currently reading

What I am Reading (1) & the 17 minute Movement|April 11, 2018

Hey Bibliomanics,

This week I bring to you my currently reading. Honestly, I have been in a funk lately. I feel like I read a lot of everything and finished nearly nothing in 2018.

One of my friends (Shout out to you Patrick)  has been doing a series on his facebook which I am going to refer to as the “daily 17”.  I was seeing posts of him with books, different books every few days, so being the curious book nerd that I am  I had to ask him what was he doing. So, he sent me a picture which I will share with you below: IMG_3C8FE80747DE-1

Are you slightly mind blown, because I kind of was.

I know several people in my life that have not cracked a book open this year alone. Yet, by this static, if you read for just 17 minutes a day you can be finishing 2 books a month.

So, because I refer to the image above as the static, I had to find out for myself what this meant, what is the research behind this. I stumbled on a post that was made by www.renaissance.com. ( Click the link to be taken to the post that is being referred too.) In summary, the post talked about how 15 minutes a day of reading can benefit the lives of students.  Something that hurt my heart so terribly was that 54% of students read less than 15 minutes a day. That breaks down to 1 in 5 students reading (Renaissance). That is just SAD!!!! No sugar coating there.  That means there is one 1 person among every 5 that get to visit outside worlds and become friends with different characters. In my opinion, you are missing out.  The article series goes on to talk about the correlation between reading  15-17 minutes a day vs. the achievement students have in school (Renaissance).

I also looked at another website  called humanities indicator, which compared time spent reading, vs watching tv, vs. playing video games, the statics it provided is that reading amount increases by age, the older you are the more you read (Humanities indicator).

I noticed while I was leisurely browsing through the statics, it seems that the amount of time that youth/ young adults read is decreasing. Which, to me is no surprise because I encounter people who haven’t read a book in years in my daily life.

But, with that said I want to inspire you to take just 17 minutes crack open a book and see if you can find for yourself the magic that I love so dearly.  I am sure you have 17 minutes in your day where you are just lounging around, or before bed. If reading seems to be tough, try an audiobook.

But, now that you know the 17-minute rule let me tell you what books I am reading in my 17 minutes.

Currently, I am in between 4 books…. ( You can view the Goodreads links if you click on the title) Gone with the wind 1

Gone with the Wind: This book is a brick. I picked it up after finishing “Great Gatsby” which put me into a huge reading slump. This is a story about a girl named Scarlett who finds herself living in poverty after the “Sherman’s March. This is her account of how she tries to climb out of it. Honestly, this book will probably take me forever to read because I am literally only getting through 5-10 pages a reading. Not that the book isn’t interesting I just find that the subject matter and writing style are a bit harder to read. I honestly just plan to take my time with this book but continue to dedicate my 17 minutes to it.

Frostbite
Frost Bite:
Honestly, I didn’t think that I was going
to go back to the “Vampire Academy” series. But, I wanted a fluffy read and this is right up my ally. This follows our main character Rose, who is being trained to be a Vampire’s bodyguard. Amongst, the vampires, students and teachers, there are the bad vampires lurking in the dark called the “Stigori”, who decide to attack the academy and kidnap three students. It is up to Rose to rescue them. These books are purely guilty pleasure reads. But, I enjoy them none the less.

 

 

 

Stalking Jack the ripper

Stalking Jack the Ripper: I am listening to this on audio. I tried reading this book before and I had a hard time getting into. But, let me tell you the audio book is excellent. This is about a girl, who likes to shadow her uncle in the morgue. Then all of a sudden the famous killer Jack the Ripper starts to target the lower class women of London, and who better to help find him than, Audrey Rose

 

 

Daring Greatly

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown: This is my self- development book. I am a member of Beachbody, which is the organization that brings you “Insanity” and “P-90x”. When you join as a member you get a coach which adds you into a Facebook group that keeps you motivated and on track. My coach recommends doing a little of personal development every single day. This is the book I chose to read. Actually, the book found me. This book is all about vulnerability and playing big in your life. I am so impressed by how this book is written, my copy has a million highlighted quotes and lots of notes in the margins.

Now the real question is what are you reading this week? Are you going to spend 17 minutes of your day reading?

