The Constellation of Moon

The Gift of Silence Review

Posted on March 29, 2018

This little book was provided to me thanks to bookbridgr and the publisher, and it took me a while to pick it up (mostly because I wanted to give it the proper attention).

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The Gift of Silence by Kankyo Tannier

Do you struggle to find peace and quiet? Do you yearn to disconnect, find an escape, slow down and just breathe? Are you overwhelmed by modern life?

The simple solution lies in this book.

Rooted in the ancient Zen philosophies that ground her work, French Buddhist nun, Kankyo Tannier, will show you how to channel the power of SILENCE to get back in control of your thoughts and access the refuge that lies in your mind. Using her practical on-the-go tools, you’ll learn how to overcome stress and capture the moments of golden stillness that will transform all areas of your life, for an enhanced wellbeing and sense of fulfilment. Kankyo’s warm and engaging voice, spiritual insights, plus a sprinkling of French charm make this an accessible pleasure to read.

Switch off the noise and discover the calm and comfort you need to navigate this fast-paced world.

Unlock and practise the wisdom of SILENCE; stop surviving, pause, listen, and start thriving.

Rating:

Once I picked it up and actually started reading, I was hooked. I have read other meditation books and similar but most of them make it sound so “easy” when it just doesn’t click for me.

That wasn’t the case with this one. Kankyo actually gives you examples of how she failed and how she struggled and what made the difference in her case, which helps you try to figure out what works best. As I read, silence was more appreciated (I usually do a few of the things she suggests, so it wasn’t new to me, but put together it was a nice read).

I felt like I was chatting with a friend about silence and medcitation rather than a guru, and that made it a lot more approachable, more “human” and just nicer to read. It is also relatively short and full of resources which is a nice turn to it.

Moon recommends

I don’t usually review books similar to hers, so I have to say that I can only recommend hers as it is one I ahve enjoyed reding and found that it reminded me to make pockets of silence and mind peace.

Writing

Moon Writes: letters i

Posted on March 27, 2018

as the sun comes (or goes),

on a journey that marks the passing of time,

sitting on a train or as i roam

this big city that never stops;

something tugs at my heart

and brings tears to my eyes.

barely there,

at first i can’t

make heads or tails of it,

but still

i try.

carefully i prod inside my mind,

what is this that shakes me

and menaces to break me?

can i give it name, or

shall it remain undefined?

don’t ask,

please, don’t ask…

[enough questions shoot my mind from the inside]

for i don’t know how to reply,

as i try to unravel this feeling that

crushes my chest

and nestles in my breast.

gather round,

for i have found

the name for what bothers me,

problem is

the solution is unnamed.

homesickness,

the lack of a place to call my own,

where i can find refuge,

for me to create or destroy,

where i can be myself without

having to hide anything away.

i have always

been someone small,

but deep roots grow

from my heart and soul

to the place i can call home.

just let me say,

in my defense,

that your

kindness,

the care you have for who i am,

despite my being lost

and the circles i talk around your head,

trying to make sense of all the events

that brought me to where i am.

looks deceive,

words may be empty,

but what you do,

that is matters in the end.

many places have

at some point in time and space

been a home to me.

next to you,

is the nearest “place” i can think of

that may be called home in this today.

open arms that hold me close,

confrontation or sweet words,

how did this come to be?

how can you know what i need?

protecting my broken heart,

i find comfort at your side,

peace that calms my fears

and takes away my tears.

run and rush

towards you

and find my home

stay with me,

for we both know what this is worth,

let the world crash, let it burn,

but don’t give up on who we are,

for if you do,

it might all come to an end.

take me as I am,

let’s build a new life,

a secret we’ll hold close

to your hearts,

don’t say the words,

let’s keep them inside.

under the stars

inside a tent;

or maybe just in our bed,

the place is not what defines

where my home is.

valleys or mountains,

rivers or the sea,

nature calls us to be free.

wait,

o wait for me,

for you’re the key

for this locked world

inside of me…

x x x

kisses blown to the wind,

may they reach your lips,

and whisper those thoughts

i wasn’t brave enough

to word out loud

you are the cure to my sickness,

the home that is nowhere else,

my refuge and my calm throughout the storm,

you, you are the one.

zap,

you’ve struck my heart,

the tears and fears have left,

i am at peace,

at i am alive…

Sometime ago I tried to write a poem using the whole alphabet, one verse per letter. Here it is, in all it’s “glory”.

Book Review

More Than We Can Tell Review

Posted on March 25, 2018

This book is the “follow up” of Letters to the Lost, though it isn’t exactly and “after” but rather a “alongside”. And of course, it left me all emotional after I finished.

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More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.

When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling.

Rating:

I fell in love with Brigid’s writing thanks to Letters to the Lost and when I found out that there was a story about Rev coming out, I had to have it. (And now that I know there is a new retelling one coming out next year, I want that one too, but that, is another story).

