Message left in library book

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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 😅

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!

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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

This sort of thing is going on on tiktok.

I'd throw it away.

Gingster

It’s just someone passing on a positive message. I like it.
Leave it there for the next reader.
Not creepy at all

I agree with Gingster and all the other posters who said the same!

I don't think it is creepy at all. I rather think it was a genuinely thoughtful message from someone who may have had a difficult time in the past, who has come through it and wanted to pass on their supportive, kind comment. Like Nicenanny3 says "Random act of kindness".

It’s just someone passing on a positive message. I like it.
Leave it there for the next reader.
Not creepy at all

27eddiecat78

It was in a fairly light weight novel which was ordered in from somewhere else in the county. I'm fully aware it wasn't intended specifically for me

Well it certainly gave you something to think about eddiecat why don't you put a little message in, you could start a new craze leaving random uplifting message in books. Random acts of kindness.

Your responses so far have confirmed my concern that different people would react very differently - which is what makes me hesitate to pass it on

I don't think it's meant to be creepy. It sounds like someone trying to spread a little hope and encouragement. People leave messages around our town, sometimes handsewn, always well-meant. Sometimes it's a book with a note on the cover. Someone left an obviously much-loved Bible on a bench with a lovely encouraging note on the cover.

It was in a fairly light weight novel which was ordered in from somewhere else in the county. I'm fully aware it wasn't intended specifically for me

I liked the message too and think the intentions are good.