Monday, July 05, 2010

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets:
Six-Word Memoirs
by Teens Famous and Obscure

Edited by SMITH Magazine.
Published in 2009. 184 pages.


From the preface: This is a book with over 600 authors (all aged thirteen to nineteen) and 600 characters (all real, as far as we know) and 600 stories (which can be read in any order). What every story has in common is that each was written about the author's own life, and that each is the exact same length: six words.

Why I read this book: This was one of the 2009 Cybils nominees in Non-Fiction. I saw it at my local library one afternoon, so I decided to read it while I was waiting for my son. Then I recommended it to my teenage daughter. Today I read it again.

Some of my favorite memoirs, silly as well as profound:

I live bigger than your labels.
- Samantha N.

Finally learned "weird" is a compliment.
- Teagan E.

Because the chicken was a nonconformist.
- Dillon W.

The exits were entrances in disguise.
- Shannon B.

I always spell my name backwards.
- Hannah F.

2010.34

4 comments:

  1. Hi! This is Alyssa from SMITH Magazine, and I just wanted to thank you for the mention. We're glad you enjoyed 'I Can't Keep My Own Secrets' and welcome you to submit your own memoirs at smithmag.net/sixwords. Thanks again!
    -Alyssa, SMITH Intern

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  2. That does sound like a fun one!

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  3. That sounds really fun! Must add it to my TBR list.

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  4. This actually appeals to me, I'm going to have to check to see if my library carries a copy.

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