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The Things You Would Have Said: The Chance to Say What You Always Wanted Them to Know
A collection of extraordinary letters expressing the joys, sorrows, and surprises of ordinary lives. We've all missed the chance to say something important. Friends fall out of touch, loved ones pass away, or sometimes the courage required is simply lacking-and thank-yous, regrets, feelings, and secrets are left unshared. In 2009, Jackie Hooper came up with a way to help people recapture a moment that had once passed them by-she began asking them to write letters. Based on the popular blog The Things You Would Have Said,, this extraordinary collection of letters brings together the moving, surprising, and inspiring stories of ordinary people. By turns heartwarming, funny, sad, and wise, the letters showcase a remarkable range of voices and subjects. From the indignant young boy urging his bully to become "a better man," to the woman apologizing to the girl she picked on in high school, to a man thanking the woman who protected his family from Nazis, the letters bring together an outpouring of emotion that is as compelling as it is cathartic.
- GenresNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 26, 2020
A collection of extraordinary letters expressing the joys, sorrows, and surprises of ordinary lives. We've all missed the chance to say something important. Friends fall out of touch, loved ones pass away, or sometimes the courage required is simply lacking-and thank-yous, regrets, feelings, and secrets are left unshared. In 2009, Jackie Hooper came up with a way to help people recapture a moment that had once passed them by-she began asking them to write letters.
Seriously, I cannot rate this because of its real people's emotions and thoughts. But at least I can say that I wish the blog still running so I can send letters myself. we all have lots of regrets, unfinished words, and explanations but alas, the blog is already gone.
most of the letters touched me in one way or another, here are some of the lines I would like to share with you.
Seriously, I cannot rate this because of its real people's emotions and thoughts. But at least I can say that I wish the blog still running so I can send letters myself. we all have lots of regrets, unfinished words, and explanations but alas, the blog is already gone.
most of the letters touched me in one way or another, here are some of the lines I would like to share with you.
"...I love you and I miss you but I can never forgive you"
"...I don't know why you chose to leave us that day, what could've been so bad that you decided to end your life like this.
If I had known that was the last conversation that was ever going to have with you, I would make it much more meaningful."
"... I am so mad at you because you didn't call me after your accident but I know why you didn't call, you are too tough, you didn't need help, you are fine. and sure you are a strong chick, you would never ask for help no matter how much you needed it. and that may ultimately be why you died.
i am mad because it didn't have to end this way, I am mad that you know how much I cared about you but you pushed me aways, and I am mad at myself, I should've gone away and bothered you all the time anyway just to make sure everything is okay.
maybe I didn't make it clear enough how much you meant to me. not many people know the real you. I wish that hasn't been the case.
Not many people know how sad you are, how scared, how lonely. you never said you were but I know you were.
I am sorry for that, I am sorry that I wasn't there for you more, that I was so caught up in my life that I just assumed you would be okay, that you would be here forever.
... The saddest part for me though is knowing that you were alone. I wish I was there with you, if not to help you, at least to let you know that you were never alone..."
April 8, 2013
I received this book as Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, sometimes emotional but enjoyable read. It is a project by Jackie Hooper. She collected letters that people wrote to people they know or have known sometime in their life. The letters were apologies as well as thank yous and some are I am just so proud of yous or I can't believe that you did thats. They help you to realize that you never really know what affect your words and actions have on people and their lives. It can be either positive or negative. It seems as tho this project was beneficial to help people put into words things that may have been on their mind for some time. Very interesting concept.
March 30, 2013
Wow! Truly an amazing book.
It brought me to tears and made be smile like an idiot, whilst being on an airplane. I
finished the book and I fell in love with it. I think it was a great idea to do this, I feel like people got to fully express themselves and maybe let go some of that guilt they have been holding on to for so long.
It really moved me, and made me look at life a little bit differently. I should appreciate everything that I have and make the best of it, spend each day like its my last and be fully content.
I should hold on to the ones I care and love deeply, because you never know when it will be your last conversation... and you don't want to leave it as something unpleasant that you might blame yourself or have guilt for the rest of your life.
It brought me to tears and made be smile like an idiot, whilst being on an airplane. I
finished the book and I fell in love with it. I think it was a great idea to do this, I feel like people got to fully express themselves and maybe let go some of that guilt they have been holding on to for so long.
It really moved me, and made me look at life a little bit differently. I should appreciate everything that I have and make the best of it, spend each day like its my last and be fully content.
I should hold on to the ones I care and love deeply, because you never know when it will be your last conversation... and you don't want to leave it as something unpleasant that you might blame yourself or have guilt for the rest of your life.
April 28, 2013
I decided to get this book after seeing a story about it on a television show. Many of the letters were heartfelt and the entire concept of the book interesting. Plus the letters about the dogs made me miss my dog even more.
May 6, 2013
This book and the story about it on CBS Sunday Morning have challenged me to tell my loved ones how I really feel and to live my life without regrets.
April 15, 2019
I found this book when I visit my office library for the first time but decided to borrow it on my second visit there.
This book consists of letters from various people around the writer. Anyone can send the letter and anyone can write anything they want to anyone. Even though the letter would not received by the person they intended but by putting it on the letter itself already made them feel better. It feels like we actually had said it directly.
Reading this book feels like the person exactly telling the story to me, it feels like they are just like my friends who tell their story or problems if they have ones.
