It's like a box of candy on my shelf that I've been resisting wolfing down.

Fantastically fun stories about David and other quirky members of the Sedaris clan, who all really come alive on the page. I also like that it's told with love.
Thanks to rainflower for prompting me to finally read this little gem before I sent it off to her.

Caught in a trade from Sistermadilou. Thank you! I hope to start this very soon, as I am on vacation for two weeks and plan to do a lot of reading!

I found this to be much heavier than the other Sedaris I've read. I still really enjoyed his stories and I was finally able to laugh at the final two stories.

Sending to KateKintail as a RABCK. Enjoy!

Oohh! I received this in the mail today as a surprise RABCK! Thank you so much!!!

I'm so very excited, as I've adored other Sedaris books. I can't wait to finish up my current read and start this one.

David Sedaris is now officially one of my favorite writers. I absolutely loved every bit, but had to stop reading several times during "Six-to-Eight Black Men" because I couldn't read through tears of laughter. Hilarious! He's so clever with his presentation, but I love the subject matter as well- and this book definitely ran the spectrum from slumber parties to strange encounters as a house cleaner... from his family's well-named vacation house to his niece. I cried almost as much as I laughed, and I sat captivated even more often. I feel like it's a *treat* to get to read his works!

So thank you very much for this! I lent it to my mother, who's heard Sedaris on NPR a few times but hasn't read any of his books yet. After I get it back, I might try to do a bookring with it since it's on a lot of wish lists.

Absolutely "laugh out loud" funny. I'm glad my daughter gave it to me to read. The whole family is odd and lovable.

CAUGHT IN BURKE VA USA

Back in my hands. Am reserving it for a bookbox, probably.

Adding to my LGBT Bookbox. Enjoy!

Yes, I've read this one too, so I won't be claiming it from the LGBT book box. But I'm glad to have a chance to see an already-well-traveled book, and add my comments:

Another fine Sedaris collection! This one is similar in content and tone to "Me Talk Pretty One Day" - most of the essays are about Sedaris' family, some of them concerning childhood incidents and others very up-to-date. A few of my favorite bits: "The Ship-Shape" (which I heard him read at Boston's Symphony Hall last fall, when he was still working out the kinks) is a classically bittersweet story of his family's summers at the beach, and the brief, glorious period when they thought his father was going to come through on his promise to buy a beach house. As with all classic Sedaris bits this one ranges from laugh-out-loud funny to near-tears.

"The End of the Affair" begins with Sedaris and his partner Hugh going to see the film of the same name:

I had trouble keeping my eyes open because I was tired and not completely engaged. Hugh had trouble keeping his eyes open because they were essentially swollen shut: he sobbed from beginning to end, and by the time we left the theater, he was completely dehydrated. I asked if he always cried during comedies, and he accused me of being grossly insensitive, a charge I'm trying to plea-bargain down to simply obnoxious.

The rest of the essay deals with various aspects of their relationship - more than I've heard Sedaris say in any one previous piece - and presents some truths that anyone who's ever been in love will recognize...

"Repeat After Me" is the story I referred to in my first entry, and is both wildly funny and heart-wrenching. Clearly Sedaris' relationship with his family is a bit of a trial to them: "I might reinvent myself to strangers, but to this day, as far as my family is concerned, I'm still the one most likely to set your house on fire."

In the "outrageous" department, there's the charming "Possession"; Sedaris and Hugh are apartment-hunting for a new place in Paris, and having gotten into apartment-hunting mode, Sedaris finds it difficult to stop - even when visiting such difficult-to-place apartments as that formerly occupied by Anne Frank!

The last story in the collection is "Nuit of the Living Dead," and had me laughing almost to tear-point - partially in recognition. Here's Sedaris, home alone in his remote French farmhouse, trying to dispatch a mouse that had been not-quite-killed in a trap, when some lost travelers stop by for directions. Their growing realization that this strange little man is not only apparently drowning mice for fun but is assembling a model of the human anatomy and has decorated his house with skulls and with pens shaped like human fingers... well, they seem unsettled. I wonder what strangers would make of my skull-and-gargoyle collection if they came upon it at three in the morning?

[This is also the collection that contains "Six to Eight Black Men," Sedaris' investigation into Christmas customs in other countries. I've heard him read this live, and I have to say it left me in pain from laughing so hard...]

Now, back in the box and on its way!

Taken from the GBLT bookbox - thanks, KateKintail!

I read this book in stages and that worked better for me. When I try to read an entire Sedaris book straight through I lose momentum; the stories all start to run together. He is funny when taken in bits but I don't think I'd want to hang out with him!

IT'S A BOOKRAY!

Here are the rules:

*Journal when you receive the book.
*Please try to read it within a month. If you need more time just let us know by PMing me or making a JE.
*We'd love to see any comments you want to make after reading!
*Journal again when you mail the book.
*Each person is responsible for contacting the next reader for an address but if you're having trouble reaching someone let me know and I'll try to help you.

