This review is still not a part of the 20 Books of Summer Challenge.

I actually completed this on June 2nd. As promised, I am in the middle of both The Tempest and Sula, so those will be coming soon.

I bought this book at Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, thinking myself hilariously clever as Sedaris once lived in the building that housed the original Shakespeare and Co. There was a short line-up outside the store so I almost didn’t go in. I hate crowds. And that store was crowded. But…it’s famous and such a wonderful store and so I dealt with it. And pet their cat. And bought some Sedaris (we also picked up Calypso which is on my TBR shelf).

I love David Sedaris quite a lot and so I really enjoyed reading his diaries which amount to collected daily observations of strange things he saw, overheard, or experienced. What I loved the most though, was seeing his thoughts as he went from an unknown creative struggling to survive, to an international multi-bestselling author. You don’t see him fundamentally change, but you do see him maturing.

Particularly entertaining moments are anything dealing with his father, his sister, Amy, strange encounters around his Chicago neighborhood, and his late night adventures at the local IHOP. When he moves to New York and eventually in with Hugh, you see so much behind the scenes change. He publishes Barrel Fever and writes and puts on several plays with Amy and begins to make a name for himself–while still struggling to make ends meet. I also very much loved the months detailing his time in French language class in Paris–the basis for his hit Me Talk Pretty One Day (which was my introduction to his writing).

But it is still diaries–daily observations. There’s not much of a point, so if you are not a fan or have not read much of him, don’t begin with this. Some people find the drug use and alcoholism off-putting (I find it authentic for his time and place) or are offended by the things he records. But those are just the things that stuck out to him and I think it’s pretty brave for someone to provide that level of access. How do you not, every other moment, ask, “what will they think of me?” Or think, “they’re going to hate me.” Or say, “now they’re going to know how fucked up I am.” At least, that’s what I would say and would not have the courage to do this.

I think this is a great book to leave lying around to pick up and read an entry or two now and again. Unless you’re a big fan, then go ahead and go cover to cover.