The World of PostSecret

by Frank Warren

A ton of secrets, one postcard at a time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Adult, Coffee Table Books, Pop Culture, Humor, Picture Books

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2014

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are always fun. They appeal to the psychological voyeur in me, giving me a glimpse into other areas of humanity, allowing me to be horrified at how well I relate to some of the things that I wish I couldn't relate to or letting me laugh at how jacked up people really are. Plus, the creativity of some of the post cards, it's pretty spiffy.
I used to make postcards out of 3x5 notecards, rubber stamps, glue and little bits of stuff. That was a long time ago.

Reading these postcards makes me wonder: How many of them are true? How many are just stories people send in in the hope of making it into the book or going viral from the website? What would I write? I know what I would write.
Why did these people choose to tell the secrets they tell? Do they know that sometimes they are not telling secrets but just asking to be acknowledged? Or is that the secret?

This time around, the compiler, Frank Warren, admits that he's put one of his own secrets in each PostSecret book. Then he says his wife has contributed, too, and he outs one of her secrets, apologizing for doing so but saying that he can because it's his job. Her secret was that she hasn't thought of divorcing her husband, but she has considered poisoning him.
I say that about Gabe all the time, though not secretly at all. I tell him to his face.
And then, later, there's an essay from PostSecret's first mail carrier, Kathy. Kathy mentions meeting Frank's lovely wife, Jan.
There's a secret on page 18 written to a Jan. There is a picture of a little square alarm clock and the message is written in disturbed mental patient penmanship. It says: Hey Jan, One of the neighbors said you were having "visitors" in the middle of the day. So I bought this cute little clock/radio/HD Video camera. Finally I have (proof) and I can divorce you. P.S. The guy you banged...his wife will be getting a copy on her birthday
Is that Frank's secret for this book? Has his wife been having affairs? Is she the one who likes to have affairs with strangers? Does she do this because she hates him so much and thinks of poisoning him? Did Frank put the video camera secret in there on purpose to create confusion, controversy, and gossip? Did he know readers would wonder this very thing? Did he say somewhere in the book that no, the secret to Jan is not from him and don't go starting rumors? If he did, I missed that part. I was too busy trying to read all the little fortune cookie slip-like messages scattered throughout.

So these books, much like all books that expose a slice of human life I don't often get to see because I'm not a social worker/counselor/pychologist/police officer/hairdresser/bartender/etc, are good thought fodder. They're also good for voyeurism.

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 3 out of 5]

PostSecret began in 2004 when Frank Warren asked members of the public to anonymously contribute a secret to a community art project. The secret could be a regret, fear, betrayal, desire or even confession of childhood humiliation and contributors were encouraged to reveal their secret on a decorated postcard and send it in. His goal at the time was to receive 365 postcards.

Much to Warren's surprise, the project took off and he has received well over a million secrets. Frank Warren has published six collections of secrets from the art project, with The World of PostSecret being his sixth, published in 2014.

The secrets cover the full gamut of topics and feelings. Some make you smile, like these two.

"I wear an AC/DC shirt under my clergy robes." Page 78

"Sometimes, if my dog refuses to eat, I pretend to cook his food on the stove. Works every time!" Page 84

Some secrets plucked on the heart strings:
"My wealthy husband has been divorced 7 times because he found out they were only with him for his money. He married me because he thinks I'm different. I'm not." Page 48

Others blew my mind a little:
"Everyone who knew me before 9/11 believes I'm dead." Page 122

This secret stayed with me for days, and the author has heard from someone connected with large-scale tragedies, who claims that "in rare cases, people have been known to use a large disaster as an opportunity to start a new life and leave behind a looming divorce or escape imminent bankruptcy."

I find that astonishing to consider. I know some people voluntarily disappear to begin a new life, but presumably they plan to do so beforehand. A new identity requires money and a plan, so I can't imagine how a person could re-invent themselves after an unexpected event like 9/11. You couldn't pack a single thing and you'd never be able to travel again with facial recognition cameras everywhere for a start. Boggles the mind. Unless they chose a life of anonymity on the streets. I wish I knew more about this particular secret.

