Saturday, May 20, 2023

Weekly Mews: My Bookish Mewsings on The Moon Within by Aida Salazar & Other Updates

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.



 



May is going by so fast! We had painters at the house today, giving our shutters a fresh coat of paint. That should make the homeowner's association happy.  My husband considered doing it himself, but my mom and I talked him out of it. He's got a bad shoulder and we worried about his safety. 

This week was relatively calm as far as it goes. Work continues to be busy. My husband and I had to get creative with our work schedules this week in order to make sure Mouse was picked up from school. My mom often helps out with pick up (thank you, Mom!), but my mom's aunt fractured her pelvic bone and my mom has been helping her and her partner out this week and possibly for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, the after school program Mouse sometimes goes to was full  for the week and unable to take her. My great-aunt seems to be doing well. Hopefully that continues to be the case. 


At the moment, I am reading Deanna Raybourn's Killers of a Certain Age, this month's TBR poll winner. It is good so far! These four retired assassins are a force to be reckoned with!  


Earlier this week, I finished reading Well Played (Well Met #2) by Jen DeLuca. You can check out my review here.

I am considering one of these next. I wonder which one it will be . . . . 


Marion Lane and the Raven's Revenge (#3) by T.A. Willberg
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Homicide and Halo-Halo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #2) by Mia P. Manansala
Playing It Safe (Electra McDonell #3) by Ashley Weaver

What are you reading right now? What do you plan to read next? 


I wish I had read this book with my daughter two or three years ago, when I first added it to my TBR shelf. But I am glad I read it now. Aida Salazar's novel in verse, The Moon Within (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2019, 240 pgs), is a beautiful and inspiring book about not just a Mexican-Puerto Rican girl, Celi, entering a new phase in her life, but also that of her friend, Marco, who is also coming into his own.  This is a story about growing up: first periods, first love, friendship, family bonds and conflict, bullying, and transitioning. It is steeped in culture, traditions, and heart. This review includes some spoilers--so stop reading and skip to the next section if you plan to read this novel. 
Though I've never seen it
I know my locket is there. 
It keeps my questions
            my secrets

warm
unanswered
and safe. [excerpt from  pg 5 of The Moon Within]
Celi doesn't want the fanfare her mother has planned for her first menstrual cycle. She's embarrassed by her mother's wish to celebrate something Celi would rather keep private and hidden. But her mother does not want her daughter's experience to be the same as hers. She does not want her to feel shame or fear. As a mother and as someone who was once a young girl going through puberty, I understand both points of view.  
Celi, your moon will not be like mine.
You will not begin womanhood in doubt
in shame
but surrounded by the strength
of women in your community.
    No it isn't. It is a way you've made up!
It is a way that we have to reclaim 
so that we are not erased. [excerpt from page 182 of The Moon Within]

In the author's note, the author talks about how something once so celebrated and honored in some cultures has been made to feel dirty in modern-day western cultures. This is something I have observed too, although I like to think the tide is changing.  

As Celi navigates her changing body and puberty, her friend Marco is going through his own changes. Born a girl, Marco has long felt more like a boy. I loved how Salazar celebrates him in his and his family's acceptance of who he is. The author draws from precolonial indigenous, Mesoamerican ideas and beliefs, referencing the Aztec god Xochiquetzal, who was both male and female. Xochihuah, people with dual genders or who are gender fluid, are believed to have been considered sacred and well respected. 

While Celi loves Marco and their friendship, conflict arises when the boy she is crushing on is rude to Marco, deadnaming him and making fun of him. Celi struggles with her feelings--her attraction to Iván and her loyalty to her best friend. 

My locket lies open on
            a shore of a sea
                        of confusion
steady sand grounds my feet
like Marco--my best amifriend forever
            but the waves of Iván
                        crash into me
            a foam that wraps around my legs
                        sends a tingle through my body
                                    and swarms my heart
                        with a feeling of
            first love? [excerpt from pg 141 of The Moon Within]
Celi's relationship with dance, music and the moon (Luna), play a big part in this book. Celi is most herself when she is dancing, often to the sound of drums played by her father or Marco. It is a part of who she is. The title itself suggest the importance of the moon to the story, as it can be tied to the moon cycle as it relates to the female body. And here the author brings dance and the moon together: 
I watch her light up a sliver of dust
in my room.

Like a performance
small specks dance
twirl,
                bounce,
                                        float,
                glide,
                        somersault. 

They dance like I do. [excerpt from pg. 7 of The Moon Within]

I love the idea of a moon ceremony; and while it is not a tradition I carried out, it is one I admire and see the beauty in. The picture painted by Salazar as she wrote about Celi's moon ceremony was very moving and heartfelt. 

