ssjakira1's Full Review: Keri Smith - Wreck This Journal: To Create Is to D...
Working at a bookstore is dangerous because you inevitably come across books that you’ll want. This happened to be one of them. When I saw Wreck This Journal how could I not be curious? Encouraged book destruction? Hmm. After reading bits and pieces of the journal aloud with my store manager, I decided this was something I was going to have to buy.
Created by Keri Smith, Wreck This Journal isn’t a typical book. Actually, the title explains exactly what this book is about. Each page is almost empty with only a handful of words that demand action. The book has very simple instructions:
1. Carry this book with you wherever you go.
2. Follow the instructions on every page.
3. Order is not important.
4. Instructions are open to interpretation.
5. Experiment (work against your better judgment)
That’s all there is to it. So what are some of the instructions you ask? Here are a few:
Chew on this (warning, do not swallow)
Bring this book in the shower with you
Collect fruit stickers (the stickers found on bought fruit)
Make a sudden destructive, unpredictable movement with the journal
Compost this page. Watch it deteriorate.
Color this entire page.
That’s only a small handful of things the journal asks you to do. There are a ton more, and they’re all silly fun, ridiculous, and in pretty much every case, totally destructive toward the book. One of the first things it does is command you to crack the spine. Now, I’m one of those people who wants her books in pristine shape. I can resell books online for top dollar because I take such good care of them, they look flippin’ new. Cracking the spine of a book, any book, is something I’d never voluntarily do. Until now. This book is meant to be destroyed so interestingly enough, I had no problem bending this thing in half until the spine went wonky, though I still don’t think it’s completely cracked. It’s an average sized book – after having 3 people read my paperback Lord of the Rings book, it’s spine officially cracked. They put this book together well so it’s going to hold up under a lot of stress.
How much stress, Nicole?
Aside from spine cracking? I’ve colored pages with crayons, doodled on pages, the spine, the cover, and the edges of the book with pens and pencils, put stickers on it, burned a page, thrown the book multiple times, chewed on a page, stapled, torn, and taped things to pages, smeared nail polish, eye shadow, peanut butter, and oil on various parts, covered pages with lines, circles, holes, four-letter words (not all bad), and folded page corners.
And that’s just the beginning.
I exhausted myself writing my novel and can only read for so long. I needed a craft, something to do with my hands. The second my birthday came around and my sis got me a gift card, I bought this and have been enjoying it ever since. In the back there’s even a list encouraging you to think of more ways to wreck the journal. In a rush of genius I thought, “GLITTER.” Aaaah sparkly! And what I really can’t wait to do is do some tongue painting; eat some colorful candy and lick a spot on the page.
It’s weird. It’s bizarre. It’s a ton of fun. It encourages abnormal book destruction, which can be great for those who agonize over keeping books in perfect shape. It’s kind of like a release in that respect. This book is great for adults, kids and really anyone who wants a unique form of entertainment. So go out, get this journal, and completely wreck it. =D
For anyone who's ever wished to, but had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book...More at HotBookSale
For anyone who has had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal comes this illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts,...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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