Nothing to See Here
In my twenties and thirties, I would easily read a book or two a week, but as life has gotten busier – and full of more screen-time distractions – I feel lucky when I’ve read a book in a month. Sometimes you need a book that keeps you off your phone and focused on reading to get you back into a beloved habit. Enter Kevin Wilson’s Nothing to See Here.
Lillian and Madison were roommates for a short while at boarding school, but haven’t seen each other in more than 10 years. Until Madison asks Lillian to come move in with her for a very particular job: her twin stepchildren – Bessie and Roland – spontaneously combust when emotional, and she needs help caring for them. That twist is on the book jacket, so you might think you’re getting a basic familial story with supernatural elements. Instead, the book is rich with complicated relationships, including friendships, colleagues, political, and parental. As Lillian struggles to care for children with such a bizarre affliction, she also works through her own internalized trauma and resentments from her neglected and poverty-stricken childhood.
Wilson’s writing style is fast-paced. I read books every day as part of my job, so it’s sometimes hard to stay motivated to read for personal pleasure. To find a story that was interesting, challenging (as I wondered how I might handle myself in a similar situation), and quick-to-read was a delight. More importantly, I’m inspired to start the next book on my bedside table.
Kevin Wilson is also the author of The Family Fang and Baby, You're Gonna Be Mine. He lives in Sewanee, Tennessee, and set Nothing to See Here in nearby Franklin and Nashville.