There were secrets that made me angry, like this one:
"I can't make you love me... but I can make something that you'll love." Page 245

And gross secrets, like this one:
"My husband and I shower together almost every day... He has NO idea that I pee in there EVERY TIME! Hehe :-) " Page 257

Firstly, that's disgusting! Secondly, of course he knows. How could he not know?

The scope of the PostSecret project is enormous and this particular collection comprises a great variety of secrets, including secrets from the short-lived PostSecret App that was closed down in 2011 due to malicious and uncontrollable content.

I was surprised to find that Frank Warren is looking for a new partner for the project and potentially someone to take over PostSecret for good. I wonder what it takes to run a project like this. I know I don't have the stomach for it, that's for sure.

The World of PostSecret is a look into the hearts and minds of everyday people like you and me, and I found pondering its pages produced a mixed bag of emotions. I think I'll be glad to return it to the library and be thankful I don't have any secrets like that. Or do I?

[Kelly Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like everyone knows this, but I am a huge, HUGE fan of Postsecret. I have all the books and a highlight of my week is when I get to check the website every Sunday.

I love it because while there are secrets that make me laugh and a few that make me cry, every week (and every book), I find several that make me feel less alone. I think we can all get isolated by things and feel that we're the only one who feels a certain way, and this website makes us feel like we actually aren't as alone as maybe we thought we were.

I'm pretty sure that if one person has ever felt something, probably a bunch of other people have also felt it. It's good to know.

I'm sure by now, you know about Postsecret. But in case you don't, you should check it out. I promise you won't be sorry.

Highly recommended.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never heard of these books of that people were ever doing this. My first thought is "Wow, I can't imagine sharing a dark secret with a stranger". Yet then my next thought was after reading some of the secrets is "What do you have to lose about sharing your secret with someone you have never met. It might be therapeutic." Which reading some of the secrets that people were willing to share, they felt very comfortable sharing their secrets. Although some of them made me wonder what happened to the people now...did their tell their family, spouse, friend? Are they happy now? You could say that I felt a connection with these people and their secrets. This book is a good table book.

[Amna · Rating 5 out of 5]

For everyone who ever had anything in them that ever made them feel alone, you need to discover The World of Post Secret. You'll be amazed what sharing secrets could do.

It made me laugh, it broke my heart, and most of all, it made me feel human. Only one among so, so, so, so many others. This was a wonderful read, endlessly creative, incredibly thoughtful and I absolutely loved the idea of PS. It's literally life changing.

Honest. Down to earth. Uplifting. Empathic.

Recommended to all.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always have fun reading these collections of postcards mailed in to the author. Each postcard shares a secret. Some I could totally relate to, others not so much. I did not love this one as much as the earlier collections. What I enjoy about these books is the window into the sheer variety and commonality of humanity on the planet. And that makes me happy.

[Kat V · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful as expected. I loved that this one actually had so many written stories from Frank, in addition to the secrets. Lovely book that just lets us know we're all connected and no one is truly alone.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved all the Post Secret books, and this is a substantial collection both of cards and of essays about the experiences of those involved in the project. By turns funny, disturbing, and heartfelt, it reminds me of the freedom that comes from living honestly.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful as always.

[Daisy Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I used to be obsessed with PostSecret! I completely forgot about this project up until yesterday when I stumbled upon this book at the library! I loved reading this!

[Limau Nipis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Postsecret.com, hence this is an extension of the website.

*if anyone want to buy the book, just buzz me. I am selling it for RM 30 with postage - bear in mind this is a hardcover book and I only found this single copy only apparently*

[Thomas Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The World of PostSecret
Frank Warren

If you pick up The World of PostSecret by Frank Warren, it's probably because you're already aware of the PostSecret project that he runs. You probably also read his weekly post where he shares some of the thousands of secrets he receives via postcards from all over the world. If you're a PostSecret addict (like I am), you'll love this book.

