From the author of A Castle in Brooklyn comes an epic novel spanning decades about the broken bonds of family, memories of war, and redemption and hope in the face of heartbreaking loss.
Advance Praise for The Baker of Lost Memories:
“The Baker of Lost Memories is a compelling family drama, slow-boiling its way to redemption and second chances.” ―Foreword Reviews
“A poignant story of the power of memory and family, Wachtel’s narrative moves easily through time and from mother to daughter.” – Library Journal
Fans of generational stories by Lynda Cohen Loigman (The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern, The Matchmaker’s Gift), Jennifer Rosner (The Yellow Bird Sings) and Georgia Hunter (We Are The Lucky Ones) will devour Shirley Russak Wachtel’s new moving family saga, THE BAKER OF LOST MEMORIES (June 1, 2025; Little A). Wachtel is the critically acclaimed author of A Castle In Brooklyn, and she is back with another unforgettable novel that explores generational trauma, the complex relationships between immigrant parents and American-born children, resilience and redemption. THE BAKER OF LOST MEMORIES is a beautifully written poignant historical novel set in Brooklyn in the 1960s and 70s.
“The stories I write are about families,” Wachtel explains. “When I wrote A Castle In Brooklyn, I wanted to explore the traumatic effects of the Holocaust on survivors trying to build a new life in the United States. With THE BAKER OF LOST MEMORIES, I focus on the quiet reverberations of loss in the second generation. Family is the nucleus of life’s experience.”
It can take a lifetime to turn painful memories of the past into hope for the future.
Growing up in 1960s Brooklyn, Lena wants to be a baker just like her mother was back in Poland prior to World War II. But questions about those days, and about a sister Lena never even knew, are ignored with solemn silence. It’s as if everything her parents left behind was a subject never to be broached.
The one person in whom Lena can confide is her best friend, Pearl. When she suddenly disappears from Lena’s life, Lena forges ahead: college, love and marriage with a wonderful man, the dream of owning a bakery becoming a reality, and the hope that someday Pearl will return to share in Lena’s happiness―and to be there for her during the unexpected losses to come.
Only when Lena discovers the depth of her parents’ anguish, and a startling truth about her own past, can they rebuild a family and overcome the heart-wrenching memories that have torn them apart.
To help celebrate the publication of THE BAKER OF LOST MEMORIES, we are hosting a prepub virtual book tour during the month of May with this stellar list of book influencers who will post reviews, features, and giveaways. We hope you will follow along!
Thursday, May 1 BOOKPHILE BELLE
Thursday, May 1 – WHAT IS THAT BOOK ABOUT
Friday, May 2 WE BREAK FOR BOOKS
Monday, May 5 WE LOVE BIG BOOKS AND WE CANNOT LIE
Tuesday, May 6 SUZY APPROVED BOOK REVIEWS
Tuesday, May 6 BOOKS WRITING AND MORE
Wednesday, May 7 KATIE NEEDS A BIGGER BOOKSHELF
Thursday, May 8 LIT BY LILLI
Thursday, May 8 MATZAH BOOK SOUP
Friday, May 9 SECRET READING LIFE
Saturday, May 10 CASSIE’S BOOK REVIEWS
Monday, May 12 NISSA THE BOOKWORM
Tuesday, May 13 CAROL DOSCHER READER
Wednesday, May 14 DANISH MUSTARD READS
Thursday, May 15 SUBAKKA BOOKSTUFF
Friday, May 16 WUTHERING VINES
Monday, May 19 NURSE BOOKIE
Tuesday, May 20 BOOKS AND COFFEE MX
Wednesday, May 21 LEXIJAVA
Wednesday, May 21 MELANN ROSENTHAL
Thursday, May 22 WBTB REVIEWS
Friday, May 23 LOVE MY BOOKS 2020
Tuesday, May 27 GLORIANA WONG
Tuesday, May 27 MEG’S BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, May 28 MY BURSTING BOOK BAG
Thursday, May 29 ANDREA C. LOWRY READS
Friday, May 30 BOOK OBSESSION’S LINDA
