Remember a month ago when Carrie of Normal Level of Crazy and I announced we were starting a book club? Yeah, I know–this sounds intimidating.
But fear not. All this means is that Carrie and I love to read. And we like each other and live really close. So we decided to pick a book once a month to read together and chat about. Over margaritas, obviously.
But the book lovin’ doesn’t end with our escaping our families over baskets of corn chips. We want to share this book club with you!
Each month we will announce our next book, invite you to read it with us, and then chat about it on the first Friday. Please leave any questions or thoughts about the book below or on social media–we want to hear from you!
For our first meeting, we read The Memory Box by Eva Lesko Natiello, and as a very special treat, we got to FaceTime with her at our meeting to chat about the book!
Eva was a delight who patiently tolerated all of our endless questions about her writing process and the book itself. She didn’t even once roll her eyes or ask us to please shut up. So, of course, we now have girl crushes on her.
As for the book…
The Memory Box is a “gripping domestic thriller” about privileged suburbian motherhood gone wrong…very wrong. Read the full description of the book here.
Carrie and I were both taken by how relatable some elements of Caroline’s life were…what parts of this motherhood world are craziest to you? Could you see yourself in any of the book’s characters?
Yet, we were blown away by the ending (agreeing that it was this twist that made the book unforgettable). What do you think of Caroline’s choices? Do you ever shock yourself with the lengths you go to in pursuit of maintaining your chosen lifestyle?
We were baffled by how clueless her husband remained throughout the story. But yet, how easy is it to keep secrets from a spouse? How many couples do lead lives secret from their partners?
As for Eva herself…
Isn’t she adorably approachable?
Eva awed and encouraged us as we learned that she wrote the entire book in the years of having young kids. She talked about never leaving the house without a black and white composition book so she could take advantage of any spare moments to write. Yes, she wrote her novel old-school, by hand.
Aside from her refusal to let the busyness of life prevent her from writing, Eva discussed the importance of believing in your own work, despite any rejection that you might meet along the way. She spoke of how her writing gave her a purpose in the years she could have become lost after leaving the coorporate world and redefining herself. I can’t say how inspiring this was for both Carrie and me.
It was also fun to hear that after Eva read Gone Girl, she was motivated to push the The Memory Box into publication (she had written it years before). Similar elements, specifically of the primary character being both the protagonist and antagonist are evident in both books, and it’s exciting to see this specific genre of thriller novels take flight.
Because Eva is cool…
She is going to send one of you a The Memory Box prize pack! Enter the Rafflecopter below for chances to win a beautiful keepsake box filled with “goodies” (I have heard rumors of Snowballs being included…!). As long as you are 18 or older and live in the continental U.S., you are eligible to win.
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And then, after you enter to win this gift from Eva and share your thoughts about The Memory Box with us, snatch up next month’s pick, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed, and read along with us!
As the book is described on Strayed’s website, “At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone. Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.”
We can’t wait to chat up this book with you in November! And yes, the movie with Reese Witherspoon is coming out in December (12/5/2014), so get a jump on this latest book-to-movie now! Maybe even go crazy a plan a Girls Night Out with some friends to catch the movie when it hits theaters??
And always, always–happy reading, friends!
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Cynthia Gabriele Sprouts Consignment Boutique says
Wow, now that is a special book club!
Meredith says
Such a very cool treat to read it and chat with Eva, Cindy!
Stacey @nursemommylaughs says
I totally want to read the Memory Box! My book club just finished reading Gone Girl AGAIN. Almost all of us had read it and we wanted to make sure the rest of the group did too. Looking forward to this one. What a great idea!!
Meredith says
It definitely has a similar feel to Gone Girl, Stacey–enjoy!
Eva Natiello says
Hi Meredith and Carrie! I’m so happy to be hanging out today on your blog, mixing it up with your readers! So let me have it, readers! Questions, comments, theories, recipes! (…okay, I threw that one in because if truth be known, I’m super-motivated by food…) I must say, those book club questions you asked above are wonderful. I will need to consult you when I write the questions for my next book… more on that another time. I’m so honored that you chose The Memory Box as your very first book club book. Thank you!
Meredith says
Thank you so much for being here, Eva!
Jen at PIWTPITT.com says
I haven’t read The Memory Box … yet, but this sounds like my kind of book! Thanks for reviewing it and recommending it to the rest of us. I’m always looking for new books to read and I trust your opinion COMPLETEY, Meredith! Adding it to my queue now. I see it’s on Kindle Unlimited – whoop!
As for a question for Eva: What’s next? What are you working on right now?
Meredith says
Can’t wait to hear what you think, Jen–happy reading!
