Synopsis

The story of a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even love

Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist and septuagenarian believes that most people aren’t really honest with each other. But what if they were? And so he writes–in a plain, green journal–the truth about his own life and leaves it in his local café.

This café is run by the incredibly tidy and efficient Monica, who furtively adds her own entry and leaves the book in the wine bar across the street. Before long, the others who find the green notebook add the truths about their own deepest selves–and soon find each other in real life at Monica’s café…

Review

In a world of social media, how honest are we about who we really are? Based on the author’s experiences, this book explores the idea that our true self is not the one we present to society, nor the one people assume.

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley follows a group of strangers whose lives are intertwined because of a project started by a lonely artist. Each person shares their story in a book and passes it on.

It’s a lovely story. Characters are really relatable and there are elements of all of us in them. We hide behind a façade or share only what we think people want to see.

This book was predictable; in fact I guessed the endings for most of the characters the minute they were introduced. Usually that would bother me.

But in this book I didn’t mind, I was so invested in the lives of these people and the difference they made to each other. It made me reassess who my own authentic self is and I started to consider being more honest at work and on bookstagram.

This book was sweet, funny and heartfelt – the perfect feel-good read. 

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