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If you’re a book person, the chances are you've stumbled across a scribbled dedication in the very front of the book after the title page. Usually rather personal, these dedications can praise a person but also tell them something nice, memorable or even funny. It’s totally up to a giver to decide the message of the dedication.

Some people have surely taken this small and symbolic thing to a whole new level and turned it into an endeavor in its own right. The results vary from genuinely hilarious to slightly weird, but it turns out that a good book dedication is a form of art in itself.

Writer and book blogger Ezioma Nwanyimma who goes by the Twitter handle @EziomaKalu has clearly taken good notice of that and wrapped up the most interesting book dedications in this viral thread. Scroll down to see what she dug up!

To find out more about the art of writing book dedications, Bored Panda reached out to Sheila Lowe, a handwriting examiner and best-selling book author, including a series of forensic mysteries “Inkslingers Ball” (2014), “Outside the Lines” (2016), “Written Off” (2018), “Proof of Life” (2019).

When asked what kind of significance a book dedication has, Lowe said that it really depends on what the person buying the book is looking for. “Collectors want only a signature with no personalization. Some intend to give the book as a gift. Others love to have the author write something personal, just for them,” she said and added that “like beauty, the significance is in the view of the beholder.”

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DennyS (denzoren)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, suck it! I've had some of those teachers in the past...specifically that one teacher in Upper six.

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When it comes to writing her own book dedications, Lowe said that although every time she signs her name in a book, she wants it to be meaningful, “sometimes, writing just the right words in a dedication is harder than writing the book!”

“When I know the reader, or there is a special reason, what I say is important to me. For others, I sometimes have a set phrase that I use. For example, in my new book, The Last Door, I might write something airy like, ‘It’s time to open the Last Door.’ Or for Dead Letters, which takes place at an archaeological dig, ‘I hope you ‘dig’ the book.’ Silly things like that,” Lowe told us.

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Lowe also recounted an encounter she had with American writer Michael Connelly when he signed a book for her years ago. “Knowing I was a newish writer at the time, he wrote in a book to me, ‘If writin’ is fightin’ I hope you go ten rounds,’ which meant a lot to me (though I’m sure he wrote the same to many writers, lol),” Lowe remembered. She later served on a faculty with him at a mystery writer’s conference.

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Ezioma_Nwanyimma Report

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nobodyever
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“I got a shout out from the book!” “ cool you know the author in person right?” “No.”

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DennyS (denzoren)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Momofuku Ando is a hero to so many people. I myself have been saved by him on occasion.

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Sadly, it seems like writing a book dedication was way more popular in the past than it is today. Lowe says she can only guess why it is like that. “What comes to mind is that with mass media bombarding us all the time, the world has become far less personal and people may pay less attention to that which is. Many people use electronic devices to read on, so that puts the kibosh on a written note,” she explained.

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DennyS (denzoren)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They won it fair and square. Those who were angry should have tweeted. Lol

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Moreover, “often, too, readers buy books online rather than in person, so don’t have an opportunity to meet the author. For that purpose, I have printed bookplates that I sign and send to readers who request them,” Lowe said. She also added that with handwriting being less prevalent, not everyone can read a note written in cursive.

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Artsy Bookworm
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG I read this book. It's a beautiful book. Bit slow moving at first, but it's amazing

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Locke Lamora
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What book is this from? I swear I’ve seen it before. Edit: Thanks, everyone!

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GirlFriday
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am glad I am not the only one to hate that last episode. I loved the series, but that last episode....

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Michael Largey
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't only listen to "constructive criticism". I've gotten very useful information and insights from people who meant me no damn good. Your enemies will tell you truths that your friends never will.

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Ezioma_Nwanyimma Report

Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.