What We Keep

Contributors include: Cheryl Strayed, Melinda Gates, Tony La Russa, Joss Whedon, Tim O'Brien, Ta-Nehisi Coates, James Patterson, Mark Cuban, Hasan Minhaj, Daniel Libeskind, and many more!

Everyone has that one object that holds deep meaning--some relic that speaks to our past, that carries a remarkable story. What We Keep will reveal the secret lives of objects--and the small, emotional moments we keep from the world but that make us who we are. For example, why would Joss Whedon keep a straw boater hat on his bedroom wall? Or how did a "hideously beautiful" vintage Chanel blazer change the life of one Austin, Texas woman?

The objects and stories come from a sweeping range of experiences and demographics--from famous entrepreneurs (Mark Cuban), award-winning writers (Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tim O'Brien), and cultural icons to hairdressers, dishwashers, and dog-walkers. Each story will appear in the form of an "as told to" along with a photo of the object, allowing the reader to see the nicks and scuffs on a locket, a playing card, a pocket knife. Of the countless objects we come across over the course of our lifetime, the objects we keep say a lot about us.

What We Keep will provide an intriguing glimpse into the private worlds of various people, and will lead us to question our own treasured things. Amidst the dueling trends of decluttering and over-consumption, this collection is a breath of fresh air, leading us to question what we truly value.

“"Our no-fail host gift? A book that's instantly absorbing yet easy to dip in and out of. This season, that book is What We Keep , a collection of interviews with a cast of personalities - some famous, others merely fascinating - about the objects they cherish above all others."-- Sunset”

"[A] moving new book, What We Keep, offers a meditation on the distinctly human need to find meaning in the inanimate."--Fast Company
"From the former editor-in-chief of Life Magazine comes this gorgeous photo collection of everyday things that people hold dear. A combination of fascinating interviews and photographs introduce readers to the most personal items owned by notable individuals including Cheryl Strayed, Melinda Gates, and Mark Cuban, all while examining the reasons we consider certain possessions invaluable."--Real Simple, 'The Best Books of 2018 (So Far)
"Our no-fail host gift? A book that's instantly absorbing yet easy to dip in and out of. This season, that book is What We Keep, a collection of interviews with a cast of personalities - some famous, others merely fascinating - about the objects they cherish above all others."--Sunset

Bill Shapiro is the former editor-in-chief of LIFE, the legendary photo magazine. Later, he was the founding editor-in-chief of LIFE.com and won the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital photography. He is the author of several books including the best-selling book Other People's Love Letters. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Contributors include: Cheryl Strayed, Melinda Gates, Tony La Russa, Joss Whedon, Tim O'Brien, Ta-Nehisi Coates, James Patterson, Mark Cuban, Hasan Minhaj, Daniel Libeskind, and many more ! Everyone has that one object that holds deep meaning--some relic that speaks to our past, that carries a remarkable story. What We Keep will reveal the secret lives of objects--and the small, emotional moments we keep from the world but that make us who we are. For example, why would Joss Whedon keep a straw boater hat on his bedroom wall? Or how did a "hideously beautiful" vintage Chanel blazer change the life of one Austin, Texas woman? The objects and stories come from a sweeping range of experiences and demographics--from famous entrepreneurs (Mark Cuban), award-winning writers (Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tim O'Brien), and cultural icons to hairdressers, dishwashers, and dog-walkers. Each story will appear in the form of an "as told to" along with a photo of the object, allowing the reader to see the nicks and scuffs on a locket, a playing card, a pocket knife. Of the countless objects we come across over the course of our lifetime, the objects we keep say a lot about us. What We Keep will provide an intriguing glimpse into the private worlds of various people, and will lead us to question our own treasured things. Amidst the dueling trends of decluttering and over-consumption, this collection is a breath of fresh air, leading us to question what we truly value.

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