In More Than We Can Tell we meet Emma Blue, who wants to code and has her own videogame live on a server. And a player that bullies her massively because she is a girl and you know girls can’t game/code. (Of course we can, I’ve been coding since I was 11, and one of my first games was Carmen San Diego -if you do not know what that is, please don’t even dare to tell me I know nothing of games-). She also has a complicated relationship with her parents. And I get her, I understood Emma and the choices she made.

But you also have Rev, who we met in Letters to the Lost, and there are his own inner “demons” he has to fight. And since he was brought up in a religious environment, I also identified with him.

This meant that I had to take several pauses to breathe and let my mind rest. It triggered memories and tears, but it was good and it was therapeutic. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I just have to say Brigid is a master at emotions and being inside someone’s head, and I love that. Her characters are so alive because you can understand what they are feeling and thinking and it is amazing.

Moon Recommends

You read this book, and if you haven’t read it, Letters to the Lost too. And if you want books that punch you in the gut, then also I recommend After The Fire by Will Hill and A Ring Of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle. You will not regret this, but have tissues close by.

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Subscription Boxes

Family Ties Wildest Dreams Unboxing

Posted on March 23, 2018

This one was hard to guess the book.

Let’s do an unboxing thing and this time let’s do it counterclockwise starting from the book:

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway. A family story about two sisters and a brother.
Far from the Tree tissues for those moments that make you cry while you read the book.
The Weasleys Bodywash/Bubble Bath by Geeky Clean. I love it has a pump bottle! Very very handy.
The Carters tea by Rosie Lea Tea. It is inspired by The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
A personalised letter from the author about the book.

I have to say the book isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but that tea definitely is and I have been enjoying it at work.

Book Review

State of Sorrow Review

Posted on March 21, 2018

I was lucky to go to the launch party at Waterstones (it was that snowy week where everything was closed and you weren’t sure if trains would run or not). I ended up with a nice postcard, the book (signed of course), a tote bag, a Lamentia candle from Geeky Clean and Melinda standing up to shake my hand because she recognised me as Moon. Thanks Mel, I felt like a celebrity for a few seconds.

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State of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury

A people cowed by grief and darkness.
A cut-throat race for power and victory.
A girl with everything and nothing to lose…

Sorrow all but rules the Court of Tears, in a land gripped by perpetual grief, forever mourning her brother who died just days before Sorrow was born. By day she governs in place of her father, by night she seeks secret solace in the arms of the boy she’s loved since childhood. But when her brother is seemingly found alive, and intent on taking control, Sorrow has to choose whether to step aside for a stranger who might not be who he claims to be, or embark on a power struggle for a position she never really wanted.

Rating:

It starts very poetic and almost like a fairytale which was a lovely way to start, and then it is a sad sorrowful tale. It was good to read it after the launch as I had Melinda’s insight into it and I went in it thinking of grief and how to process it. My heart hurt for the whole kingdom as they have lost joy and basically live in permanent ~~forced~~ grief.

It also helped to know that Mel writes the “twists” not as twists but as logical ways for each character to achieve something and it was itneresting to read with that lense on, as what Vespus does and all those little twists definitely made more sense. Some were more “predictable” if you look closely enough to the “crumbs” of what they are doing, and some still surprised me (specially the twist about Sorrow).

All in all, it is a sad but beautiful tale and I recommend reading it.

Moon recommends

Reading State of Sorrow or Melinda’s other series, Sin Eater’s Daughter. If you want to read more about grief you can try Letters to the Lost which blew me away.

Book Review

The Fandom Review

Posted on March 19, 2018

This lovely book was part of Book Box Club, so after our clubhouse meeting, here’s my review.

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The Fandom by Anna Day

Cosplay ready, Violet and her friends are at Comic-Con.

They can’t wait to meet the fandom of mega movie, The Gallows Dance. What they’re not expecting is to be catapulted by freak accident into their favourite world – for real. Fuelled by love, guilt and fear, can the friends put the plot back on track and get out? The fate of the story is in their hands …

Rating:

This was a tough book to review and rate. Mostly because I really enjoyed reading it. The writing flowed and it somehow left me feeling like it was an enjoyable read. However, the story was a bit convoluted and the distracting dreams Violet has during her time in The Gallows Dance universe give away too much. It was too easy to guess what was happening almost as soon as it happened.

As a philosophical satire this shines because it takes all the tropes of YA and has a dig at them, which made it quite fun in a way, but also extremely predictable in another way. It was like re-reading bits and pieces of other YA books at times, which is probably why I wasn’t too keen on the whole story.

And then I had some issues with the characters, but I don’t know if that is me or not. And no, I don’t mean the ones from The Gallows Dance universe but more Violet and her friends. I just didn’t really love anyone enough to care about it. I didn’t care about Violet hanging or anything.

