AUTHOR: Matthew "Levee" Chavez
STARTED: January 15, 2018
FINISHED: January 18, 2018
PAGES: 164
GENRE: Non-Fiction
FIRST SENTENCE: New York is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and yet it can often seem like the loneliest, especially on the subway, where New Yorkers stand and sit shoulder to shoulder every morning and afternoon without so much as making eye contact.
SUMMARY: [From BN] A deeply moving and inspiring collection of notes from the most expressive wall in the world. In the days and weeks after the 2016 presidential election, Matthew Chavez showed up in the subway with stacks of brightly colored sticky notes. "Express yourself," he told passersby. The response was electric. Calling himself "Levee"--one who supports the city's emotional tide--Chavez turned an underground maze into a communal art space known as Subway Therapy. News and social media feeds around the world filled with images of this ever-changing, ever-growing wall of remembrances, messages of love, and fierce calls to action. And its spirit was catching. Thousands picked up the mantle to create Subway Therapy walls in cities across the country--San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Boston, Washington, D.C.--and internationally as well. Signs of Hope is Chavez's tribute to Subway Therapy, showcasing the most inspired and most inspiring of the thousands of 3 x 3 inch notes. Individually these brave and funny and emotional "posts" bring the personal and momentary into the open. Together, they show us a vision of inclusivity and hope. A portion of the author's proceeds will go to the ACLU (aclu.org), supporters of free speech in all its forms, and Win (winnyc.org), the largest provider of shelter and services to New York's homeless families.
THOUGHTS: This is a great book to look at when you are not quite pleased with the world. I read this book the week the government shutdown was looming. As a DC resident with many friends who work in government, it was not a great week. Reading this book each night calmed my mood. Not all the messages on the post-its are positive, but this book showcases the best of humanity. It shows how communities can come together and bond through tough times. The images and chapters are well-organized and a sort of narrative emerges as you turn each page. This book is touching and heart-lifting. This text may be little, but it's message of togetherness comes out strongly.
RATING: 8/10 [Terrific]
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