The Book Addict Reviews: Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Genre:  Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Social Situations
Order Online: Amazon.com  
Author Info: Goodreads | Website
Rating: 4 stars   
Received this ARC in a giveaway from one of my favorite blogs: Jen Ryland/YA Romantics 

In A Nutshell:  
Anna Ryan has to move.  Her father has just taken a promotion that requires he move to another beach.  But Anna is not sure that she wants to leave.  She lost her mother here and she is afraid that with leaving she will lose her again or maybe lose more of herself.  For Anna's father though, this move means coming back to the place where he met her mother and to the memories of her that are the happiest.  And he wants to share all of that with Anna--if she will let him. 

Review:  
I was so excited when I opened the package with this book because on the cover of the book is a review by Sarah Dessen.  As many of you know--I love her books.  So the review made me confident I would love this book too.  And I did.  I do think that fans of Sarah Dessen will really like Jessi Kirby because their styles and the topics that they approach have a lot of similarities. 

Anna is a fairly private person who has had to hide a lot of secrets within herself.  This personality does not generally make for a great narrator.  At the beginning of the story, I was a little frustrated because Anna was not sharing very much of her story.  However, as the story progressed I found myself really drawn to Anna.  I wanted to find out her story--and I wanted to be there as Anna figured out her story.  I wanted to see Anna find some peace.

At the end though, I was a little disappointed that while the primary story was tied up, some of the side stories did not get tied up.  What happened with the track team?  How did Ashley and Anna work everything out?  I wanted to know more--and see if Anna found closure. 

Recommendations:
After reading Jessi Kirby's first book--I cannot wait to read her next:

But this book also made me realize how long it has been since I read a Sarah Dessen book--I need to read another one soon!

The Book Addict Dares You To Read: Sarah Dessen

I love having the opportunity to challenge people to read books that I personally found compelling or interesting or just all out fun.  But I want to know what you think?  Have you read the book?  Did it stick with you?  If so, why?  If not, why? _________________________________________________

My blogging buddy, Jen, repeatedly recommended Sarah Dessen books to me--and I would put them on my TBR list and there they would stay.  Then I finally sat down and read one and I was in love.  Her characters are flawed, human, relate-able, cute, fun--anything that positive you can say about a character.  Her stories are engaging, believable, and all around fun to read.  In short, she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Here are links to the reviews for her books that I have written so far:
Just Listen
This Lullaby
The Truth About Forever
What Happened To Goodbye

And here is the review for my latest Sarah Dessen read:


Genre: Young Adult, Love & Romance, Siblings, Family
Order Online: Amazon.com
Author Info: Website | Goodreads
Rating: 4 stars
Borrowed this book from the library. 

In A Nutshell:
Sarah Dessen masterly tells a difficult story with an optimistic tone--so rather than feeling overwhelmed at the end.  I felt hopeful and happy with the world as the story ended, but I wanted more.  I wanted the ending to stretch out a little longer. 

Review:
Lock and Key may not be my favorite Sarah Dessen novel but I still loved it.  The story centers around two teens who have no where to go--or at least feel like they have no where to go. 

Ruby had been taking care of herself ever since her mother disappeared.  She is going to high school by day, working her mother's delivery job by night, and dealing with the electric company, the lack of running water, and the housekeeping in her spare time.  But what else can she do?  There is no one else in the world who cares about her, right?

Then we learn Nate's tale of abandonment on the part of his mother after she started a new family with her new husband.  It may not have been too bad except his father is abusive and using Nate as free labor in his errand running business.  There is no one in the world who cares about him, right?

There is a balance between empathizing with the teens and wishing they could see the options to get help around them because there are people who are willing to and want to help them.  Part of the time, I wanted to call out to Ruby and Nate--tell them to accept the help available to them.  But more than that, I was heart broken because there should not be a need for teens to be worried about not feeling loved, cared for, appreciated, and safe.  That should be a given for them. 

While the basic storyline tugged at my heart, I commend Sarah Dessen's ability to handled the complicated and emotional story with finesse.  The focus is not on the sad elements--the focus is on the hopeful elements.  Throughout the story, I was optimistic.  I always had the feeling that it was going to turn out well.  I was happy. 

Recommendations:
And my favorite part was that Sarah Dessen brought back glimpses of some of my favorite characters from her other books--Annabel on the radio or Kristy and Bert at the mall.  It almost makes me want to re-read my first Sarah Dessen to see if I recognize some of my favorite characters embedded in the story:

TBR Intervention (10)

Overall--I feel like I set very ambitious goals for last week, so I am calling this week a success even though I am not done with everything.

