I found this book at my friend’s apartment and we decided to read it, partially for fun and as a joke, but it absolutely wrecked me. It was a couple nights before I left London, after my graduation, and I was in the whole job hunting process and I was hopelessly lost!
There was something about this whole idea that even though the book was meant for a kid, I never felt more connected to it, at that point it felt like every line was perfectly tailored to how I was feeling. It’s also really interesting because I think it was his last published children’s book. kinda makes me think if he might’ve written it for himself as well, to cope with growing old?
I’m turning 23 in a few days and I’m right where I was (cluelessness wise) when I read this book several months ago… I think it’s okay not having everything sorted and figured out, just because you haven’t yet met the goals you’ve set doesn’t mean you haven’t been constantly learning something. ⭐🤸♀️🧸💕
Apr 28, 2024
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i know it’s a john green book and in theory that’s not super smart and esoteric of me but this book means the whole world to me.
it was recommended to me by a doctor from the pediatric ward when i was hospitalized at 16 for anxiety. im not sure how he actually knew the nature of my thoughts given i wouldn’t really tell anyone anything, but he thought this book would help me. i probably got around to reading it when was 17 and i wish that i had read it when the doctor told me to because it truly did change the way i view my obsessions, medication, therapy, hospitalization, etc etc.
the book follows a girl with ocd as she tries to solve a murder mystery type thing. i didn’t necessarily care for the actual plot of the novel, but john greens descriptions of her thoughts and fears really hit home for me- and i feel that they would for anyone struggling with anxiety. the title hints at the manner the main character learns to cope with her anxiety, which is to view it as ultimately meaningless- “turtles all the way down”, the same thing over and over again. theres a lot of a value in this thought process, especially for people who struggle with obsessive or intrusive thoughts. it goes against popular cultures understanding of mental illness, as something that means anything at all, something that has anything to do with the person suffering. its just an illness. greens personal experience with ocd gave him the ability to put this catharsis into words.
i would not be where i am with my own mental health without this book and i recommend it to anyone who struggles with anxiety.
++ bless up to the doctor in the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital for having fire taste 🙏
Mar 10, 2024
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This book changed my life when I was 16, reframing the way I think about daily challenges and the ebb and flow of life and such. There’s an effortless clear-pilledness to these words. I return to them often and keep a pocket-sized version in my backpack at all times. Chapter 11 resonates the most with me right now.
Feb 22, 2023
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Cute & pithy subversion of ”wherever you go, there you are”, the mantra that basically ruled my life for three years. Gave me recognition of agency that I sorely needed when surrendering myself to my circumstances and making peace with everything just wasn’t cutting it.
Happens to be the title of a short essay from All Things Are Too Small by Becca Rothfeld, an essay collection that turned me upside down, held me by the ankle, and shook me until a whole bunch of unquestioned Goods fell right out of my worldview, including (the subject of this essay!!) western meditation and the self control in pursuit of indifference that is its ultimate stated aim.
This essay in particular I think goes on for a little too long but hey!! Excess and indulgence in all things sex and love and thought and beauty and worldly items - each are handled completely separately and thoughtfully and wittily and I can’t blame her for making the words and passages themselves as lush and voluminous as their subjects reportedly ought to be. If you read it (I hope you do!!!) it’ll change the way and depth in which you think about Something and it won’t even be the thing you expect
Aug 8, 2024
Top Recs from @medhaaluri
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readings.design - includes lots of PDFs
Letterform Archive
Design Reviewed
Eye Magazine
The Book Cover Review - designers reviewing book covers they like
Ruben Pater’s website
practicaltypography.com
Apr 26, 2024
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A perfect rom com! Simple and sweet. Gets you in the feels 💕🌠
Apr 28, 2024
once you ignore all the plot holes and suspend your urge to think logically, this is such a comfort show.
Obsessed with the 90s of it all…
Mar 4, 2025