I did like the twist Ash shows Violet at one point regarding the Gems, which made it quite interesting.

Moon Recommends

Having a read of this, I don’t know many Fandom based books so I have to say I am unsure what to recommend, maybe Fangirl and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell?

Subscription Boxes

February Yume Twins Unboxing

Posted on March 17, 2018

Who likes cutes things? I do, even if I am not fond of being called cute as the first word to describe me. But Yume Twins is full of cute things.

This month’s theme was Shiba & Friends and look at all the cuteness! Starting form the Shiba plushie and going around:

Mochi Shiba Plushie. Apparently this one is called Okaka, and he’s super fluffy and cute!
Mochi Shiba Bath Bomb. I thought it was some sweets but apparently it is a bath bomb with a cute mochi shiba inside, can’t wait to use it!
Sumikko Gurashi Omamori, good luck charm with the good wishes.
Kawaii Animal Duster.
Mochi Shiba Memo Pad, and it has cute doggie full pages that look amazing for letters and cute notes.
Paw Beanies Squishie, which I absolutely love and want to carry everywher ebtu at the same time not because don’t want to destroy it.
Cinnabon Squishie, which was a bonus by using a code.

Isn’t it full of cuteness?

Subscription Boxes

Upon Her Throne Litjoy Crate Unboxing

Posted on March 15, 2018

Who wants to be a queen? No? Yes? I admit I may not particularly want the hassle but it sounds like a fun thing to do now and then. And in this month’s LitJoy Crate you can get a tiny taste of that.

So going round and starting with the book:

The Queen’s Rising by Rebbeca Ross. I was going to preorder this book because she chooses knowledge as her passion and the book sounded intriguing. It came with author letter and signed bookplate.
Underneath is a Constellation Scarf that is so utterly gorgeous I can’t help but love it.
That gorgeous crystal necklace is a Stone of Eventide Necklace.
On top of it is the booklet with all the explanations as to why they chose each item and this time it includes other book recommendations.
Restore Me sampler.
Sansa Stark print by Yara Noe. It is hauntingly dark and I love it even though at first I didn’t know who it was.
Heartless Quote Bookmark which has a delicate decoration I am enjoying very much.
Passion Bath Bomb (apparently I got With which is the green one) by Fizzy Fairy Apothecary.

This box is so lush and somehow makes me want to run a bath and just read this book and relax.

Subscription Boxes

Rise Up! Illumicrate Unboxing

Posted on March 13, 2018

This gorgeous chock full of stuff box was so full they had to delay it to get boxes of the right size. And they never cease to amaze me. Let’s start from the Illumicrate card:

Inimitable Mug by Abbie Imagine.
Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyn which I already had as it had some delightful preorder incentives, however the book doesn’t go to waste since it goes to a friend.
Restore Me/Shatter Me notebook.
Daggermark by R. Jack.
Blood and Sand temporary tattoo and a Pin too.
Scarlet lip balm by Lovely Lip Balm (it is Red Cherry flavoured and yum!)
The Hazel Wood notebook with a tiny pen.
ARC copy of The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green which is on my list of books to read so wonderful addition.
Promotional Witchsign bookmark, Strange The Dreamer postcard and Clean sampler.
A Rebel’s Command Listpad by Howstore Official with moons and grey (my favourite mix of things!)
Fight the Darkness pillow coverby Stella Bookish Art with a wonderful quote.
A phoenix/Fawkes magnet by Hannah Hitchman (I want this as a sticker for my laptop).

Book Review

The Witch’s Kiss Review

Posted on March 11, 2018

This lovely book is one that Maja raves about and I was curious about. And then Leafer Box sent it as part of the December box, and seriously, it was just like a sign to read it.

The Witch’s Kiss by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

Sixteeen-year-old Meredith is fed-up with her feuding family and feeling invisible at school – not to mention the witch magic that shoots out of her fingernails when she’s stressed. Then sweet, sensitive Jack comes into her life and she falls for him hard. The only problem is that he is periodically possessed by a destructive centuries-old curse. Meredith has lost her heart, but will she also lose her life? Or in true fairytale tradition, can true love’s kiss save the day?

Rating:

What I knew about this book was that it was a gender bent retelling of Sleeping Beauty. However as much as it has element sof it, is it more than just a retelling and feels more like “inspired” by rather than an actual retelling (this is not a bad thing at all).

One thing I liked is that what Merry is doing regarding Jack affects her regular non magical life. This was a fresh change to read since most of the time it appears that magical adventures have no effect whatsoever on real life for the character and thankfully that was not the case here.

Now I am left wondering what happened to Jack, and how Merry copes afterwards.

Moon recommends

Retellings for the win, and this book, and anything by Robin McKinley. And I am so going to go read the next one but also I have to wait for the last one to come out and oh dear, do I wait for it to come out and binge read or do I try to space it out… Decisions, decisions…