The book begins by introducing you to each of the girls’ new lives. Carmen is a semi-famous actress and now a size 0. She lives in New York City with her fiance, Jones, and is obsessed with her iPhone. Tibby has run off to Australia with Brian and hasn’t kept in touch at all. Lena is an art instructor and spends her time with Drew, a sandwich-maker who she isn’t really interested in, but he’s better than no one. And Bridget is still her free-spirited self, with nothing steady in her life except Eric, her longtime boyfriend who supports them both. All 4 girls miss their friendship and close bond and hope is renewed when each receives a plane ticket from Tibby to meet at Lena’s grandparents house in Greece. They all set off, looking forward to getting their friendship back on track, but a tragedy so unthinkable shakes them to the core and sends them on a tailspin that tests them like nothing yet.

I’m not going to say any more about the story line of the book. I don’t want to accidentally hint at anything, because I think the surprises are what hit your the hardest in this one. However, I will say that this book could not have come at a more perfect time in my life.

At the core of this, and all the Traveling Pants books, is friendship. The boyfriends, the careers and even family all come second to this unbreakable bond between 4 girls. I’ll admit that my priorities have become slightly skewed in recent years and I’ve put school before everything and then fit the other aspects of my life into that, often leaving friendship for dead last. Like I said, it’s so hard to maintain something with someone who you have nothing in common with except each other. This book takes me back to when my friends meant everything to me and makes me nostalgic for the simplicity of high school. It makes me appreciate the good friends I have and remember great times with friends of my past.

Ann is a wonderful writer and I feel like she finished off the series perfectly. She tied up all the loose ends for each girl, often in the happiest way possible. I finished this book feeling satisfied with the direction of each girl and a little bit more at peace with myself. No matter what happens, true friends are there for you and even if you reconnect 10 years down the line, things will be like they always were.

LOVE HER.

I’ve been a fan of Ann Brashares for a decade. “The Sisterhood” series is one of my favorites and practically defines my young adolescence. So, when the opportunity to interview Ann Brashares and review her new book “My Name is Memory” came up, I jumped at the chance! I’m still in shock that I had an actual conversation with one of my favorite authors.

Below, find the interview with one of the neatest women I have ever met and then the review of My Name is Memory.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always been a big reader. I’ve always loved books, I’ve always loved stories. And I’ve always told myself stories. I used to write some of them down, but I didn’t really have the idea of being a writer. Somehow, I didn’t imagine that it was something I could actually do as a job so I got a job after college as a receptionist at a small company that produced books mostly for children and young adults. And I was madly attracted to that, to the idea of being in that atmosphere where people were working on books. And little by little I was able to take on some editorial responsibilities and got promoted eventually to being an assistant editor and senior editor and finally I think I was editor-in-chief and then I ended up buying the company with a partner.

So I was a small-business owner for a brief time. Basically I was working on a lot of manuscripts, as an editor. I was revising them, working with writers, writing revision letters, writing cover copies, and doing line editing, which is a real art and I just loved it and worked on it for years and years. So I did that for about ten or eleven years and as I did I realized that my strengths were definitely not administrative and not managerial. They were not organizational in any way. The thing that I was good at and the thing that I loved was just being close to the manuscript and I became known as the kind-off expert re-writer. So if a book was in trouble I would be brought in to do major re-writes, like write 200 pages of a book. And that was so much fun because there’s no ego in that – I just wanted to try to get into a voice and do the best job I could. And the closer I was to the most creative part of it, the happier I was. And finally I did this gigantic re-write and I gave it to an editor at Random House, who was publishing the book. She read over my work and said, “If you ever decide to be a writer, please show me your work. I strongly encourage you to be a writer.” I was very fearful about it and was afraid that I couldn’t do it, but finally with her encouragement and encouragement from other places, I decided to kind of take a risk and I wrote my first book.

So what was that first book?

It was the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

That’s an amazing book to have as your first!

Yes, it was a good start. It was a really lucky start, too.

How did you come up with “My name is memory”?

We were on vacation at the beach and I had just gone running, which always makes my mind work better and more creatively and I was thinking about this cinematic picture in my head of this couple, this young man and woman and they’re in this uncertain, but very, very dire situation, like they’re facing death. And somehow, the young man comforts the woman, saying that somehow he is going to find her again, like this isn’t the end. He’s never actually tried to convince anyone of this and she believes him. And I was thinking, “Well, why is he so sure of this?” Why does he think that he’s going to be able to find her again? And why does he think that he can navigate and see from the other side of death? And I thought, because he’s died and lived again. Then I had this whole idea that he has this memory and I started to build a bit of the mythology underlying this book. And primarily the idea that there is this character, Daniel, who has this very long, intense history and the memory of all of it.