Last Week

I am 2/3 of the way done with this one.  I have been finding many of the same problems I find with a lot of second books in series--it drags a lot more than the first one did.  But in talking with my friend we learn a lot from this book that is very important in later books and we meet a lot of people who are important in later books.  So in other word it is very important as the series continues.  So I have been working through it, and now that I am in the last 100 pages I can feel it starting to pick up quite a bit!


I finished this one--and I loved it.  Well maybe love is not the right word.  I struggle with describing how I feel about Ellen Hopkins books--they are so well written but it is hard to say "love" with the topics that she covers.  They are gritty, dark, and hard.  But it affected me.  I felt it deeply as I finished it.  More to come in my review.


This one I can say I finished and I loved without hesitation! Although I do not necessarily think it was my favorite Sarah Dessen book--I did love it. I loved Ruby and Nate.  Review to come.

This Week

My first fail of the week is destined to be my first success next week!  I am going to start Fat Vampire as soon as I finish Kitty Goes To Washington.  I cannot read two fantasy books (both of which have a different vampire world created) at the same time.  But this one is going to be next--I promise!

And from the library (and coming due this week--eek!):

This is Ellen Hopkins first adult novel--and I have been so excited to read it.  I am very optimistic that the style that makes her so accessible and honest in YA will do wonders in an adult novel!

Summary (from Amazon):
THREE FEMALE FRIENDS FACE MIDLIFE CRISES IN A NO-HOLDS-BARRED EXPLORATION OF SEX, MARRIAGE, AND THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE.

Holly: Filled with regret for being a stay-athome mom, she sheds sixty pounds and loses herself in the world of extramarital sex. Will it bring the fulfillment she is searching for?

Andrea: A single mom and avowed celibate, she watches her friend Holly’s meltdown with a mixture of concern and contempt. Holly is throwing away what Andrea has spent her whole life searching for—a committed relationship with a decent guy. So what if Andrea picks up Holly’s castaway husband?

Marissa: She has more than her fair share of challenges—a gay, rebellious teenage son, a terminally ill daughter, and a husband who buries himself in his work rather than face the facts.

As one woman’s marriage unravels, another’s rekindles. As one woman’s family comes apart at the seams, another’s reconfigures into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman’s up is another one’s down, and all of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.

Unflinchingly honest, emotionally powerful, surprisingly erotic, Triangles is the ultimate page-turner. Hopkins’s gorgeous, expertly honed poetic verse perfectly captures the inner lives of her characters. Sometimes it happens like that. Sometimes you just get lost.Get lost in the world of Triangles, where the lives of three unforgettable women intersect, and where there are no easy answers.

And because we all know that I cannot go anywhere without a book on my ipod, my audiobook this week is:

Although--I am listening to the unabridged version! I think that is very important to note.

Summary (from Amazon):
Finding wealthy Elaine Boldt seems like a quickie case to Kinsey Millhone. The flashy widow was last seen wearing a $12,000 lynx coat, leaving her condo in Santa Teresa for her condo in Boca Raton. But somewhere in between, she vanished. Kinsey's case goes from puzzling to sinister when a house is torched, an apartment is burgled of worthless papers, the lynx coat comes back without Elaine, and her bridge partner is found dead. Soon Kinsey's clues begin to form a capital M -- not for missing, but for murder: and plenty of it.

Winner of the 1985 Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award and the 1985 Anthony Award for Best Novel.

What are you reading this week?

YA Trivia Game (7)

On my best blogging buddies has invited me to join in her Valentine's Week special:

So everyday I will post a trivia question about a Famous YA Couple.  Everyone gets one opportunity a day to answer--and it does not matter if you are right or wrong.  Any answer is worth a chance to win a prize at the end of the week!

The prize: At the end of the week, I will pick one winner to win a $10 Amazon gift card.  I am willing to mail the card internationally if the winner is able to use it.


Now for the fun part--the final question of the quiz!  I will be picking a winner on Tuesday (and announcing all of the correct answers). 

Which Sarah Dessen couple works for Wish Catering?
a) Annabel and Owen
b) Macy and Wes
c) Remy and Dexter
d) Ruby and Nate

Please put your answer here.

YA Trivia Game (2)

On my best blogging buddies has invited me to join in her Valentine's Week special:

So everyday I will post a trivia question about a Famous YA Couple.  Everyone gets one opportunity a day to answer--and it does not matter if you are right or wrong.  Any answer is worth a chance to win a prize at the end of the week!

The prize: At the end of the week, I will pick one winner to win a $10 Amazon gift card.  I am willing to mail the card internationally if the winner is able to use it.

Now for the fun part:
In Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, what is the name of Owen's radio show that Annabel listens to?
a) Tunes for Lovers
b) Anger Management
c) The Midnight Hour
d) The Rush Hour

Please put your answer here.

