It Chooses You by Miranda July
Published: November 15th 2011 by McSweeney’s Publishing
Genre: Nonfiction, Art, Short stories.
Pages: 218

I don’t think I knew what this book was before I had read over half of it. I mean, one can always assume, but this one takes very subtle turns. I’m not saying it takes twists and turns and that it reads like an exciting thriller, but it’s exciting in the way that life is exciting and you don’t know which way it’s going to go.

The book is the perfect example of what good can come out of procrastination. Miranda July is close to finishing her screenplay when it stops calling out to her. Instead she picks up the pennysaver and starts visiting the people selling random items.

So that’s what I thought it was about, a sort of short interview with the average Joe and Jane. Something reminiscent of Humans of New York. That’s not what it is though. This is the world of Miranda and her journey through procrastinating and finishing her script. It just so happens to include a lot of other interesting people on the way.

This is the perfect exercise of showing that everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to teach, whether they are aware of it or not. We all hold some form of wisdom within our personal experiences that someone else can tap something out of. We all own something within us that can teach, inspire, touch or spark any and all spectrums of thoughts or emotions with other people.

What you choose to see in each person and what you wish to get from it is entirely up to you. I got food for my soul. That warm comfort that there’s a place in the world for anyone and anything. And there just might me a spot for me too, as soon as I know which spot I’d like to fill, or not, it doesn’t matter, everything is relative.

(It’s also worth mentioning that the book is full of wonderful photographs by Brigitte Sire, photos that show the tender side of places, people and objects we might just take for granted and not pay any mind.)