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Things You Can't Un-see: essays
From Amazon bestselling author Sarahbeth Caplin comes a collection of her best essays from all over the internet, including the Huffington Post, about things you can’t un-know, un-hear, or un-see once they be it feminist awakenings, spiritual doubt, the effects of living with mental illness, and the normalcy of rape culture in Hollywood as well as in real life.
Funny, heartbreaking, and insightful, Caplin never minces words — or opinions.
Funny, heartbreaking, and insightful, Caplin never minces words — or opinions.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2018
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Sarahbeth Caplin
9 books91 followersReading interests: YA, novels with unreliable narrators, biographies, memoirs, history, and all things theology-related.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 23, 2018
There’s a question that often gets passed around while playing Icebreaker which is; If you could sit down with one person dead or alive for an evening who would be and why? I always knew who I would pick. Nellie Bly. Since the day I was first introduced to her in the 5th grade I’ve always carried her with me. She of course was the person I always picked. Nellie Bly paved the way for women journalist in the investigative field and challenged men when women shouldn’t have. Going as far as to even racing around the world. While she only held the record for a few months she beat out her male counterpart.
Now that I gave you a minor history lesson, I felt it wasn’t important to stress that it was known who she was because you see, I believe Sarahbeth may be my alive Nellie Bly. A person who writing career I plan to follow from this point forward.
I felt inspired by her writing. She challenged my thoughts. The thoughts I saw as being only black and white, she showed me, they may not be so simple that there is grey matter in between. I never thought that reading an essay published by someone I had never heard of before could cause me to rethink my inner me. My thoughts, my feelings, and just me as person.
I don’t know if that was the intentions of Caplin, but the impact she had on me will remain with me eternally.
These essays consist of multitude of topics religion, family, relationships and topics that the world seems to wish would go away such as rape and mental illness. While I can’t say I see eye to eye with Caplin on all the subject matters I can say that her execution on capturing her thoughts and providing her input was profoundly beautiful. She was able to
This is a book that should be read by all. Young, old and everyone in-between.
To read more review check out https://shealwaysreads.com/
Now that I gave you a minor history lesson, I felt it wasn’t important to stress that it was known who she was because you see, I believe Sarahbeth may be my alive Nellie Bly. A person who writing career I plan to follow from this point forward.
I felt inspired by her writing. She challenged my thoughts. The thoughts I saw as being only black and white, she showed me, they may not be so simple that there is grey matter in between. I never thought that reading an essay published by someone I had never heard of before could cause me to rethink my inner me. My thoughts, my feelings, and just me as person.
I don’t know if that was the intentions of Caplin, but the impact she had on me will remain with me eternally.
These essays consist of multitude of topics religion, family, relationships and topics that the world seems to wish would go away such as rape and mental illness. While I can’t say I see eye to eye with Caplin on all the subject matters I can say that her execution on capturing her thoughts and providing her input was profoundly beautiful. She was able to
This is a book that should be read by all. Young, old and everyone in-between.
To read more review check out https://shealwaysreads.com/
May 23, 2018
With this feeling of just wanting to crawl into this blackhole and never come out again, I decided to review this book by Sarahbeth Caplin because it just fits my aura perfectly. The book is a collection of her writings online about a lot of social and personal issues. Some of the writings touched on exactly how I am feeling today or very close to it. Frustrations, anger, having to deal with issues and all. I think, this is the perfect book where I could unleash my disappointments and feeling of unfairness.
I just finished watching the season 2 of Thirteen Reasons Why last night. The season ender was a shocker but at the same time, it wasn't that surprising at all. It was bound to happen. Like a volcano just taking it's time to erupt. There was closure for some but I think, Bryce's character was left off easy. The good thing was he may have learned something from everything that happened, I hope. In some ways, I want to blame his parents because they were always absent. Bryce did not have people to guide him. He was left with too much freedom on his hands to abuse. At least, his mom felt guilty about what his son was turning into. There some other things in the series that I wished were done differently, like the box of polaroids. I don't want to say more because I might spoil it. I know I have said too much already. But they were a lot of revelations about Hanna's character and the other characters in the story like Zack and Justin. There's this very one notable character also--Scott. One of the members of the baseball team.
The reason why I'm talking about the series is because the author talked about suicide in her essays also and the series was also mentioned as an example. At some point, we've all been teenagers and in high school. It was a point in our lives where we feel like the world is within our grasp and we were invincible. At least, to some who didn't have the misfortune of getting bullied and have to deal with a lot of issues at home or dealing with mental health issues. I can relate to a lot of what the author said because I have experienced these issues myself. I have been bullied. I have been harassed. I have been discriminated and have to deal with personal issues that I felt like there seems to be no point of living at all. I am not suicidal but I have those dark thoughts whirling in my mind. The only thing probably that's stopping me of committing the deed was my fear of feeling more pain. If I go, I wanted to go painlessly and without mess. No blood, or gagging or struggle. I want to go painlessly into the night, if there is such a way to go if I decide to act on it. In some way also, I may have had enough good experiences happen to me also that they may have given me a little bit of strength to resist the temptation. I know I have gotten very close to the edge and have only to decide if I wanted to take that leap off the cliff.
