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Journey through the pages of this heartwarming novel, where hope, friendship and second chances are written in the margins. Perfect for book lovers everywhere and fans of Sally Page's The Keeper of Stories.
For forty-two years, Sally Harrison has been building a library.
Each year, on her daughter's birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves – with a note in the front dedicated to her own greatest work.
But Ella – Sally's only child – fled to Australia twenty-one years ago after a heated exchange, and never looked back. And though Sally still dutifully adds a new paperback to the shelves every time the clock strikes midnight on July 11th, her hopes of her daughter ever thumbing through the pages are starting to dwindle.
Then disaster strikes and Ella is forced to return to the home she once knew.
She is soon to discover that when one chapter ends, another will soon follow.
All you have to do is turn the page…
Do you use your local library? If so, what services do you take advantage of that your library offers? Why do you think libraries are important?
Our local public library includes a Tool Library, which offers a variety of hand and power tools, as well as small cooking appliances, to residents for a one-week loan. It's been a really great option for us—we just borrowed a hacksaw to cut our Christmas tree down so it could fit in our compost ...
-Norah_Piehl
Do you know someone with dementia, or someone with a relative who has the disease? What did you think of the way the author portrayed Sally’s condition?
My mother-in-law died of dementia. I think the portrayal was quite valid. It seems to begin slowly and isn't real noticeable at first. I think there was also denial in the family that she was showing signs of forgetfulness. Sally's dementia is in the early stages and I think it was portrayed very...
-Marcia_Sailer
How do you feel about the relationship between Sally and Andrew at the end?
I was happy for them but also sad. When Sally's husband died, she should have responded to his letters. I felt that she was punishing herself by not doing so. I think she thought it would confirm to Ella that she cheated, although she didn't! Why not just tell the truth and move on?
-Marcia_Sailer
The question of when we learn to see our parents as individuals, rather than through the lens of being their child, is addressed in the book. Did that resonate with you?
We begin our lives thinking our parents are perfect because that the example we have before us. As we grow up and are influenced by friends and media, we think we know it all. In my 20's. I again realized how intelligence and hard-working my parents were as I faced raising children and dealing wi...
-Marcia_Sailer
Have you ever read a novel that changed your view of the world?
You haven't read much if you haven't had this happen! I find that reading books about history and about other cultures has widened my knowledge and understanding of the world. I especially enjoy books about Native Americans and have read so many I can't just pick one…
-Marcia_Sailer
Ella drops everything to help out her mother and straighten out her affairs, at first very grudgingly but later enthusiastically. What do you feel caused this change in attitude? How much responsibility should children take for their aging parents?
In the beginning Elle still has very negative feelings because she thinks her mother cheated on her father. She views her father through rose-colored glasses and thought he was perfect. Sally didn't want to destroy Elle's love for her father, so remained silent. As Elle learned the truth and saw ...
-Marcia_Sailer
Pru tells Ella, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” What do you suppose she means? Do you agree?
That's thought provoking! When wee start comparing ourselves to others, we will see others better at something— more popular, more intelligent, etc. We loose confidence in ourselves when we do that. Instead one should take pride in our own talents and accomplishments. We all shine at something!
-Marcia_Sailer
Do you have a favorite supporting character? If so, why do you think you were attracted to them?
The supporting characters were great so it's hard to select one. I think I liked Verity because she helped Ella gain some perspective on her mother and was such a good friend to both Ella and Sally. We also saw her grow in wisdom and self-esteem as the book went on. I also loved her bringing the ...
-Marcia_Sailer
Why do you think readers gravitate towards books about books?
There seems to be many books about libraries and book at the moment. I did like reading what the characters/lessons learned though the books they referenced, Ir's good to obtain another perspective or to have one's own perceptive agreed with.
-Marcia_Sailer
Overall, what did you think of The Memory Library? (no spoilers, please!)
:I wanted to keep reading to the end. However, I was upset with Sally for not telling the truth to Elle to begin with. I did like the characters and the love shown to others. The book was a great example what a caring community looks like.
-Marcia_Sailer
If you were to start your own memory library, which would be the first book you choose, and why? Have you considered starting a memory library for someone else since reading the book?
I have done this for my children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Some of of the books I loved as a child are no longer appropriate, but some have withstood the test of time, Stuart Little, Little Fur Family and would be the first in the library. I was a children's bookseller in the 80s and 9...
