Seen Reading

Front Cover
Harper Collins, Apr 1, 2012 - Fiction - 208 pages

Seen Reading is the exciting debut collection of microfictions from Canada’s pre-eminent literary voyeur, Julie Wilson. Based on the beloved online movement of the same name, Seen Reading collects more than a hundred stories inspired by sightings of people reading on Toronto transit, each reader re-invented in a poetic piece of short fiction. Tender, poignant, and fun, Seen Reading offers readers an inspired fictional map while charting an urban centre’s cultural commitment to books and literature.

"Beneath the surface of Julie Wilson’s energy, biting wit, and quirkiness lies intelligence and insight—a fresh observer to the dynamic ways in which we communicate."—Anthony De Sa

"I spy, with my little eye, something that is utterly delightful. Take a peek at Julie Wilson's Seen Reading. There are treasures to be found within."—Ami McKay

“With Seen Reading, Julie Wilson has done something revolutionary for the time: seamlessly combine books-related gossip, arts reportage, and creative writing in every post. The results are exhilarating and deliciously voyeuristic.”—George Murray, Bookninja.com

 

Contents

Prologue
Regret had never been the thing he did but the thing he did next
Tin Can
After Joe Brainard
Undertow
Cherry Tree
Girls Dorm
A Quick Peek
Simmer
Cursive
Winter Wonderland
Indiana Summers
Pinhead
86
Jelly
Red

One Boy In
Dress Rehearsal
Indigestion
Legal Limits
He Didnt See It Coming
Shed thought no pain no joy was exempt from fading until this lingered
Breaking Ties
Six Spin
Morning Glories
House Rules
Complementary Colours
Surplus
Small Talks
Lots and Lots
Woman and Parrot
Dreams of a WouldBe Government Employee
Simple Sandwiches
Soon her son will have nine teeth and know how to walk the memory of eight teeth a distant luxury
Tho Shelton
Bagged Lunch
Miss Popular
Riding the Rails
It Begins the Same
Pillow Talk
The Health Hustle
Swedish Berries
Mercy
Clearcutting
What had their love been if not the exception?
Love Noted
Ends
The Young Lovers Part I
The Young Lovers Part II
Biopsy
Cherry
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Divorced Before Thirty
Flat
Side Tables
The temptation of her acceptance a lure
Sticks and Twigs
Intrusion
Visitor
white wedding
Irlsgay
A Room of His Own
Sugar Bowls
Esther
If This Buick Could Talk
Grace
Creature Feature
The more things strayed the more they stayed the strange
Girlfriends
The Curious Collector
Sailor
Reception
Like Mother Like Son
Glory Glory
Rumble Row
Put to Pasture
Of Age
When You Least Expect It
Secret Santa
To have and to scold toward a day far worse or better
XXXXXXXXXX
Monsters in the Bones
Wedding Dress
Wearing Her Indoor Face
Pricks
Counting Cars
Procession
The Birth of a Handsome Nose
Pink
Hero
Holding
Twisty Ties
Authors Note
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Copyright
About the Publisher
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2012)

Julie Wilson is The Book Madam, a self-professed “professional publishing fan” living and working in Toronto. She’s the past Online Marketing Manager for House of Anansi Press and recent Host of the CBC Book Club. She thinks reading looks good on you. Follow Julie on Twitter: @BookMadam and @SeenReading. Post your own reader sightings using the hashtag #seenreading. Julie’s website: www.seenreading.com.

Bibliographic information