Do you believe in reincarnation as it is a major theme in this new book?

No, I don’t know if I do. I’m fascinated by it and I feel like as a lens to view the world it’s interesting. I don’t have any religious conviction about it, but I’m interested in it and I find it from a storytelling point of view, very fascinating.

What do you think you would have done in a past life?

That’s an interesting question. I feel like I’m very drawn to certain periods of history, so I feel like maybe I’ve lived then, like I have some connection to it. I’m interested in the period of World War 1 in Europe, which is probably why I set parts of the book there. I imagine that wherever I’ve been, I would have been attracted to books and stories. Part of my idea in this book is that people think that if they have been reincarnated then they must have been like Marie Antoinette or all these sort of fabulous historical people and chances are probably most of us were pretty normal people. I don’t imagine for myself anything very exotic or [an] elevated life.

What is your favorite book?

Gosh, I should have a quick and good answer to that question. It always stops me in my tracks because it’s so hard to pick one. I feel like I could pick my twenty favorite books. It’s almost prismatic, all your favorite books. As they come together, they explain you a little bit. There have been so many books that I’ve loved totally. As a child, I loved those Frances Hodgson Burnett books: Little Princess and The Secret Garden. Those are probably the books that I have read the greatest number of times.

What is your favorite book of yours?

That’s such a tough question. I feel like I have such a maternal relationship to the books. I don’t want to single one out. The one that I’m closest to now is My Name is Memory because it’s the one I’ve been thinking about. As it recedes deeper into my past, I’ll think more about the new one I’m working on and immersing myself in my new book. My first book will always have a special place because it was how I became a writer. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood is one of my favorites. I worked on it for a very long time and I really struggled with it. Each book I feel so connected to, it’s hard to reject any in favor of any other.

The Second Sisterhood is my favorite as well!

I don’t know what it is about that book. It was one of the hardest ones to write, but I look at it and I feel really proud of it.

Because this website is called CollegeCandy, think back to your college experience. What advice would you give to college-age people?

I would say study what you love. You think that you need to be practical and in some ways, maybe it’s a good idea. But no matter what you’re going to do, college should be a time to learn and to explore your own mind and learn how to learn. Develop your intellect and do whatever it takes to do that. Because studying what you want is really going to develop your mind and your heart as well. I feel like I was a little bit too serious in college and I was in a big hurry to grow up and as I look back, I wish I hadn’t been. You have the entire rest of your life for that.

Are you working on any other novels right now? Can you give us a hint?

When I finished writing the four books about the Sisterhood, I wanted it to have an end, but at the same time I didn’t want to have these characters go on forever, so I decided to challenge myself to write new and other things, with the idea that I could come back to them. So that’s what I’m doing. It’s now ten years later and I’m coming back to them as women.

And the “Memory” series continues too?

Yes, I have a lot of plans for it, but I haven’t started it yet. It came to me as a three-act drama. I’m very eager to get to finish it.

Review of “My Name is Memory”

“My Name is Memory” is quite different from Ann Brashares’ other books. With a touch of science fiction and written like a thriller, it’s an exciting ride that I couldn’t put down. Seriously, I totaled this one in a mere three days, just reading before bed and well into the wee hours of the morning.

“Memory” tells the story of Daniel, a young man who has what he refers to as the Memory. He has lived and died many times and remembers each of his past lives vividly. He says the this condition is rare, but he has met a few others with it along the way. Daniel has been on a quest for thousands of years to find his love, Sophia, and finally live their current life together. They have been ripped apart every time they find each other, so when Daniel and Sophia end up living nearby, and are the same age, he is thrilled but terrified. Sophia doesn’t have the Memory, so in this life she is just Lucy, a normal American girl and even though she is drawn to the mysterious Daniel, she has no idea of their past. Eventually, Daniel tells Lucy of their history, but she is scared and overwhelmed and doesn’t believe him. After several years, Lucy visits a psychic who talks about Daniel and she decides to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding them.

I won’t give any more plot away, but I will say this one was FABULOUS! I can’t believe that the woman who wrote “The Sisterhood” series, books about teen girls, can write a slightly science-fiction, adult book just as well. Brashares is truly a talented writer and such a imaginative person. The characters she has created for “Memory” are wonderful. They are so complex, yet believable and real and I understood the story from both Daniel and Lucy’s side. Like I said before, I got so wrapped up in this one, I wasn’t able to even put it down.