With Warm Cups of Tea and just a few more chapters,

Rina

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Book Review

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | Book Review

great gatsby

Pages: 180

 

Date Published:  Originally published April 1925- republished September 2004

Publisher: Scribner

Synopsis: On its first publication in 1925, The Great Gatsby was largely dismissed as a light satire on Jazz Age follies. Today, it is acknowledged as a masterpiece: a love story, an exploration of the American dream and arguably the greatest American novel of the 20th century. Narrator Nick Carraway tells the story of his neighbor Jay Gatsby, whose parties at his Long Island mansion are as lavish as his past is mysterious. Yet Gatsby cares only for one of his guests: his lost love Daisy Buchanan, now married and living across the bay. In Fitzgerald’s hands, this deceptively simple story becomes a near-perfect work of art, told in hauntingly beautiful prose.

Michael Dirda, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post, has written a new introduction for this edition. He writes, ‘While a great novel should possess many qualities, the most essential is certainly the ability to enchant, to cast a spell over the reader’ – an ability possessed in full by ‘this ever-fresh, this ceaselessly magical novel’. Our edition also features a two-page note by the director and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola recalling his work on the 1974 film adaptation, in particular, his ingenious solution to the lack of dialogue between Daisy and Gatsby in the original novel. Sam Wolfe Connelly, a young artist based in New York, has created a series of color illustrations and the striking binding design. The metallic endpapers and slipcase are printed with a 1920s-inspired design by the artist. (Goodreads)

Review:

Hey Bibliomanics,

Welcome Back to another review. Today’s review is my thoughts on rereading “The Great Gatsby”. I remember when I first read this book back in highschool, I remember thinking that it was so thin for it to be a classic. And as one may assume, I didn’t enjoy it when I read it the first time. It still holds true that anything that has ever been assigned for school reading, I just don’t enjoy very much.

Fast forward to this year, I decided to reread it…

With the book only containing 180 pages, one may assume this book doesn’t get deep. But, thats were you are wrong. This is one of the most rawest books I have yet read. There is so much going on. I noticed that there was a common theme in the book of wealth and love.  Rereading, this novel made me realize that this is one tragic love story. But, although it is tragic, it is so beautiful.

The story takes place in the 1920’s. This is a time in American History were flappers were around, prohibition of alchol was happening, and the parties were wild. This book is set after WWI when the soldiers are coming home and everyone is basing the amount of wealth that they have on how much materal objects they own. In the novel, money is being thrown left in right. An example of this would be Gatsby, throwing huge parties in his manision. This is first evident in chapter 3, when Fitzgerald talks how most people that attended Gatsby’s gathering came without invitiation and that there were very few actually invited guests ( Fitzgerald, 45). Which, can send the message that Gatsby had enough money to accomodate anyone who stopped by his party.

My Thoughts:

This novel is enjoyable. I think that there is a lot of things that a person can connect with in this book. I really enjoyed seeing that all the characters in the book although they functioned together as a unit, they were all so flawed. Each of them was battling a personal demon. I think that a lot of the time they used money as an escapism. Essentially that was evident with Gatsby, he would throw extravagant parties in hopes of attracting Daisy in to coming to one of them on accident.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a really long time since I read it. I think that the experience was even better because I marked up all my favorite qoutes and scenes that stood out to me.

This story is full of tragedy. And it really makes you value the things that you do have. I felt for Gatsby, as he explained how he tried to improve his life status in hopes of one day being reunited with Daisy and being able to impress her. I also think this novel is important to show that poeple are imperfect. The whole book has flawed characters as they are trying to survive but never truly living.

The characters in books are usually my favorite part, but these characters are so shallow. I loved Nick Carraway, whom I think is the only decent character in this book. Everyone else is obsessed with status and money that they put their most important relationships in jeopardy. Gatsby, does everything that he can in order to up his status in order to finally get a chance to be with Daisy. Yet, Daisy, is one of the most superficial characters I have ever read about. But, Gatsby’s love for her is so pure. Everything that Gatsby ever does is in hopes to win Daisy back.

This book is coated in symbolism. I came to really appreciate this. I loved how everything in this story tied up really nicely. There was no lose ends.  Which for a 180 page book, I really do appreciate.

If you have not read this book, I feel like you have to a least try it. If you read it in highschool, I encouarage you to read it again with a new persepctive. This story is tragic, honest and yet beautiful.

