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Message left in library book

(93 Posts)
eddiecat78 Mon 11-Sep-23 06:48:24

Whilst reading a library book late last night I found a hand written note which says
"Dear you
I hope you know you are capable, and brave, and significant, even when you feel like you are not
With love
A friend."
Whilst appreciating it was probably well intentioned I actually found it rather creepy - especially seeing it signed"with love from a friend".
My dilemma is what to do with it.
Leave it in the book for the next borrower or get rid of it?

Louella12 Mon 11-Sep-23 07:50:05

This sort of thing is going on on tiktok.

I'd throw it away.

Aldom Mon 11-Sep-23 07:54:34

Leave it in the book.
Those words could be a life saver for someone who is struggling with self doubt.
Someone out there cares.

AreWeThereYet Mon 11-Sep-23 07:57:22

I can't see it as creepy at all. It would make me smile if I found it. I'd leave it in the book for someone else - who knows how many people have already read it.

Shelflife Mon 11-Sep-23 07:58:46

I would leave it in the book. Someone left it for others to read and perhaps be comforted by it. Nothing creepy at all - simply a goodwill message . A thoughtful thing to do .

eazybee Mon 11-Sep-23 07:59:17

Hand it in to the library; they usually have a box full of bookmarks left in books, and if it is important to someone they can reclaim it.
I agree with the poster, I find these quotes mawkish but it may be meaningful to the person who left it.

MerylStreep Mon 11-Sep-23 08:00:45

Aldom

Leave it in the book.
Those words could be a life saver for someone who is struggling with self doubt.
Someone out there cares.

How true.

eddiecat78 Mon 11-Sep-23 08:03:27

I just think that if you were feeling a bit paranoid you could be very freaked out by someone anonymous claiming to be your friend!

AreWeThereYet Mon 11-Sep-23 08:08:25

eddiecat78

I just think that if you were feeling a bit paranoid you could be very freaked out by someone anonymous claiming to be your friend!

You obviously don't use Facebook much or you would know you can have a million friends you've never heard of 😅

M0nica Mon 11-Sep-23 08:09:24

I think the note is rather presumptuous, the person who wrote it and left it there, sounds very smug and one of those people who always has a an unctuous saying on their lips. Very Patience Strong. Screw it up and chuck it away.

Sidelined Mon 11-Sep-23 08:26:38

I had a similar experience - I found a bit of folded paper in a car park and picked it up. It was a heartfelt letter written by a mum to a daughter trying to mend a rift. ‘I miss being able to hug you’ it said. No names, no personal details, no way to hand it to one or other but I couldn’t bear to put it in the bin. I’ve still got it tucked away. It touched a nerve and still does. I hope they made it up!

Bea65 Mon 11-Sep-23 08:31:31

IMO its not a harmful creepy message...a positive note and would return the book with the note inside for the next person..

Mogsmaw Mon 11-Sep-23 08:35:32

I had a customer leave a sticker on the counter when she left. It said “you are beautiful”. Lovely gesture! I needed a bit of a boost.
It’s on the inside of my locker, it makes me smile every time I see it. Never underestimate the kindness of strangers.

Louella12 Mon 11-Sep-23 08:48:54

Mogsmaw

I had a customer leave a sticker on the counter when she left. It said “you are beautiful”. Lovely gesture! I needed a bit of a boost.
It’s on the inside of my locker, it makes me smile every time I see it. Never underestimate the kindness of strangers.

It's not kindness

hollysteers Mon 11-Sep-23 08:54:11

I wouldn’t mind at all, although it does remind me of Meghan writing positive statements on bananas…

BlueBelle Mon 11-Sep-23 08:55:29

It has been a ‘ thing’ for a long while to leave little notes around and so far this is the first time I ve heard ANYONE think it’s creepy, there are often posts on FB saying ‘I found this today on my walk it’s made my day’ and a picture of a painted pebble and message or a message in a plastic bag or a little tiny crochet animal or bug with have a lovely day message on it

The next person to get the book hopefully will understand and appreciate it

Foxygloves Mon 11-Sep-23 08:55:30

I think it’s weird.
How can anybody write anything meaningful to a total stranger “you are loved” on a banana or a trite message in a library book. It’s not “reaching out” it’s creepy and would have gone straight in the bin, here.
It’s also frankly intrusive and while I feel sorry for whoever writes these things, I also think they should mind their own business.

Primrose53 Mon 11-Sep-23 09:00:56

Reminds me of letters we sometimes get from some sort of New Age churchy group around here. I thought it was just us but friends have told me they get them too and I found one in a cottage we let out for holidays too. They are just addressed to The Occupier so they don’t know our names.

MayBee70 Mon 11-Sep-23 09:03:02

eddiecat78

I just think that if you were feeling a bit paranoid you could be very freaked out by someone anonymous claiming to be your friend!

I agree. I think it would depend on what frame of mind I was in when I found something like that. The message is ok I guess, it’s the over familiarity that’s a bit creepy.

eddiecat78 Mon 11-Sep-23 09:05:23

BlueBelle

It has been a ‘ thing’ for a long while to leave little notes around and so far this is the first time I ve heard ANYONE think it’s creepy, there are often posts on FB saying ‘I found this today on my walk it’s made my day’ and a picture of a painted pebble and message or a message in a plastic bag or a little tiny crochet animal or bug with have a lovely day message on it

The next person to get the book hopefully will understand and appreciate it

I think the fact that I discovered it in my own home does make it feel more personal. It is almost like having an anonymous note posted through your letter box

Scribbles Mon 11-Sep-23 09:12:28

I wouldn't describe it as creepy but I do think it's arrogant and tiresome to leave these mawkish little homilies around, whether as physical notes or random postings on FB.
Into the bin with it!

maddyone Mon 11-Sep-23 09:15:29

I’d throw it in the recycling.

Calendargirl Mon 11-Sep-23 09:17:39

A church near us has a huge sign outside “You Are Loved”.

By whom? Jesus, God, The Vicar, the congregation…..?

Personally, I just don’t think it necessary, but realise that is probably just me.

Also wonder how much the sign cost in these straightened times for churches.

JenniferEccles Mon 11-Sep-23 09:28:33

It’s not at all creepy, more a sign of the times. My first thought was, very Meghan Markle.

In fact a whole industry has grown up urging us all to think of ourselves as wonderful, special, deserving etc.

Whether or not I would leave it in the book when I returned it to the library, would depend on my whim on the day!

Louella12 Mon 11-Sep-23 09:38:00

It's vomit inducing actually.

There's a trend on Tiktok when someone who is sitting alone is confronted by a kind soul who thrusts a note into their hand. Telling them how beautiful they are etc etc.
They then end up on Tiktok in a highly intrusive invasion of their privacy. A lady in Australia actually went to the police to complain. Sometimes they're given a bunch of flowers. All done by so called influences for likes.

You see them wearing t shirts with an awful message on the back telling the person reading it that they are wonderful etc etc

Then they get filmed.

Ridiculous.

Kate1949 Mon 11-Sep-23 09:47:38

I think it's lovely. For those of us who have been in what they call these days 'a dark place' those words could be a life saver. Maybe the person who put the note there had been through the mill and knows that a few supportive words can be a boon.