Title: PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God
Author: Frank Warren
Pages: 288
Publisher: William Morrow
Copyright: 2009
Format: Hardback
Rating: 
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My brother, of Bitchin’ Film Reviews fame, is a big fan of the PostSecret project. So, when I had the opportunity to review the latest PostSecret book, he begged for a guest review spot. His review appears below. Also, his interview with the author, Frank Warren, will appear here next Tuesday. So stay tuned!
In 2004, Frank Warren started an ongoing public art project called PostSecret. He began by handing out 3,000 blank postcards around Washington D.C., asking strangers to write down a secret they’d never told anyone before and to send it to him anonymously. The project has since become a worldwide phenomenon. His website, www.postsecret.com recently surpassed 270,000,000 hits. He has received some 400,000 postcards and continues to receive around 1,000 a week. Traveling PostSecret exhibits can be seen in museums all around the country, and Frank himself tours North America, speaking about this provocative project.
Four books have been made showcasing some of the more intriguing secrets that have been sent in. Not only are there secrets on these postcards, but those that send them in frequently turn the cards into intensely personal and beautiful art. The fifth PostSecret book is slated for release today. The book, titled PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God, has a more narrow focus than the other books published before it. The secrets seem to contain more gravitas then its predecessors, tending to focus more on religion and mortality, but occasionally allowing for the offhanded hilarious secret.. The secrets range from quiet observations to loudly irreverent comments. Whether or not you feel the PostSecret project is voyeuristic or simply inflammatory (aided by the anonymity of the postal system), PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God comes across as authentic and thought-provoking. This is a book any coffee table would be proud to have.
PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God, by Frank Warren
Buy PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God at Powell’s Books or Amazon.com
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I love PostSecret, though for some reason I can’t seem to remember it on Sundays when the new secrets are posted. Frank came to my university last year (I believe) for a PostSecret event, and it was great.
I love the PostSecret project! It inspired me to create http://www.SecretRegets.com — a site where people anonymously post the BIGGEST regret of their life. PostSecret is about secrets and artfully designed postcards. SecretRegrets is about regrets told through raw, emotional stories — with anonymous supportive comments from complete strangers. Check it out and follow on Twitter @SecretRegrets
I love reading the secrets online, but I can’t bring myself to invest in the books. I feel like I wouldn’t read it enough to make it worthwhile. It’s interesting this book is more serious than the others — I’ll definitely be looking for it to see for myself :)
I love the post secret series. I stumbled upon their website (before the books) ages ago. Also, I was lucky enough see the exhibit at a museum last year. Nice job in reviewing it. :)