Thursday, June 28, 2018

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Narrated by Hamish R. Johnson & 
Chelsea Bruland
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Years ago, Rachel had a crush on Henry Jones. The day before she moved away, she tucked a love letter into his favorite book in his family’s bookshop. She waited. But Henry never came.

Now Rachel has returned to the city—and to the bookshop—to work alongside the boy she’d rather not see, if at all possible, for the rest of her life. But Rachel needs the distraction. Her brother drowned months ago, and she can’t feel anything anymore.

As Henry and Rachel work side by side—surrounded by books, watching love stories unfold, exchanging letters between the pages—they find hope in each other. Because life may be uncontrollable, even unbearable sometimes. But it’s possible that words, and love, and second chances are enough. 
“The bookstore is a building, but it's not only the building. It is the books inside. People are not only their bodies. And if there is no hope of saving the things we love in their original form, we must save them however we can.”
It was incredibly difficult to choose just one quote for this review. I loved so many of the things said within the pages of this book; however, I was listening to an audiobook... this means I had to keep rewinding my favorite phrases so I could write them down by hand. I've already ordered a physical copy for my shelves, and I cannot wait to read it again just so I can underline, highlight, and dog-ear all of my favorite parts. I'm sure a lot of you are cringing right now, but I actually think Words in Deep Blue would appreciate my attempt at sharing my love for it with the world. Maybe I'll end up donating my marked-up copy so someone else can see how much I enjoyed this book.

“Second hand books have a way of travelling, sure. But what travels forward can come back.” 

I could sit here and type, "I loved this!" over and over again, but it wouldn't really encompass everything this book made me feel. This is the kind of book you want to leave lying around the city so strangers can pick it up and enjoy something you loved. It's a book you want to shout from the rooftops about. Words in Deep Blue is a book you want to read again and again until the cover is so worn you can barely make out the words on the cover.

I think the idea of a Letter Library is brilliant. Where can I find one? It's an area of the bookshop where people can read books and leave notes in the margins. They can circle words or highlight phrases, and even leave letters for loved ones or random people to find. These books cannot be bought, and they live within the Letter Library forever. One of the characters said that these books tell the story of people, and I absolutely love the concept. 

Words in Deep Blue was a beautiful story about friendship and family, love and loss, and most importantly--hope. The hope of a better tomorrow, and the hope of a future. The present is constantly changing, and there's not much we can do about the past, but the future is full of endless possibilities. 

“The past is with me; the present is here. The future is unmapped and changeable. Ours for the imagining: spreading out before us. Sunlight filled, deep blue, and the darkness.” 

I devoured this book from beginning to end. Truthfully, I could have started back at page one as soon as I'd finished. I'm still processing everything that's happened, and all the things said at the end, but every part of me is ready to dive right back in and start over. Words in Deep Blue is a book that will stay with me forever... it's left a mark on my soul.

"I’m naked and duck taped to a pole. That’s what I am. That’s an accurate description of my feelings."

Last chance: Only a few hours left in the It's My Birthday! giveaway!

32 comments:

  1. Oooo I *have* to read this!! As I read the synopsis, I was really hoping you would say it was good. So yay!

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    1. I stumbled across this when I was looking for an audiobook on OverDrive! I didn't know anything about it, but I immediately fell in love with the characters and their stories. It was such a beautiful book. <3

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  2. This sounds fabulous, Lindsi! I love books that have a message of hope. I will have to check this one out. Great review!

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    1. Yay! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I look forward to hearing your thoughts. <3

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  3. Well you definitely have my interest piqued! These are beautiful quotes! I’ll have to check this one out.

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    1. Those were just the quotes I could fit into my review! There were sooo many I wanted to share. It was crazy how many times I stopped the audiobook to write something down.

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  4. I didn't know about it but I love your enthousiasm for it and you're making me curious as well

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    1. I hope that curiosity means you'll read it for yourself one day! <3

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  5. I've read books where I felt the same way and just wanted everyone to read it and love it as much as I did.

