Smith, Larry and Rachel Fershleiser. It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure. Harper, 2010. ISBN 978-0061719431 256 pp. $

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I love the concept of 6-word memoirs–unfortunately, this collection is uneven in quality and repetitive in theme. The inclusion of several illustrations in the form of captioned sketches or complete comic panels was a nice break; the black text on white pages was broken up with choice memoirs in white font on a black background. Submissions from the late author Frank McCourt and a number of celebrities may be a draw for some readers; Molly Ringwald and Neil Patrick Harris are notable and pithy. A very short section elaborates further on some stories behind selected 6-word entries.

The index is too incomplete to be of much use, with entries under a few broad categories like “laughter.” A fun browse, but mostly forgettable–may be useful for writing prompts in workshops.