The Used’s Bert McCracken will be releasing a new book, titled “In Love and Death: The Lost Notebook,” on November 4. Pre-orders are available HERE. Here's a synopsis:
“This intimate, long-lost artifact—composed of handwritten lyrics, poems, sketches, and personal reflections from nearly twenty years ago—will be available in a signed, limited edition beginning late Fall 2025 only available through Rare Bird, along with an unsigned non-slipcase standard edition in stores worldwide.*
Originally thought to be lost forever, McCracken’s personal notebook—used during the creation of The Used’s seminal 2004 album ‘In Love and Death’—resurfaced unexpectedly online and was safely returned to him after two decades. Now, for the first time, McCracken opens the pages to share the raw thoughts and formative writings that would evolve into some of the band’s most beloved songs.
More than a behind-the-scenes look at one of emo’s most influential records, ‘In Love and Death: The Lost Notebook’ is an artifact of emotional honesty and artistic fearlessness. Alongside raw, unfiltered entries from McCracken’s early twenties are evocative doodles, scraps of lyrics, and deeply personal reflections on grief, addiction, creativity, and resilience.”
McCracken added:
“This notebook is a time capsule. It’s a snapshot of who I was, what I went through, and how those emotions turned into the music we made. Getting it back brought a rush of memories—pain, joy, chaos, and everything in between.
I never thought I’d publish a book—unless it was weird, postmodern fiction. But when I found this notebook again, I knew I had to share it. I was fearless then. And there’s magic in what survived.”