As my last offering to my moon altar
I lay my first doll, Alma, inside an open gourd
then I add a flint, for protection
and a spool of thread to mend
her bird-print dress
I say goodbye beneath my breath
while Mima sprinkles her
with
 crystal dust
that feels like love. [excerpt from pg 197 of The Moon Within]
I also really liked that she included Marco in the experience, incorporating his transition in such a way that honored both him and Celi.

The Moon Within carries such a positive message and the characters are very relatable. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Have you read The Moon Within? Have you read any poetry or a novel in verse recently? 



School is winding down for Mouse, and this week of school has been spent doing mostly non-academic activities (Mouse said she would rather work on her play than play board games). Just three more days of school to go and then it's on to middle school in August. Mouse isn't sure she's ready--and I am not sure I am either. Reading wise, Mouse is reading V.E. Schwab's Gallant




I recently watched the movie The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, based on the book with the same title by Gabrielle Zevin. I really liked the book and remember how much the characters came to mean to me as I read it. I wasn't quite as enamored with the movie, although I did enjoy it. Today I made my family watch A Man Called Otto, an Americanized movie version of Fredrick Backman's book, A Man Called Ove. I thought it was very well done. I really like Tom Hanks and Mariana Treviño was great as Marisol. Let's face it though. The cat stole the entire movie. (It goes without saying though that the book was still better.)


My daughter has been begging me to watch more anime with her and we most recently started the first season of Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-Kun! It is about a human boy who is sold by his parents to a demon, and the demon enrolls the human boy in demon school, trying to pass him off as his demon grandson. It's a cute show--a good mix of action and heart. We also started the second season of By the Grace of the Gods, an isekai slice of life anime. 

What have you watched recently?


I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

© 2023, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

42 comments:

  1. I’ve read Vera Wong and thought it was pretty good.

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    1. Harvee - I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for visiting!

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  2. I am so glad you're enjoying Killers of a Certain Age! Have you also tried the Thursday Murder Club series? So much fun and similar with the dark humor.

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    1. Helen - I haven't yet tried the Thursday Murder Club series, but I keep hearing good things about it. Thank you for the recommendation and for stopping by!

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  3. Oh! I so love the look of fresh paint! Hopefully, next month my sewing room will get a new coat of paint! I’m so glad your husband listened to reason!
    I’m sorry to hear about your great-aunt. How wonderful that family is nearby to help out.
    I enjoyed Homicide and Halo-Halo as well the first book in the series, Arsenic and Adobo. I’ve seen the Vera Wong book online so much, that I’ve added it to my TBR. I’ve added Salazar’s books to my TBR and to my wish list on Paperbackswap. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue stayed with me long after I finished it.
    Oh yes, A Man Called Otto was wonderful as a book and movie.
    Have a great week!

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    1. Patricia - I hope you are able to get your sewing room painted next month! I am glad my husband decided against trying to paint the shutters by himself. They are on the second floor and the thought of him climbing a ladder and trying to paint them on his own, concerned me, especially because of his bad shoulder.

      My great aunt is doing well but anxious to get home. She's in a rehab facility right now. My mom is still with her, out of state. I know she's anxious to get home. She had been hoping she wouldn't have to be away so long.

      I really liked Arsenic and Adobo and am looking forward to reading Homicide and Halo-Halo. I am glad you liked it!

      Thank you for visiting!

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  4. May is flying by. I love the look of Killers, and the new Ashley Weaver looks good too. I've only read her first book so I'm way behind...

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    1. Greg - I am really looking forward to the new Ashley Weaver book. I enjoyed the first two books in the series. Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying Killers of a Certain Age!

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    1. Mark - It's a lot of fun. :-) Thank you for visiting!

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  6. Killers of a Certain Age is certainly an action-packed romp! Hope you enjoy it AND have a terrific week.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

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  7. I really enjoyed Killers of a Certain Age - it was a lot of fun. Have a great week!

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    1. Maree - I am really enjoying it. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. We enjoyed A Man Called Otto, too. It reminds me again how important it is to connect with others, like Marisol did, even when others appear to dislike connections.

    It sounds like The Moon Within includes a lot of traditional practices that might be very good to incorporate to the broad American culture. Transitions into adulthood are something America doesn't handle well, I think.

    I hope you will take on Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers next.

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    1. Deb - I wish I was more of a social butterfly like my dad was--and my mom's become. We wave to our neighbors but we don't really know most of them well. There are a couple though we've exchanged numbers with and help each other out with packages or when their dogs get out.

      I agree about America not handling transition into adulthood particularly well. I think we could learn a lot from other cultures.

      Thank you for the recommendation and for stopping by!

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  9. Juggling work and school schedule is always tricky! Once the kids are older, it's such a relief!

