Hey there, Hi there, Ho there, Bookworms!
Before I start talking books today, I want to tell y’all some pretty crazy news. Over the weekend I found out that I made it into the finals of the 2013 Bloggie Awards. I’m completely flabbergasted, because I am up for Best Written Weblog in a category with my super pal, Quirky Chrissy, The BLOGGESS (OMG), and The Pioneer Woman. Also in our category is a blog that I’ve not read before, but anything called Dogs on Drugs is probably amazing. So. Holy crap on a cracker! (I also would like to mention that Pocketful of Joules is nominated for Best Kept Secret Weblog and First Time Mom and Dad is nominated for Best New Weblog.) If you’re inclined to vote for such things, please do. Click HERE to submit your ballot. Alright. Shameless self promotion over. Now BOOKS!
This month’s selection for Wine and Whining Book Club was What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. Alice falls off her bike during a spin class (which should teach us all a very important lesson about not trying to win races on stationary bicycles.) Anyway. Alice hits her head and when she wakes up she’s lost 10 years of her memory.
10 years. Wiped out. For Alice this means she’s forgotten her three children. She has no recollection of the demise of her marriage. She doesn’t know how she’s alienated her friends and family members. It’s a complete Alice in Wonderland sort of scenario (which leads me to believe that Moriarty didn’t choose her protagonist’s name by accident.)
I found this story very intriguing. How often do you wonder what you would say if your young self could see you now? My 19-nearly-20-year-old-self would probably be REALLY stoked to find out she married that cute lab monitor. Otherwise? I don’t know. My life is pretty sweet all things considered, so I’d probably just be annoyed that I couldn’t remember my wedding, and a little pissed off that I’d gotten chubby again. WHATEVER, young Katie. YOU HAVEN’T MET STEVE’S DONUTS YET!
Ten years ago Katie would be pleased to know she goes back to Disney World as well…
I really liked this book. I must admit that toward the middle I was a little frustrated that Alice wasn’t retrieving memories and was still bungling around. It felt a bit like the whole fish-out-of-water sequence went on for longer than necessary. However, that’s a minor complaint. I loved that it was always scents that brought on her memories the fastest. It’s totally SCIENCE that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory. Also, I like reading about Australian people, because it allows me to imagine their awesome accents. (I’ve got to come clean though, it took me an embarrassing amount of time to figure out if they were in England or Australia… It was clearly NOT North America, but Moriarty didn’t mention that we were in Sydney for a while… Partway through I had to switch my inner monologue’s accent and it was a little confusing.)
What do I mean by all this rambling? It’s a good book. If the premise sounds even a little interesting to you, give it a whirl. So. Bookworms. I’ve got to know. If you lost 10 years of your life, how discombobulated would you be? What major life events would you have missed?
P.S. Did you vote for me in the Bloggies? I think you should. XOXO.
Quirky Chrissy
Dude. I’d be screwed. 😉 Sounds like a great book. Also, I laughed out loud at some point while reading this. I just don’t remember which part.
Ashley@sorry kid your mom doesn't play well with others
Congrats! That is so exciting. I love your writing. I read every post and I am not even a reader, but sometimes I feel like I should be. Reading your blog makes me understand my 11 year old and how she can get so into a book! Congrats
Words for Worms
Thank you! That’s like the best compliment ever! Let me know if you ever need recommendations for your 11 year old- sometimes books sound cooler coming from a stranger, you know? 🙂
Charleen
Hmm, 10-years-ago-me still wanted to be a music teacher, so she’d probably be pretty confused as far as my lack of career is concerned. I was dating my husband at the time, so no surprises there. I don’t think she’d *expect* us to be living in Iowa, but that’s not really too huge. Very few friends, other than those from previous phases in my life? Check (I suck at making new friends). The real shocker, though, would be the lack of kids.
Words for Worms
Ten years ago me might be surprised at a lack of kids… Then again, ten years ago me was the one who said she’d start thinking about it seriously when she turned 30… So I’ve got like a month left to not worry about my eggs expiring.
therelentlessreader
Well hot damn!! Congrats on being in the Bloggie finals! That’s terrific and I’ll totally go vote for you because you’re one of my favorite people, yahoo!
