Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Friday, April 15, 2011

M is for Memoir

MEMOIR is a form of autobiographical writing dealing usually with the recollections of one who has been a part of or witnessed significant events. MEMOIRS differ from autobiography in that they are usually concerned with personalities and actions other than those of the writer, whereas autobiography stresses the inner and private life of its subject.

One of the best-known MEMOIRS is Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, the story of his growing up years in Ireland, specifically centered around his mother, Angela. A MEMOIR does not need to be written by a famous person. McCourt was an unknown writer when he wrote his debut work. It is more in the meaning given within the MEMOIR rather than the fame or importance of the author.

Soon to be released is this MEMOIR by Ann Carbine Best, a blogger that many of you know from A Long Journey Home.  It is titled In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets. Oooh, sounds intriguing!




In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets by Ann Carbine Best is the story of a woman who planned on her marriage lasting forever.

When Ann marries Larry in September of 1961, she’s certain he will be that eternal companion. Eleven years later, she is devastated to learn that he’s been having affairs with men. She wants to help him. She wants to save her marriage.

However, powerful emotions pull Larry away from his family, and eight years later their marriage ends. As a single parent, Ann is now faced with four grieving children who don’t want to leave their father and their home in Utah Valley. But Ann needs to start a new life in a new place.

In the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Ann at last makes peace with the past.


I am looking forward to this one. Go, Ann!

31 comments:

  1. This looks like a good one.
    Thankx for the heads up :)

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  2. That does look like a good one.

    As I fiction writer, I like to read memoirs to get a healthy dose of authenticity. I find it helps when crafting my characters.

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  3. I haven't read many memoirs, but I liked Angela's Ashes.

    After this crazy A to Z blogging month, I'll have more time to read again, so thanks for the suggestion!

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  4. I too am looking forward to this.

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  5. Linda that is a great idea of how to get authenticity. Great post Karen

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  6. Ah, sounds great. I've not read many memoirs for a long time. Shall definitely get back into these. ;-)

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  7. Oh it sounds heartbreaking. I have to read it. And I have Angela's Ashes on my urgent reads pile on my night stand. So its just moved up to my next read.

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  8. Ann is a wonderful person - that must've been a tough book to write.

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  9. Ah yes Angela's Ashes, that one describes food so well i was hungry all the time! The other sounds like a real baptism of fire for the woman. :O)

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  10. Me too!!! I can't wait to read the lovely Ann's memoirs!! Take care
    x

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  11. Thanks for the tip, I love reading memoirs.

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  12. Memoirs are some of my favorite books to read.

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  13. I am looking foward to this too. Congratulations Ann.

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  14. Natalie Goldberg, who also wrote "Writing Down the Bones", has written a terrific book about writing memoirs. It's called "Old Friend from Far Away," and it's filled with a lot of useful tips that can help all kinds of writers.

    Like everyone else, I'm looking forward to reading Ann's memoirs.

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  15. I follow Ann an am really looking forward to her book.
    Thanks for the review.

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  16. What a coincidence! I made peace with my past as well, living here in the Hollow at the base of the Blue Ridge also located in Virginia!...:)JP

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  17. Looking forward! I'm fond of memoirs and know Ann through her blog. It will be a great read.

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  18. sounds awesome i'll have to get me a copy when it comes out

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  19. Ann's memoir looks interesting. I just stopped by her blog for the first time an hour ago.

    Angela's Ashes was a good book, but it made for a depressing movie. Ah well.

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  20. Thanks for sharing Karen; Ann's book sounds amazing~

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  21. I've seen this one around the blogsphere and it sounds like something special.

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  22. Ann's book does sound intriguing and a wonderful story. She's an amazing lady.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  23. Wow! Thanks, Karen, for featuring my memoir (a great M word; memoir is my favorite genre). I blinked and blinked when I got to your third paragraph and saw the cover. Still spooks me when I see it. Who WERE those people? Seems like I knew them a long time ago!

    It takes a long time and a lot of people to bring a book to publication, and I'm grateful to all who have helped me along the way. Now I'm excited for its release, and for my Blogger friends to read it. Thanks, everyone, for your support!
    Ann Carbine Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

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  24. I hosted Ann a few weeks back. Her memoirs look like a fascinating journey through life she can share with other people and help them. Best wishes Ann!!!

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  25. Hi Karen - another nutty A-Z type here.

    Blog Book Tours

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  26. I expressed a key part of my autobiography in my Hawaii novel "Aloha where You Like Go?"

    Aloha from Honolulu


    Comfort Spiral

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  27. Sounds interesting!

    By the by, I gave you an award over at my blog. Stop by to pick it up!

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  28. I'm happy for Ann. It sounds like a great story for the genre.

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  29. Wow...that sounds like a powerful memoir. Congratulations to Ann!

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  30. Hi Karen .. great review for Ann .. I must say I am looking forward so much to reading both your books .. very interesting post .. life for Ann has not been easy .. with thoughts and enjoy the weekend (surrounded by boxes?) cheers Hilary

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  31. Ann is a wonderful lady - looking forward to her memoir too!

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Comments are welcome!