Contains Spoilers

I think that reading this as an adult, it makes a lot more sense to me and I can really make connections with the book that I wasn’t able to make as a sophmore. Some things that stood out to me, was the relationship between Tom and Daisy. I thought that it was one of those relationships that people are in because they don’t want to be alone. Tom is cheating on Daisy the entire time and he still gets angry at Daisy when she is being flirtaous in front of him with Gatsby. However, I honestly could not figure her out because she was claiming to love Gatsby and Tom at the same but yet she didn’t care if Tom saw her being affectionate toward Gatsby.

Another thing that stood out to me was the topic of wealth, how everyone in the book either wanted to be wealthy and tried to fit in with the wealthy crowd or they were wealthy and had no problem throwing their money around. Daisy and Tom, make it very apparent that they are wealthy and have money to throw around.

I found Daisy to be kind of a coward. She expresses how much she loves Gatsby and the book goes into an extensive story of how they first met. Yet, when she is asked to chose between Gatsby and Tom she doesn’t want to lose either of them and explains that she loves them both. This was one of the parts of the story that really made me upset because  the reader and Daisy both knows that Tom has been cheating on Daisy throughout the entire novel.

As one can tell I had an issue with Daisy!!!

If you read “The Great Gatsby” and you want to chat about it, leave a comment.

As per usual, with warm cups of tea and just a few more chapters, happy reading!!

Rina

currently reading

It’s Monday: What are you reading?

Happy Monday Bibliomanics,

It’s Monday, so that means I get to tell you what I am currently reading.

great gatsby

I am currently reading as always like a million books. I started reading “The Great Gatsby”, last week because I was craving a short Classic. “The Great Gatsby”, is great. “Hardy Har Har.” But, I am really enjoying it so far. This time around I am annotating it.

yogaI am also reading “Overcoming Chronic Pain through Yoga”, this was a new release that came out last week. I have been reading it on my Ipad, normally at night when I am all settled in. I am about 39% of the way through it.

 

shatter me

As far as audiobooks go, I am listening to “Shatter Me”. I am absolutely loving it. I don’t know why it has taken me so long to read this. Especially because Whitney from Whittynovels on Youtube talks about this series all the time.

I hope that by the end of this week I will also have read “A Wrinkle in Time.” I read a chapter of it on e-book before realizia wrinkle in timeng that I would love to have a physical copy of this book. So, I am waiting for it to come in the mail tomorrow.

If I get to all of this books this week I will consider it to be a success. Last week was a super funky week, I honestly wasn’t in the mood to read anything. I wasn’t even in the mood to listen to anything on audiobook either.

Hoping for a better reading week!!

With warm cups of tea and just a few more chapters,

Happy Reading!!

Rina

#booktube

Booktube Newbie Tag|Booktube 2018

Hey Biblimanics,

Happy Tuesday, today I would like to bring to you my “Booktube Newbie Tag”.  This is a tag created by Brenda C. I will post her original video here.

So, I decided to do this tag mainly because I feel like I am still a Newbie even though I have been meddling  in the book tube world since 2011. I loved having the opportunity to look back on how I got into reading, reflecting, and obviously gushing about my favorite authors and their works.

The questions that are in this tag are as follows:

1. Why did you start this channel?

2. What are some fun and unique things you can bring to Booktube?

3. What are you most excited for about this new channel?

4. Why do you love reading?

5. What book or series got you into reading?

6. What questions would you ask your favourite booktubers?

7. What challenges do you think starting a booktube channel will be the hardest to overcome?

8. When did you start reading?

9. Where do you read?

10. What kind of books do you like to read?

Are you curious of how I answered this questions? Then just watch the video below. If you have not done this tag and wish to do so, then I tag you to do this. I also welcome any discussion about any the questions in the comments below.

With that said I would like to present my “Booktube Newbie Tag”, grab yourself a cup of tea and settle down.  Hope you enjoy!!

 

With Warm Cups of Tea and Just a Few More Chapters, Happy Reading!!

Rina

#booktube · Monthly TBR

TBR|February 2018

Hey Bibliomanics,

Happy February!! I hope you are starting this month refreshed and motivated. This month I decided due to burying my head in textbooks, digging large holes and hiding in them away from the madness that is school. I would set a few reading goals.