This book is not easy to read in a sense that it deals with a lot of real and painful issues. They are done in tidbits which allows the reader to pause and contemplate but the rawness of the emotions will hit you like a deer in a headlight. I know I have tears runnign now my face while reading some of these essays, especially those that talked about the issues that I'm currently dealing with. It's like finding a kindred spirit that understands the complexity, the intensity of these feelings that we all oftentimes tend to bear in silence.
One of the things mentioned also was about names. Like the author, I too wanted to change my name because it's so common. Paired with a very common last name also, proved to be a very very common name. Last week, in the experience I mentioned earlier with the organization where I received the bad news from, someone commented that my name is very unique. I then had to explain to him that in the Philippines it's not. In a way, I resent my mom for not being creative enough and coming up with a more unique name. If I could change my name, I would have done so, but in the Philippines, that's a tedious and a very expensive process. I remember having one classmate in grade school with the same first name and I hated that my classmates had to call me with my first and last name.
The book talks about Trump and all the other issues that came with him taking the seat of power in the US. I agree with the author in all the things she said about this topic. It's just disheartening that there are just people who refuse to see the truth. Even here in the Philippines, my people are guilty of the same thing. Some of us continue to give power to those who only seek to enrich themselves from the country's coffers. There's a political family for example who have been proven to have done many atrocities when they were in power, yet they still continue to hold government positions. There's this public official who had been convicted of plunder and corruption yet still won in the elections. Sometimes, we just never learn. Unless, we experience the atrocities and injustices first-hand, we chose to not believe the victims stories.
This is a book of collected essays. The essays are not long and the whole book itself is not that lengthy but it packs a lot of power. Sarahbeth Caplin is one very brave woman who stands by her convictions and have announced them to the world. I too would want to do the same. It takes a lot of courage to do just that, knowing a lot of people will react and easily condemn and judge you, especially with social media making it a lot easy with just a few stroke of the fingers. And I know, the author is not the only one. A lot of authors nowadays are very socially aware and are trying to do their share in making awareness about bullying, harassment, mental issues, and all other socially relevant issues experienced by teens and all ages alike. We can't all run for office and try to do the change we wished to see in the world, but we can each do our little share in our own little part of the world. Just by doing some random act of kindness and not throwing trash everywhere could actually help. It may not be that drastic and the instant major change that we wish to achieve but little steps. As the saying in the movie Utopia says, "One drop raises the ocean." We are all that one drop and if those one drop come together to do something significant, then maybe that can create a tsunami that will change the world forever.
I give this book 4/5 pictures of Joan of Arc. One of things that really hit me hard was one about someone telling the author that her experience was nothing compared to what happened to the another person. It's like a pissing contest of who got it worst. I totally can relate to that. Instead of finding a common ground with that person because you had the misfortune of having to go through a similar bad experience, some would invalidate your experience just because you did not have to go through a more excruciating pain than hers. Are we all masochist or sadist? Why does one person has to validate my experience or measure my pain from 1 to 10 just so I could join the club? It's sick. I felt so awful and angry reading this part. Right there, I felt like I was standing in the author's shoes and that awful thing was said right to my face. Maybe it's part of the human flaw to do that or maybe it's just in the DNA of that person. I don't know and I don't think there is any excuse for that person to say that. Just because we suffered than the person, it doesn't mean we have the right to lash out and make others hurt the same way too. I understand everybody has a tendency to do this, that's why when I'm angry or hurt, I'd rather be quiet and alone to stew because I don't want to regret anything I might do. Anything done out of extreme emotion does not excuse the deed and I'd rather wallow in my misery than cause someone else's.
Thank you again, Sarahbeth Caplin for the ARC. This is a very enlightening and brave. I commend you for coming up with this book and for giving me the opportunity to read this. This is very personal. It felt like reading through someone's journal. I had expected that this was one whole story and was very very slightly miffed it turned out to be individual essays. But then, it still fulfilled its purpose. The message was not lost and I wish a lot more people could read this. And I felt sorry for the woman who told you that your suffering were nothing compared to hers. She has no right to say that no matter how badly wounded or broken she is. In some way, we are all broken but just because we are broken not in the same places, doesn't mean we didn't feel with pain. Pain is still pain, no matter what caused it or the intensity. No one has the right to tell you that your pain does not count because your not bleeding.
