Alphabetical Diaries (Sheila Heti)

Lida Richardson

“Just read for a class, and not to indulge in cliché, but it really feels like this book came to me at exactly the right time. The basic premise is that Heti took ~10 years of journal entries, sorted all the sentences alphabetically, and culled down to 60,000 words. I am shocked at how well it worked for me — I don’t read memoir often (or much nonfiction at all), and I’m usually really dependent on”

Coofandy

“What an interesting and compelling read. Ten years of journal entries in alphabetical order, edited down to these specific choices. It’s fascinating to read a book with characters who show up rarely, then suddenly over and over for several paragraphs, then never again. A book with a narrative, sort of, but no time passes and there’s no cause and effect. It’s somehow important to closely pay attent”

David Coggins

“One of the best living writers arranges her diaries alphabetically. Sounds conceptual until you read it. Highest level.”