Author: Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pub. Date: 5.3.2011
Genre: Contemporary YA
Keywords: Death, Single Father, Grief, Moving, Ocean, Suicide
Pages: 224
Description (from Goodreads):
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.
I've come to find that discovering new contemporary YA authors to love is becoming a consuming hobby, but it's so worth it when I find an author like Jessi Kirby and a book like MOONGLASS.
I'm not the biggest fan of MOONGLASS' cover, but the blurb by Sarah Dessen intrigued me. Dessen has been one of my favorite authors since junior high I always take a look at books that are rumored to be similar to her style... Kirby's debut is reminiscent of Dessen's novels, but is definitely it's own novel. I found that the feelings explored in MOONGLASS are very much like what one would find in a Dessen novel, but Kirby adds her own flavor and flair to her writing that makes it very much her own.
I wasn't positive I'd be Anna's biggest fan. She's kind of... perfect. She has a gorgeous beach body, great hair without having to try, and an engaging personality ... and she's completely aware of it. Luckily, Anna only goes out and displays her assets a couple times before she has her guy pretty well hooked, so the reader is able to overlook her lack of flaws. I'm not proposing that she should have a huge defect, but a little imperfection is generally a good thing.
Anna's relationship with her father was, in my opinion, the most notable aspect of this novel. I liked that there wasn't a new woman coming between Anna and her father, but rather the memory of Anna's mother and the ghostly remains of her suicide.
I highly recommend Kirby's MOONGLASS and I can guarantee I'll be reading her sophomore novel!
I've been seeing Moonglass around the blogosphere lately and was wondering about it. Thanks for the review!
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This sounds amazing! I agree that a blurb by Sarah Dessen is a notable touch. I have a hard time finding any contemporary authors I like as much, but you give me hope that Moonglass could be a new favorite. Thanks for the fabulous review! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review. I think that Moonglass could be so good that it ends up as a cross over book between YA and adult. I am looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteCarolNWong@aol.com
Thanks for your review. Whenever I find an author I like, I also try to find other similar authors within the same genre.
ReplyDeleteI agree that characters, both real and fictional, with flaws are easier to relate to.
monagarg@yahoo.com
This sounds like a great read! But yes, flawed characters are usually more interesting. I hope I get a chance to read this!
ReplyDeleteNot big on the cover but sounds good
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy flawed characters; definitely gives them more dimension. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
It sounds like this is all about the characters, which is just refreshing. There's not enough of these novels out there.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves Sarah Dessen's books so the blurb from her is enough to encourage her to try a new writer.
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alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
capturing review! i do think id read ANYTHING Sarah Dessen comments greatly on. Schweet! :D
ReplyDeleteThe blurb by Sarah was one of the reasons I learned more about this book. I'm super glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty new to Sarah Dessen, but the more I read, the more I find to like about her writing.
ReplyDeleteI love Contemporary YA, but I normally read less romancy/light Contemp than the heavier, deeper/darker stuff. I've only recently started reading the lighter stuff, but I've found that I really enjoy it, something I didn't expect! This book definitely looks like something I'd enjoy! :)
I must agree with you about not being the biggest fan of the cover, but between the synopsis and the blurb from Sarah Dessen, I am dying to read Moonglass. I'm very intrigued by the mystery of Anna's mom's death...
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