Welcome to Litsy!

On this week's episode of Keep the Channel Open I'm talking with writer Julia Dixon Evans about her novel How to Set Yourself on Fire, pushing yourself creatively & physically, and the appeal of unlikable characters. Have a listen!
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Image credit: Nelwyn del Frate

I really enjoyed this book. There's something about Sheila—the protagonist and narrator—that I just found riveting. Something in the way that she is so consistently self-destructive, the way that she's both self-aware and not. She strikes me as simultaneously just barely held together but also in a way very confident in who she is. Really interesting, I thought.

Next.

This quirky novel about a listless thirty-something woman, the 12-year-old girl she befriends and a box of mysterious letters is such a hidden gem. The characters are so strange and well-drawn. Their interactions with each other are unconventional, funny and surprisingly tender. I loved this book about human connection, about finding hope, meaning and companionship in the most unexpected places.

Officially checked off another bingo space! I'm counting this one as A Book From Your Own Litsy TBR.

This was a lovely book about family secrets, growing up, and falling in and out of love. While this book is based loosely on a "mystery" the real joy is in getting to know Sheila and all her quirks. She is at once vulgar, self-absorbed, and surprisingly refreshing. This book prompted me to think about my own parents and grandparents in a new light, and to examine them not as family but as individuals who are also vulnerable to heartache and loss.

This book is a gem. A bit crass, but laugh out loud funny. Sheila is one of my favorite literary characters. Also, I think the title changed to How to Set Yourself on Fire 🔥