E. Taylor

Thank you so much for this book and especially for the letter to Convenience Store at the end. I feel so genuinely seen and having the privilege to read this has really affirmed my existence. As someone who has written a few poems for water towers that have captured my heart, I especially want to emphasize how much the letter to Convenience Store resonated with my soul. As far as the book goes, I want to say that, as someone who has spent my whole life trying on labels to explain my nonconformity away, to avoid rejection, and so I don’t inconvenience others unnecessarily, this book has really made me think about what labels I accept for myself and what masks I have just been putting on for others. I’ve realized that while some of these labels I use have been helpful in finding me community and support, others haven’t been labels, but lies and masks that have done more harm than good, and just in general this book has made me think a lot about how I am shaped by everything around me even when I feel so different and disconnected from it all. I don’t want to just survive in this world, I want to thrive, and this book has given me valuable insight on how I can do that, so thank you again!