This (My) Modern Love.
I
recently read Will Darbyshire's 'This Modern Love'; the
beautifully simple and strangely ambiguous red cover has been calling out to me from the New
Fiction shelf at work lately, so I treated myself after
payday...I thought I'd keep it as a 'coffee table read' and dip in and out whenever I fancied it, but I ended up devouring it in one day as I travelled to and from London.
The
book is a collection of letters, notes, and words submitted and sent
in from all over the world about, yeah you guessed it, love. Love in
all its forms – crushes, yearnings, relationships, flings,
break-ups; every little thing, every flutter of a feeling, is covered
in this book. It starts with crushes, then the middle section is relationships, and it ends with break-ups.
This
book didn't enrage me or irk me at all – despite the fact that it's
a 'YouTuber Book' (*sighs*) and it's about love, a subject I
am not very well-versed in or keen on these days. In fact, I kinda
loved this book. Yep, quite an achievement. Well done, Will!
I felt the need to answer the Qs posed at the beginning of the book.
I really wish I had seen this project when it first took flight - I'd have written endless letters and poured my heart out, and made a complete tit of myself, no doubt.
What
would you say to your ex, without judgement?
1.
Sorry. I was an idiot.
...you
could apologise for that thing you did too, though. Please.
2. I hear you're boring now. Good.
3. You're boring, too. And you always said to me that you hated short hair on a girl. Liar.
4. Any time. Anywhere.
2. I hear you're boring now. Good.
3. You're boring, too. And you always said to me that you hated short hair on a girl. Liar.
4. Any time. Anywhere.
Write
a thank you note to your partner – describe or share (in a photo)
the big and little things that make you happy.
These
days, I hardly ever go into a shop without seeing something you'd
like. Something specific, like a comic book or a suit jacket or a
silly novelty item or a snack of some kind...
I
think this means you're still in my head. In a good way. I still
consider you – and every time I do, I think how lucky I am to have
you as a friend.

What
single word sums up your love life, your partner, or someone you
like?
Weirdness.
What
would you say to a crush?
Write
a letter to them to express it.
This
is a terrible idea. Let's do it.
How
has technology affected your relationship, either positively or
negatively? Describe your experience.
I
hate broadcasting my life on Facey B, like many people might. I'm
also (believe it or not) selective about what I share on Twitter. My
relationships have hardly featured on my social media platforms, save
for the occasional #coupleselfie on Instagram. That's just me,
though. Just my preference. It's like PDA – time and place, y'know?
Snapchat
has always been good for my love life, though. No, not for that
reason (although...no) just for
checking in and sharing jokes while I was in an LDR. Quick, easy and
free with wifi. Sweet.
< 3
I would advise all of you readers to grab a copy of this book. If you are romantically confused, excited, lost, hopeful, at ease...there's something in this book for everyone.
I keep thinking about buying this book, but was wary because as you say youtuber books typically aren't the best... This sounds different, and I am definitely going to buy a copy! xx
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