Turtles All The Way Down by John Green is about a girl who has very tough personal battles with herself, as well as boy named Davis who’s dad has disappeared. Here are some of my thoughts on the book:

(Spoilers duh)

Do you remember your last ‘invasive’ thought? If so, what was it?

A classic ‘invasive’ thought that I have from time to time is when I’m waiting for my toast to cook in the toaster. Usually I have a butter knife in hand, ready to add butter or jam, and sometimes I just wonder

‘What would happen if I stuck this knife in the toaster?”

But obviously, I have not (yet) experimented.

Favorite quotes?

“If you could dress and hygiene them (boys) properly, make them stand up straight and listen to you and not be dumbasses, they’d be be totally acceptable.” pg 41 Daisy

“Nothing says fuck you to your kids quite like leaving your fortune to a lizard.” pg44 Daisy

Davis remembered Aza’s favorite type of soda, does this mean anything? Or is this just a friendly coincidence?

I think it has to mean something! I don’t even remember what I had for dinner last night so the idea that he remembered her favorite pop is pretty sweet. But could also be a tad creepy..

Have you ever ‘investigated’ someone online? Did you go to the same extent as Aza?

I tend to be the friend to go to when you need some information on a boy. Since I’ve technically been taught the ways of research in school, I may have some tricks up my sleeve. I also just watch Catfish a lot. It’s not wrong to want to know more about someone! Everything is on the internet. I don’t see it as wrong because you need to remember, whatever is online was probably put online by themselves. Free information really.

Daisy upgrades her fries to onion rings once she is ‘rich’ so the question has to be asked, onion rings or fries?

Man I love me a good basket of fries but I would follow Daisy’s lead and upgrade to onion rings as well.

If you were given a bag of fifty thousand dollars, what would you do with it?

I would go down the same path as Daisy and Aza and invest it in brain power. I’d probably just take random classes, piano classes, sign language classes, etc. I always want to learn.

I guess that’s kind of a lame answer. I’d also buy at least two french bulldogs.

Aza has many demons to deal with, do you relate? If so, how?

I deal with anxiety on a daily basis and I completely understand where Aza is coming from. Sometimes it’s so hard to silence those demons in your mind; Even breathing can be difficult and challenging.

A meteor shower is quite a cute date, where you would like to go on a date?

I think my favorite date of all time would be to go to a petting zoo and to get pizza after. Animals and pizza are the way to my heart.

Do you think Davis is doing enough to help his brother?  Do you think he needs to step up and parent Noah or do you think the responsibility shouldn’t be on Davis’ shoulder?

Although Davis is young and shouldn’t have to deal with this responsibility, he does; Sadly that is the reality. I think Davis himself is going through a lot as well but I do wonder why he doesn’t try a little bit harder. LIke when he hears Noah crying in his room but he doesn’t do anything about it. I think NOah just feels alone and needs someone to be there for him, unlike his parents.

Aza learns that Davis has a blog full of poetry. How does this shape Davis as a character? What do you think of his poetry?

I love it. Although it is sad that Davis has to go to such lengths to make sure the press doesn’t get a hold of it. It would be annoying to have to hide what you love or what you believe simply because your parents fucked it up for you.

Have you ever ‘spiralled’? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you could not control yourself or your mind?

For sure. I sometimes will spiral if someone makes fun of my insecurities and it can be hard to pick myself back up again. I can’t imagine the length that Aza feels.

Should Aza have read Daisy’s stories earlier? Would you be offended if your best friend never took the time to read your stories?

She definitely should have. It’s important to show an interest in your friend’s art and to show support. Friendships are built on support and love and Aza may have been a little selfish in this scenario.

What is the scariest part of hospitals for you?

Needles. I hate needles. IV’s, blood getting taking, shots, NO THANKS. Hospitals make me anxious too Aza.

Would you tell Davis that you may know where his dad is? Why or why not?

I think I would. Closure seemed necessary in this instance. It was probably a hard decision for him and I wonder how it actually played out (like what happened behind the scenes) because it would be hard to tell someone you know your dad is dead.

What do you think about Davis’ decision to move?

I think it was fair. It’s most likely difficult to live in a place where everyone knows your name and everyone knows how horrible your father is. Probably difficult but the best decision for Noah.

Davis didn’t end up with Ava. Good or Bad? Why?

Honestly, I love John Green but I hate how he always rushes the end of a book. I am okay with them not ending up together but it seemed like by the time that Ava came out of the hospital, Green rushed to finish the book and left a lot of questions unanswered. I just don’t like getting invested into characters and then not knowing what happens to them further on. Seemed rushed to me.

3.5/5

Thanks for the read! Let me know what you thought of the book below in the comments! 

just the questions:

CHAPTERS 1-5
Do you remember your last ‘invasive’ thought? If so, what was it?
Favorite quotes?
Davis remembered Aza’s favorite type of soda, does this mean anything? Or is this just a friendly coincidence?
——————————————-
CHAPTERS 6-10
Have you ever ‘investigated’ someone online? Did you go to the same extent as Aza?
Daisy upgrades her fries to onion rings once she is ‘rich’ so the question has to be asked, onion rings or fries?
If you were given a bag of fifty thousand dollars, what would you do with it?
——–
CHAPTERS 11-15
Aza has many demons to deal with, do you relate? If so, how?
A meteor shower is quite a cute date, where you would like to go on a date?
Do you think Davis is doing enough to help his brother?  Do you think he needs to step up and parent Noah or do you think the responsibility shouldn’t be on Davis’ shoulder?
Aza learns that Davis has a blog full of poetry. How does this shape Davis as a character? What do you think of his poetry?
—–
CHAPTERS 16-20
Have you ever ‘spiralled’? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you could not control yourself or your mind?
Should Aza have read Daisy’s stories earlier? Would you be offended if your best friend never took the time to read your stories?
What is the scariest part of hospitals for you?
—–
CHAPTERS 20-24
Would you tell Davis that you may know where his dad is? Why or why not?
What do you think about Davis’ decision to move?
Davis didn’t end up with Ava. Good or Bad? Why?