BOOK - YOU: Some Letters From the First Five Years

If the idea of finding a letter personally addressed to You doesn’t pique your interest, then you’re probably not a properly functioning human being (sorry). That’s the general concept behind YOU, selected letters from the first five years collected here in this sprawling volume.

Some Letters From the First Five Years is probably best approached in a non-linear way: just pick up that book, flick to a page and start a-readin’; rinse; repeat. The letters vary in content wildly, from deeply personal confessions to light-hearted comics to Japanese. The best are those that manage to be both un-self-consciously moving, and casually – almost accidentally – humorous.

Because so many pages of balls-to-the-wall letters would probably look pretty intimidating, some breathing room is provided by the interspersion of collages of photos, sketches, and scrawled writing. Design-wise, it’s an impressive feat that what could have seemed visually monotonous instead is at a flick exciting to look at, while still maintaining a hand-made feel.

YOU is all about those small revelations in life, those gradual turning points and events that never seem to have meant much until they’re all added up. And what a convenience that they’ve all been added up for us here.

Check out Merge's interview with YOU creator Luke!