Contents:
Introduction; PostSecret at a Glance; The PostSecret App; Surprises with the Project; Controversial Secrets; My Own Secrets; PostSecret France; PostSecret Germany; My Unforgettable Call on the Suicide Prevention Hotline; A Message from My Mail Carrier, Kathy; A Favorite PostSecret Event Story; Is There a Perfect Secret?; The Perfect Secret

The things that makes the book more than just a republishing of secrets are the short pieces listed above that Frank adds. I especially liked the story about his mail carrier, and how the project affected her over the years. I'm guessing that it was the best part of her job.

Like all the secrets, some you'll recognize and relate to, and others you'll wonder how anyone could feel that way. If you're lucky, you'll see yourself in a few, either as the sender or the subject. Either way, The World of PostSecret is an interesting look at the things we all struggle with, but never tell anyone else.

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed

[Margo Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two sittings, because I couldn't put it down. I had heard interviews with Frank Warren over the years, but was never really interested in his project to collect annonomyous secrets. Now I wish I had been because this is his last book. Warren developed this art project as a safe place for people to unburden themselves of painful or otherwise difficult secrets. He asks them to send an anonymous postcard with their secret straight to his home address. He later developed a website an app ( now defunct because trolls and spam made it feel less safe) and a speaking tour where he tells people's secrets and shows their postcards--some scribbled on index cards, others made into beautiful works of art. The secrets themselves are sad and scary, demeaning, exciting, happy, and sometimes just lovely. People have found soul mates and inspiration through his books and website and it is a touching project. What caught my attention first was the artwork, but the secrets were addicting. And no--I didn't feel like a voyeur reading all of these anonymous strangers' post cards. I felt more human, more vulnerable, and stronger. It is a fantastic experience, and a great project.

[Julie N · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've somehow missed out on the PostSecret phenomenon, you'll definitely want to click here to check it out. Once you've seen it, I'm pretty sure you'll be as hooked as I am. This collection is the (maybe) last in a series of books that collect the post card secrets sent to Frank Warren, as well as some secrets submitted to the app. In addition, it contains several short essays that describe significant moments in the project's history, controversial posts, and how the app influenced the project. You can read it slowly and savor each secret, or, you can do like I did and devour it in one sitting. It's definitely earned its spot on my coffee table, and I'm looking forward to seeing future guests pick it up and thumb through - I know they won't be able to resist.

[Bléu · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The sad thing is, Kirkup said, "Suicide doesn't end the pain. It just passes it on to someone else." THIS QUOTE IS THE ONLY REASON I AM STILL HERE" -pg.160


"I was 9 when i told my mom my first real secret. The next day she was discussing it on the phone with her friend. I've never trusted her, or anyone else with anything real since then. Except for you. Thanks for listening."

"We stopped for dinner on the way home from the hospital and missed a call from my Mum. I didn't call her back as i didn't want to wake her. She died that night and i will always regret not making the call" pg.196

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As always, the secrets on this book made me feel all sorts of things. They are funny, heartbreaking and some will forever stay with me. :)

[Mical · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book for many reasons...too many to adequately list in fact. It showed a remarkable connection between people; something not often seen in today's world. It showed compassion in many undefinable ways...and it showed hope.
I can't speak for everyone, but my wife and I read it together over the course of 3 hours, and it was something special for us to share. As a matter of fact, we wrote down the time and date we read it, and we'll do that each and every time we read it. That's not something I've ever done to a book. It provided a catharsis in many ways and a way for the two of us to be closer to each other.
I recommend it.

[Yulenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated with Post Secret. In high school, I used to visit the site all the time. Recently, I got back into it and picked up this book.
There's a funny way that other people's secrets affect you; it's indirect but still meaningful.

Loved this book. There were a good amount of secrets but also I enjoyed the story that linked them all together.
Good read for a rainy day, or for when you feel melancholic.

