Moonglass - Jessi Kirby
Book Synopsis: 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.
Beautifully written, smart debut from Jessi Kirby. To be honest, although it was a good read, I can't say truthfully that I remembered much. It was one of those novels where you read it once, and only a few details stick out as being memorable. I was expecting this book to be depressing, and it was at some points, but it was interesting to see that moonglass was special - it was more than just a piece of broken sea-glass lying on the beach.
The real reason why I read it? Well, Sarah Dessen said that it was "an incredible first novel." I knew from that moment that I had to have it. So I did what I normally did, reserved it online and then got an email saying that it was in! Actually, this was the first book that I've ever read by Jessi Kirby, and it quickly became that she was a new favorite author of mine.
I wanted more. Where is the sequel? What really happened to Anna's mother that night? Why isn't the book longer? How can I say that I want to read more of Jessi's books? Who isn't agreeing with this? When will I go to the beach and collect moonglass for the very first time?
Rating: ★★★★☆