-Nancy_B
Is there a quote or scene in the novel that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated?
Thanks for the correction, @Dianne_Y ! I've fixed the question where this is directly referenced.
-kim.kovacs
Do you think Sally should have told Ella the truth about her father after his death, or even before? Had she known, how do you think it would have changed her relationship with her mother?
I too, think Sally should have explained her relationship with her husband and Andrew. Although, truly I don't think her friendship with Andrew was any of Ella's business. She could have explained the letter. I don't guarantee Ella would have accepted it however, Sally eventually had proof to sho...
-Gerrie_B
Sally quotes Virginia Woolf to Verity, telling her she needs a room of her own to be successful. What did you think of this advice? Do you have a room of your own, and if so, does it have a special purpose?
I do have a room of my own. When we moved from our very large Victorian house where I had a lot of space to a smaller home I took a room to be mine. I think both people in a marriage need space to just be by themselves.
-Carol_F
What was your first impression of Ella, and did that change by the end of the book?
I don't think my impression of Ella changed much throughout the book. She did not act like an adult with a child of her own. It seemed like she carried around all her unfounded anger toward her mother and her husband for years.
-Carol_F
How did you feel about Sally’s community? Did the community in the book make you think about your own community and your place in it?
I love the idea of Sally's community. I volunteer in our small local library and run the book club. Our library has a small community but we are always trying to find ways to connect people together. It is a difficult thing when it is not a walking community. People work and are isolated by the a...
-Doreen_Brennan-Moore
About the The Memory Library by Kate Storey Discussion category
I liked the story. It was rather predictable though. Stories about forgiveness and redemption along with creating a special way of making a tradition like the Memory Library.
-Doreen_Brennan-Moore
Do you prefer books set in real or fictional places? Have you ever been to Greenwich? If you have, do you think it was depicted well?
I agree! I enjoy a book if its set in a place I've been, but it coudl be on MArs, if its a well written story!
-Lin_Z
How the titles of books are a subtopic of the story
What do you think of the books that are highlighted in The Memory Library? Have you read them? Do you feel they relate to this book and make it more cohesive?
-Jane_B
What audience would you recommend The Memory Library to? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
I think this book works for all audiences. It's wonderful… and one I will continue to cherish and tell others to read it.
-Sylvia_T
Is there a book with a special meaning that you would add to Sally and Ella's library? What would you hope they might learn from it?
At the moment, I can't think of one however I love this idea so much that I now want to do this for my goddaughter.
-Sylvia_T
Ella frequently thinks that if she were Queen of the World she would take a specific action. What did you think of this strategy? If you were Queen or King of the World, what change would you make?
Ella frequently thinks that if she were Queen of the World she would take a specific action. What did you think of this strategy? If you were Queen or King of the World, what change would you make?
-kim.kovacs
What are your reading this week? (12-19-2024)
THE MEMORY LIBRARY, by Kate Storey – Always love conflicted mother daughter relationships.
-Cindy_R
What are your reading this week? (12-12-2024)
Just finished The Memory Library by Kate Storey. Looking forward to the discussion in January. Just started Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie F. Rendon.
-Dee_Hatcher
What are you reading this week? (11-21-2024)
I started The Beast of the North Woods by Annelise Ryan a couple of days ago, but I'm not too far along. Next up will be The Memory Library by Kate Storey.
-kim.kovacs
"A gorgeous novel that pairs my (and many people's) perennial love for books about books with themes of family – and just how complex they can be." —Platinum
"A lovely story that celebrates books, family and kindness. Touching and beautiful." —Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins
"The Memory Library is so joyful. Kate Storey writes from the heart and the gut about mistakes and how we can learn from them. Great characters and a truly heartwarming story – I loved it!" —Laura Pearson, author of #1 Kindle bestseller The Last List of Mabel Beaumont
"An utterly gorgeous page turner about the power of books, family and forgiveness." —Phaedra Patrick, The Library of Lost and Found
This information about The Memory Library was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Kate Storey started her career teaching English and Drama, and when she had her family, combined all three to write novels about family drama. Originally from Yorkshire, she now lives in a London suburb with her husband and two teenage daughters, so expects there's plenty more drama to come.
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