[Bree Dunscombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the PostSecret blog for years in my twenties. Last September, I heard the site's author, Frank Warren, speak in my town. The event and his words touched my heart, and I was able to talk to Frank for a few minutes afterwards, while he signed a book for me and someone I love who was going through a hard time. I was very emotional, and he was very kind. So, in addition to the actual content, this book means a lot to me for those reasons, too.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this more than I thought I would. It was interesting learning about the history of this, I remember reading secrets online a long time ago. I also remember posting one, but can't remember what it was. I wish I had known about the app when it was happening, it sounds like it was a moving way to connect with people around the world.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Post Secret is a guilty pleasure of mine. I always look forward to checking out the secrets every Sunday morning. With this book it seemed like we got some behind the scenes of the secrets, the books and even Frank himself. It was fun to read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, enlightening, heartbreaking, uplifting, sad, humorous, scary, deep, freeing...

These postcard show that all people want to be funny,  to be loved & valued, to be free, to be accepted, to be understood, to be connected, to be safe and to be heard.

[Heather Iveson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find these to be very meditative reading

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried and I related. Such a beautiful concept.

[Arctic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an emotional movement. It’s nice to take a break and see that I’m not alone in the boat sometimes.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! I immediately wished I had discovered it sooner so I could have participated in the world itself. I am going to go back and read all of the other compilation as well. Just an amazing and cool concept.

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

kept this as a casual read, but it's so good. i love that you can interpret each secret differently, and i appreciate the variety- some were devastatingly sad, some romantic, and some funny.

[Brad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two-and-a-half stars. If you're new to PostSecret, don't start here. In my opinion, it is the least good of the books. (Complete ranking below.)

What holds this book back is the very same thing that has been holding PostSecret back over the past five years or so: a great number of the entries aren't secrets at all. As PostSecret became bigger and bigger, its innocence was tarnished by people who sent in entries that were:

(a) self-serving submissions that make no effort at anonymity for either the sender ("Look at me!" Ex: p. 113, bottom) or the subject ("Look at what I did to/for you!" Ex: p. 270, top),
(b) targeted, non-rhetorical messages intended for a single person ("I put something recognizable in this for someone and I hope they see it!" Ex: p. 215, bottom),
(c) clever (p. 80, bottom left) or poetic (p. 121, bottom) one-liners better reserved for Facebook status updates,
(d) new age positivity being promoted with evangelical fervor (p. 211, top),
(e) easily volunteered information no one would regard as guarded or confessional (p. 70, bottom),
(f) things that were clearly being bragged about as one might a guilty pleasure ("Aren't I the geekiest and weirdest person?!?"),
(g) meta-secrets ("My secret is I'm don't share my secrets." Collective gasp!),
(h) opinions about PostSecret (p. 275, top), notes to the founder ("Hey Frank! What's your secret?") or self-congratulatory reactions the PostSecret "community" ("I'm so proud of us!").

I'm sure the value of each of these would be argued by someone, but, in terms of mission and artistic focus, they only muddy the PostSecret waters as a forum for sharing actual secrets.

This issue reached new levels with the PostSecret app, as chronicled here in the book's black pages where only maybe 50% of the content could even be classified as secrets; maybe the aim of the app was different from that of the original site, but creating a forum for people who like PostSecret would have accomplished the same thing without diluting the PostSecret mission. In the book, on the discontinued app and on the active site, these non-secrets take space away from genuine secrets, all while making the entire project a little less validating for viewers.

This effect can happen with any artistic phenomenon: people who enjoy something section off into super-fans, fans and casual fans. Each assume ownership of the artwork or artist. Super-fans start a little cult of people who think they are a chosen few who understand it better than everyone else. Fans follow the artist or art work and have critical reactions to it, some of which assume an inflated sense of understanding (Ex: Me and this diatribe). Casual fans enjoy the work enough to hold opinions about it but do not follow it, appreciating the idea whenever reminded of it or think to peruse what's new. The way this negatively affects PostSecret is the fact that as super-fans started believing themselves to be a special little PostSecret community that was somehow different, they completely lost sight of the most basic message: we ALL have secrets, not a chosen few. And, to an outsider, that "PostSecret community" stuff just seems icky. (Though he had an idea with worldwide reach, Frank Warren is not a prophet.)

