I absolutely loved Shapton's previous work, [b:Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry|5150897|Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry|Leanne Shapton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311977324s/5150897.jpg|5217893], which I still pull off my shelf occasionally to leaf through or show someone. This book isn't quite up to the same detailed standard, but I do love the way Shapton creatively organizes thoughts on relationships. Here, she tackles The Ex, The Ex-es, the men and women who were here before you. It resonates, man. Hahaha - literally had to stop trying to describe my exes in a similar way while I was reading. I would post a personal example here except, hey, this is the internet and I don't know who's reading. Possibly somebody who considers me The Ex.

(Though I should note that I was surprised to not see any technology brought up within the pages - plenty of home phones and letters and diaries but no cell phones, text messages, social media, etc. Different generation?)