•What’s happening, wordpress? msbookworm speaking, (typing, whatever) welcome to my blog where I review books I’ve read that I think you’ll enjoy and fangirl over everything.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Author: Lara Avery
For Teens and up (13)
“THEY SAY I’LL FORGET. I’M WRITING TO REMEMBER.”
Suddenly finding out you’re diagnosed with a memory-reducing disease can be tough, especially for Sammie, who is determined not to forget. This heartfelt book by Lara Avery is full of love and humor and sadness as Sammie McCoy records her life in The Memory Book. It does have some language in it, which is why I’d suggest it for 13-year-olds and up, but it’s a beautiful story and I enjoyed reading the way Sammie saw her life. When Sammie is diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease type C, or NPC, she is told that her memory would slowly fade away, and the disease cost people their lives most of the time. But Sammie has a lot going for her- Her Memory has won her spelling bees and a top spot of her school’s debate team. Her long-time crush has finally noticed her and she has the most-perfect first date ever. Her old neighbor who used to be her best friend comes back into her life. She has everything she could want- she doesn’t want to forget it all. So Sammie comes up with a plan: She would not forget, because she would record her life on her computer in a memory book. In this journal, Sammie records events from her life, from her first party, to the first time she forgets, to stories of bonding time with her siblings and parents. If you’re into more serious fiction, or books that may not end happily, this book is for you. I’m not saying the book has no humor- it definitely does, especially through Sammie and Coop, her childhood best friend. I hope you read this beautiful, and in some ways deep book, and remember “We’ve got a big world out here.”
*As far as I know, this book is standalone.
More Info: You can follow author Lara Avery on Twitter @laraavery or on Facebook here at facebook.com/laraaverybooks. For more information on The Memory Book, like how it came to life, you can check out an intterview with Lara here: http://alittlematterwhatever.over-blog.fr/2016/05/the-memory-book-lara-avery-s-interview-english-version.html.
~FUN FACTS~
• Niemann-Pick type C, the kind Sammie has, is a rare disease that makes the body unable to transport cholesterol and other fatty substances like lipids.
• There are three types of Niemann-Pick, type A, type B, and type C. (C is most common and mainly effects children. There is no cure yet.)
• The name Samantha means “listener,” or “God heard.” In some cases, it could mean “Flower.” The name Agatha means “good woman,” and the name McCoy means “son of Aodh,” which is an ancient word for fire. I believe all three fit Sammie, as she is a good listener, a kind person, but can be fiery at times as well.
• NYU, Sammie’s dreamschool, has a Quidditch team, a popular game in Harry Potter that involves broomsticks and a combination of basketball and baseball, (maybe a little bit of soccer?), and a tiny golden ball that flits around for the seeker, one of the positions, to catch. NYU has been known as the Hipster Horcruxes and the NYU Nundus.
• Brizzy Voices, a YouTuber and skilled impressionist and actress, is a former NYU Nundu. You can check her YouTube channel out here at https://www.youtube.com/user/brizzyvoices.
Those were some “Gud Gud” facts! ;D
I hope you consider reading this awesome book!
Ms Bookworm 