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Kirsten Engen
I would suggest Me Talk Pretty One Day
Debbie Blaustein
I started with Holidays on Ice, which is a collection of short stories and Includes SantaLand Diaries...hysterical! Tried reading this on an international flight but was laughing out loud too much!
Selene
If you want to read David's life in chronological order--which you definitely should because you need to get to know his parents, siblings and Hugh and how all of them have evolved over the years--start with Naked and read the rest of the autobiographical books in copyright order. Do not listen to all the people saying you should read Me Talk Pretty Some Day first. It is definitely one of his best, but if you read it first you will miss a lot of history and context. Of the non-autobiographical/all fiction and partly autobiographical/partly fiction books, start with The Santaland Diaries.
Michael Van Kerckhove
I started with Naked back in the day, so that's my vote.
Dave Laczko
Naked is still the funniest book I've ever read!
Fishgirl
I vote "Naked."
Ellie
Definitely start with Naked. I was introduced to David Sedaris through his readings from Naked on the radio show This American Life. It still kills me, especially "A Plague of Tics" and "The Drama Bug."
Chris
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Kate M
My very favorite is Me Talk Pretty One Day, it's probably the quintessential Sedaris voice. I always listen to his on audio, as they would not be the same without his voice. The further I get into this one, though, it seems it's true Sedaris and wouldn't be the worst to start with.
Bonnie
Holidays on Ice - after laughing through that, you'll want to read everything he writes!
Asta
Me Talk Pretty One Day is the place to start
Robin
Holidays on Ice or Me Talk Pretty One Day
Michelle
My first read was "Dress your family in corduroy and denim." I think any of the suggestions in this string work. "Me talk pretty one day" is probably the most famous of his books, but you do not have to start there.
He often writes about his family, and any of the earlier books have a lighter tone. I think part of the appreciation of Calypso is it is a bit heavier of a read (and why a reviewer probably said not to start here); having that light and funny earlier introduction to his family gives allows you to both grow with his writing and his family.
He often writes about his family, and any of the earlier books have a lighter tone. I think part of the appreciation of Calypso is it is a bit heavier of a read (and why a reviewer probably said not to start here); having that light and funny earlier introduction to his family gives allows you to both grow with his writing and his family.
Anna
Me Talk Pretty One Day or Holidays on Ice...
Sue Diveley
I love Sedaris. I loved this book. Even though I'd read some parts of it as essays in the New Yorker, I enjoyed them again. For long-time Sedaris fans, did anyone else find Barrel Fever less enjoyable than the others? I completely loved and laughed at all the other books.
Tiffany
When You Are Engulfed In Flames was the one I started with and started my appreciation for his work.
Jason Magill
I would vote to start with Holidays on Ice. I noticed no one mentioned Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk.
May Chan
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Tom
"Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" recaps a lot of David's boyhood and his yearning for approval from his father. Especially touching is "Memory Laps," his effort to please his dad with competitive swimming.
Eugene
I would start with Me Talk Pretty One Day or Santaland Diaries
Melissa
I will say Calypso is my husband's first read of Sedaris, and he is now a fan. He is in his 50s and from a large, close knit family, so the topics hit close to home for him. If you are younger, start with Holidays on Ice, Me Talk Pretty One Day, or Dress Your Family in Courdoroy. All are great first reads.
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Oct 15, 2018 08:44AM · flag
Mar 21, 2019 06:25PM · flag