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I really liked this book and Sammie’s journey through NPC. It was sweet watching her cope and put importance into her relationships. I especially loved Coop and how he stood by her through the whole ending. Cute book and cutest ending with all of the other people’s stories about Sammie. And of course, Coop’s last dedication. So sweet. :)
A wonderful story about a girl with big dreams for her future, which unfortunately she fails to fully come true, a story with a shattering finale.
Until the last moment, Sammie did not give up and fought to the end, but lost the battle.
Until the last moment, Sammie did not give up and fought to the end, but lost the battle.
I really enjoyed this book! I wasn't really sure what to expect going in because I didn't read the synopsis, and I wanted to let myself be surprised. And I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the plot was a very interesting idea. I mean, there's plenty of books about terminal illnesses, but not many about this type, which is especially cool because it raises some awareness for Niemann-Pick C. I love a book that can get me into my feelings, and this one really did it. I cried like a baby after finishing it.
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
The Memory Book was a sad and heart-warming tale about the life of Samantha McCoy as she struggles with a neurological disease. Despite this we see Samantha attempt to live her life to the fullest and fight this life-threatening disease at all cost. She inspiringly pushes forward against all odds and continues to pursue her dreams. Sadly, it was all for naught and fate ended up catching up to her. Lara Avery does an amazing job at building up character development and making you really fall in love with the relationships of the characters. This book will leave a wrenching feeling in your heart at the end, as we witness the world of Samantha come crumbling down.
Beautiful story. 4/5
Beautiful story. 4/5
I read it a while ago but i just stumbled upon it again, so here are my thoughts: i was kind of annoyed with the MCs, partly because I couldn't relate, behavior wise.
Overall I was interested in exploring the idea of thoughts, behaviors, experiences following a terminal illness diagnosis.
The characters felt very character to me, not much relatablity. They all had very strong YA vibes, the kind of Secret History type where the characters are a bit oversaturated, written more stylistic than human.
This book is probably more of a 3.5, I should/might reread it.
Since this review is written for my own sake, here are the notes I wrote back when I was reading this book (most are quotes):
Noam Chomsky - optimism as a strategy rather than a feeling. If you don't believe the future is going to be better, then you won't take action to make it better. It sounds cheesy, but there's another word for cheesy: sincerity.
laughing from that place between his stomach and his chest, like he does when he knows no one else thinks his joke is funny.
people who have to label themselves as "fun" are not fun.
Maddie's room smells like how I think Lothlorien, the elf realm from LotR, would smell. Like burning wood and lavender and kind of like dirt. She has leafy plants hanging from every corner, succulents in little glass terrariums in rows along her windows and desk and dresser, a skinny tree in a big ceramic pot. Her stereo speakers take up almost a third of the wall, blaring synthesizers, and she roams back and forth from the bathroom in her bare feet, wearing shorts and a tank top, hair in a towel.
"I think I just like being close to other people's lives."
"Without having to mess with them."
Sometimes life is really terrible.
Sometimes life is really good, but never in a simple sort of way.
And when I look back, I will know I have tried.
I didn't know if I looked hot, but after an imaginary conversation with Maddie, I decided I didn't care. I remembered her looking at herself in the mirror and saying "According to whom?"
"Maybe we depend too much on other people for what we think of as success."
"Success can't just be when people notice you."
"So we've just got to do it for ourselves."
Jose Saramago's Blindness
"I'm sort of a sponge, I have a few strong opinions, but they might change. I just want to find out everything I can."
Like Mrs Whatsit in A Wrinkle in Time, when she left earth through a different dimension, for a purple-grey planet with two moons. She was a bundle of rags and boots on earth, and on the new planet, she became a brilliant creature with a powerful body and wings. I'm still dressed the same way, but I look different. I feel different.
I remembered he used to do that a lot, when he wanted to be alone. He'd always say goodbye before you even thought about leaving.
Got spontaneity on the calendar for next Tuesday.
Optimism does not have to be blind.
Not much is likely. Anything is possible.
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - oliver goldsmith
i thought you were drunk or something so i laughed at you and i feel bad for that.
"I don't like too much perfection, It scares me."
"It doesn't scare me,"
"Why?"
I thought of all my plans, now ruined, and pushed down the sadness that was coming up. "Because I know it doesn't exist."
I used to try to read the same books he read in high school.
Get rid of 'the plan' altogether. Do things because they're good things to do. Do them just for the sake of doing them.
How can one body hold so many different people? I wonder how someone can want such different things in such a short time.
that night i drove you home from the side of the road your parents told me you weren't supposed to hang out unless it was with someone who was certified. so i took a class.
and then you cry cause you know how it feels.
Overall I was interested in exploring the idea of thoughts, behaviors, experiences following a terminal illness diagnosis.
The characters felt very character to me, not much relatablity. They all had very strong YA vibes, the kind of Secret History type where the characters are a bit oversaturated, written more stylistic than human.
This book is probably more of a 3.5, I should/might reread it.
Since this review is written for my own sake, here are the notes I wrote back when I was reading this book (most are quotes):
Noam Chomsky - optimism as a strategy rather than a feeling. If you don't believe the future is going to be better, then you won't take action to make it better. It sounds cheesy, but there's another word for cheesy: sincerity.
laughing from that place between his stomach and his chest, like he does when he knows no one else thinks his joke is funny.
people who have to label themselves as "fun" are not fun.
Maddie's room smells like how I think Lothlorien, the elf realm from LotR, would smell. Like burning wood and lavender and kind of like dirt. She has leafy plants hanging from every corner, succulents in little glass terrariums in rows along her windows and desk and dresser, a skinny tree in a big ceramic pot. Her stereo speakers take up almost a third of the wall, blaring synthesizers, and she roams back and forth from the bathroom in her bare feet, wearing shorts and a tank top, hair in a towel.
"I think I just like being close to other people's lives."
"Without having to mess with them."
Sometimes life is really terrible.
Sometimes life is really good, but never in a simple sort of way.
And when I look back, I will know I have tried.
I didn't know if I looked hot, but after an imaginary conversation with Maddie, I decided I didn't care. I remembered her looking at herself in the mirror and saying "According to whom?"
"Maybe we depend too much on other people for what we think of as success."
"Success can't just be when people notice you."
"So we've just got to do it for ourselves."
Jose Saramago's Blindness
"I'm sort of a sponge, I have a few strong opinions, but they might change. I just want to find out everything I can."
Like Mrs Whatsit in A Wrinkle in Time, when she left earth through a different dimension, for a purple-grey planet with two moons. She was a bundle of rags and boots on earth, and on the new planet, she became a brilliant creature with a powerful body and wings. I'm still dressed the same way, but I look different. I feel different.
I remembered he used to do that a lot, when he wanted to be alone. He'd always say goodbye before you even thought about leaving.
Got spontaneity on the calendar for next Tuesday.
Optimism does not have to be blind.
Not much is likely. Anything is possible.
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - oliver goldsmith
i thought you were drunk or something so i laughed at you and i feel bad for that.
"I don't like too much perfection, It scares me."
"It doesn't scare me,"
"Why?"
I thought of all my plans, now ruined, and pushed down the sadness that was coming up. "Because I know it doesn't exist."
I used to try to read the same books he read in high school.
Get rid of 'the plan' altogether. Do things because they're good things to do. Do them just for the sake of doing them.
How can one body hold so many different people? I wonder how someone can want such different things in such a short time.
that night i drove you home from the side of the road your parents told me you weren't supposed to hang out unless it was with someone who was certified. so i took a class.
and then you cry cause you know how it feels.
http://diariesofabooklover.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-memory-book-by-lara-avery.html