My TBR pile has 3 books on it.  Who am I even kidding? This month’s TBR, is showcasing 3 of the books that I plan for sure reading this month. I am keeping my TBR’s smaller this year because I want to be able to accomplish more by setting goals as I go. Already I have strayed away from the books featured in this video.

I picked up “The house on Mango Street” last night from the library and I plan to be reading it on the go because the chapters are so short.

The other 3 books I would like to read this month are:

IT By Stephen King, I know what you are thinking. “Marina, weren’t you reading this in 2017?” Why, yes I was. I am continuing on with the journey and absolutely enjoying it. It is just not a book I prefer to read on the go, as I really like getting into the story and feeling like I am part of the story rather than just reading it on the go.

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher I mainly want to read this because of the NETFLIX series. I want to watch the series, but I try not to watch film adaptions until after I read the book with the exceptions of “Game of Thrones”, “IT”, and “Outlander”. I got “13 Reasons Why”, on audio and hope to be able to listen to it this month.

And last but not least, is Gemina by Amiee Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. This is the sequel to the space opera Illuminae. I read Illuminae, last month and although I enjoyed the ending I didn’t care too much for the entire story. I am giving it another try this month. I was thinking of listening to the audio book for this as well. But, due to the format of the book I may just check it out of the library.

There are sooo many books, but where is the time????

With Warm Cups of Tea and Just a Few More Chapters,

Rina

Book Review

Your Creative Career: Turn your passion into a Fulfilling and Financially Rewarding Lifestyle By Anna Sabino| Book Review

Your Creative Career

(I was provided a copy for an honest review from Netgalley.)

Pages: 192

Publisher: Career Press

Release Date: 1/22/18

Synopsis: Anna Sabino is an artist, but certainly not a starving one. She wasn’t born into a wealthy family, didn’t inherit money from a distant relative, and doesn’t have a rich husband. But she made it as an entrepreneur, as a single woman, and most important, as an artist.

In Your Creative Career, she shows her fellow artists and creatives how to build a business that reflects their talent and true calling while generating serious cash. Whether the goal is to build an empire and be financially free, create a lifestyle business, or just to have more time, Your Creative Career guides you through every aspect of creative entrepreneurship.

If you want to start your creative career, transition into it, or give it a boost, this book is a must read that features:Proven systems and strategies to create ideally priced products that keep selling.The importance of going through all the steps of making it from idea inception and execution to branding and distribution.The importance of transitioning from artistic solitude to collaborative, creative entrepreneurship.
The most effective marketing and PR methods adjusted to the new reality of short attention spans and information overload. (Goodreads)

(Book Images belong to Ana Sabino, and Career Press.)

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review:

This book came into my hands at the right time. I was really inspired by this book. I felt that it had a lot of good information for a person who is looking to start making money off their creative projects. However, I also felt like it was a nice shove into creating.

I wanted to start creating anything and everything after reading this. One of my resolutions for the last few years is to be more of a creative force. However, I have had a bunch of different excuses that always stood in the way of doing what I wanted and love to do.

I think that the biggest lesson that I have learned from reading this book is CONSISTENCY AND CONFIDENCE. I recognized that I will not always be making the best art or coming up with original content to create and thats okay. But, what I am personally not okay with is to stop creating out of fear that my work will not be recognized by others.

If you can’t tell yet, I really loved this book. If you are a creator or small business owner I highly recommend to read this book.

As I am not creating a physical product for sale, I felt a little disconnected with the passages that talked about product selling stand point. But, I still felt that everything this book talked about could be implemented in any creative situation that you may find yourself, whether you are a blogger, Youtuber, or even a small creator. This book is magical because I truly believe that any creative reader can gain a little something from it.

There was a lot of information that in the back of my mind I already knew about but, I still felt like it was a beneficial reminder. Most importantly it reminded me that in order to be a creator, you must be creating for the right reasons. Although, going viral and selling a product is a great thing, I personally gained that if I loved creating something I should continue creating it. However, I should also be open to creating things that I know my consumers would be enjoying as well.

Besides inspiring you this book, shows you the starting point of taking your creative side and moving it into a career. I really liked that the information was not overwhelming and it didn’t seem to be out of reach of accomplishment. I feel like a lot of times you can become overwhelmed with the information that is presented to you but, this book didn’t do that. It gave you a starting point, leading you on your way. And I really, really liked not feeling that my goals were not accomplishable.

I really liked that you could connect with the book because the author shared her own story, while she was leading you on a path of establishing your creative career. I like that a reader could relate to what the author went through, using their own creative experience.

This book definitely makes you reflect on your own creative process. Which I felt was very helpful. I personally, feel I have more direction on where I would like to take my creative projects.

If you are on your own creative journey and you need some inspiration, I think that this book would be right up your ally. If you have an idea execute it. Don’t let things hold you back from trying.

 

With Warm Cups of Tea and Just a Few More Chapters,

Rina

Beyond the books

Beyond The Books: Blogging Goals and Most Popular Posts|Thursdays (1.11.18)

Beyond the Books Meme is hosted by Karen Blue over at KissinKarenBlue.


Hello Bibliomanics and welcome to the new post series that I will be starting on here called beyond the books. I found this on whim and thought it would be a lot of fun to do. I will be combining last weeks and this weeks topics into this post.

Lets start with my blogging goals.

I would like to post more book reviews on this blog. The current goal is to have at least one book review go up each week.

Secondly, I would love to incorporate Youtube, into my blogging experience. I would love to film book reviews and more discussion type videos.

And thirdly, I would love to be more active on Netgalley, and concentrate on more critical and thought out reviews.

Let’s move on to my most popular post:

My most popular post of 2017 was Blogmas: Barnes & Noble Membership (Is it Worth it?)

It was also one of my favorite posts to write as it really explored my own feelings towards my membership which I am so blessed to have.

Overall, I am so excited for this upcoming year. I can not wait to see where this New Year takes me.

With Warm Cups of Tea and Just a Few More Chapters,

Rina

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday| January 10, 2018

Hey Bibliomanics,

It is Wednesday, which means it is time for my “Waiting on Wednesday”. “Waiting on Wednesday”, is a meme originally hosted by “Breaking in the Spine“.

Today I will be sharing with you the books I am looking forward to in January!

McGOWAN_BRAVE_HC_TEST2.inddBrave by Rose McGown

Release Day: January 30, 2018

Synopsis:“My life, as you will read, has taken me from one cult to another. BRAVE is the story of how I fought my way out of these cults and reclaimed my life. I want to help you do the same.” -Rose McGowan

A revealing memoir and empowering manifesto – A voice for generations

Rose McGowan was born in one cult and came of age in another, more visible cult: Hollywood.

In a strange world where she was continually on display, stardom soon became a personal nightmare of constant exposure and sexualization. Rose escaped into the world of her mind, something she had done as a child, and into high-profile relationships. Every detail of her personal life became public, and the realities of an inherently sexist industry emerged with every script, role, public appearance, and magazine cover. The Hollywood machine packaged her as a sexualized bombshell, hijacking her image and identity and marketing them for profit.

Hollywood expected Rose to be silent and cooperative and to stay the path. Instead, she rebelled and asserted her true identity and voice. She reemerged unscripted, courageous, victorious, angry, smart, fierce, unapologetic, controversial, and real as f*ck.

BRAVE is her raw, honest, and poignant memoir/manifesto—a no-holds-barred, pull-no-punches account of the rise of a millennial icon, fearless activist, and unstoppable force for change who is determined to expose the truth about the entertainment industry, dismantle the concept of fame, shine a light on a multibillion-dollar business built on systemic misogyny, and empower people everywhere to wake up and be BRAVE . (Goodreads)


I am a huge fan of Rose McGown. I loved her when she starred in the WB’s “Charmed”!! I am very interested in reading about her life and how she rose to fame in Hollywood. Especially since she has been in the media quite a bit lately.


ZenithZenith By Sasha Alseberg and Lindesy Cummings

Release Day: January 16, 2018

Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, Marauder, however, she’s just Andi, their friend and fearless leader.

But when a routine mission goes awry, the Marauder‘s all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situation and at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi’s past.

Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two.

Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their shipor just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted. (Goodreads)


I am excited to finally read this. I heard so many mixed reviews about this book. There are either people who feel like this book is really good and there are others that absolutely hate it. I was extremely shocked by how many people actually hated this book on Amazon. This should definitely be an interesting read, if not for the content at least to cure my curiosity about this book.


What books are you excited for this year? Are any of them coming out in January?

