DEAR MY BLANK

A selected collection of purposely unsent letters from the popular, eponymous Tumblr.

Trunko, a teenager living in Ohio, started a Tumblr that invited users to share letters written but never meant to be sent after collecting a notebook of her own. In this anthology these letters are grouped by subject: “dear me” (letters written to a younger self), “dear world,” love, friends, family, heartbreak, unrequited love, betrayal, loss, and “thank you.” Each section is set against an illustration or design, giving this both a personal feel and visual interest. Many of the sections have a good amount of overlap, especially those that concentrate on matters of love and love lost. In these instances, they can be a bit repetitive, but the all-too-true anguish makes for a powerful reminder of a real person's torment and helps dilute the redundancy. Readers young and old should be able to find accounts that speak to them, as topics discussed include sexuality, abuse, suicide, divorce, breakups, and gender identity. Often unflinching and palpably emotional, this raw glimpse into the lives of others is both accessible and important. [Editor's note: this review has been revised from the one originally published to reflect changes made to the book since the printing of the advance review copy.]

A visceral and voyeuristic offering that covers the spectrum from fleeting angst to gut-wrenching grief.