Keep
Me Posted
by Lisa Beazley sprinkles into the novel parenting, marriage,
sibling relationships and how they are affected in this digital
age. Not only has the Internet changed how business is conducted,
but with the advent of social media and instant sharing people's
personal lives have been turned upside down.
Beazley stated this debut novel was based on "some ideas
I had about relationships and how much social media can take
over a person's life. Because I moved to Singapore for my
husband's work I felt far away from my close friends and family
members. I went on Facebook but did not feel connected, and
thought of it more like a cocktail party type of conversation.
Social media feeds us with these little bursts, but does not
make us fulfilled. I decided to use these themes in a fictional
story. I know many people who have used Facebook, Twitter,
or even with emails and have had something they say misconstrued."
The plot explores how two sisters, living far apart can reunite
with that same bond they had as teenagers. Because Sid lives
in Singapore, and Cassie in New York the distances between
them are literal and metaphorical. Although the book starts
slowly, by the last half the story becomes very intriguing.
Wanting to re-establish their close relationship the sisters
use the lost art of letter writing, especially since Sid spurns
all social media. The snail mail becomes a kind of mutual
confessional that have real and soul-satisfying effects. The
two sisters divulge their private thoughts and feelings to
each other, growing closer throughout this letter exchange.
Unfortunately the letters go viral after Cassie scans all
of them on a supposed private blog. Because of a glitch the
private blog became public. This is where the story becomes
both interesting and relatable as Cassie struggles to make
things right with all of her family members.
The relationship between sisters is very important to Beazley.
She noted, "I have two sisters and a brother and are
close to all. Books with sibling themes are usually negative
and are about jealousy and rivalry. For me, one of the most
pure relationships you can have in your life is with an adult
sibling who can be counted upon. When the book came out my
sisters and I were gung ho on writing actual letters to each
other, but it lasted for only two letters. We lost patience
for the snail mail very quickly. Although I do love the whole
world of stationary and receiving a letter that is not a bill
or junk mail."
One of the most interesting aspects of the book was the author's
exploration of a working mother turned stay at home housewife,
with two young twin toddlers. She is struggling and looking
for something more in life, having the feeling of losing her
own self-worth. For many women in that position, Cassie is
a character easy to relate with. She loves her children and
husband, but also misses the person she was before becoming
a mom, now feeling bored and unchallenged.
Personally, Beazley can relate to her character Cassie who
felt that once she stopped working she lost her identity.
"I know it is a really big adjustment to have two toddlers
at home and not have anything else to do. Think of the timing.
You finally become stabilized in your career and have left
home and then boom you have a child. Everything changes and
you are back to square one. I think Cassie discovered she
could regain her identity by changing and growing given her
specific circumstances."
Keep Me Posted is a book women can appreciate as it
delves into the relationship between the sisters, the lost
art of letter-writing, the anecdotes of raising children in
NYC, the funny family dynamics, and the identity shifts mothers
undergo. Anyone wanting to go back in time and revitalize
the close family relationships will enjoy this novel.
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