Sherry L says
After reading the book description, The Memory Box is going on my list of Must Reads! I’m looking forward to following along with your book recommendations. Thank you!
Meredith says
So glad to have you join us, Sherry! I think this will be such a fun thing for all of us to do together. Thanks for being here 🙂
Sisterhood of the Sensible Mom says
Oh, now I know what my next book is going to be! Meredith, we are always on the same wavelength when it comes to reading!
For Eva: Was there something specific that triggered the idea for this novel?
Ellen
Eva Natiello says
Hi Ellen, yes, two things triggered the idea for this novel:
1) I read a story in the NYTIMES years ago when people started Googling themselves, about a 17 year old boy who Googled himself and discovered he was on a missing persons list in Canada. I thought it was fascinating that you could learn something about yourself (that was previously unknown to you) by Googling yourself.
2) I moved to the suburbs and became a stay-at-home mom of two shmumpkins!
You’ll have to let me know what you think of The Memory Box after you’ve read it, Ellen! Thanks.
Meredith says
I LOVE reading with you. You always have the best recommendations and very cool to have you here!
Eva Natiello says
Hi Jen! you mean other than laundry, right? Well, as far as writing pursuits, since The Memory Box was just recently released, I’m working hard on promoting it. This has been really fun, because I’m getting to talk with readers, which is the ultimate indulgence for an author. Apart from that, I am busy writing my second novel. It’s also a psychological thriller about two very different people who share one important personality trait: they don’t see themselves as others do. Like, not at all. Hmmm, that description seems vague? More to come, promise!
Thanks for adding The Memory Box to your “must read” list, Jen!
thedoseofreality says
That book sounds great! Woohoo!! Off to get it right now…and enter to win the prize, of course! :)-Ashley
Meredith says
Those snowballs are so darn tempting…
Kim@OneClassyMotha says
Hi Eva, I’m so excited to start this book!
I have a question…as a stay-at-home mom, did you ever feel guilty for taking time for yourself, writing a book that you could never guarantee would be published?
Eva Natiello says
Hi Kim, Yes. Yes I did feel guilty because of just that. I didn’t know whether it was a time-consuming hobby, or the beginning of a successful career (whatever success means…?). Especially because I was pouring lots of time into it. As soon as I brought the kids to school, I’d run home and race to the computer. Obviously, there were things “put on hold” whilst I do this (cleaning, shopping, laundry, showering…). The good news is, I’m showering regularly now! Well, that and I was able to get the book to a place that I was proud of. But that took a lot of work. A. Lot. Of. Work. There comes a point when you need to be honest with yourself. Getting critical feedback is important. It’s a rocky road for sure. Thanks for reading, Kim! PS. Are you a writer?
Meredith says
Kim, this is a SUPER question–exactly the kind of stuff we moms always think about…
Erika says
I had this on my Goodreads “to read” shelf, but now it has made the short special list of books I want to read right now, hanging on my bulletin board! Looking forward to it immensely!
Eva Natiello says
Thank you, Erika! Hope you like it!
Meredith says
You know I love reading with you, Erika…now we just have to wait for the movie! 😉
Cynthia Gabriele Sprouts Consignment Boutique says
I have to get reading again, thanks for the push!
Meredith says
Would be so fun to read with you, Cindy!
JD @ Honest Mom says
Hey! The character had a sister named JD! Cool.
The book sounds really interesting! I get scared easily – I am a TOTAL wuss – so I’m not sure it’s the right kind of book for me…? What do you think Meredith?
Eva Natiello says
Another JD!! That is very cool. What do your initials stand for, Jane Dory? I don’t know if you’ll be “scared” — it’s hard for me to say. I know the characters too well. This much I can say, it’s a dark story. Thanks for stopping by, JD!
Meredith says
JD, I’m with you on being a wuss. While both were mind-benders, Gone Girl was a lot harder to swallow for me. And there isn’t any violence in The Memory Box, so if that is a concern, no worries there…happy reading whatever you decide on!
TheNotsoSuperMom says
Thanks for no spoilers! I totally loved this idea, and I totally got the book and I totally have not finished it yet! Aaack! Still reading and loving it!
Eva Natiello says
Thanks for reading, notsosupermom! Let us know what you think when you’re done…
Meredith says
Yay! I am so glad you are reading with us! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts 🙂
Sara W says
This is great! I just bought the book and will start it tonight. My friends mom just finished the PCT (the whole she bang!) for her 60th birthday and Wild has been on my list for awhile so I’ll jump on it next!
Meredith says
Oh my goodness! Wild will be so neat for you to read then, Sara! Thanks for joining!