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Facebook users gladly share everything and anything
about their lives when updating their status updates.
Browsing through your Facebook page, you may be lucky to have friends like yours truly and encounter status updates such as; from the outright funny "occasionally drinks beer in the shower;" to the poetic"with your taste still on the edge of my lips, I walk alone each breath a reminder of you;" to the suicidal"working... shoot me please;" to the questionable "JUST DO ME. lol;" and to end-of-the-workweek-elation "TGIF......Where's Happy Hour!"
However, if your friends' updates more often than not include mundane rants about snooty children, neighbor feuds and nobody-cares-but-it-makes-you-happy-writing like "shopping for apples today!!!" or "going to the beach!" Patrick Hamilton Walsh's "is:The Phenomenon of the Facebook Status" (Wheatmark) is a must-read for you.
Published four months ago, this gem of lighter reading material has not quite gotten the buzz it deserves; delving into the depths of imaginative (or lack thereof) Facebook statuses, Walsh has separated the dull from the devious and collected statements, which according to Amazon, will "bring a smile to any Facebook aficionado."
In the introduction of the book, the author writes the following about his topic:
The interpretation of the status all depends on whether you are on that person's wave length, because what a person lists as their status may leave one person laughing until their belly hurts, can leave another cringing, while everyone else is totally confused as to what they are trying to say! So here it is, a book dedicated entirely to the 'is's that people may possibly list as their status."
Walsh has divided the updates into numerous subcategories, including is full of lurve; is having the times of their lives and is giving out way too much information. Some of the most hilarious updates (all here in their unedited glory) fall into the is having the times of their lives, including "is thinking one about the funniest thing EVER happened last night ha ha ha it was legendary... and it was caught on CCTV" and "had 35 people naked last night when playing my games... it was heaven... I knew I could do it."
Romantic updates fall into the Is full of lurve category, like "is over the moon that Siobhan said yes to marrying him" and "says: if I hadn't of met you I wouldn't have fallen for you, but I did and I have, and there's nothing I can do."
But the highlight of this quotations-only compilation is the category is giving out way too much information, which contains so much raunchy language, it just cannot be published on this D.C Books Examiner's page; however, some of the milder announcements are "is now a fully paid up member of the mile high club" and "knows how to look good naked... STOP LAUGHING!"
This is not a book about how to write great updates to amuse your friends (or bore them to death). Walsh has succeeded in what he set out to do, according to his book: Show that a status update "can give the world (depending on their privacy setting) an insight into the person's soul and how they are feeling at that moment, in a way that nothing else ever has."
For more info: Facebook fans who want news on this social-networking site, should visit Facebook Examiner Tracy Yen's page here.
Comments
Totally agree Camille, this book had me laughing out loud at every turn of the page.
What a great find this book is! I couldn't put it down after I bought it! It's an easy read and a guaranteed laugh!
i have this book in my bathroom and everyone that comes over LOVES it! Maybe too much in fact, at times there's quite a queue outside!
Great idea to the author!
Amazing book, makes you laugh out loud and realise how crazy and random some people are. One you can read over and over and not get bored with. Bring back the 'is'!!
Loved this book...took an afternoon off work to pick it up from the post office and to read it. Takes pride of place on my bookshelf. Laughed uncontrollably at some of the updates especially the sharing too much section! Genius idea! This book would make an excellent present even for those not inclined to read!
Romantic, Rude, Hilarious, Horrifying, Ingenious, Enchanting and Reflective whilst being Introverted and Extroverted simultaneously.
Gives a deep look into the hearts and souls of individuals who refuse to divest such information at an eye to eye basis, but feel comfortable telling the world at large whilst hiding behind a computer screen, which makes this book such a fascinating read to someone with my background!
Walsh's attention to detail with regards to the subject matters and layout must be commended, as it makes what could be a complicated book very simple, and open to readers at all levels!
Something for everyone!
Good review, and awesome comments! I'm convinced!
I'm glad to see I am not the only one who liked this book!
This book is my unofficial autobiography. I can realte to every single status in this book, either by my self or through one of my crazy friends.
Such a simple idea, which has turned out totally awesome!
Love this book!
I now only write interesting stuff on my status...well, interestiung to me anyway!
Made me laugh out loud - excellent work Walsh
I have to get this book! Thanks for bringing this to my attention Camille ;-)
I totally agree Camille! This book is the funniest book I have ever put my hands on. Thank you Patrick for a lovely read, what a brilliant idea! I also find this to be a perfect christmas gift to my friends,I dont need to be running around to look for something for them now. Everyone wants to laugh, and this book will definitely make them laugh like they have never laughed before.. So they will be so so happy and grateful for this book. Perfect.
Good work Mr.Walsh! :)
I couldn't put it down. LOVE IT! Thanks everyone ;-D
Have you ever noticed how people are more willing to disclose certain information to the world on Facebook/MySpace/Etc, whilst hiding behind their computer screen, than they are willing to disclose on a face-to-face level.
This is something that I have always found interesting within my social circles, and book gives such an insight into this on a wider scale.
This is an awesome read, at a totally reasonable price. It has made my Thanksgiving shopping more simplified this year!
This book has been my favourite read of the year, due to its multi-level facade.
Certain to be a huge seller this Christmas. Get on board peeps!
Thanks for the tip Camille
I loved reading this book as it made me laugh all day long.
I wish I had thought of this idea, as I have never considered Facebook from this perspective.
Five Stars from me!
Great book, thanks for the heads up y'all! It is basically Facebook with real pages that you can lay in the bath with and laugh out loud!
5 stars from me!
Got it, loved it.
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