The Gotta-Have-It Book of the Month: By The Time You Read This by Lola Jaye

The Tease:

My heart rate accelerated. ‘He never mentioned it in The Manual.’ I thought back to the way I’d carelessly unwrapped the paper. My dad had wrapped this with his bare hands, and if I’d known I’d have unfurled it in private. Savouring every moment. Searching the two strips of Sellotape for any signs of my dad: stray hair, the smell of his favourite aftershave, any trace of DNA I could find to link us together.
Having Auntie Philomena round on my birthday was great. Receiving the camera, wonderful. But finding a ream of 110 film still inside was a breathtaking, scary and absolutely, without a doubt, exciting surprise.

Available: September 5, 2008