Since mostly of the letters are about personal matters, I could feel the sincerity they put on their letters and I can't help laughing, smiling, and also crying by reading it.
Some stories feel like my own stories, some reminded me of my past, some others are too hard to even imagine, and some others are like kesson that I should remember.
This book consists of letters from various people around the writer. Anyone can send the letter and anyone can write anything they want to anyone. Even though the letter would not received by the person they intended but by putting it on the letter itself already made them feel better. It feels like we actually had said it directly.
Reading this book feels like the person exactly telling the story to me, it feels like they are just like my friends who tell their story or problems if they have ones.
Since mostly of the letters are about personal matters, I could feel the sincerity they put on their letters and I can't help laughing, smiling, and also crying by reading it.
Some stories feel like my own stories, some reminded me of my past, some others are too hard to even imagine, and some others are like kesson that I should remember.
May 7, 2018
I enjoyed this a lot. A short book, probably could’ve read it in a day or two if I had the luxury of time. Some really sweet letters - I laughed at some and cried at others.
July 28, 2020
I recommend! A great reminder that life is precious and can pass you by leaving you wishing you had done more. Read this book to convince yourself to do more.
January 2, 2021
Interesting, but overall a lot of the letters were really sad and depressing.
May 30, 2013
*** 3.75 rating ***
I saw this book on CBS Sunday Morning and thought I had to have it. As the title implies, it's a compilation of messages - from real people - to the loved ones that they never were able to share. It's really a book of stories about love, regret, compassion, gratitude, and - sometimes - even anger. It is a quick little read that packs a powerful punch (have tissues ready for many of the entires).
I was intrigued that the author, Jackie Hooper, actually began this book as a blog where real people were - and still are - encouraged to write letters to loved ones. I fall a little more in love with the book the more I read the entries on the blog (wouldhavesaid.com).
I saw this book on CBS Sunday Morning and thought I had to have it. As the title implies, it's a compilation of messages - from real people - to the loved ones that they never were able to share. It's really a book of stories about love, regret, compassion, gratitude, and - sometimes - even anger. It is a quick little read that packs a powerful punch (have tissues ready for many of the entires).
I was intrigued that the author, Jackie Hooper, actually began this book as a blog where real people were - and still are - encouraged to write letters to loved ones. I fall a little more in love with the book the more I read the entries on the blog (wouldhavesaid.com).
June 17, 2013
This book is quite short and could be read in just a few hours. I was expecting something different. Although some of the letters are funny and uplifting, most are frankly depressing. A lot of the letters are full of regret and sadness at things gone unsaid. Hopefully writing the letter provided the writer with some sense of closure or relief, and maybe this book will inspire people to write their own letters, or better yet, talk to their loved ones before it's too late. I received a free copy through the first reads program.
April 2, 2013
I received this book as a giveaway and started reading it immediately after I picked it up at the post office. I was intrigued by the concept of the project and couldn't put it down. Reading the letters of people expressing the things they wished they had said encouraged me to think about words unspoken that I wished I had said. Thinking about that warped into the notion that living in the present and telling the people you love is important. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
May 8, 2012
At a 191 pages this is a fast read. It is by turns, poignant, very sad funny and engrossing.
Writing a letter to the departed by death or otherwise is often recommended for healing purposes. This book made that dynamic clearer for me and also gave me insights into the human condition. To me this always makes for a good read.
Writing a letter to the departed by death or otherwise is often recommended for healing purposes. This book made that dynamic clearer for me and also gave me insights into the human condition. To me this always makes for a good read.
April 9, 2013
This book was a Goodreads giveaway (First Reads). I had expected something completely different than this book. I appreciate the author's desire to give voice to people who weren't able to say what they didn't get a chance to say, but after the first 10 or so pages, I knew what to expect. I managed to finish the book, but I was hoping for more diverse reading and became bored before I finished.
February 21, 2016
This book is a serious reminder why we need to tell people how much we love and appreciate them while they're still in our lives. It is full of letters that expose deep feelings of loss as well as the joy of past relationships. I was touched by people's willingness to share and their stories; each letter was a short story with characters I couldn't help but care about.
April 15, 2015
How could I not give this 5 stars?? It's a book full of letters from people who left things unsaid. I was brought to tears and laughter. I'm now inspired to do my own letter writing to close some hurtful experiences of my past.
December 1, 2016
Hooper offered people the chance of writing a letter of something they wish they would have said or done differently for a person in their life. Many touching stories; brought back memories of people in my own life that I knew during a specific time that I have lost contact with. Thought provoking.
September 24, 2012
Excellent. Letters were beautifully written, but sometimes seemed repetitive. I really enjoyed the letters from older people who reminised about horrible treatment in Nazi Germany.
March 6, 2014
It is a good book, reminding me about my love ones. It is not good idea to read before go to bed, otherwise you would not could sleep.
April 24, 2013
Tears. So many tears. I looked like a jumbled mess after finishing this book.
April 28, 2013
An easy, but important read. It puts life in perspective.
September 25, 2013
Read most of the book. Not what I was expecting. Collection of letters people have written. Some were sad others interesting.
June 18, 2013
Liked the idea more than I liked reading it.
January 24, 2014
I love Jackie!
October 27, 2014
I found this book very sad...
April 30, 2015
Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always thought-provoking. Reminded me that I have a few letters of my own to write.
May 13, 2015
Quick short read. This books gives others a chance to express things that wish they had said.
October 12, 2012
Beautiful and inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews