If you like sarcastic wit and dark humor, then you really should consider giving David Sedaris a try. Previously, I had only read a collection of Christmas essays and stories built to connect with "Santaland Diaries." This was his first book, which is made up of 12 stories and four essays.

The stories are made up of an interesting combination of exaggerated tales such as a speech from an Academy Award winner, a young man who is running through a series of celebrities he may or may not have been involved with, and a number of lifestyle pieces about growing up in odd families in the South. The real humor is meant to come from the outlandish nature of the characters and situations they find themselves in, but this sometimes fall short. Irony is usually playing an important role.

I have to admit that I tend to prefer personal tales when it comes to essays, and this is really a collection of short fictional stories. The characters are often shallow and/or deluded, which is not really my cup of tea. I could see why it would be interesting enough to spur on further writing, and I am glad that Sedaris did so because I have read other things by him and really enjoyed them.

This is a nice look at where he got his start, writing-wise. Just remember that it gets better from there.