Review: Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

Book Details:
Before I Go To Sleep
By S.J. Watson
Genre: Fiction
Published 2011, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
Paperback, 358 pages
ISBN: 9781443404068

Synopsis:

          "As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I’m still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me. . . ."
Memories define us.
So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?
Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love—all forgotten overnight.
And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story.
Welcome to Christine's life.

I read this book on the avid insistence of a friend, and I am sure glad I read this book. The premise is quite intriguing - a woman with a very unique type of amnesia in which she wakes up every morning not remembering anything from as much as several decades of her life. What is most interesting is that sometimes she wakes thinking she is a child, while others she believes she is a young adult. There is no predicting at what believed age she will be when she wakes, and no controlling it.
A few things bugged me about the plot, the first of which was that on the mornings that she was supposed to wake as a child, nothing in her behavior indicated that of a child - she still behaved the same as when she woke as a full-grown adult. I was also immediately suspicious of Ben, as his behavior towards her did not seem very motivated towards achieving a return of her memory- but I suppose that was the point.
Despite Christine's loss of memory, in many ways her actions are instinctual - which is very realistic and made for some tense scenes. A Dr. Nash comes to her aid in secret, both because her case is no unusual and because he really does want to help her. Despite the difficulties of Christine not remembering him from day-to-day, he is still able to make progress with her - all behind Ben's back. On his advice, Christine begins  keeping a journal of each day, as well as what memories return to her. This is when the book really picks up in intensity, as Christine comes to realize that her own mind could be her own worst enemy. At times she is not even certain if she can trust the words in her journal, since she cannot remember writing them.
As she fills up her journal, she begins to uncover lies and secrets in her life that create nail-biting, mind-blowing scenes that had me riveted. I was a little disappointed with how the book ends - after all of the build up, it seemed almost anti-climactic. Other than that, the book was an excellent read, especially for a first-time author. Everyone should read this book!

The Cover: The picture on the cover alludes to the title, plus the fact that the woman's face is hidden goes well with the plot of the book. It's fitting in its simplicity.

First Lines: "The bedroom is strange. Unfamiliar. I don't know where I am, how I came to be here. I don't know how I'm going to get home."
What an interesting way to begin a book - my curiosity is peaked!

Favorite Quote: "What are we, if not an accumulation of our memories?

Read For: Just for Fun Reading Challenge

Guest Post: Forsaken Protector by Nana Malone

Today's guest is Nana Malone, author of Forsaken Protector. Nana's love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin on a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana at a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.
Waiting for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, Nana, meantime works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is. Though, until that ninja job comes through, you'll find her acting out scenes for hubby and puppy while catching up on her favorite reality television shows in sunny San Diego.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Take it away, Nana!

          When I started writing my first book (which now sits in the bottom drawer in my office), I immediately grabbed my laptop and started banging out a manuscript knowing nothing about characterization, plot or the writing business. Like so many newbie “have a lot to learn” writers, I said things like, “How difficult could it be?” An adorable heroine, sexy hero, a cute meet, sprinkle some acerbic wit and bam, you have a book. God, I had no idea. Who knew I needed plot, characterization, some magical writing and heaps of luck?
After several failed attempts at gluing a haphazard plot together for my first book, I got myself some craft books. Make that lots of craft books, joined RWA, signed up for every class I could get my hands on, and found the best critique partner that a newbie like me deserved or could ask for. She’s been patient, but honest - tells me what I don’t want to hear, encourages me to be the best writer I can be, and I’m so honored to call her a friend and one of my favorite authors, Misty Evans. If you’ve never read her, you’re missing out!
Over the years I’ve met some amazing writers. Women who pour their hearts out onto the paper. Those who plot, those who pants it. All of them hustling towards an impossible goal while traversing the land mines of day job, significant others, kids and personal lives.
Because now, 12 years later, four books, over a hundred rejection letters and experiences I wouldn’t trade for a pair of Prada pumps, (Let’s be honest, I might trade the experience for some Louboutins), I know what work goes into being a writer. The pain, pleasure, joy of it. The sweat and the literal tears. It’s in my blood now. The Protectors Series came out of my love of superheroes. You mention a comic book character, a superhero show or movie and chances are I’ve seen it or read it, or owned the Halloween costume. I wanted to address powers in a way that was more steeped in reality. Forsaken Protector is the second in the series and deals with the aftermath of escape and freedom. Symone has to deal in the real worked with a power that keeps her isolated from all people. Garrett has to make some difficult choices between love and family.

Thank you for that insight into your writing process, Nana, and thank you for stopping by!

Teaser Tuesday: Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!).
5. Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

          "Well," she said, tapping a finger on the arm of her chair, "is there or isn't there?"
"What?" Leo asked.
"A monster?"
"No," said Leo.
"No," said Foxbrush.
But their tones implied otherwise.
Daylily sighed. This was going to be the longest summer of her existence, but at least she could make the most of it. She rose from her chair, arranged her skirts, and gave the lads a deceptively placid look. "Shall we, then?"
Leo narrowed his eyes. "Shall we what?"
"Hunt the monster?" She stepped from the room." - pgs. 112-113, Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

What are you reading this week?