Discover your next favorite read with our countdown of the 13 best David Sedaris books. Immerse yourself in his wit and piercing observations!
We have selected 13 of the best David Sedaris books, which are a testament to his unique writing style, characterized by sharp humor, self-deprecation, and perceptive social commentary.
David Sedaris is a beloved American humorist known for the “whiny voice” he uses to deliver funny stories and recite personal essays, most of which are from his diary entries since 1977.
He was born in New York but grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. His sister, Amy Sedaris, is also a humorist. They write and work together under the name “Talent Family.” Sedaris’ big break happened in 1992 after National Public Radio (NPR) broadcast his essay The SantaLand Diaries.
In 1994, Sedaris published his first book, Barrel Fever. It’s a collection of obnoxious short stories and personal essays. In 2011, he became a radio contributor on BBC Radio 4 and NPR, which broadcast audiobook versions of his works. Readers can also see his short stories and essays regularly in Harper’s, The New Yorker, and Esquire.
Sedaris is now a five-time Grammy nominee and a five-time New York Times bestseller with over ten million books in print. When asked what makes him write a diary, Sedaris replied, “I would write to people, but they couldn’t write me back. That was frustrating, so I just started writing for myself.”
Be like David Sedaris, and keep a diary! Read our article on how to write a journal to help you get started.
Contents
- Best David Sedaris Books Ranked
- 1. Happy-Go-Lucky
- 2. Calypso
- 3. The Best of Me
- 4. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
- 5. Naked
- 6. Me Talk Pretty One Day
- 7. When You Are Engulfed in Flames
- 8. Holidays on Ice
- 9. Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls
- 10. Theft by Finding: Diaries
- 11. Barrel Fever
- 12. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary
- 13. A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries
- Author
Best David Sedaris Books Ranked
1. Happy-Go-Lucky
Happy-Go-Lucky is a new book by Seradis containing life stories starring himself, his father, his sister, and his partner, Hugh. It centers around the cosmic injustice of the 2019 pandemic. This New York Times bestseller and Amazon Editor’s Pick has 18 essays with different forms, styles, and main topics.
It opens with Sedaris recounting how he learned to use a gun with his sister, Liza. Later, he mulls over gun culture and freedom in America. The book has stories of Sedaris confronting Lou (his father) for being selfish, Lou’s apology, and Sedaris forgiving him. It also includes the mundane things he did during the pandemic, like cleaning and taking long walks.
It’s a book that showcases humanity’s confusion and acclimatization during the new normal. It’s an engaging collection brimming with Sedaris’ signature astuteness and humor.
“My sister is not dating anyone — a good thing, as she’s got way too much time on her hands. And that, I think, is the number one reason so many relationships fail. Too much free time, and too much time together.”
David Sedaris, Happy-Go-Lucky
2. Calypso
Compared to his other works, his 10th collection, Calypso, is Sedaris’ darkest. The Guardian described it perfectly, “For all its warmth and wit, Calypso is a rawer, jaggeder, sadder book than its predecessors.”
In this book, Sedaris prioritizes thinking about the present instead of looking back at his past. He reflects on aging, middle-age crisis, alcoholism, and thoughts on mortality and mental disorders.
Unlike the other books in this list, Calypso tackles very dark topics that can make readers uncomfortable. However, you’ll be amazed that the humor remains intact despite each topic’s depth. Sedaris made honest observations, successfully transforming his discoveries into a binge-read-worthy tale.
“Happiness is harder to put into words. It’s also harder to source, much more mysterious than anger or sorrow, which come to me promptly, whenever I summon them, and remain long after I’ve begged them to leave.”
David Sedaris, Calypso
3. The Best of Me
The Best of Me is a compilation of the funniest, most memorable, and greatest hits of David Sedaris. This Amazon bestseller book features over 40 short stories and essays, including the fictional tales Glen’s Homophobia Newsletter Vol.3, No.2, and Girl Crazy.
Some of the noteworthy essays in the book are Me Talk Pretty One Day and Six to Eight Black Men. The book is not just humorous, as Sedaris’ essays often tackle tough topics, making it a thought-provoking collection.
“If something is written in your native language and it’s taking you half a year to get through it, unless you’re being paid by the hour to read it, I’d say there’s a problem.”
David Sedaris, The Best of Me
4. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim showcases Sedaris’ relationship with his family, his childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina, his life in France, and more. It’s a New York Times bestseller about Sedaris’ early, trite life, primarily focusing on his family.
Despite the rollercoaster ride of an upbringing, Sedaris shows his family loves him. It’s an entertaining and inspiring read that’ll make you think of your family. How Sedaris highlights family’s importance and discusses the pitfalls of following social convention illustrates his deep understanding of family dynamics.
“The fake slap invariably makes contact, adding the elements of shock and betrayal to what had previously been plain old-fashioned fear.”
David Sedaris, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
5. Naked
Sedaris’ first published book, Naked, started with his childhood in Raleigh, North Carolina. It concentrates on the author’s youth, his aimless wondering recorded via 17 essays. Naked features Sedaris’ self-deprecating humor, witty dialogues, and obnoxious characters.
