell in a constant disharmony with what we see and what we know to be true, in our souls. I find comfort in knowing that most of our lives are manufactured: the drama, the routines of day jobs, economics, politics, etc., and look forward to a time when that burden (the rat race or simulation, if you will) is lifted and we can actually live how we were meant to. I would find non-existence quite terrifying too, as it doesn't ring as truth to my spirit, part of that disharmony, I think. I say it brings comfort, and it does. Other times, though I feel quite angry that it's all manufactured. I so want to comfort your fears after reading this, but I am glad that this book has at least helped you not feel so alone.

Turtles all the Way Down... is a cool title! 🐢 Turtles don't have to be so nervous with their armored carapace, but they do have a tendency to withdraw! Very insightful look at death and fear, and a lot to take away from this. Good work!

What a great review, and as someone who can also have moments of spiraling anxiety, I appreciated how this had a positive ending. Moving to a new smaller town does indeed sound isolating, and the book club that never met disappointing. But it's good to hear you enjoyed the book, and that John Green's books have some good lessons for YA readers as well as adults. And random thing, I thought the way you used photo excerpts with different fonts sizes really worked well.

This was so beautiful, Ashley! I must confess I haven’t read this book (yet), but The Fault In Our Stars was such a staple book for me in high school. Also, Looking for Alaska. I totally agree with you that YA still has something to offer adults. Especially the Green books, which I find often have uplifting messages of independence and fierce defense of joy at their centers. Fantastic job with this piece. Now I’m off to put it in my library cart lol