How I Am Different

by Thom Kudla

In an age of measuring and tracking the self through gadgets, the author of this book wondered how he could take such dedication to analytics to create something that is as much precise science as it is creative expression. The result? A grand experiment in the quantified self, more than four years in the making, HOW I AM DIFFERENT tests the boundaries of how we define the self and how the self changes over time. For two years, the author wrote a new creative piece every day. The second year's pieces were a response to the prior year for each day of the year. This book shows this one-to-one correlation for each day of Year One and Year Two in spreads. The book is mostly poetry, but it also contains some fiction and creative nonfiction. Since every piece is self-contained, it doesn't matter where you start. You could easily read all 776 pages in one sitting or save it for later. It's a page-turner like no other. It contains extensive indexing to help you decide what to read.

776 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2017

Reviews

[Ray Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I Am Different is an amazing experimental novel by Thom Kudla. I think it is an experiment every writer should do. I’m going to do it, even if I never publish the results. I have been told to journal from my very first writing class in high school and I can think of no better use for such a journal than to see How I Am Different? I know that I change but it is very difficult to pinpoint when or why these changes occur. I love this idea. I love this book. I think the idea, the format, and the final result is spectacular. I think Thom is a real working writer. It doesn’t hurt that he was inspired by one of my childhood heroes, the legendary Ray Bradbury.

I like the layout of How I Am Different. The whole idea is a stroke of genius. I loved looking at the differences and I sadly related to how often things don’t go as planned or just plain disappoint you. This book is a different kind of book so I have to give it a different type of review. The writing is excellent which helps to catapult a great idea into a very good book. The layout and organization follow a logical and organized system making it easy to follow the writer on his journey through change. I think How I Am Different is a must-read for writers old and young. I recommend it to anyone even slightly interested in self-awareness. Some serious philosophical musing and a whole lot of fun!

[Mercy]

I found “How I Am Different” through the “Silent Book Club Singapore*, and I truly enjoyed the experience. This book offers a thoughtful and heartfelt look at individuality and finding strength in who we are. The author’s voice feels warm and encouraging, and the message is both inspiring and relatable. If you’re looking for a read that gently uplifts and reminds you there’s beauty in being different, this is a great choice. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hodgepodge collection or random thoughts written in free verse, stanzas, or paragraphs over two year. The author recorded at least one thought or poem per day over 365 days. For the next 365 he wrote a reaction to what he wrote one year earlier. The free flowing eclectic opinions is reflected of the way thought wander from day to day. The perseverance of writing at least a few words each day may inspires others to create their own daily journal. The best part of the book is the author set a goal and then fulfilled that goal.