My teen book pick for the month is Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it for anyone who likes contemporary young adult stories. This book is for readers who have enjoyed Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, Another Day by David Levithan, Off the Page by Jodi Picoult, and Things we know by Heart by Jessi Kirby. Words in Deep Blue feels incredibly realistic and is a story about loss, first loves, and growing up.
From the publisher: 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, and the escape. Her brother drowned months ago, and she can’t feel anything anymore. She can’t see her future. Henry’s future isn’t looking too promising, either. His girlfriend dumped him. The bookstore is slipping away. And his family is breaking apart. 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.
-Blog post contributed by Dominique, Youth Services Librarian