TBR Intervention (9)

Last Week

I am calling last week a "so-so" success.  I got a lot of reading done (success), but I did not get a lot of the TBR Intervention reading done (fail):

I finished it!  I loved it!  My review is up. 

I am almost done--close enough that I think I will be done by the end of the day.  I love it!!  I have been recommending this book to everyone I know--particularly those with kids 8-13 years old.  Review coming soon.

This is my epic fail--because I have not even started this book.  And with my giveaway--I need to read the books before I give them away!  So this one is going back on my TBR pile for a while.

This Week

My new supervisor has been recommending the Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn.  I read the first one this week--and now I have to read the next one this week (absolutely have to know what happens next!):

Summary (from back cover):
Werewolves Do It Better

The country's only celebrity werewolf, late-night radio host Kitty Norville prefers to be heard, not seen.  But when she's invite to testify at a Senate hearing on behalf of supernaturals, her face gets plastered on national TV.  Kitty's been in hot water before, but jumping into the D.C. underworld brings a new set of problems.  And a new set of friends and enemies, including the vampire mistress of the the city; an uber-hot Brazilian were-jaguar; and a paranoid, Bible-thumping senator who wants to expose Kitty as a monster.  Kitty quickly learns that in this city of dirty politicians and backstabbing pundits, everyone's itching for a fight.

Adam Rex is coming to my favorite local bookstore (changing hands) so I am going to start my giveaway reading with:

Summary (from back cover):
Doug Lee is undead quite by accident--attacked by a desperate vampire, he finds himself cursed with being fat and fifteen forever.  When he has no luck finding some goth chick with a vampire fetish, he resorts to sucking the blood of cows under cover of the night.  But it's just not the same.

Then he meets the new Indian exchange student and falls for her--hard.  Yeah, he wants to bite her, but also wants to prove himself to her.  But like the laws of life, love, and high school, the laws of vampire existence are complicated--it's not as easy as study Dracula.  Especially when the start of Vampire Hunters is hot on your trail in an attempt to boost ratings...

Searing, hilarious, and always unexpected, Fat Vampire is a satirical tour de force from one of the most original writers of fiction today.

I also had a few books I have been waiting for at the library--and of course they have all come at once.  So I have to get them done before they are due.  For this week I am focusing on finishing:

Summary (from inside flap):
Crank. Glass. Ice.  Crystal.  Whatever you call it, it's all the same; a monster.  And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go.

Kristina thinks she can control it.  Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots.  But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips.  She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life.  She needs it to feel alive.

Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves--her baby.

The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell.  Told in verse, it's a harrowing and disturbing look at addiction and the damage that it inflicts.

I read Crank and it affected me--it's hard for me to say that I loved it because it is not a story to love.  But it will always stick with me.  

And of course I have to be listening to a book.  This week I think I am going to focus on listening to: 

Summary (from Amazon):
“Ruby, where is your mother?”

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

It feels like I have been away from Sarah Dessen too long!
 
What books do you plan to read this week?  Have you read the books I am planning?  What did you think?

TBR Intervention (4)

Last Week's Intervention

I finished both of these books from my goals last week:



My review for The Truth About Forever is already up and the review for Touch of Power will be up next week!

I am halfway done with Crank by Ellen Hopkins.  I may have it done by the end of the day (which would technically mean I am 100% successful on this week's intervention).  But even if it takes me until tomorrow I am happy with the results of this week's intervention.

This Week's Intervention

I had this book listed on a previous TRB intervention but due to some technical difficulties I was not able to finish it. This week I will finish it!


Summary:
The murder investigation Detective Inspector Harriet Ware is heading takes her into an unsuspected world where publishers wearily fend off a spate of unwanted manuscripts. Her suspects include would-be authors who live as much in the plots they are weaving as in the mundane world they actually inhabit. ‘Crime Fiction for Beginners’ is five novels in one with an unexpected twist at the end.

My buddy, Jen, sent me the following book--which I am so excited about because I have heard so many great things about John Green.

Summary:
Before.  Miles "Pudge" Halter is done with his safe life at home.  His whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (Francois Rabelais, poet) even more.  HE heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe.  Because down the hall is Alaska Young.  The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself.  She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After.  Nothing is ever the same.

And of course I have to work at least one audiobook--but the one I have picked this time may take me more than a week but I am so excited because I have been wanting to read more of the classics and this series in particular.

Summary (copied from Goodreads):
Frodo Baggins knew the Ringwraiths were searching for him - and the Ring of Power he bore that would enable Sauron to destroy all that was good in Middle-earth. Now it was up to Frodo and his faithful servant Sam to carry the Ring to where it could be detroyed - in the very center of Sauron's dark kingdom.

So what are you planning to read this week?