Before its official release as a book, Sedaris read several essays from Naked in the NPR program This American Life. This 1997 novel earned the 1998 Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction. It was also the first Sedaris book turned into a film (C.O.G.) that won the 2013 Seattle International Film Festival.
“I haven’t the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out.”
David Sedaris, Naked
6. Me Talk Pretty One Day
Me Talk Pretty One Day is a two-section collection of Sedaris’ nonfiction essays. The book is full of gems from the author’s life experiences but mainly focuses on Sedaris’ relocation to France. It includes his struggles and attempts to learn to translate English into French.
The book is an amusing read that reminds us there’s still something to laugh at, even when life is at its most challenging. Through the book, Sedaris shares his experiences adjusting to a new culture. Despite all the “new things,” he never forgets to be his real self.
“At the end of a miserable day, instead of grieving my virtual nothing, I can always look at my loaded wastepaper basket and tell myself that if I failed, at least I took a few trees down with me.”
David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One Day
7. When You Are Engulfed in Flames
The New York Times bestseller When You Are Engulfed in Flames is a collection of nonfiction essays that humorously tackle various parts of Sedaris’s life. Expect to be charmed by the writer’s eccentricity and absurdity as you read about Sedaris’ honest (perhaps too honest) recounting of his escapades and revelations.
Sedaris isn’t afraid to use vulgar language and discuss adult subjects in When You Are Engulfed in Flames. It’s an uplifting, liberating read with just enough humor.
“Sometimes the sins you haven’t committed are all you have left to hold onto.”
David Sedaris, When You Are Engulfed in Flames
8. Holidays on Ice
After Santaland Diaries, David Sedaris published another Christmas-themed book, Holidays on Ice. It’s an author’s memoir of the days when he still worked as a Macy’s elf. It also includes the long history of two competitive families. Plus, the anecdotes and exaggerated stories in the compilation are random, adding to their hilarity and appeal.
Don’t worry if it’s not yet the season for Christmas stories — Holidays on Ice isn’t just for the holidays.
“Standing in a two-hour line makes people worry that they’re not living in a democratic nation.”
David Sedaris, Holidays on Ice
9. Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls
Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls debuted #1 in the New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestsellers category when it was published in 2013. The newspaper’s review described it as an “oddball travelogue that is all detours” with Sedaris’ usual humorous essays and fictional satiric stories.
Sedaris’ collections often have intersecting subjects, such as family and personal growth. His writing often makes readers nostalgic as they make comparisons with their own lives. He has a talent for making shared experiences humorous and memorable, making readers feel like they’re reading their own diary. This book includes essays for acting students who use his works in competitive monologues.
“As a child I assumed that when I reached adulthood, I would have grown-up thoughts.”
David Sedaris, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls
10. Theft by Finding: Diaries
For over 40 years, David Sedaris kept a diary containing his observations about the world around him. This includes overheard comments, gossip, drama, movie plot twists, and secrets. These observations sharpened Sedaris’ wit, paving the way for his bestselling books.
Theft by Finding: Diaries is an open invitation to Sedaris’ mind — the wise, the hilarious, even the frightening. The book also offers journaling tips the humorist followed throughout his career. NPR, AV Club, and Barnes & Noble lauded the book as the best of 2017.
“That’s the thing with a diary, though. In order to record your life, you sort of need to live it. Not at your desk, but beyond it. Out in the world where it’s so beautiful and complex and painful that sometimes you just need to sit down and write about it.”
David Sedaris, Theft by Finding: Diaries
11. Barrel Fever
Barrel Fever is a two-section collection of essays and 12 fictional short stories. The book includes Sedaris’ breakthrough essay, SantaLand Diaries, a humorous piece of the author’s time working as a Christmas elf at a department store. After its first radio broadcast, it became so famous that it was adapted into a one-act play.
As this is Sedaris’ first-ever collection, it contains a few memoirs of the humorist. The stories here are more gritty and disturbing but nevertheless hilarious. Readers who want to see Sedaris’ growth as an author should check out Barrel Fever and discover how the man started his journey to becoming an excellent essayist.
“If you’re looking for sympathy you’ll find it between shit and syphilis in the dictionary.”
David Sedaris, Barrel Fever
12. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary
Sedaris surprised his readers when he published Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. Inspired by South African mythology, he created his first-ever compilation of animal-themed short fiction with situations mirroring the insanity of humans’ everyday lives. It explores uncomfortable topics, such as grief, neglect, and racism.
This collection has no blatant moral lessons, but readers can draw out their own realizations, inspiring self-reflection. At times, you’ll catch yourself doing exactly what the book expects you to do, whether judging a character based on limited information or dismissing something based on a one-sided story.
“But all of a sudden they’re poets, right, like that’s all it takes — being in love.”
David Sedaris, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary
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13. A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries
Life goes on, but for Sedaris, his day should only end after he takes down notes in his journal.
A Carnival of Snackery sounds like a novel, but it’s another diary. Like his 2017 book, Theft by Finding: Diaries, it features Sedaris’ observations. This time, it’s about the weird things he notices when looking through more mature lenses. It’s more “adult” than his other works, with shocking dark humor that others may find offensive.
“Sometimes things happen and I don’t know what to do with my face.”
David Sedaris, A Carnival of Snackery
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