The moment your face meets its surface, the mammalian diving response awakens. Blood draws inward, away from the fingers and toes, towards the heart, the lungs, the brain. You’d think it would feel like a retreat, but instead it brings a strange interior warmth, a kind of surrender… Thoughts slow, the noise dims. What’s left is the pulse of the present.
Page 48
In a nutshell
Water is in Veruska de Vita’s blood. A learner free diver and open-water swimmer, in Deep Blue she uncovers why the ocean calls to us. Along the way she speaks to people who find healing in swimming and cold water immersion, those who study marine environments, and elite athletes who swim super-human distances, in below freezing temperatures and dive to the depths of the ocean in one breath.
Book Club Notes
This book made me fall in love with swimming and particularly with jumping into a freezing pool in winter again. Combining research, her own stories and those of others just as obsessed with the ocean, she unpacks the magic, beauty and healing power of not just the ocean but water. She pulled me into so many worlds I had yet to discover – freediving, breathhold and true cold water immersion. Not only did I learn a lot, I found myself nodding and tagging as she perfectly described what it feels like to be immersed in water. It is a book first and foremost for water babies and ocean lovers, but even if that’s not you – it’s hard to read this book and not want to get into a body of water and swim.
Read If
You love the ocean, swimming and are interested in extreme endurance water sports and marine life.
Rating
Writing – 10/10
Likeability – 10/10
Purpose – 10/10
Shareability – 10/10
The Nitty Gritty
Published by: Jonathon Ball
Genre: Non-Fiction, Adventure
ISBN: 978-1-77619-456-8
Pages: 251
Shop This: Exclusive Books, Amazon Kindle
Similar Reads
A note on our book ratings
Readability: How easy is it to read what the author is saying?
Writing: How well written is the book? Do you find yourself wowed by the writing or unimpressed?
Likeability: Are the characters likeable, relatable, imparting something of value?
Purpose: Is there a clear purpose to the story being shared or is it better suited as a personal project for a family keepsake?
Shareability: How likely are you to share the book?
