THE LAST MESSAGE RECEIVED
edited by Emily Trunko ; illustrated by Zoë Ingram
An anthology of final communications.
Ruminating over the unpredictability and fragility of life, Trunko, the teenage creator of both the titular Tumblr and its sister site, Dear My Blank, sought submissions from the world at large to share their last interactions from meaningful relationships. Breezy breakup texts ("Please stop using my Netflix") share space with heartbreaking messages, such as one that preceded an unexpected death ("miss u like crazy glue lol") and the ominous and affecting last words before taking one's life ("I’m so sorry. Don’t follow me”). This collection hauls its readers across an emotional spectrum. Utilizing a variety of typefaces and accompanied by complementary doodles, the messages are followed by expository explanations spanning pithy to page-length. Unlike Dear My Blank (2016), which was organized into categories, this companion is more loosely grouped, moving quickly and quietly back and forth between the mundane and the grave. Following the messages are anonymous comments that share how reading these pieces may have affected their contributors’ lives and decisions. Since such serious topics as suicide, depression, and grief are covered, backmatter resources are particularly welcome; these include hotlines, websites, and books.
The emotional gravitas on display is not to be denied
. (Nonfiction. 13 & up)