Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Aza Holmes is a 16-year-old girl with crippling anxiety, particularly of the germs present in her own body and those introduced to her body by outside factors. Aza and her mom struggle financially so she and her care-free best friend, Daisy, decide to try to solve the mystery of a local missing man to collect the reward money. The missing man happens to be the rich father of a friend, Davis, that Aza met at a grief camp, mourning the loss of Aza's father and Davis' mother.

 Aza is in constant turmoil, even though she is in therapy for her crippling OCD.  Her fear of germs incites such anxiety that, although futile, she occasionally drinks hand sanitizer to combat the bacteria. Despite her recurring spiral into full-blown panic attacks, Aza and Davis begin to develop a close relationship that Davis pursues with zeal. Aza also desires the connection, but knows can never happen.  Aza is certain that she will never overcome her anxiety and is hopeless in ever leading a normal life. 

This is the first book I have read by John Green.  I have heard so much hype over his books for several years but was never interested in his topics of choice.  While the story was well-written, and the characters were well-developed, there was no real resolution in the end. The reader is hopeful that Aza might find some distraction in the pursuit to find Davis' missing father and find a way to cope with her illness. I understand that mental illness is an important subject to discuss and Green's writing might help others feel supported and not alone.  I am just not sure it provides any hope for those who experiencing their own spirals.  Overall, this book was probably my least favorite summer read.