If I lost the last 10 years of my life I’d be extremely upset. I’ve got kids yo! Missing their young years would be sad. Although, when the kids were young I was a frazzled zombie of a woman so….
There are so many things I’d love to tell my younger self. Whew, I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
therelentlessreader
Oh and I forgot to say that this book sounds like a gem 🙂
Words for Worms
Oh yes, having kids would be crazy. How do you not remember them?! Of course, not being a zombie woman does have its perks. (Thank you thank you thank you for your vote!)
June
Congrats on being in the finals! I totally voted for you 🙂
This book sounds very interesting, so I’m definitely going to check it out! It’s not a storyline that you hear about much, but I feel like there’s so much potential. It sounds like that one book that was based on a true story and became a movie. I can’t remember the name? It had Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams in it. Although that book/movie was all about the romance aspect of losing your memory.
If I lost the last 10 years of my life, I would be in 8th grade right now. I wouldn’t remember anything about high school (not necessarily a bad thing) let alone where I went to college or what I majored in. My best friend and husband would be strangers to me. So. Let’s hope that never happens! I don’t like thinking about it.
Words for Worms
10 years ago you couldn’t drive! That would suck. You’re an old soul, Junith. (And thank you times a million for your vote!)
Sami
I voted for you 🙂 If I lost the last 10 years of my life I would think I was 2 weeks away from my wedding date and having a raging case of Bridezilla. I wouldn’t remember my kids and would be a newlywed…my husband would be so pleased…we had more sex before the kids! TMI I know!!
Words for Worms
LOL oh your TMI is amusing, so I’ll forgive it! 🙂 Thanks for your vote :).
Ashley F
OMG I’m totally singing the theme to the Mickey Mouse Club now.
Words for Worms
And you WIN THE PRIZE! I’m lying. There is no prize. The prize is that you got the joke nobody else got and for that, I salute you!
Ashley F
Great minds and all that.
It's A Dome Life
If I lost the last ten years…man, I’d have lost most of what matters to me! The memory of marriage, my daughter being born, moving to NM, getting two degrees, buying a house. So much has happened. It would be so strange!
You have a sweet life. So do I actually. It’s good to be reminded! I think I have this book on my book shelf waiting to be read!
Voting!
Words for Worms
I hope you like the book! It’s a little Twilight Zone-ish, but not in a “OMG I just broke my glasses and I had all the time in the world to READ” sort of way.
JoulesDellinger
Oh, I recently read a book where someone lost their memory and kind of dug it – it was called Me, Again (it was an Amazon freebie). This one sounds fun too though, even though it freaks me out to think about. 10 years ago I was in a different house, with a different man, in a different job… and things are SO MUCH BETTER now! And thanks for the Bloggie shout out, I’m still doing a happy dance about it. =)
Words for Worms
I hope you get to keep your memory, Joules! And yay Bloggies!
picturemereading
I like the sound of this one, very cool!
Words for Worms
I think you’d enjoy it! 🙂
rhapsodyinbooks
Congrats and good luck! (I would definitely have to vote for anyone who uses the phrase “crap on a cracker” – LOL)
Words for Worms
Haha! Thanks dear!
DogsOnDrugs.com
Congratulations on the Best Writing nomination. I voted for you. All the other nominees are pure crap.
Words for Worms
Dude. If your latest post is any indication, your vote may be the only one I get! 🙂 Pleased to meet you, sir, and well played.
CorrieP
Would that be Steve’s Donuts in your fantastic hubby’s home town? Because they are responsible for a few of my extra pounds too. There is another book of a similar storyline (ish) called Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster that you may want to check out. Good luck on the Bloggies!!
Words for Worms
Heck yes! Steve’s Donuts are the best in the universe. Seriously. I’ve heard about Here I Go Again, I plan on checking it out. Thanks for the luck, I’ll sure need it! 🙂