ANN ARBOR – A recent Central Michigan University graduate decided to talk to strangers and the world may be better off for it.

Brandon Doman’s result? “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” a book of journal entries collected from people on the streets of Ann Arbor over a five-day period.

“Couples stop by (writing they love each other),” Doman said. “Other people find it therapeutic, I think. I’ve had several people cry.”

His favorite part of the project, he said, is to experience people coming together.

“(I’ve) found a lot of people (are) able to share an amazing amount with a stranger,” he said.

Doman graduated from CMU in May with a bachelor’s degree in English. His interest in English and writing was what inspired him to begin his projects, he said.

“I just like people’s stories,” Doman said. “A lot of people are really touched by it.”

Sherrine Eckersley, an Illinois resident visiting Ann Arbor for business, sat down with Doman and wasn’t originally planning on writing in his journal.

“I was more interested on what he was doing and why,” she said.

Eckersley ended up writing and venting about a street preacher she saw.

“Someone in the world will read it,” she said.

The entries were printed without a name, something Doman said was important.

“(It’s) supposed to be anonymous, ambiguous on age and gender,” he said. “By leaving the name out, it is easier to relate the stories.”

A very large range of people of different genders, economic backgrounds and ages have written their thoughts down in his journal, he said.

“(There is) a wide range of everything (in the journal), every kind of person,” he said. “(I have) all sides of life. Most of the stories are pretty heartbreaking.”

Doman till sits outside of Espresso Royale, 322 S. State St., in Ann Arbor, with a sign explaining his project and an invite for strangers to sit down.

“I’ve talked to maybe 120 (people) in a week and a half,” he said.

Doman is selling his book online and on the street, and is offering an Adobe PDF file to download online for free.

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E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell