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tashanslone's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read several of John Green, he outdid himself on this book. Normally I could take or leave his writing so I’ve been putting this off because I figured I would toss it in the “tried but can’t do it” pile, which isn’t very high…He captures the thoughts and actions of someone driven by a mental illness. He shows the character fighting every step of the way to “not be” herself, to not accept herself. Every step was agonizing for her. A lot of people do not understand how the brain can be driven by itself when all it takes is “will” for them to read a paragraph without distraction or dismiss a thought. This book shows those emotions that can’t be described at one time.
jprocino's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
violinjodie's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenna_ld's review against another edition
4.0
The emotional bond between Davis and Aza feels a little underdeveloped and it feels there is no significant character development. However it was a great book and it was in fact emotional to see inside Aza's head, made me empathize with those who have OCD more.
amyherman's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
vivorsomething's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smateer73's review against another edition
3.0
This book was pretty good, it was the first of the John Green books I’ve read (pathetic I know but it’s not my typical genre). There are so many quotes that are really good and deep and made me reflect on my own life. It was interesting to read a character with anxiety, and it was real and raw and everything.
swaye's review against another edition
4.0
“I like us. I like that we've got our own way of doing things.”
I join the ranks of those who are surprised at how much they ended up loving this book.
It honestly should be required reading for everyone who doesn't understand the daily struggle of what it's like for someone to live with debilitating anxiety and OCD. As someone who struggles with both, I resonated deeply with Aza and her ever-tightening spirals of invasive thoughts. I've been there and it did my heart good to see it so compassionately and well represented.
The relationships in this book are beautiful and heart-warming. I loved Aza's relationships with her mom, Davis and her best friend Daisy. Despite views to the contrary, I feel like teenagers do speak the way John Green writes them to speak. I certainly spoke and thought in the same way. And again, it felt good to see that reflected so beautifully on the page. This book is full of the most profound and wonderful quotes.
The reason Turtles doesn't get a 5 star rating from me is because I felt that the way the medications were dealt with was completely unrealistic. The truth is, Lexapro does help. In fact, it saved my life. It stops those spiraling thoughts from getting so completely out of control and there is no way she would have been coping physically had she been taking the meds so intermittently. Trust me, I know. It's impossible. The brain zaps and disorientation that happen if you skip a day are more than enough incentive to take them regularly.
Overall, though, a very sweet, sad, precious little book that will always stay with me.