However, when Nora makes her first trip to a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic, she learns what her mother, a frequent forgetter, has been frequently forgetting. Nora secretly spits out the pill and holds on to her memories. The memory of the bombing as well as her mother’s secret and her budding awareness of the world outside her little clique make it increasingly difficult for Nora to cope. She turns to two new friends, each with their own reasons to remember, and together they share their experiences with their classmates through an underground comic. They soon learn, though, they can’t get away with remembering.
Fascinating, yes? YES. I mean, pop a pill and forget? To help Angie celebrate MEMENTO NORA, I'm going to spill a memory I never want to forget.
Mine feels small, but it's important to me. It's sort of what launched me into my critique group, and how I squirm my way into many conversations--and thus, friendships--on twitter or wherever.
It's called eavesdropping.
That's right. I met my critique partners by eavesdropping on two fabulous girls in the lunch line of my very first writer's conference. I'd been "a writer" for approximately three months, and I attended the conference alone.
The girls were talking about doing a YA group, and I stood up straighter and listened harder. Then I just inserted myself right into that convo, got their information, and the rest is history.
I don't ever want to forget that sometimes, all it takes to get/do/become something amazing is to speak up.
What memory would you never want to forget?
You can enter to win a nice prize pack o' stuff, including a signed copy of Memento Nora, a purse charm bracelet, temporary tattoos, and other swag.
How? Simple. Each week, leave a comment on the featured blog--that's THIS POST. And over on Angie's site. Each weekly comment earns you a point (which in this case equals an entry in the random drawing). In other words, if you comment on every week, you get 8 points... er, entries. Angie will randomly select a winner and announce it April 7.
Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week at the Reading Room.
Or on their blogs:
- Beth Revis features Between Shades of Gray all week--with giveaway!
- Christine Fonseca gives a Guestanista video review of 11 Birthdays
- Jamie Harrington is giddy for Texas Gothic
- Myra McEntire introduces "Bookanistas Give Back" - with prizes!
- Sarah Frances Hardy delights in Divergent
- Jessi Kirby wants to be Like Mandarin
- Megan Miranda gushes over Blood Magic
- Bethany Wiggins Praises the Princess of the Midnight Ball
- Gretchen McNeil sings about Spoiled
- Carrie Harris loves The Lipstick Laws--with giveaway!
- Rosemary Clement-Moore is ensnared by The Demon Trapper's Daughter
- Veronica Rossi marvels at Moonglass
- Stasia Ward Kehoe raves about Rival
That's funny that you found your critique group by eavesdropping. That's how we found out about adopting from China and our adoption agency. Well, my husband did while I was at a meeting. It was one of the most important decisions of our life.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I just started Possession last night and am loving it. Great story!
Oooh, this sounds intriguing. I will definitely add this one to my list. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteA timely memory -- I'm going to my first conference next week!
ReplyDeleteI would never want to forget being teased in elementary school. I think it made me a stronger person.
ReplyDeleteI love the story of how you formed a critique group. Memento Nora sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back Elana! Hope you're feeling better. Love your memory. Wish I was cool enough to do stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteThis book's on my list for sure!
Our son is adopted. I would never want to forget the day our son was born. We were there. Also, getting to hold him for the first time. I was crying. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI'd never want to forget a moment with my kids. Okay, maybe I'd want to forget a few of those fun-filled sick days but other than that...nope, even then I'd want to remember. They're more cuddly when they're sick.
ReplyDeleteI love the whole idea behind this book. I can't wait to read it!
Ooh, most of the memories I'd keep are sentimental ones. Like, remembering my kids as babies or, you know, the day I got married.
ReplyDeleteI love your memory, though! Eavesdropping can be a good thing :)
You're back! YAY! That is an awesome story about finding your CPs. I've known about Angie from the league, and this story sounds very cool.
ReplyDeleteCool stories, both the book and how you met your crit partners.
ReplyDeleteWow, what bravery to eavesdrop and then step into the conversation! I would be petrified. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, count me in to win a copy of MEMENTO NORA! It sounds intriguing. :)
Heh, I eavesdrop on people all the time when I eat my lunch in Jackson Square. I call it "research".
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read. Thanks for your review!
What an exciting book! I want to read this NOW.
ReplyDeleteMemory I wouldn't wanna forget? All that time I spent with my grandpa. I wouldn't wanna forget a moment for the world.
That's an awesome memory!! I'm bad about forgetting long ago things. I can remember every one I have talked to today in order, but I can't remember things that happened last year. So I am very adamant about remembering exactly how my hubs and I met and dating and everything.
ReplyDeleteVERY awesome swag prize! Can't wait to get my copy!
Another great book for the TBR list that is growing everyday. For every one book I read I add at least 10 more. It is nice to know that you were once at the stage I am. Had planned to go to my first conference but missed the deadline for registration now it's closed. Bummer! I have found one great crit partner and need to find more and of course some beta readers. I'm getting closer to a finished manuscript! Yea me!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome memory! Who ever said eavesdropping was a bad thing! There are so many things I don't want to ever forget, but when it comes down to it, they can all be clumped together in the shows of kindness I have received from others. I want to remember that and keep the kindnesses going in turn.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fascinating--and what a stunning cover!
ReplyDeleteMemory? I want to keep each and every one of them. That's why I take CoQ10 :) Hey, glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a terrific read!
ReplyDeleteSo you're feeling better? :) Hope so.
ReplyDeleteMemories I never want to forget...there are many, including ones on vacation in WY with my family.
You know, I just wanted to comment that the idea of a forgetting clinic would so work for me. I don't have unpleasant memories per se...but sometimes when I've read a super good book, I'd like to forget it so that I could pick it up and read it again and be like, "Wow...this book is amazing!"
ReplyDeleteOoh, I so want to read this book. It sounds fantastic. I can't wait to get it.
ReplyDeleteHow cool you were brave enough to join the conversation. I was so shy my first conference.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this book. Commonplace terrorism sounds like a plausible and scary future.
I wish I could capture exactly how someone smells and looks in a memory. As children age, I can't really see them or smell them back in their small sweet-smelling sweetness.
The book sounds really cool. It sounds like it has some deep thinking involved with it. I would never want to forget about all the tough times because then nothing would seem that great. Although I wouldn't mind a few future ones not happening (:
ReplyDeleteWho knew eavesdropping could be that helpful??? :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the memories I'd never want to forget is watching my son score his first goal in hockey :)
Funny and not at all weird. Who doesn't eavesdrop once in a while?
ReplyDelete;)
Memento Nora sounds great and the title is amazing!
I eavesdrop a lot as well. It's like a hobby. Along with people watching.
ReplyDeleteVivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Happy to have you back :) and i'm soo looking forward to read this book !
ReplyDeleteuniquas at ymail dot com
I love dystopians. I love dystopians. I love dystopians.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, we aren't far from the reality of pill-popping to forget. This is why I love dystopians.
As for a memory I never want to forget, it's the memory of holding my first son in my arms when he was an infant. Thinking about the shape of his little head in that moment, the near weightlessness of him, just reminds me how precious life is, how fragile we are. I don't ever want to forget that.