False Memory: Review

A few days ago I finished reading the book False Memory by Dan Krokos. The novel is about a girl named Miranda North who randomly wakes up on a park bench with no memory of anything but her name and age. Through a series of unfortunate events she hurts a mall full of people with just her mind. She is quickly scooped up by a boy named Peter who claims to have known her all her life. Later at what she has to trust is her home, she learns she is part of an elite group of people called Roses. Roses are basically machines who have advanced control of their mind. Miranda later meets Noah, a boy she can’t remember loving. Noah is also the reason she can’t remember anything. There’s also Olive who’s secret could tear apart the three. On a whirlwind journey Miranda, Peter, Noah, and Olive try to limit the casualties of a massive attack their creators are planning on the city and try to figure out the Roses true purpose.

The whole book, I thought, was fantastic. The action sequences and the way the author so cleanly and easily slipped in Miranda’s resurfacing memories were amazing. Miranda’s development over the book was my favorite part. At the beginning of the book she was this shy being who felt like she couldn’t trust anyone. As you read further you watch her become the person you imagine she was before she lost her memory; strong, independent, and fierce. I can not wait to read the next installment in Miranda’s journey.
Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Tell Me

So that you will hear me

my words will become honest.

They will be like the words

you hear in  your most vulnerable states.

Tell me your secrets

and I’ll tell you mine.

Tell me all your hopes and dreams,

so I can see myself in them too.

When you get tired,

don’t just run away.

If you slip away,

you’ll start a fire

that can never be put out.

Tell me you need me,

and I’ll say I need you too.

Tell me clearly,

speak what your heart

is telling you.

I’ll tell you I’m lucky,

I’ll always tell you the truth.

Don’t be just everything I want,

be everything I need.

When I say I love you,

tell me you love me too.

So that you will hear me

I’ll show you my heart

beating as hard as a drum.

My words will become yours.

Yesterday

Because yesterday

everything was different,

(the sun shone darker,

the wind blew cooler,

the rain came down harder) --

and because this morning I woke up

and I immediately knew there had been a shift,

(my bed was empty, cold;

white sheets perfectly spread

and untouched like fresh snow) --

and because in the kitchen

piles of dishes were covered

in last night’s makeshift meal,

(flies buzzing around looking for an extra scrap) --

and because when I walk into my living room

piles of boxes were stacked to the ceiling,

full of every memory from

yesterday and beyond --

and because there was no one around,

and I was alone from now on;

I realized no one would be here to guide my every step;

I was an adult now in the real world--

I had grown up.

Where Does Writing Hide?

Writing hides behind quick movements.

When you’re suddenly hit

with a good idea

and you can’t wait to get to

the nearest pen and paper.

Writing hides behind your past.

Whether or not you’re able to let go

or learn from what you've done wrong

or what you've done right.

Writing hides behind the people

you surround yourself with.

The stories they share about themselves

fuel the characters in your stories.

They help add character development.

Writing hides behind your ghosts.

That pang in your stomach

when you walk away from something

that was practically calling your name.

You give your characters those experiences.

You make them fearless.

You make them guiltless.

Writing hides behind you.

Whether you trust yourself enough

to let the words flow openly and honestly.

Whether you just need an escape

so you create something a million miles from the truth.

Writing hides behind your willingness.

Whether you’re willing to commit

and escape.