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    1. Sophie - Yes, it is. Our extracurricular schedule hasn't been as busy this year as it has been in past years which was nice--although it never felt like I had extra time, so I'm not sure where it went. LOL Thank you for visiting!

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  10. I enjoyed A Man Called Otto. Tom Hanks is good in everything in my opinion, emotional book and movie. I agree about getting painters to do the job, we recently had our home painted and i was glad my husband wasn't out on a ladder doing it!

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    1. Tina - I agree with you about Tom Hanks. He is good in everything. Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. I really liked Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. I have Homicide and Halo-Halo on my TBR. I enjoyed the movie A Man Called Otto and, yes, the cat definitely stole the show. Have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - I am glad to hear you liked Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Everyone who had read it seems to have enjoyed it! I hope we both read and enjoy Homcide and Halo-Halo! Thank you for visiting!

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  12. I've recently finished Killers of a Certain Age - it was enjoyable, though I felt the women didn't always act their age, especially with the snark which felt like they were a lot younger. If you enjoy it - I recommend The Thursday Murder Club series, which I think does the elderly protagonist vibe much better. It doesn't seem possible that Mouse will be going up to Middle school after the holidays - where does the time goe?? Have a great week:).

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    1. Sarah - Some of the women I work with are closing in on 60 and could probably give the women in the book a run for their money snark wise, but definitely not action wise. LOL I will have to give the Thursday Murder Club series a try--you're the second person to recommend it. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. I see a few books I think I'd enjoy. I read the books and watched A Man Called Ove and A Man Called Ove. I also read The Storied Life of A J Fikry but didn't know it was a movie. For some reason when I was reading the book I thought he was a lot older. I'm hoping to watch it today.

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    1. Vicki - I thought he was older too. I hope you enjoyed the movie, The Storied Life of AJ Fikry! Thank you for visiting!

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  14. There's always plenty to do and try to juggle the schedule. I really enjoyed Killers of a Certain Age and Thursday Murder Club. I want to read Gallant. A reader like Mouse should be fine in middle school. It can be a crazy time with the growth and changes of children that age. I hope it all goes well. It's wonderful your mom can help with your daughter and your great aunt.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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    1. Anne - My boss wasn't too keen on my needing to adjust my schedule, but I was able to make it work. Luckily the school is really close and I was working from home the days I picked her up. My husband's boss was more understanding, fortunately.

      Yes, I'm very grateful my mom has been able to help with Mouse these past couple of years. Unfortunately, her aunt lives out of state and so that is less convenient for her, especially since she isn't sure how long she'll have to be gone. My great aunt and her partner are lucky to have my mom. As awful as the situation is, it was good timing in the sense that Mouse is out of school now and childcare isn't really an issue. But we always had a back up plan because we know things can always come up. :-)

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. I agree that it seems amazing that Miss Mouse will be in middle school next year. These kids - they will insist on growing up. I couldn't believe that mine turned 40 last fall. How am I old enough to have a 40-year-old??? Ha!

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    1. Kay - Mouse is at that stage where she wants to grow up one day, but not so much the next. It's proving to be a trying and yet rewarding stage. That cliché about kids growing up too fast is true, isn't it? Thank you for visiting!

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  16. Ooo all of your books look great! Vera Wong and Killers of a Certain Age are on my list!

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    1. Erin - I enjoyed Killers of a Certain Age and hope we both enjoy the Vera Wong book! Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. I'm so glad you're enjoying Killers of a Certain Age! I absolutely loved Vera Wong but you may want to put a book or two in between Killers and it as that may be a bit too many quirky older main characters. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - I will keep that in mind about maybe spacing out Killers of a Certain Age and Vera Wong. I can see why that might be a bit much back to back. Thank you for visiting!

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  18. Vera Wong sounds very delightful - like it will be a fun read! Killers of a certain age also sounds fun - these books sound like they are good complements to Thursday Detection Club books :p

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    1. Eustacia - I really must try the Thursday Murder Club books from the sounds of it! Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. I really liked Tom Hanks in A Man Called Otto! I thought it was a very well done movie, though I haven't read the original book. And Vera Wong sounds like a very fun book with a quirky main character. It's on my TBR list, too. :D

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    1. Lark - I hope you read A Man Called Ove if you get the chance. The movie versions are good, but the book is better. Thank you for visiting!

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  20. I look forward to your thoughts on Killers of a Certain Age as I'm curious with this one. Those four books on your list sound good to me. I wouldn't know what to choose but I think I'm leaning towards Vera Wong and Playing It Safe. ;)

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    1. Melody - I am especially looking forward to both Playing It Safe and Vera Wong. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  21. Homeowners association? Oh no. I've heard nothing but bad things about homeowners associations.

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    1. Mary - At least ours isn't expensive like some others are. I wish there were more perks though. Ours is pretty lame. Thanks for visiting!

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