Star Book Review: The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan

The Art of Forgetting was a fantastic debut and notable addition to the library of contemporary women’s fiction. Camille Noe Pagan introduces readers to bffs, Marissa and Julia, who have a love-envy relationship not unlike that of the infamous chick lit pair, Rachel and Darcy. Julia and Marissa have been through just about everything from childhood to adulthood, Michigan to New York, break-ups to make-ups but one night changes everything.

When Julia is victim of a tragic car accident, her brain sustains devastating injuries, affecting every facet of her life. No longer able to remember the past or basic self-care skills, Julia’s parents move her back home to Michigan, and she and Marissa are separated for the first time in their friendship.

Adapting to life in New York without Julia is no easy feat for Marissa but life must go on. Boyfriend Dave is ready to take the next step with her but when ex-boyfriend, Nathan reappears, will old habits and forgotten relationships be rekindled? Marissa’s career at Svelte Magazine leads her down a new path and coworker, Naomi introduces her to a new extracurricular, helping and inspiring young girls to run a 5K.

With so many changes in her life and within her relationships, Marissa is growing up at a faster pace than she’s used to. Will she adapt to all the changes or will she want to run back to her roots and Julia in Michigan?

I’ve added The Art of Forgetting to my list of MUST READS for 2011. I absolutely love how the author took some of the integral components of chick lit and combined it with fresh facts and serious drama to create a tale that’s never been told. You won’t want to forget this one!

5 STARS

To read an excerpt from The Art of Forgetting, check out her web site at:

http://www.camillenoepagan.com/taof.html

Want to get some tips on writing while learning about Camille’s everyday life?? Visit her blog at http://thewahmdiaries.com/

***I received a copy of The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan via NetGalley solely for review purposes. All thoughts and ideas about the book are my own opinion.***

Sneak Peek: The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan

Sneak Peek at the Pages of....is a new feature I'm going to post periodically at Lip Gloss and Literaturein which I will feature books I'm currently reading, about to read or want to read. Some of these may be debut novels, new releases and others may be oldies but goodies. I hope with "Sneak Peek", I can introduce you to more, great women's fiction and chick lit novels to check out. Enjoy and don't forget to check back later in the month for a Review of the Sneak Peek featured book.     

The Art of Forgetting is the debut women’s fiction novel by Camille Noe Pagan and it is one of my MUST READS of 2011. I have only started it this past weekend but I can already tell you that I am hooked!

          Everyone has that one bff who they share everything with – love, disaster, excitement, sadness; someone to gossip with, confide in and even compete with. Imagine planning to meet that friend in the city for dinner one night, only to watch her get hit by car right before your eyes. Will she be okay? Will she survive? Will you be okay? How will you both cope with life and each other after such a tragic accident? That is exactly what happens between best friends Julia and Marissa, who have been living in New York in their twenties, growing up together and building their careers. I anticipate a fantastic story about friendship, growth, self-discovery, trauma, memory loss, and I think you won’t be disappointed by this new novel. It’s a real page turner.

The following synopsis was found on http://www.camillenoepagan.com/taof.html

The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan

Forgive and forget—but not necessarily in that order.

Marissa Rogers never wanted to be an alpha; beta suited her just fine, thank you very much. After all, taking charge without taking credit had always paid off: vaulting her to senior editor at a glossy diet magazine; allowing her to keep the peace with her critical, weight-obsessed mother; and enjoying the benefits that came with being best friends with gorgeous, charismatic Julia Ferrar.

Sure, coming up with 15 different ways to lose five pounds month after month could be mind-numbing. And yes, Julia was a walking, talking reminder that Marissa would never be the type to turn heads. So what? There was no reason to upend her perfect-on-paper life.

But when Julia is hit by a cab and suffers a personality-altering brain injury, Marissa has no choice but step into the role of alpha friend. As Julia struggles to regain her memory—dredging up things Marissa would rather forget, including the fact that Julia asked her to abandon the love of her life 10 years ago—and to return to the sharp, magnetic woman she once was, their friendship is shaken to the core.

With the help of 12 girls she reluctantly agrees to coach in an after-school running program, Marissa will uncover an inner confidence she never knew she possessed and find the courage to reexamine her past and take control of her future.

Be on the look out at the end of June for my full Review and Rating!!!

For more information on the author, to read an excerpt from The Art of Forgetting or find out where to buy the book, please visit http://www.camillenoepagan.com/

Want to get some tips on writing while learning about Camille’s everyday life?? Visit her blog at http://thewahmdiaries.com/

***I received a copy of The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagan via NetGalley solely for review purposes. All thoughts and ideas about the book are my own opinion.***