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    1. It's hard to find a balance between sharing the love and being pushy, lol. I try to just say it once or twice (really let someone know how I feel), and then let them make up their own mind. If it's a book I deeply adore and want to share, I'll buy copies for friends and family. I've learned they're more likely to read something if I buy it for them. ;)

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  6. I've been hearing so many great things about this book! I can't wait to get my hands on it. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I love it when a book makes me feel how this book clearly made you feel!!

    --Sam @ Sharing Inspired Kreations

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    1. It's the best feeling! I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, and it's been hard choosing what to listen to next. Any suggestions? I was thinking about the audiobook for The Sun is Also a Star.

      Words in Deep Blue is definitely a book that needs to be read sooner rather than later. <3 I hope you love it, too!

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  7. I LOVE the idea of a letter library. I'm so glad you loved this one! And marking up books is fun. I tend to do it when I'm planning on gifting the book to my sister or a friend - so they can have my notes. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Right? I think every town should have one! It's such a lovely idea. I tend to fold the pages in books to park passages or phrases, but I've recently started using sticky notes for longer comments, and the margins for small thoughts/ideas. My books look so loved!

      I think it's a wonderful idea to mark them for friends and family! They can see what you loved about something, and why it's important to you. :)

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  8. Ooh, definitely adding this to my TBR!!

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    1. Yay! I hope you're able to read it soon. <3

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  9. I'm so glad you enjoyed Words in Deep Blue! I really enjoyed it when I read it. I thought the Letter Library was so cool.

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    1. Me too! It was such an amazing idea! Did you read the book or listen to the audiobook? I thought the narrators did a brilliant job, but I also want a physical copy to read on my own. :)

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  10. I loved the beautiful writing but Henry's constant pining over his ex instead of seeing what was right in front of him was annoying to me. Glad you loved this Lindi! There's something about Aussie writers! Wonderful review! :)

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    1. Haha, Henry was a little obsessed with his ex, but I thought it felt realistic. When I was that age, I held on to feelings for someone that clearly didn't feel the same way. I guess I could see a little but of myself in Henry, so I could understand where he was coming from. Although, I do think he handled everything really well in the end. <3

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  11. I love Cath Crowley and when I saw this everywhere I didn't realize it was by her. I'm definitely going to pick this one up.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Glad I could point you in the direction of this book! I cannot wait to see what you think. <3

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  12. This sounds like a beautiful story! I love that books are used to help express love and hope.

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    1. Books have a way of conveying every emotion imaginable--it's what makes them so powerful! I love when I'm able to relate to books, or see myself in the characters. It makes everything feel more realistic to me.

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  13. Oh a letter library sounds brilliant! I do think I need to check this book out. This sounds like something I'd really enjoy.

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    1. Happy to bring it to your attention! I do think this a book a lot of people will enjoy. Be sure to let me know what you think! <3

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  14. I love it when a book makes you feel like that! The read it, read it, READ IT!!! feeling. :)
    I'll seriously consider reading it ;)

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    1. Yay! Then I will refrain from screaming, "READ IT!" at you! <3

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  15. This beautiful book sits on my favorites shelf. It was just everything! It made me want to read a lot more Cath Crowley books too. I am so happy you liked it!

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    1. It's definitely a favorite for me as well! I feel a need to recommend it to everyone I know, lol. Have you read any of her other books? I really enjoyed Graffiti Moon as well!

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  16. Isn't it just beautiful! It's such a wonderful example of Australian young adult fiction and it differs from US authors. There's always a genuine sincerity there and imperfect characters. I've found Netgalley is an awesome place to find Aussie reads being published in the US as well, some are even read now. I love seeing Aussie authors do so well in other countries, it's such a sense of pride. I'll be in your messages constantly nagging you to read more Aussie titles now Linds, brilliant review! ♥♥♥

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    1. Nag away! I've really enjoyed reading books by this author, and Words in Deep Blue is a new favorite.

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― Marissa Meyer, Heartless