Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Between growing up in Raleigh as one of six children in a Greek family, melting army figurines in a skillet for 'art' and learning French after relocating to France, Sedaris cements my love for him in Me Talk Pretty One Day.

Sedaris' book of short stories offers snapshots of his life. 'Chapter' stories are a format which particularly appeals to me in how, for the time it takes to drink a cup of sweet earl grey, you are taken on a Parisian subway, laughed out loud at the ignorant American travellers, and read the summarising line along with the final dregs of your tea.

Unmatched reading satisfaction.

The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris

Want to hear Sedaris read The Santaland Diaries?
Enjoy.

Mr. Sedaris and I share the wonderful experience that is being a Christmas elf in a department store. We've both entertained children in a farcical winter wonderland, dealt with the loud and irritating parents and have seen a room full of semi-nude Father Christmases. I read this short story in a single bus trip, bursting into thunderous laughter and nodding comically at every anecdote I felt was the perfect retelling of my own experience. Sedaris has a knack for conveying the hilarity and absolute horror of any given situation. Plus, I feel as though we're both far enough from the actual experience to laugh it off.

I am, of course, biased. Sedaris holds a special place in my heart.