Thursday, June 30, 2016

Reading on a Theme: Missing Memories

Last summer we posted Reading on a Theme: Memories Erased, Stolen and Stored. I found the idea of missing memories (and in those books they were all lost through non-natural means) quite intriguing. So, I'm trilled to be bringing another memory-related post to the table with a bunch of brand new books. The books are a bit more varied this time. Some missing memories are related to accidents or genetic disorders. Others are a bit more sinister. All are fascinating.


Head Trauma: 
When Jill Charron wakes up in the hospital, she has no memory of the car accident that caused her best friend's death or the study abroad trip to Italy during which it occurred. Now there's an investigation and a media frenzy because some people believe that Jill crashed that car on purpose. With Malice is a solid YA thriller. Jill's narration is interspersed with interviews and evidence--documents that lend some insight into what happened but are by no means objective. I love that Eileen Cook doesn't answer all the questions for Jill or the reader, and I imagine that readers will be on all sides of the table when it comes to Jill's guilt or innocence. Out June 7, 2015. Review copy from NetGalley.


Niemann-Pick Type C:
Sammie had big plans. She was going to win the National Debate Tournament, attend NYU, and become a human rights lawyer. That was before she was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Type C, a genetic disorder that, among other things, causes dementia-like symptoms. Sammie, who always saw her smarts as her ticket to success, is losing her memory. The Memory Book is the record that Sammie keeps to help with her memory loss. Part coming-of-age story, part coming-to-terms-with-death story, Lara Avery's book is poignant and sad but also full of bravery and determination. The way the story is told is very interesting because it's written by a girl whose mind and body is deteriorating. The Memory Book is out July 5th, 2016. I won a review copy from NOVL.



Repressed Memories:
Penny is part of the cool crowd at school, but that wasn't always the case. A year ago she was part of the drama club with a group of quirky friends. When Penny loses her memories in an accident, she can't understand why her best friends aren't speaking to her. Can she make things right with this second chance? Rebecca Maizel's A Season for Fireflies is a charming second chance story. As a drama girl myself, I particularly enjoyed all the theater elements of the book. I loved the sincerity of emotion, particularly in the first person narration. This is a great YA about relationships and honesty. A Season for Fireflies is out June 28, 2016. Review copy from Edelweiss. 


Memory Treatments:
When Rose woke up one morning she felt different. She wanted a new name, a new haircut, a new job. But something wasn't quite right. Something was missing. Something big. Set in the near future, Lois Metzger's new book is a fascinating exploration of trauma, depression, and treatment. I don't want to say too much more than that because a psychological thriller like this can be spoiled so easily, but I will say that Change Places with Me is masterfully done. Everything is off just a little giving the reader that eerie unsettled feeling which is so difficult to inspire, and I love the way the book is structured. It's a quiet, cerebral book that I found it quite fascinating. Change Places with Me is out June 14, 2016. Review copy from Edelweiss.


Forgotten Childhoods:
Eleven years ago six kindergartners disappeared. Now five are back. Where is the sixth? And why can't the five remember anything about the time they were gone? Lucas and Scarlett, two of the taken children, want answers. I really like how Tara Altebrando dealt with their missing memories. The physical clues and the gut instincts were well laid. Avery is the sister of Max, the boy who is still missing. Like the characters in the story, I definitely wanted answers! The Leaving is a great YA thriller with an intriguing premise. I also quite like the cover. There's something about that one broken swing that is just so creepy to me. The Leaving is out June 7th, 2016. Review copy from NetGalley.



With Malice, The Memory Book, Change Places with Me, and The Leaving reviewed by JoLee.

A Season for Fireflies reviewed by Paige.

P.S. More missing memories here and here.

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