JENN McKINLAY: I'm thrilled to have a long time friend Heather Webber join us today to talk about her latest book THE FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY. I've been a fan of Heather's work forever and particularly enjoy her magical realism novels, with her latest being particularly poignant. Here she is to tell us more about what inspired her.
On a shelf in my office sits a fish bowl.
It doesn’t contain fish.
It holds memories.
I’ve been dealing with memory issues for a long time now. Most of my childhood memories are gone, with only a handful remaining. My teen years are slipping away as well. All my medical tests are fine, so I figure my brain can only hold so much. If something new comes in, something has to go out. Decluttering at its worst.
Fortunately, every once in a while, a long-lost memory returns to me, sparked by a song, a scent, a photo, a dream, a conversation.
I consider those memories as gifts.
Treasures, really.
The warm, wonderful feeling that comes with a returned memory is what inspired the idea for The Forget-Me-Not Library, my newest novel, due to be released this week. The story takes place in a small Alabama library where long-forgotten, treasured memories are hidden within the books. Memories that bring about peace and comfort and happiness.
Oh, how I wish it were a real place.
I’m doing everything I can to hold on to the memories I’ve been able to keep, which is where the fish bowl comes in. It holds mementos that I’ve been collecting for the past thirty years or so. Bits of my life that have been important to me for one reason or another.
Along with many other things, in that bowl are the first library cards of my children (who are now in their 30s!). The kids were each five years old when they signed up for their cards and had to print their names on them. Seeing those cards with those carefully-crafted, shaky letters always brings a smile and helps me to remember how excited they were to check out as many books as their tiny arms could hold.
Definitely memories to treasure.
Do you have a way of holding on to memories? Or recall your first trip to a library? I’d love to hear about it. One commenter will win a copy of The Forget-Me-Not Library.
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A detour. A chance encounter. Two women who alter the pages of each other’s story.
Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive. Months after a freak accident involving lightning, she’s fully recovered but is left feeling that something is missing from her life. Something big. Impulsively, she decides to take a solo summer road trip, hoping that the journey will lead her down a path that will help her discover exactly what it is that she’s searching for.
Newly single mom Tallulah Byrd Mayfield is hanging by a thread after her neat, tidy world was completely undone when her husband decided that their marriage was over. In the aftermath of the breakup, she and her two daughters move in with her eighty-year-old grandfather. Tallulah starts a new job at the Forget-Me-Not Library, where old, treasured memories can be found within the books―and where Lu must learn to adapt to the many changes thrown her way.
When a road detour leads Juliet to Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, and straight into Tallulah’s life, the two women soon discover there’s magic in between the pages of where you’ve been and where you still need to go. And that happiness, even when lost, can always be found again.
HEATHER WEBBER is a national bestselling author known for crafting stories that celebrate the power of family, friendship, and community. Her novels, including Midnight at the Blackbird Café and At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities offer comforting tales of love, hope, and personal redemption. Heather loves to spend time with her family, read, drink too much coffee and tea, bird-watch, crochet, and bake. She currently resides in southwest Ohio.
Congratulations, Heather, on your new book. The Forget-Me-No Library sounds like a perfect place to spend lots of time and I'm looking forward to meeting Juliet and Lu . . . .
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories of taking our children to the library where they'd choose which treasured books they'd take home and carefully wrote their names on those little cards . . . .
Watching children choose books is always so fun!
DeleteHeather, welcome to jungle reds! I subscribe to your newsletter and look forward to reading forget me not library. And I discovered your books on social media.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of memories, I get what you meant about a scent bringing back memories. When I was a teenager I met my great aunt who just moved to California. I had no memory of meeting her years before at her sister’s memorial service when I was 23,months old. However, when I smelled her perfume, I remembered the scent, which I never encountered on anyone else. I told her I remember the scent from a long time ago.
Who is Lu?
Thank you! I think scent is one of the biggest memory triggers. It's all so fascinating to me. Lu is one of the characters in the book--a nickname for Tallulah.
DeleteCongratulations on your new book, Heather
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI used to be paranoid about losing my memory. I saved so many things to try to insure against that. Now my focus is on enjoying the now. A fishbowl sounds like about the right amount to hang on to.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I've saved as much as I have. I also started a page-a-day diary about five years ago. It's one of my better decisions!
DeleteThat sounds like a good compromise (less clutter!) and a way to justify buying some beautiful journals. Or using the ones I have! I’ve journaled while traveling, but I’m not even consistent with that.
DeleteWelcome Heather! It's so nice to have you here! Losing your memories sounds scary though I think we're all headed that way at one speed or another. Can't wait to read the new book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy! It is scary. And frustrating, too. Hopefully I'll keep what I currently have. Fingers crossed!
DeleteWelcome Heather! Congrats on your upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteHi Dru Ann! Thank you!!
DeleteMemory is such a tricky thing. My sisters and I remember different pieces of our childhood--or remember the same events differently. I LOVE that you have your kids' first library cards. My parents were both librarians and they are smiling at you from the great NEXT. I know that we (my twin and I and then our little sister) were marched into the library as soon as we were able to write our names and given our own library cards. What a treat to go every few weeks (and then every week before or after our swimming lessons) and pick out new books.
ReplyDeleteMy current library system has electronic cards, and it makes me a little sad for all the kids who won't know the pride and joy of signing cards. Thankfully, they still have the library and all its wonderful books, though!
DeleteHeather, I still remember the number on my library card, which only had 4 digits, but I don't remember my first trip to the library. I do remember going there to take out books and that it was a big part of my childhood.
ReplyDeleteI live in a much larger town now, and frequently visit my library, but my personal TBR pile is so high, and my Kindle is so deep, that I must cut back on acquisitions and read, read, read!
I love that you still remember the number!
DeleteMorning all ~ Paula B here. Congrats on your new book. It’s on my list! So, no I don’t recall my first library visit but I do recall sneaking upstairs to the adult library department one slow cautious silent step at a time. It was a wonderland up there and I’d had enough of being told no. OMG, acres and acres ~ as it felt to a children’s department escapee ~ of books on shelves. I walked up and down some of the aisles running my hand along the spines. A woman saw me and had the sweetest smile. The librarian? Anyway I went back down to my world and took home another armload. Cherry Ames! My fav mystery solver.
ReplyDeleteI love your memory of the adult section! How wonderful.
DeletePaula: now realizing I was lucky - at my library, the children’s section was upstairs, so it was much easier to wander through the adult section while waiting to get picked up. I remember the library card as white plastic with black embossed letters. A true E-ticket!
DeleteI now enjoy the luxury of 5 local library cards so I can shop for the shortest queues (although my hold queue is so full now that is pointless!)
G'morning, Heather! Waving from northern Ohio! The Forget-Me-Not Library is moving up on my TBR list--sounds just the ticket for what I need right now. I can recall my first visit to our local library. The wooden floors creaked and the librarian was a caricature of daunting librarians--scowling, not welcoming at all to my sweet, shy mother. Fast forward to this day, I work part-time at that same library now--it's three times bigger and we have a brand-new community room. We're part of a huge library system and anyone--of any age--with a card from any of our libraries is welcome to come on in!
ReplyDeleteAnd I kept a journal for decades--lots of memories in those pages.
I'm glad your first visit didn't scare you off! I started a page-a-day journal in 2020 and it's been an amazing way to remember.
DeleteJenn, Paula B here ~ I’m nearly finished with Witches and am amazed. What a writer! I’ve really all but the cupcake series and loved them. You must have done a lot of research to write Witches. I’m hoping it will take more than a few hours to finish this one. It’s so good. So went to your website to sign up for your newsletter. I admit it’s super early for my brain to engage but I have to ask, What’s a SubStack?
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely wonderful—and your fish bowl is so touching! What a perfect idea! And never too late to start. Xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hank! I *finally* started journaling about five years ago. Better late than never!
DeleteFrom Celia: Good morning everyone and welcome Heather. What a wonderful start to my day, thank you for unlocking a treasure chest of library memories.
ReplyDeleteOur little local store run by Miss Frusher carried all manner of goods including a small lending library. I would walk there weekly to change my aunt with whom I was living and my books. I was twelve.
When i joined my family living then in Ghana my mother and I drove weekly into Accra to the beautiful modern library, I can still seventy years later picture the light streaming through the floor to ceiling tall windows. We would gather a week's reading and return home with our treasures. Books were the entertainment as it was the '50's and there was no television in Africa.
Forward to my first child, we have just moved into suburbs of NYC to our first home and I know nobody but the librarians. I carry tiny Olivia into the library to make sure I am starting her off on her library life.
You awakened a stream of book and library memories Heather. Right now I'm deep in Jenn's delicious Witches and an adding Forget Me Nots to my never shrinking reading pile. But I thank you for the library memories I shall add to my JRW memory journal. Yes I keep my JRW memories safe and hope your fishbowl is always full of joy.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDITH MAXWELL! Hope you have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Edith!
DeleteHappy birthday, Edith!
DeleteCelia, I always enjoy your snippets from your life--they are so vivid!
Aww, thank you, Judy and Debs! I'm just now getting to JRW after a morning with Ida Rose and my son and his wife, and a bigger family birthday gathering yesterday.
DeleteHi Heather. Looking forward to reading the new book. I have enjoyed all your other books. Your captive my imagination. As far as rembering I sometimes forget also. I have only a cousin who is 80 to laugh at some things we remember about our parents and grandparents.. Congratulations on the new book.
ReplyDeleteThis is Lois Rotella
DeleteRainonlois@aol.com
(Mary E in VA ) Hi Heather & JRW - what a wonderful treat for me this Sunday morning ! I am excited to meet a new author and to have a new book to read and share with my 96yr old Mom. I have sweet memories of my first library card in Thomaston, GA. My Mom has been an avid reader her whole life and passed that love for reading to the four of her children. I remember my first Librarian, Mrs.Bridges. Summer reading club challenges to read the most books before the end of Summer and my first big adult book was Gone With The Wind by Margret Mitchell. Struggling with dyslexia before it was a word in the 1960’s and being tutored every school break , learning to read was a challenge with many rewards ! Thank You Heather for sharing your story of libraries and memories and your challenge to hold on to your distant and recent past ! I can’t wait to read THE FORGET ME NOT LIBRARY !
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting us today, Heather, and sharing such poignant and personal post. I am so looking forward to reading The Forget-Me-Not Library.
ReplyDeleteHeather. I enjoyed your post. Wonderful. Memories are so important to me since they were all meaningful. I cannot remember much when I was a youngster. Certain events, and happenings but not enough. Looking though photos helps. I enjoy your captivating novels. Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenn for introducing me to a new author. I well remember learning to write my name for my library. I was 4 and my parents put a small desk in the kitchen and every night as my mother fixed supper, I would sit there and practice writing my name over and over again. One of my favorite children's books was on exactly that subject, ROSA TOO LITTLE which was about little Rosa trying to get a library card.
ReplyDeleteAtlanta
Hello, Heather, and congratulations on your new book. The idea of a library full of memories is lovely. It makes me sad to think of you losing memories of your childhood. I think what keeps mine in place is how much my sister (two years younger) and I reminisce about our childhoods when we see each other, which is less than once a year, since she lives in Olympia, WA, and I live in Bern, Switzerland. We enjoy reminding each other of things that happened to both of us and examining how we remember them.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your books for a long time. I read all of the Lucy Valentine books and although I know that for many reasons series have to end, I was disappointed when this one did because of its unique theme and characters.
ReplyDeleteI have read all your other books and requested your newest one as soon as I found out about it.
The only thing I miss is having the continuing story line of a series.
I have a very good memory and often surprised when others don’t remember the same things
I didn’t see my niece and nephew very often when they were growing up because they lived too far away but did send them gifts and tried to do special things with them when we got together. For some reason, my nephew has very little recollection of a lot of his childhood. When I ask him about times we shared he usually doesn’t remember much. As an adult his memory seems to have evolved since he is a lawyer and is also involved with some competitive trivia groups.
My mother grew up in a large family but whenever anyone was trying to recall memories of past events they always turned to her for the answers.
My mother used to recount many stories about her growing up and I have tried to pass those stories on to my niece and nephew.
My brother and I used to go to the library together and he was very influential in recommending books that he thought I should read. One time I remember sitting outside the building reading David Copperfield (his suggestion) while waiting for him.
For some reason, I still remember the telephone numbers of many of my aunts even though neither the numbers nor my aunts have been around for a long time and they didn’t even remember them.
Heather, how am I not familiar with your books? I mean to remedy that today, and am putting The Forget Me Not Library on my immediate TBR list. (As soon as I finish Jenn's delightful Witches!)
ReplyDeleteThose ephemeral bits we call memory. Where do they go when we can no longer call them up?
ReplyDeleteAh, memories... those of us who have picture-taking relatives are fortunate. Photo albums are tolden. Also you're more elikely to have pictures to elicit memories if you're the eldest sibling.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at "there’s magic in between the pages of where you’ve been and where you still need to go. "
"tolden" ought to be a word. GOLDEN is what I meant.
DeleteHeather, I read an ARC and loved it! So much magic and kindness.
ReplyDeleteHeather, your books sounds fascinating. Ah, memories. I've always been known as the memory-keeper in my family. I'm in my 70s now, and hope I can still hold onto them. What I find most fascinating, however, is how each member of a family will have different memories regarding the same event or the same individual. Everyone's point of view is different, luckily, so that when we ask questions later on we may hear answers different from what we expect. I'm working (if I'm lucky) for three more weeks in the Venetian archives. That work more or less requires me to remember names I've seen before, in my case over a period of thirty-five years. Luckily I have computer files I can search, when I'm lucky.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Heather, I feel like I need to apologize for having not read your books. I do know that I have Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe somewhere around here that I intended (and still do) to read. Due to some life events, I haven't been reading much for the last two and a half years, and I have a giant backlog of books I have set to read. So, when I say I am going to add a book to all of those books, it has to strike me as something very special. The Forget-Me-Not Library fits my life perfectly right now, so it is a "must read book." Congratulations on this new book and your prolific catalogue of others.
ReplyDeleteI think I often anchor memories to photos, back when they were printed. Now? I'm afraid all those folders full of digital pix are going to get lost. Your new book sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteSome of the memories I worry about are the histories of the mystery series I write (mostly as Maddie Day). My solution is keeping careful records of everybody in each series, and updating the file (aka the Character Bible) with each new book.
I absolutely remember signing my name on the line to get my first library card and then the thrill of checking out all those delicious books - for the rest of my life!
Hi, Heather! So glad to know you have a new book, and this one sounds especially intriguing. I really loved Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, by the way.
ReplyDeleteMy middle daughter also seems to be losing memories, which is disturbing to both of us for her. I remember so much more of her 41 years than she does. A special library would be comforting for her.
Where in southwest Ohio are you? I am on the east side of Cincinnati.
I have memory boxes and photo albums that kept some memories. These days photos are on my phone. I remember how magical libraries felt growing up. I can't remember what age I first signed up for a card, but I know I was very young. Since the library was a bit of a walk we usually saved occasional weekends to go, and it always felt like a great adventure. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDelete