Avon signs Storey's The Memory Library

Avon Books has signed The Memory Library, an “uplifting novel about the healing power of books” by Kate Storey, which is the pseudonym for Lisa Timoney.

Editor Elisha Lundin acquired world rights from Laura Williams at Greene & Heaton and will publish in February 2024, with Dutch rights acquired by Uitgeverij Luitingh-Sijthoff.

The synopsis says: “For 42 years, Sally Harrison has been building a library. Each year, on her daughter’s birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves – with a note in the front dedicated to her own greatest work. But Ella – Sally’s only child – fled to Australia 22 years ago after a heated exchange and never looked back. And though Sally still dutifully adds a new paperback to the shelves every time the clock strikes midnight on the 11th July, her hopes of her daughter ever thumbing through the pages are starting to dwindle. Then disaster strikes and Ella is forced to return to the home she once knew – and when one chapter ends, another will soon follow.”

The novel, Storey’s fourth, explores themes of family, loneliness and hope.

Lundin said: “I couldn’t be prouder to be publishing The Memory Library. Lisa writes with empathy, warmth and compassion and her ability to create characters that leave a special imprint on your heart is truly remarkable. It serves as a love letter to storytelling, books and libraries – I can’t wait for book lovers everywhere to read it in February.”

Storey said: “Working with Elisha on this uplifting novel about the healing power of books has been a dream. Elisha’s vision and enthusiasm for The Memory Library perfectly matched my own, and I’m both reassured and delighted to be backed by Avon’s passionate and talented team.”