Friday Memes: The One Memory of Flora Banks

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr. 290 p. Philomel Books/ Penguin Young Readers Group, May, 2017. 9780399547010.
 Publisher synopsis: It's not a lie if you can't remember the truth.

Seventeen-year-old Flora Banks has no short-term memory. Her mind resets itself several times a day, and has since the age of ten, when the tumor that was removed from Flora's brain took with it her ability to make new memories. That is, until she kisses Drake, her best friend's boyfriend, the night before he leaves town. Miraculously, this one memory breaks through Flora's fractured mind, and sticks. Flora is convinced that Drake is responsible for restory her memory and making her whole again. So, when an encouraging email from Drake suggests she meet him on the other side of the owrld-in Svalbard, Noraway-Flora Knows with certainty that this is the first step toward reclaiming her life.

But will following Drake be the key to unlocking Flora's memory? Or will the journey reveal that nothing is quite as it seems?

First line: I am at the top of a hill, and although I know I have done something terrible, I have no idea what it is.

Page 56: My mom has called me twice, but I missed her. She sends a text that says: Morning darling. How are you and Paige? Remember your pills.
     I reply: Hi. We are OK. I will,and I take them. The landline rings, and when I pick it up, a girl's voice says:"Checking you haven't gassed yourself."
     "Paige!" I say, but she has hung up.
     Nothing else happens. After a while I lie on the sofa and put the TV on, drifting off to sleep.