Many suicidal people don't want to die, per se; they just want the pain to stop.
It may be that those who lost the battle are the ones who fought the hardest.
- Sarahbeth Caplin, Things You Can't Un-see -
I just finished watching the season 2 of Thirteen Reasons Why last night. The season ender was a shocker but at the same time, it wasn't that surprising at all. It was bound to happen. Like a volcano just taking it's time to erupt. There was closure for some but I think, Bryce's character was left off easy. The good thing was he may have learned something from everything that happened, I hope. In some ways, I want to blame his parents because they were always absent. Bryce did not have people to guide him. He was left with too much freedom on his hands to abuse. At least, his mom felt guilty about what his son was turning into. There some other things in the series that I wished were done differently, like the box of polaroids. I don't want to say more because I might spoil it. I know I have said too much already. But they were a lot of revelations about Hanna's character and the other characters in the story like Zack and Justin. There's this very one notable character also--Scott. One of the members of the baseball team.
The reason why I'm talking about the series is because the author talked about suicide in her essays also and the series was also mentioned as an example. At some point, we've all been teenagers and in high school. It was a point in our lives where we feel like the world is within our grasp and we were invincible. At least, to some who didn't have the misfortune of getting bullied and have to deal with a lot of issues at home or dealing with mental health issues. I can relate to a lot of what the author said because I have experienced these issues myself. I have been bullied. I have been harassed. I have been discriminated and have to deal with personal issues that I felt like there seems to be no point of living at all. I am not suicidal but I have those dark thoughts whirling in my mind. The only thing probably that's stopping me of committing the deed was my fear of feeling more pain. If I go, I wanted to go painlessly and without mess. No blood, or gagging or struggle. I want to go painlessly into the night, if there is such a way to go if I decide to act on it. In some way also, I may have had enough good experiences happen to me also that they may have given me a little bit of strength to resist the temptation. I know I have gotten very close to the edge and have only to decide if I wanted to take that leap off the cliff.
This book is not easy to read in a sense that it deals with a lot of real and painful issues. They are done in tidbits which allows the reader to pause and contemplate but the rawness of the emotions will hit you like a deer in a headlight. I know I have tears runnign now my face while reading some of these essays, especially those that talked about the issues that I'm currently dealing with. It's like finding a kindred spirit that understands the complexity, the intensity of these feelings that we all oftentimes tend to bear in silence.
One of the things mentioned also was about names. Like the author, I too wanted to change my name because it's so common. Paired with a very common last name also, proved to be a very very common name. Last week, in the experience I mentioned earlier with the organization where I received the bad news from, someone commented that my name is very unique. I then had to explain to him that in the Philippines it's not. In a way, I resent my mom for not being creative enough and coming up with a more unique name. If I could change my name, I would have done so, but in the Philippines, that's a tedious and a very expensive process. I remember having one classmate in grade school with the same first name and I hated that my classmates had to call me with my first and last name.
The book talks about Trump and all the other issues that came with him taking the seat of power in the US. I agree with the author in all the things she said about this topic. It's just disheartening that there are just people who refuse to see the truth. Even here in the Philippines, my people are guilty of the same thing. Some of us continue to give power to those who only seek to enrich themselves from the country's coffers. There's a political family for example who have been proven to have done many atrocities when they were in power, yet they still continue to hold government positions. There's this public official who had been convicted of plunder and corruption yet still won in the elections. Sometimes, we just never learn. Unless, we experience the atrocities and injustices first-hand, we chose to not believe the victims stories.
This is a book of collected essays. The essays are not long and the whole book itself is not that lengthy but it packs a lot of power. Sarahbeth Caplin is one very brave woman who stands by her convictions and have announced them to the world. I too would want to do the same. It takes a lot of courage to do just that, knowing a lot of people will react and easily condemn and judge you, especially with social media making it a lot easy with just a few stroke of the fingers. And I know, the author is not the only one. A lot of authors nowadays are very socially aware and are trying to do their share in making awareness about bullying, harassment, mental issues, and all other socially relevant issues experienced by teens and all ages alike. We can't all run for office and try to do the change we wished to see in the world, but we can each do our little share in our own little part of the world. Just by doing some random act of kindness and not throwing trash everywhere could actually help. It may not be that drastic and the instant major change that we wish to achieve but little steps. As the saying in the movie Utopia says, "One drop raises the ocean." We are all that one drop and if those one drop come together to do something significant, then maybe that can create a tsunami that will change the world forever.
I give this book 4/5 pictures of Joan of Arc. One of things that really hit me hard was one about someone telling the author that her experience was nothing compared to what happened to the another person. It's like a pissing contest of who got it worst. I totally can relate to that. Instead of finding a common ground with that person because you had the misfortune of having to go through a similar bad experience, some would invalidate your experience just because you did not have to go through a more excruciating pain than hers. Are we all masochist or sadist? Why does one person has to validate my experience or measure my pain from 1 to 10 just so I could join the club? It's sick. I felt so awful and angry reading this part. Right there, I felt like I was standing in the author's shoes and that awful thing was said right to my face. Maybe it's part of the human flaw to do that or maybe it's just in the DNA of that person. I don't know and I don't think there is any excuse for that person to say that. Just because we suffered than the person, it doesn't mean we have the right to lash out and make others hurt the same way too. I understand everybody has a tendency to do this, that's why when I'm angry or hurt, I'd rather be quiet and alone to stew because I don't want to regret anything I might do. Anything done out of extreme emotion does not excuse the deed and I'd rather wallow in my misery than cause someone else's.
Thank you again, Sarahbeth Caplin for the ARC. This is a very enlightening and brave. I commend you for coming up with this book and for giving me the opportunity to read this. This is very personal. It felt like reading through someone's journal. I had expected that this was one whole story and was very very slightly miffed it turned out to be individual essays. But then, it still fulfilled its purpose. The message was not lost and I wish a lot more people could read this. And I felt sorry for the woman who told you that your suffering were nothing compared to hers. She has no right to say that no matter how badly wounded or broken she is. In some way, we are all broken but just because we are broken not in the same places, doesn't mean we didn't feel with pain. Pain is still pain, no matter what caused it or the intensity. No one has the right to tell you that your pain does not count because your not bleeding.
Many suicidal people don't want to die, per se; they just want the pain to stop.
It may be that those who lost the battle are the ones who fought the hardest.
- Sarahbeth Caplin, Things You Can't Un-see -
October 9, 2018
I believe we occasionally refrain from true connections because we are competitive.
When we read personal accounts, we have the opportunity to scrutinize another person's actions. Our understanding of this, whether we agree, or disagree, allows us the opportunity to feel a togetherness.
In this collection, Sarahbeth is straightforward. She provides a reflective analysis that readers can draw upon. She engages us by showing her vulnerability and her strength. More importantly, she affords us an opportunity to become self - aware.
We think about how we might handle our own relationship complications, moral dilemmas, loss or abuse.
We leave this read empowered - with a, "Looking back. Now I see," attitude.
This collection of essays was made available through the generosity of the author for an honest review.
When we read personal accounts, we have the opportunity to scrutinize another person's actions. Our understanding of this, whether we agree, or disagree, allows us the opportunity to feel a togetherness.
In this collection, Sarahbeth is straightforward. She provides a reflective analysis that readers can draw upon. She engages us by showing her vulnerability and her strength. More importantly, she affords us an opportunity to become self - aware.
We think about how we might handle our own relationship complications, moral dilemmas, loss or abuse.
We leave this read empowered - with a, "Looking back. Now I see," attitude.
This collection of essays was made available through the generosity of the author for an honest review.
May 22, 2018
In Things You Can't Un-see, SarahBeth Caplin confronts topics that are far too often glossed over or swept under the rug. Sharing her experience with issues like sexual assault, the #MeToo campaign, and the state of our country during our current presidency, she speaks with honesty to subjects that others try to erase. If you can relate to any of the above topics, you will find yourself within the pages of SarahBeth's essays.
August 9, 2019
This book is a MUST READ for EVERYONE. I have never read a book of essays before; this was the first of many. Sarahbeth Caplin is an amazing writer. While reading, I felt like I was having a chat with the author. Her writing style flows conversationally well and I am excited to read her other books. Many times I audibly say, 'yes, girl. I am with you' while reading. I got mad with her, I laughed with her, and I cried with her all in 100 pages.
Although not all of our views align, I never felt any negativity from the author for having opposing views. Caplin is open, honest, doesn't give a shit what you think. But she also isn't rude about it. She's refreshing.
Now I am thinking about how many copies I want to buy for friends, family and just people walking down the street! This is a must read for everyone, from teenagers to adults alike.
Although not all of our views align, I never felt any negativity from the author for having opposing views. Caplin is open, honest, doesn't give a shit what you think. But she also isn't rude about it. She's refreshing.
Now I am thinking about how many copies I want to buy for friends, family and just people walking down the street! This is a must read for everyone, from teenagers to adults alike.
Read
April 1, 2018Essay books are hit or miss; often a lot of folks want to assemble some blog posts and push them off to the printers, but this is not the case here. Chaplin speaks in a strong, unapologetic voice on the subject of both current and past events. Her stories, relatable to anyone who has thought #metoo, are part of a growing body of literature that is (hopefully) forcing our culturd to take a critical look in the mirror. However, her best essay is the one about her father. I would love for the next book to explore those positive relationships and show us how we, like her, can find strength and hope in the small moments even when we hurt the most.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews