FORGOTTEN by Catherine McKenzie was finally released in the US this month. You may recall my  gushing over this book back in May, but here's a refresher on what it's about.

Emma Tupper is a dedicated lawyer with a bright future. But when she takes a month-long leave of absence to go on an African vacation, she ends up facing unexpected consequences. After she falls ill and spends six months trapped in a remote village thanks to a devastating earthquake, Emma returns home to discover that her friends, boyfriend, and colleagues thought she was dead—and that her life has moved on without her. As she struggles to re-create her old life, throwing herself into solving a big case for a client and trying to reclaim her beloved apartment from the handsome photographer who assumed her lease, everyone around her thinks she should take the opportunity to change. But is she willing to sacrifice her job, her relationships, and everything else she worked so hard to build. In Forgotten , Catherine McKenzie tweaks a classic tale of discovering who we really are when everything that brings meaning to our lives is lost. (HarperCollins)

Because I'm a huge fan of Catherine McKenzie's novels I jumped at the chance to help promote the US release of her third novel. Long-time readers of my blog know I don't do guest posts or blog tours, so when you see one you know it's because I am very passionate about the author and the book.If you have read any of Catherine's novels you might have noticed she has a knack for writing lists of things (in a humourous way!) and her novels are very music/song title heavy (which I adore!). I think Catherine and I might have been separated at birth by our love of the same obscure songs (Hello, One Headlight by the Wallflowers!) or maybe it's just part of the genetic make up of having the name Catherine. Who knows. But because of the lists and music obsessions I thought it would be cool to ask Ms. McKenzie to supply us with her OWN list for our reading (and listening!) pleasure.I shall now pass it over to my fellow Montrealer, author extraordinare, Catherine McKenzie! *drum roll*

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Q. Top 10 songs to listen to when you find out you've been forgotten or considered missing & dead:

Mmmm. Wallowing or up-songs? Tough choice. How about:

1. U2: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – mood music for the whole experience, I’d think.
2. Warren Zevon: Keep Me In Your Heart – because if you weren’t already crying, this would help. Plus it’s the kind song you’d pick to have people play at your funeral if you were one of those kinds of people.
3. Shawn Mullins: You Mean Everything to Me – see song 2.
4. Sarah Harmer: I’m a Mountain – okay! Enough wallowing. Time to find some resilience in the words of others.
5. Eric Hutchinson: OK, It’s Alright With Me – Ibid.
6. Ryan Adams: Easy Plateau – sometimes you’ve got to even things out.
7. Pearl Jam: Just Breathe – sometimes that’s easier said than done.
8. Pink: I Have Seen the Rain – sometimes you just need to wallow.
9. Natash Bedingfield: These Words (I Love You, I Love You, I Love You) – sometimes you’ve got to dance around your apartment singing at the top of your lungs.
10. Matt Nathanson: Answering Machine – and sometimes you just need to listen to a great song.

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With this list, Catherine McKenzie managed to totally negate my statement that we had the same musical tastes because I only know two of those ten songs! (How do I not know that P!nk song?? I must look into this!)

So I will be checking out all of these songs and perhaps making myself a Forgotten playlist on my iPhone. What about you? What do you think your playlist would sound like if you realized that you were presumed dead and people had forgotten about you?

And I am serious, this novel is the bomb diggity and you should go out and get yourself a copy! You will laugh, you will ponder life's questions, laugh some more and cry and just feel all of the feels by the end. Go on. Do it. You know you want to!

And in case you forgot (heh) what the Canadian edition cover looks like, I have kindly added it here at the bottom of this post to help jog your memory. ;)

Thanks mega to Catherine McKenzie and HarperCollins (US) for letting me gush about a favourite author again!