I didn’t know it before but When Parents Text originated as a website before the book of the same title came into fruition. The website was created by two best friends from my home state of New Jersey which led to the “Best Of” collection, if you will, for readers to pick up at their nearby book stores.

A collection of insanely funny texts between parents and kids, When Parents Text is a surprisingly affecting window into the complicated time when parents aren’t ready to let go, and kids aren’t ready to be let go. The parents are well-meaning but hopeless, silly and a little corny, and befuddled by the technology. The kids are bewildered yet patient: the perfect straight man. And the authors, two recent college graduates, Lauren Kaelin and Sophia Fraioli, have an unerring editorial instinct to select the funniest, sweetest, quirkiest, most-telling exchanges.

When Parents Text is any easy read, so easy that you could finish it in less than two hours thanks to the constant flow of quick laughs on each and every page. The book begins with a brief introduction to the authors and a quick origin story of the website which is definitely helpful for readers like me going into this collection blind. Then the 200+ text messages begin, many aided with funny illustrations… and there’s even a chapter dedicated to odd photo messages! The topics that are covered are hilarious not just because the parents are texting but because some of the texts translate well even for the tech savvy. Everyone makes mistakes, whether they have to do with signatures, spelling and grammar, pre-maturely worrying when someone does not text back in a quick manner, abusing quick text mistakes, remembering a song through text, and so on. The hip Grandparents are in on the texting too (check “Boom Box”). It’s all covered here.

“Caps Lock”

Mom: i want to show you a video online, but the password isn’t working

Me: is it on caps lock?

Mom: no it’s on youtube

But the parents don’t always have it wrong… in fact they are so on point that they end up playing their own children. There’s no diss that packs quite the punch like that from a parent. But it’s not just the bad but the annoyingly good, such as a Disney Play by Play and a parent texting their child to enjoy the wonderful Saturday morning ahead. Favorite texts include “Big Ups,” “Unread,” “Money,” “Being Cool,” “Mime,” and “A-.”

The more advanced crowd is given reason to constantly wonder how the amateur crowd comes to the conclusion to certain texts, such as sending a multiple choice or coded text and it’s all laid out here. Let’s not forget the things that people do with emoticons (read “Monkey Face”). But text messaging is just the beginning to how we communicate today. Social media has played a large role in our lives over the most recent years, so it’s no wonder why texts dedicated to Facebook are showcased here. And how a VCR connects to Skype abd Quidditch to Twitter is beyond me. Confused? So was I. Must read texts in this collection include “Password III,” “Confirming,” “Social Dating Sites,” “Number One Search Engine,” “Chicken Parm Tonight” and “Divorce.”

“NYD”

Mom: Happy hangover, sweetie. Be sure to clean up the bathroom. Love, mom.

No topic is off limits. Even special occasions such as National Grilled Cheese Day are not forgotten but the texts “Dad Gift Guide VII” and “Thanksgiving” take the cake. If you think that’s funny, “Lag” in the Meal Times chapter will have you rolling on the floor laughing. There’s also a chapter dedicated to Pet related text messages for all of you animal lovers. Perhaps the best chapter has to be “Wow” sharing some of the most bizarre texts imaginable. “Adrenaline” is definitely the most bizarre of the bunch. The text messages were so mind boggling that I was thrilled when the chapter was over and I could make sense of something… entertainment especially. The “28 Days Later” and “LOTR Wisdom” are perhaps the best of the Entertainment but the Harry Potter chapter brings the most entertainment of them all, especially with the recent end of the film series still fresh in my mind.

“Lost in Translation” and “SOS” will really make you chuckle and if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like for your mother to try to hook you at the library, read

“Quiet Floor.” “Church Guilt” is another favorite of mine and is sure to make you laugh no matter what your spiritual background. The end of the collection holds a glossary of emoticons and such which is more laughable than useful. Clearly. In the end though, what’s so wonderful about this book is that these text messages bring out people’s honest reactions… which sometimes leads to honest mistakes that many family members will never forget. But no matter the subject manner and the disconnect between generations, this collection exemplifies love and that is worth reading about.

When Parents Text: So Much Said…So Little Understood by Sophia Fraioli, Lauren Kaelin releases September 1, 2011.