Notes from a Public Typewriter
Available now in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand
“Beautifully designed . . . a delightfully quirky celebration of a past analogue era.”
When Michael Gustafson and his wife, Hilary, opened Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan, they put out a typewriter for anyone to use. They had no idea what to expect. Would people ask metaphysical questions? Write mean things? Pour their souls onto the page? Yes, no, and did they ever.
Every day, people of all ages sit down at the public typewriter. Children perch atop grandparents’ knees, both sets of hands hovering above the metal keys: I LOVE YOU. Others walk in alone on Friday nights and confess their hopes: I will find someone someday. And some leave funny asides for the next person who sits down: I dislike people, misanthropes, irony, and ellipses...and lists too.
In Notes from a Public Typewriter, Michael and Oliver have combined their favorite notes with essays and photos to create an ode to community and the written word that will surprise, delight, and inspire.
Featured on NPR's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
excerpts
REVIEWS
“This is a delightfully quirky, heart-warming celebration of the ‘messy, smudgy, imperfect beauty’ of a past analogue era of ink, paper and mechanical keys. ”
—The Guardian
“This was absolutely endearing and makes me have a little more faith in humanity.”
“Oh my heart. I did NOT expect to cry during a book about a typewriter in a bookstore. But here I am with tears still in my eyes. What a precious jewel.”
“Occasionally, a book comes along you simply fall in love with and folks, we have a winner here!”
“I didn’t want it to end. . . It makes you feel connected to so many people you don’t even know when you read these kinds of books.”
“From the beginning, the very idea of this book absolutely enchanted me . . . having read it, I am absolutely enchanted with the depth and range of human emotion expressed within.
“It's wonderful to read and know that the real human feelings still exist in this world of technology and texting.”
“A sweet little gift for aspiring writers, bookaholics, or anyone who loves how whimsy can bring out our deepest feelings.”