In Turtles All the Way Down we meet Aza, a sixteen year old. Aza did not think she was going to pursue this adventure, but there is so much money involved and se has become a little detective. She tries to find the fugitive billionaire Russel Pickett, since there is a hundred thousand dollar reward.
Aza's best friend is Daisy, the most fearless person Aza knows. Daisy really wants to investigate in this case. So, together, they do.
Luckily they know Davis, Russel Pickett's son. Aza and Davis starts a relationship. Davis does not want Aza to find his dad; therefore, he gives Aza a hundred thousand dollars. Aza is afraid her illness will never get better and does not believe she can have a functioning relationship with Davis.
Throughout, Aza is trying her very best in life, but it is difficult. She is trying to be the perfect girl; a good daughter, a good student, a good friend, but it is hard. She has so many thoughts, too many, and it can be difficult living with them.
Aza realizes that Daisy has been writing Star Wars fan fiction based on Aza and her illness, and they get into a fight. Aza gets involved in a car accident due to this fight and spends several weeks in the hospital.
The story is really about living with mental illness and is very personal to the writer himself. Aza struggles with, among others, OCD, which can be very difficult living with.
