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Notes from a Public Typewriter
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
26 posts | 14 read | 28 to read
A collection of confessional, hilarious, heartbreaking notes written anonymously on a public typewriter for fans of PostSecret and Other People's Love Letters. 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 designer Oliver Uberti 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.
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TheKidUpstairs
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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#OnThisDay in 1808 Pellegrino Turri completed construction of (possibly) the world's first typewriter. The idea of a machine for letters came from Henry Mill in 1714, but it wasn't until Turri invented carbon paper to provide ink that the idea was made possible. And that led to all this (and more): https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/80104/19-authors-and-their-typewriters #History GetsLIT

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wanderinglynn
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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This sign was on Green Apple Books‘s window. 💜

AmyG That‘s perfect. 3y
TheSpineView 💜 3y
Kayla.Adriena Ahhh I love Literati! The bookstore where the public typewriter sits 😍😍😍 3y
PageShifter I love this 💞 3y
99 likes4 comments
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Kayla.Adriena
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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I've been on a hiatus for over a year. My life has changed in incredible ways since then. I feel like I need to bang it out on a typewriter! Anyway, just wanted to hop on here quick, share this photo I snapped at Literati today (an independent bookstore long on my bucket list),! And say that I miss you bookish people, hope you're all well.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you are ok!! ❤️❤️ 3y
julesG Good to hear from you! ❤️ 3y
CaliforniaCay Kayla! I was just flipping through a stack of old litsylove, looking for the address of another penpal, when I came across a small stack from you. I thought to myself, I hope she's doin alright. And here you are! Missed you my friend, glad you popped by 🤗😘 3y
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erzascarletbookgasm Glad you drop by! Hope you‘re doing well and see more of you here 🤍 3y
Kayla.Adriena Thanks everyone! @CaliforniaCay I received your note way back when, it meant a lot! Especially the pressure not to respond! I thought of you when I was at Literati actually! I hope to write you soon. We moved so you'll be seeing a different address 🙂 3y
CaliforniaCay @Kayla.Adriena That's awesome! 🥰 Still no rush to write, my neverending stack of letters to respond to grows taller everyday 😆 but shoot me an email before reaching out because I also have a new address! 3y
32 likes6 comments
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DoonTheGoon
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Pickpick

Real, raw, and relentlessly human. ♡

AmyG This Literati bookstore is one of my favoirites. Great place. (edited) 4y
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DoonTheGoon
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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New acquisitions - quite excited to dig into these!

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abookishbutterfly
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Pickpick

I enjoyed all aspects of this book: Gustafson‘s thoughtful additions, the meaningful glimpses of authentic lives, and the artistic photography.

Full review here: https://www.facebook.com/262384764521804/posts/416350309125248/?d=n

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abookishbutterfly
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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abookishbutterfly
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Each of us has a note to leave behind, and I realized more of them deserve to be read. ~Notes From a Public Typewriter/Michael Gustafson

*not my photo* Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lightpoem-photography/13125926494/

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keithmalek
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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1. Yes.
2. 90% non-fiction 10% fiction
3. Politics
4. It's impossible to choose just one
5. Notes From a Public Typewriter by Michael Gustafson

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keithmalek
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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keithmalek
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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keithmalek
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson

A bookstore is larger than the universe. After all, the universe only contains what IS.

Bklover Yes! 6y
18 likes1 comment
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JackOBotts
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Absolutely lovely...the magic of the typewriter and the stories shared through its keys. Now I “have” to visit this bookstore Ann Arbor! 📚 No typewriter emoji?! #butthereisafaxmachine 📠 ?! 🤷🏻‍♀️

GondorGirl Literati is an awesome store! I highly recommend checking it out! And if you're in Ann Arbor anyway add Dawntreader to your list! 6y
JackOBotts Thanks for the recommendations, @GondorGirl! Hopefully I can make a trip out that way someday! 🤞🏼 A #bookspedition of sorts! 6y
45 likes2 comments
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Jillybeane
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Pickpick

Fucking. Yikes. Now that‘s a terrifying thought.

This was a quick, sweet read, and I think I‘ll mail it to somebody so they can love bookstores all over again, too.

AmyG 😳 Frightening 6y
Burghbookaddict I didn't need to know this 😫 6y
Jillybeane @laurenashley girl neither did I but here we are 😭 6y
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Jillybeane
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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SUPER EFFING STOKED!!!

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rather_be_reading
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Day 24 of #riotgrams: Read in one sitting. @bookriot

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Jennie748
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Pickpick

Who knew such a short book could make me laugh, sob, and make me green with envy?!

rather_be_reading yes i loved it too! 6y
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Txdmarie
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Pickpick

It was a great quick read. It made me think, made me laugh and some really hit home. The different writings were a joy to read and I feel a little closer to the simplicity of peoples thoughts when they encounter a typewriter. Completely different style then I would normally pick up but so glad I tried it! Proud it‘s in my collection now!

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Txdmarie
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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This literally made me LOL!

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Txdmarie
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Arrived today! Cant wait!

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BookishRedhead
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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BookishRedhead
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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BookishRedhead
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Sweet little book with pictures

rather_be_reading loved it! 6y
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rather_be_reading
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Book 22 of 2018: Notes from a public typewriter by Michael Gustafson @LiteratiBookstore

SilversReviews I LOVE typewriters. Need to check this out. 7y
Eki I love that cover. 7y
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rather_be_reading
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Have u guys heard of this?? @LiteratiBookstore has a typewriter in their store and people leave messages and they saved them and made a book with them! I ordered my copy on Friday! I cant wait!

wanderinglynn That‘s super cool! 7y
PathfinderNicole I live an hour and a half away from this bookstore but never been. I‘m hoping to get there next week for the first time though! 7y
Jemgirl2014 I love stuff like that! How cool! Thanks for sharing. 😊 7y
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Airforcesister Great idea!! 7y
SleepyDragon Didn't realize this was a thing! The Vonnegut Library has been doing this, with one of his typewriters i believe, since they opened. I think it's rigged to post online, though. So, no book. 7y
EH2018 Thanks for posting! I have to check it out 7y
rather_be_reading @CommanderShepards u shud!! dnt forget to post pics ☺ 7y
rather_be_reading @Jemgirl2014 me too! its one of those things where u say "why didnt i think of tht"! 7y
rather_be_reading @NeesyBeth thts awesome! 7y
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Javan_Wildes
Notes from a Public Typewriter | Michael Gustafson
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Such a great idea from the guys at Literati Bookstore! I‘ve been waiting on this book to be released since I heard the idea and it‘s finally out for sale today. #literatibookstore #notesfromapublictypewriter

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