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This author has never been defined to a single form. From short stories, non-fiction, and novels (most recently Pure Colour), Sheila’s voice is distinct and speaks volumes on the pain & pleasures of growing up.
What makes Alphabetical Diaries special, is that it’s exactly what the title implies: years of journal entries organized alphabetically by the first word. The premise might sound disjointed to some, but Sheila’s sentences are sharp enough to make it work. There’s recurring characters, inner thoughts, and ideas that get us closer to Sheila than ever. Her wise statements about life, relationships, writing, and ability to spawn storylines (her time with Pavel documented) leave me impressed.
Feb 14, 2024
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if you keep your diary on the computer, after almost 2 decades, you could end up with 500k words. you could put the sentences into a spreadsheet, alphabetize them, and cut until it reads like a book. or one could, at least.
perfect for reading on the train when you can’t focus. maybe even more perfect for fans of darcie wilder’s unparalleled newsletter, sentences (gone but not forgotten).
Mar 1, 2024
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listening to radio france while reading alphabetical diaries by sheila heti. wish i knew who rec’d these but if you see this we’re touching souls
May 5, 2024
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it’s been absolutely lovely reading the diaries of Anaïs Nin in paperback and re-listening to the unabridged journals of Sylvia Plath on audio (happy female diarist december)
Dec 13, 2023
Top Recs from @doublemintvariety
Energetic, kooky bildungsroman featuring a cast of many P.I.-featured performers. Absurd enough to be on Adult Swim, prestigious enough to be highlighted at major film festivals!
Likely playing in a theater near you! Also on Apple TV 2/27. Saw it a couple times and would like to watch again!
Feb 15, 2024
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Matt & Kim as openers, “The Honda Civic Tour” 2011
Feb 15, 2024
Saw this at Quad Cinema in 2021, and has become a favorite ever since. Anne is a 27-year old daycare worker who is socially disconnected, and unsure of her role in adulthood. Her life radically changes when she tries skydiving, though as an audience, we’re unsure of the kind of release she finds from it.
Excellent Canadian indie about coming-of-age in your mid/late 20s. Deragh Campbell is great as Anne, who’s undiagnosed anxiety disorder keeps her a step behind from relating to her peers or finding a sense of happiness. It’s a brisk 75 minutes that’ll have you thinking far after the movie is over.
Bought the beautiful poster from Posteritati in the East Village and it remains one of my favorites in my poster collection.
Feb 17, 2024