With Warm Cups of Tea and Just a Few More Chapters,

Rina

Book Review

Hopeless By Colleen Hoover|Book Review


HopelessPages: 410

Published: December 19th 2012 (first published December 17th 2012)
Original Title:Hopeless
ISBN 1301949825 (ISBN13: 9781301949823)

Synopsis:Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.(Goodreads)


Reviewstarsstars/5

I originally read this because I was trying to get out of a reading slump. Colleen Hoover has always been one of those authors that has always pulled me out of reading slumps. Her writing is addicting and her storyline make a reader invested in the story.

However, I didn’t find this to be the case with Hopeless. At times it was enjoyable, because it had a lot of different themes in it. I liked that there was a mystery plot that developed along with a romance contemporary that Colleen Hoover is known for.

I really liked the relationship development that occurred between Sky and Holder. I thought that their romance wasn’t as instalove as romances can tend to be. I enjoyed that they shared a strong friendship. I also like that at a one point in the story, there was a scene were the main characters were about to have sex and the female protagonist said she wasn’t ready, I felt like the male character did not pressure her to continue and supported her throughout her trying to piece together her past.

Holder wasn’t one of those book crushes that I usually get all the feels for from reading Colleen Hoover books. However, I did like how intense he was portrayed and his whole bad boy persona really made the book more interesting as he was a very big part of the novel. Sky, at parts was a really interesting character to watch because you can see her go through so many emotions. As a reader you can see her fall in love, and figuring out her place in Holder’s secret. Looking back on my reading, and thinking about Holder’s character. I feel like he was written to be to simple, as he is a character that was dealing with holding on too a lot of information and it didn’t seem like he was a very grieving character.

I didn’t like that the resolution of this story was so anticlimactic. The entire book build up the storyline and I felt like it resolved just too easily.  The story also had a lot of triggers, such a rape and suicide. I think that one of the main things that really made me give this book  2 stars is that it wasn’t very memorable. After I finished reading it I only really remembered some main points but not anything that made the story super enjoyable to sit through and read. Also, this isn’t a book I plain on rereading anytime soon.

Overall, this story just fell flat for me. I just didn’t find it to be memorable at all.  The entire book was just okay for me. I hope to enjoy “Losing Hope”, a little bit more.

Until Next Time With Warms Cups of Tea and Just a Few More Chapters,

Rina

 

Book Review

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green |Book Review

35504431Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. (Goodreads)

Pages: 290

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Published:October 10th 2017

Amazon

Barnes and Noble


Review:

This book was brilliant. I related to it on so many levels. Aza, spoke to me because I could see mine own battle with anxiety happen through her eyes.

Turtles all the way down, was very good. It wasn’t my favorite book that John Green has ever written because “The Fault In Our Stars” does holds that special place. I did enjoy it a lot because I was able to connect with it.

Our main character Aza has an anxiety disorder, which I identified with as well. There were so many instances in this novel that I felt that I had reacted to a situation in my life, in a similar way as Aza has. The one problematic area that I couldn’t connect with was when Aza, was prescribed medication for her anxiety right way without the doctor trying to find alternative ways to deal with anxiety.

I loved the relationship and friendship that this story developed. I think that it did show the honest truth and difficulty of what it looks like to date someone with anxiety. I can identify with the feelings that Aza, had when she was conflicted with two sides of herself and wanted to be closer to Davis but, at the same time she pulled away from him, and began to overthink every little bit.

I thought that Daisy, Aza’s best friend was written as a typical high schooler who wanted her best friend to just be able to have fun. I can see how she could be a problematic character in the sense that she was not always supportive of Aza, but I can see where her character struggled to understand what is going on with her best friend and although wanted to continue to be friends, but had to take some time to change her thoughts and  behavior in order to do so.

Overall, I thought that this was a beautifully written novel. I enjoyed that this novel also revolved around a mystery of what happened to the billionaire Russel Picket. The storyline was never flat, as it revolved around the constant suspense element while introducing the struggles of a character dealing with anxiety.

I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in learning about mental illness, and anxiety. There were also so many beautiful quotes in this book that I couldn’t help but flag every single one of them in my copy so I can go back and reread them in the future.

(Also, please know that if you are battling with anxiety or mental illness, you are not alone. If you need additional support please contact SAMHSA treatment referral helpline: 1-877-SAMHSA7. Or reach out to a school counselor or parent.)

With Warm Cups of Tea and Just A Few More Chapters,

Rina