Mundie Moms

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Book Review- Moonglass


Published by Simon and Schuster
Released on
Source- Bought
4.5 stars- I really enjoyed it!

From Jessi Kirby, a debut novel about confronting the past in order to move ahead.

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.
While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever (quoted from Goodreads).

Moonglass is one of those books that makes you feel like you've been up rooted from your favorite reading spot and put into the setting. I'm tempted to get on a plane and fly out to CA to go find Crystal Cover, the beach were the story is set up and find it's beautifully descriptive cottages. I miss living close to the beach and this made me feel like I was there on the beach, all I was missing was the lovely sea smell. The setting is such a huge part of the book and I love that it is it's own character. This book has left some strong impressions with me. The way in which Jessi writes her story is powerful, emotional and moving. It's about love, loss, redemption, and learning to live, to accept the cards that life deals us, and so much more.

There are so many things that I fell in love with, with the story. Everything about the story was so vivid and felt so real, from Anna's relationship with her father, to her sweet romance with Tyler, to coming to terms with the death of her mother, and meeting new friends in a place that is full of history for her father and mother. One of the elements I enjoyed the most was the way in which Jessi kept the same theme through out her story. Everything ties together, from the little details to the big moments and revelations. I felt like I really got to know Anna and though I've not been through what she's gone through, I felt that I was able to understand her and what she was feeling.

Crystal Cove isn't just the place where Anna's mother and father met, it's the place her father has moved them back to, and where Anna learns to finally let go and come to terms with everything. I loved the little bits of fun history Jessi adds to the story via Anna's dad, and the way he met Anna's mother and the type of person he used to be. It made his threat to the beach's lifeguards about staying away from Anna that much more comical. Everyone from Tyler, to Anna's new friends Ashely and even Jillian all won me over. One of my favorite characters was the man who crawls on the beach. He plays such a significant role in the story and I won't say anything else so I don't spoil anything. I loved him in this story. Really there's not one character I didn't fall in love with.

This is one of those books that I could see my 11th grade english teacher wanting to break down and discuss in class, since there are so many themes through out the story. I loved the symbolism with the sea glass/moon glass and how Jessi wove mermaid mythology into the story, via a story Anna's mother told her when she was younger. It was so unique and such a great part of the story. Moonglass is a very detailed, vivid story that I highly recommend picking up. There is some minor language in the story, but nothing that I wouldn't let my kids read when they're 13 & up.

**Sorry that we lost all of our comments when Blogger did their upgrade. If you commented before, thank you so much for doing so, and we're sorry your comment is gone*

City of Fallen Angels Not So Mundane Moments, Day 4, Simon & Jace Bantering


I am so excited about this week! With our friends Novel Novice, we have had a lot of fun working on this feature. Not only will be talking about our favorite scenes from COFA, we'll also have giveaways! Thank you to Simon & Schuster at the end of the week we'll each be giving away a SIGNED copy of COFA! Each of our site's will also have some swag and a little treat from Cassie we'll be sharing through out the week. To enter our giveaways, you'll need to include the code word found at the bottom of each post and enter the giveaway form out, also found in each post.

Before you read any further, please know this week's feature will be full of SPOILERS! If you've not read COFA yet and don't want to be spoiled, please do not read any further.


I mentioned earlier in the week that some of my favorite scenes were with Simon & Jace and their bantering. I love that the two of them despite acting like they don't like each other, seem to have a truce and seem to like each other in a brotherly sort of way. With all that's going on around them, their bantering also provided the right amount of comical relief to the story.

Here's an example:

"You look lousy," he said.

Jace blinked. "Seems an odd time to start an insult contest, but if you insist, I could probably think up something good."

"No, I mean it. You don't look good."

"This is from a guy who has all the sex appeal of a penguin. Look, I realize you may be jealous that he good lord didn't deal you the same chiseled hand he dealt me, but that no reason to-"

"I am not trying to insult you," Simon snapped. "I mean you look sick. When was the last time you ate anything?" page 120

There are a lot of great lines between Jace and Simon, and though it's tempting to post all my favorite lines between the two of them, this post would be way too long if I did. Plus it would include some spoilers for those who haven't read the book yet. I'd love to know what some of your favorite lines are between the two of them..

Today's Code Word: PENGUIN


Contest Guidelines:

* Fill out the contest entry form here, using today's code word.

* You may enter once PER DAY (no more) for a chance to win. (Please note: if you submit more than one entry per codeword, you will automatically be disqualified. You may enter once per day -- that means one entry for every different code word.)

* Check back every day to see a new spoiler, and get a new code word.

* Be sure to head over to Novel Novice for their code words, too, for even more chances to win!

* Prizes can only be mailed to the U.S.

Questions? Leave 'em in the comments & we'll reply!

*the TMI artwork was found HERE*

Waiting on Wednesday- The Girl In The Steel Corset


Published by Harlequin Teen
To Be Released On May 24th, 2011
You can pre-order the book here

She thought there was something wrong with her. She was right. Finley Jayne has known for quite some time that she isn’t ‘normal,’ but when she beats up the son of her employer and is forced to flee, she stumbles into a world where there are bigger freaks than her. They take her in, treat her like family and demand her trust. How can Finley trust them when she can’t trust herself? And why is she drawn to the powerful Griffin as well as the dangerous Jack? She has to get herself under control before she gets into trouble she can’t get out of.

Griffin King is one of the most powerful men in Britain but he couldn’t save his best friend from almost dying. He is determined to save Finley and help her become the person he knows she can be, but there’s evil afoot in London. Machines have attacked humans under the orders of a nefarious criminal called The Machinist. He has sworn to protect his country against such a threat, but he’s never faced any foe like this. However, when he discovers The Machinist’s connection to his past, Griffin vows to end the villain once and for all — but he’ll need the help of all his friends, including the beautiful Finley Jayne – the girl in the steel corset (quoted from Kady's site).

I was sold on steam punk and I'm really looking forward to reading this debut! I really like the cover, it looks like it matches the description of the book perfectly. I'm really looking forward this release.

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