The love story was what really got me though; I love my boyfriend and kept putting us in this scenario. I can’t imagine how heart-breaking it must be for Daniel to live for thousands of years, only hoping to be loved back by this one woman and that never happening. His one friend with the Memory, Ben, tells him to move on and practice loving other people, but Daniel’s heart truly belongs to Sophia, so he will spend eternity trying to find her and convince her of their past.

I also really liked how Ann utilized the reincarnation theme to its fullest extent. I’m sure everyone has had a moment of deja vu or has some irrational fears and she explains those. Everything in this life that seems silly or strange, isn’t random at all; you’ve experienced something in a past life that made you that way. She also says that people tend to come back together, so you’re best friend now may have been your mother in a past life, etc. It’s comforting to think that the people you’re close to now are the people who you have always been close to, since the beginning of time.

“My Name is Memory” is the perfect summer read. Whether inside on a rainy afternoon, or enjoying a sunny day at the beach, it’s simply a great book. Just make sure that you give yourself ample time to dig into this one because you’re going to be busy for a while!

Of course, no celebs are immune to the occasional “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, but for the most part, these celebs look foxy and fabulous and inspire us all to do the same.]

Blake Lively put herself on the radar with her debut in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but it was her starring role in Gossip Girl that ushered her into stardom and really put her on the map. It’s hard not to notice her gorgeous blonde locks, those perfect legs that go for miles and her stunning smile, but on top of those physical features, Blake’s got a timeless and perfect style. (Editor’s Note: I want it, I want it, I want it.)

Blake Lively has the ability to do something many of us hope we can pull off: look phenomenal not only when all dolled up, but also when doing her daily business in jeans and sweaters. She’s a huge fan of Chanel and oftentimes seems to embody the old glamour that Coco Chanel created.

Part of Lively’s flawless style is her ability to accentuate her assets perfectly. She shows off her gorgeous gams with skinny jeans that accentuate all the right details, and she is a master at coming up with the perfect outfit – from clothes, to shoes, to bags and accessories. Add her hottie bf/co-star, Penn Badgley, onto her arm and this girl is the hottest of hot young Hollywood, through and through.

The good news is: it’s possible. If you do it right. So, take away the cameras and lets make that TV fashion work.

Gossip Girl:

On GG, Blake and Leighton often rock different patterns and colors and pull together a look that is personally unique. You can do this too. First, think of your own fashion staple. Leighton often wears head bands or scarves. Do you have a favorite belt or bunch of bracelets that you wear regularly? Wear them with each outfit, soon they’ll become YOUR signature.

Also don’t be afraid to mix stripes with checks, or even polka dots; just stay within the same color range. And if you choose to wear a multitude of colors, don’t mix different patterns.

Finally, feel to take some fashion risks… the most attractive accessories these girls have is confidence.

Ugly Betty

America Ferrara is AWESOME; I’ve loved her ever since the Traveling Pants movie; and although in real life she has great style, her kooky fashion on Ugly Betty is key to her character. Insert here a new trend: nerdy fashion.

Nerdy or dorky, whichever you prefer, is fun, and there’s a sexy-intelligent side to wearing glasses and cute suspenders. I mean, don’t go wearing the now iconic tunic America sported when Ugly Betty debuted, but feel free to investigate the the “unfashionable” side of style. You may be surprised at what can work… and work well.

A few key pieces you can incorporate into your closet to pump up the dorky fabulousness are: a vest, Oxfords, plaids, suspenders (look awesome over fitted shirt) and, of course, some uniquely fabulous plastic rimmed glasses.

And, just for fun, LOST

Obviously, the “fashion” on the set of Lost isn’t something a stylist pulled from major designers, but there is something oh so sexy about muted tones, wavy hair, and tawny skin.

Get a muted pale-hued mani-pedi and some sun, go easy on the make-up, and spritz some Sally Hershberger Surf Spray in your mane, and, voila! Your LOST side is found! In terms of fashion; brown, beige, tan, and white are your best friends for rocking this look. Pair them with natural pieces – wooden accessories, leather sandals and a straw bag. You can also incorporate the semi-safari look – huge right now – to make some extra fashion magic.

No matter which look inspires you, remember to make it yours. Because being a Blake Lively knock-0ff is never cute. Just ask Jenny Humphrey.

Kirsten Dunst is looking good and airbrushed these days, which makes me feel weird. She’s still not smiling, though, which makes me feel better.

Tom Cruise wants to romp and play (and live to see the day when those of us who don’t believe in Scientology are only remembered in history books)

And on a related note, Tom & Company wants to know if you’ve ever been a professional executioner

This year’s Sundance Film Fest is ALL about the (missing) cats

Critics discuss the scariest movie for dudes since Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants