Voyeuristic Tendencies

Do you pick up notes you find on the ground (sometimes)? Or open envelopes found in old books(always)? How about reading a grocery list left behind in the cart( usually)? Reading used notebooks in a garage sale(yes) or inscriptions inside used books (guilty)?

These voyeuristic tendencies must satisfy some kind of primal need since I think that most people are curious to see what others are thinking, feeling, doing. This explains the premise of Found Magazine.

The magazine can be a bit overwhelming to read in one sitting, so I keep a copy at my desk and read a few pages here and there. First published in 2001, this unique magazine has an interesting slant on collecting subject matter.

"We collect found stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, doodles-- anything that gives a glimpse into someone else's life.

Another site is called Forgotten Bookmarks. Michael works in a used book store and blogs about "the personal, funny, heartbreaking and weird things I find in those books."

Abe Books website has an article called 'Things Found in Books' and it lists things such as old baseball cards, a pinky ring, photos,etc. Very interesting reading.