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bookstorian's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
My fourth roll for Becca's Bookoplathon was 'same colour' and as my previous choice was a blue book, 'Words in Deep Blue' it was. This copy also is a letter library loan from my school which means that you can write notes, leave letters, highlight and underline in it. I took such joy being able to leave my mark in a book and also read the marks of others. After all "our ghosts hide in the things we leave behind" (pg336).
Rachel and Henry are best friends, or rather were best friends, until Rachel moved away without Henry really knowing how she felt about him. 'Words in Deep Blue', a love story, has an entire cast of characters and set in a bibliophile's dream, a bookstore. Oh and there's a heap of bookish quotes within the pages that will make your bookish heart twirl. The story was beautifully written and poetic in nature which explores loss, grief, memories, relationships and the past with a blend of first person narrative, letters between multiple characters and quotes.
The book references did go a little over my head at times and the relationship between Henry and Amy was pretty infuriating. But teenage boys can do and think some stupid things.
Anyone who has experienced loss would find great comfort in the words on the pages of this book. The best YA book I have read in a long time, let's hope the bookish hang over doesn't last too long!
Rachel and Henry are best friends, or rather were best friends, until Rachel moved away without Henry really knowing how she felt about him. 'Words in Deep Blue', a love story, has an entire cast of characters and set in a bibliophile's dream, a bookstore. Oh and there's a heap of bookish quotes within the pages that will make your bookish heart twirl. The story was beautifully written and poetic in nature which explores loss, grief, memories, relationships and the past with a blend of first person narrative, letters between multiple characters and quotes.
The book references did go a little over my head at times and the relationship between Henry and Amy was pretty infuriating. But teenage boys can do and think some stupid things.
Anyone who has experienced loss would find great comfort in the words on the pages of this book. The best YA book I have read in a long time, let's hope the bookish hang over doesn't last too long!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
meghanm404's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Grief
zone's review
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It’s a beautiful book. Soft and strong at the same time.
It deals with so many important issues but above all, it deals with life and love but also death. A real lesson for open your eyes but also your heart.
It deals with so many important issues but above all, it deals with life and love but also death. A real lesson for open your eyes but also your heart.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Death
paxyshia's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
soooo good! it was such a gentle book filled with grief and love and love letters and pining and i just adored it! i appreciated the pace of it and although it wasn’t as in depth as some other books that discussed death and grief, it was one that still resonated with me.
i think my favorite part was cal’s letters to george. the young love throughout the book was so sure and sweet and i really liked reading it. it touched me and made me remember what it was like to be in high school in love with someone and trying to find the perfect words for it.
i think my favorite part was cal’s letters to george. the young love throughout the book was so sure and sweet and i really liked reading it. it touched me and made me remember what it was like to be in high school in love with someone and trying to find the perfect words for it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Grief
munro_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a wonderful YA contemporary romance to read in one sitting. I can confidently place this among my favourite books of that genre. It was very cute and sweet with a surprising amount of depth- certainly a stellar, feel-good read! It just made me feel warm, comfy and cozy and it was the best thing after a stressful week.
Crowley’s writing makes this book an extremely easy and accessible read, with dialogue that feels authentic alongside some really beautiful prose. The central theme of books throughout also lent to some fun references and gorgeous quotes that I loved seeing!
Due to the length of this book, it felt like a quick snapshot into the characters’ lives in the best way. Crowley gives us complex and interesting protagonists and side-characters that produce a really wonderful dynamic to read about - although I think it could’ve been even better had it been slightly longer, allowing for us to see more of the characters and dig just a little bit deeper.
The dynamics of the various relationships in this book felt so real and authentic, and it painted a very realistic picture of individual struggles and the uniqueness of one’s experience with maneuvering grief. As a result, this book is certainly not light - but the depth and nuance adds so much to the plot and relationships that blossom and grow.
The ‘Letter Library’ is how this book truly shines - the commentary on the importance of storytelling and how some beautiful human connections form as a result was truly stunning. I loved the way random (or sometimes less random that you think) interactions between individuals in the pages of books peppered the plot and tied together all the themes really nicely at the end of the novel.
This book just sparked so much joy - to the point where I nearly cried. While I’ve definitely read better books in my time, this one really holds its own and I would highly recommend it. I’m really excited to go back through and tab some of the wonderful prose.
Please go read it! You won’t be disappointed.
Crowley’s writing makes this book an extremely easy and accessible read, with dialogue that feels authentic alongside some really beautiful prose. The central theme of books throughout also lent to some fun references and gorgeous quotes that I loved seeing!
Due to the length of this book, it felt like a quick snapshot into the characters’ lives in the best way. Crowley gives us complex and interesting protagonists and side-characters that produce a really wonderful dynamic to read about - although I think it could’ve been even better had it been slightly longer, allowing for us to see more of the characters and dig just a little bit deeper.
The dynamics of the various relationships in this book felt so real and authentic, and it painted a very realistic picture of individual struggles and the uniqueness of one’s experience with maneuvering grief. As a result, this book is certainly not light - but the depth and nuance adds so much to the plot and relationships that blossom and grow.
The ‘Letter Library’ is how this book truly shines - the commentary on the importance of storytelling and how some beautiful human connections form as a result was truly stunning. I loved the way random (or sometimes less random that you think) interactions between individuals in the pages of books peppered the plot and tied together all the themes really nicely at the end of the novel.
This book just sparked so much joy - to the point where I nearly cried. While I’ve definitely read better books in my time, this one really holds its own and I would highly recommend it. I’m really excited to go back through and tab some of the wonderful prose.
Please go read it! You won’t be disappointed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
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