Like any PostSecret book, there are some truly rewarding moments. Unfortunately, for someone who has followed the project from early on, this latest publication has many frustrating moments, too, showcasing what PostSecret has mutated (devolved?) into. Too precious with too much pandering, anyone new to PostSecret should start elsewhere, probably with the first book.

---

Ranking of the PostSecret books:
(1) PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives (2005)
(2) The Secret Lives of Men and Women: A PostSecret Book (2007)
(3) A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book (2007)
(4) PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God (2009)
(5) My Secret: A PostSecret Book (2006)
(6) The World of PostSecret (2014)

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Frank Warren solicited an idea to have people send in post cards with secrets on them, he thought he would only receive around 365, and was more than surprised when he received more than 1 million of them in 2004. He asked people to anonymously send their secrets on the back of a postcard and was more than surprised by the results he received. He has shared them in a hardcover book simply called The World of Post Secret. This is the sixth post secret book and it might be the last. It even has a website called postsecret.com and has raised more than a million dollars to aid in suicide prevention.

Some of the responses are truly candid, some explicit in their content while others speak of wishes hoped for but never fulfilled. The post cards that are captured in the book are exactly like he had received them, and in the book Frank Warren attempts to respond to some of his readers questions about the project including the PostSecret app. He includes his most controversial secrets he has received as well as his own secrets, including his harrowing call he took as a volunteer on the suicide prevention hotline. He has included the introduction of the new app called PostSecret Universe that is a companion to this book. It is loaded with additional postcards, secrets from the original PostSecret app, private pictures, recordings and a few surprises.

He still gets excited whenever he takes a walk out to his mailbox because he truly never knows what he will get or what secrets lie waiting to be discovered and revealed. He is even looking for someone to take over the task, perhaps like he recalls, "like Willy Wonka, he could hand over the keys and allow PostSecret a second life." Who knows if one of the postcards featured in this book may be from someone who is waiting to share a long lost kept secret with you.

I received The World of Post Secret by Frank Warren compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. Aside from receiving a complimentary copy of this book I have not received any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own unless otherwise notated. This is not the book for everyone and contains some explicit messages on some of the postcards that should be viewed by mature readers only. I love the sage wisdom found on some of the post cards like, "I thought life would make more sense when I got older," from a military service person, "I should have died instead of you, I'm sorry," from a firefighter, "I'm one of 'the bravest', my secret? I'm just as afraid of dying as the people I save." There are even screen shots people shared through the Post Secret app that are included. It is bittersweet to see how some people have kept so many things hidden in their life. Makes me wonder how different life would be if people knew and perhaps that is the point of this book. For me, I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars simply based on some of the sexual content that is included that would not be suitable for all readers.

[Chinchilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a stranger to Post Secret. I used to read Sunday Secrets religiously. But it has been at least 5 or even 6 years since the last time I read a secret. I borrowed this book from the library because I needed to read about other people’s misfortune (in a sense), knowing that it would make me feel better about my own situation. And it did.

As expected, not all the secrets in this book speak to me, but I enjoy reading most of them nonetheless. I am moved by different kinds of secrets now than I did five years ago. Interestingly, some of the most simple secrets almost bring me to tears. I think the world of Post Secret reminds people that they are never truly alone. Even if they feel isolated, misunderstood and hopeless, they are connected with other people through their shared experiences and feelings. That is a kind of invisible connection, a powerful one. One that is enough to save lives.

Now thinking about it, had I kept reading Post Secret over the last 5 or 6 years, my life would probably turn out quite differently than it is now. Regardless, after reading this book, I am reminded just how common and minute my own problems are. Not that they are insignificant, as they are real problems to me, but I feel a renewed self-confidence. I know this newfound calmness will be able to carry me through the next little while. And then maybe I will have to read another Post Secret book.

I think everybody should read some Post Secret postings/books. I think these secrets provide insight into other people’s realities that we are not privileged to most of the time. Regardless whether or not we decide to take actions in helping others, I believe it is very important to at least be able to empathize. Reading Post Secret is a great place to start.

The meaning and purpose behind Post Secret deserve more than 5 stars (on a 5-star rating system). This particular book, though, I give it 3.5 stars.