“I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.”
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BuzzFeed News talked to the man behind the viral picture, and the backstory is amazing.
A few days ago, an anonymous redditor posted this picture of him, with the caption "I gave this homeless man, Paul, my Kindle after learning that he'd been reading the same book over and over. He hasn't put it down for days". The picture swiftly went viral, so BuzzFeed News reached out to the redditor to find out a little more.
I'm 31 and I work as a reverse engineer for a company who makes IT security appliances. As far as hobbies go, I love to travel and do it quite regularly for work and whenever I can for fun. I also like to climb, run, cycle, ride my motorcycle, go hiking/backpacking/wilderness camping, and I have an unhealthy obsession with board games.
The photo was actually taken a couple of days after I gave him the Kindle – I didn't originally intend to share this with anyone but after seeing him repeatedly and getting so much joy from it, I just had to. I gave it to him knowing that he might sell it, which I wouldn't have blamed him for – people have to eat. Seeing him for a few days after that while I was still in Las Vegas, it brought me so much joy to see him completely absorbed in it.
He wouldn't even look up when I or anyone else walked by unless I got his attention. It made me tear up after the first time I saw him using it the next day after giving it to him – I was so happy to see someone get so much out of something I really took for granted. I'm really hoping that by sharing this, I'll inspire other people to do something nice for someone in need.
I don't know how he ended up homeless, I didn't ask. I mostly just talked to him about reading and how to operate the Kindle. As far as people doing anything for him, I don't have his contact information. He has a lot of people who miss him back home, but I'm going to keep the information about where he's from to myself so he can maintain some privacy. They have reached out to me and there are a large number of people who miss him. The good news is, he'll be back home in the summertime so they don't have to worry much any more. I've gotten the word back to them on that as well.
The announcement of the To Kill a Mockingbird sequel has sparked controversy.
Harper Lee
ASSOCIATED PRESS Rob Carr
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper
Winter is for sure not coming.
Lucas Jackson / Reuters
Casey Curry/Invision / AP
Parkwood Entertainment / Via giphy.com
Can you take a yearlong diverse books challenge?
Chris Ritter/BuzzFeed
New Line Cinema / Via giphy.com
After a long time reading books written by people in publishing's privileged majority, I want to spend a year seeking some balance in the perspectives and voices I take in. Hence, this personal diverse books challenge!
“Caution: Hot. And literate.”
Buy here.
"Featuring opening lines of some of the greatest works of literature from 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' to 'Call me Ishmael' and 22 more. It'll give you the literary inspiration to tackle your day."
Buy here.
Be honest.
Via en.wikipedia.org
The Washington Post / Getty Images
Sure, most of these authors are no longer alive, but it’s OK to dream. Inspired by the Harper Lee news.
Why: Um, because we spent the entire book waiting to see Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy get together and now we don't even get to read about the rest of their magical lives together? IS THIS A SICK JOKE?
Suggested Title: Love & Loveliness.
Via amazon.com
Why: It'd be cool to see Holden grow up! We could see him figure himself out and maybe even be happy? Or he can continue being crabby and angsty — it doesn't really matter, because his narration is addictive and there should be more of it in existence.
Suggested Title: The Pitcher in the Rye
Why: It's a powerful and scary book and we learned our lesson about privacy and government surveillance. Now can we please have a good old-fashioned uprising led by an old Winston and Julia who've somehow overcome all their emotional trauma?
Suggested Title: 2015
Via amazon.com
Why: This book ended on such an uplifting note, and it'd be nice to see Celie's life with her family by her side.
Suggested Title: The Color Magenta
Via amazon.com
What do you mean you can’t find that book you borrowed????????????
ABC / Via reddit.com
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12 Beautifully Profound Quotes From "To Kill A Mockingbird"