compiled by Frank Warren
144 pages
I ordered this book, it arrived yesterday, and I read it in under an hour. I have to say that this category was very difficult for me. I thought it would be very easy. I mean, I travel, for work, multiple times a year and where better to read than an airport?! But no, everyone is reading ebooks these days. Don't get me wrong, I love my Kindles (yes, plural) and I totally understand using one when you travel. Its easier and lighter to carry more books. It's just really difficult to find people reading physical books -- which I also love and still read. :)
I looked for people reading books at the airport, at restaurants, Barnes and Noble, all over the place. Anyone I actually did see reading a physical book, was reading a 3rd, 4th, 5th, or even 6th books in series. I didn't want to start there. Even one of the Longmire books that I researched said I didn't have to read them in order, but that just seemed too weird to me.
A couple weeks ago we went to browse B&N and I FINALLY found someone reading something I could do. This book is a collection of post cards that have been compiled by Frank Warren who started the website Post Secret. Although I am not super familiar with the site, it's my understanding that it's a forum where people can anonymously post secrets that have been weighing on them. It is a "safe place" for people to share things that they feel that they wouldn't otherwise be able to.
This book is a collection of post cards that have been sent to Warren anonymously. While some of the secrets are kind of silly, like, "I lick the inside of microwave popcorn bags," many of them are incredibly serious, like, "My mom puts a star on the calendar for every day I haven't cut myself. I don't deserve 5 of those stars...." As you can see there are some very serious issues addressed in this book. It is definitely not a book for kids.
As far as my thoughts on the book, I think it's a pretty important thing. I mean I think it is important for people to have some outlet, any outlet, to turn to when in need. Personally, I didn't particularly care much for the book though. I hope I'm not sounding heartless, but it just seems like, now what? I think having an online forum where people feel like they can post something and connect to other people is cool, but having some of the millions of entries, published in hard copy just seems a bit pointless.
Is it interesting, sure. Would I read it again, nah.
2 Stars