This is our current mailing list. I've left the ray open so please check here for any changes. I always try to accommodate everyone's shipping preferences as much as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about the list PM me and we'll try to fix them.

HunterRyu (US/US only)
rebeccaljames (US/US only)
ciloma (US/US or Int'l)
LaPitchoune (Fin/Eur)
Vekiki (UK/UK only)
waderwoman (UK/Int'l) <---book is here

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

on its way to HunterRyu to start the ray

Received safely through the mail. Will read and pass along as soon as I can, in that nifty Bookcrossing reusable mailer!

Sorry it's taken so long, but I'm finally (almost) done with this book! I found these stories charming. It's quite amazing how everyday life can be so entertaining when told with the right amount of snark and sarcasm, highlighting certain aspects over others. I'll definitely have to look into more works by David Sedaris. Thanks for sharing! Have PMed the next person for an address and will send off soon ^_^

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Book is on it's way to rebeccaljames. Thanks for sharing! Please enjoy it as much as I did ^_^

I received this book today. I am looking forward to reading it. I will get to it as soon as possible. I am a college student so I lose track of time so if I keep for to long please send me a friendly reminder to keep the book moving. Thank you for sharing.

This book will be mailed out on Monday. Thank you for the reminder.

This one came in the mail today. I look forward to reading it and will start it soon so I can pass it on. THANX A BUNCH!!

Not as many chuckles as I had hoped but always Sedaris...
I finished this one a few days ago and forgot to log that. I hope to get it mailed to the next reader - all the way to Finland! - tomorrow.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to the next reader.

The book arrived yesterday accompanied by all sorts of fancy little rabck thingies, such as postcards and bookmarks from Idaho, a pin and a dreamcatcher. I can't begin to describe how happy it made me! Thank you ciloma for all these nice thoughts! :)

I am a huge fan of Sedaris so my expectations are sky-high. I'm sure this will prove to be another excellent read. Thank you everyone for passing this book around!

Another lovely Sedaris!

For some reason or other, my reading process started more slowly and unenthusiastically than I had expected, but come halfway, the text really got me going. I had a few days' pause and after I restarted reading, everything seemed changed for the better. Once again I found myself loughing out loud and shaking my head incredulously at Sedaris' weird adventures and ponderings.

Some texts provide serious food for thought, such as the ones dealing with paedophilia and homophobia. The awkward feeling hovering around the encounter with a horny gay client was almost tangible.

My personal favourites:

* Real love amounts to withholding the truth, even when you're offered the perfect opportunity to hurt someone's feelings. (p.140)

* I might reinvent myself to strangers, but to this day, as far as my family is concerned, I'm still the most likely to set your house on fire. (p.144)

* Hotels. They do everything in their power to make you want to jump to your death, and then they make certain that you can't do it. (p.221)

* "Listen", I said, "I just spent six hours in a storage closet being ignored by a man with a rubber hand. What do you mean, 'What else?' What more do you need?" (p.227)

Seriously, I can't thank you guys for recycling this book. It was an honest pleasure to read this book. I'm sending this to the UK today. Enjoy!

Arrived yesterday - will get stuck in as soon as Ive finished my current read

Thanks! this arrived safely today from Veikiki I think, Ive a book on the go at the moment so will get to this one next.

Sorry forgot to say I finished this quirky book some time back!
Ealasadmae told me I could do whatever I wished with the book now as I was last on the ray, so Im passing it on to House Elf Dobby as I know she has plans for it!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Given to HED ( bestest pal in the whole wide world!) during a very fun evening of wonky neck and nibbles!!

Just happened to spot this on waderwoman's shelf the other night when I popped in for a glass of wine and a jolly retro sing-a-long to The Drifters and The Stylistics - when she attempted to put on Des O'Connor, I knew it was time to leave, bestest pal or not! Des O'Connor, I ask you. There's no hope.

I'm planning to send this one on to the lucky winner of the UK SMILE Day RABCK for Jan/Feb 2010 as I know it is on her wishlist. So pleased to keep this one travelling as it has been around a bit:)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Luckily spotted this wishlist book when I was at waderwoman's the other night and knew just who would like to read it - the winner of the Jan/Feb UK SMILE Day RABCK! Hope you likey ......

Oooh I really wanted to read a book by David Sedaris after I heard him on Wossy's Radio 2 show last year. TY for sending me 2 wishlist books and a fragrant bath bomb (which is called Cinders!) You are a lovely bookcrosser HED.

This book has been travelling for 4 years so far. I love getting the older BC books. Ill try to keep it in the BC loop.

Oh wow, oh wow! I read this half before bed then in the morning; so almost one sitting.

Fantastic!

It's one of those times where my puny 'review' will do nothing to describe the brilliance of this book so I'm. not. going. to. attempt. one.

May 2010

Mr C. has read this too now and liked it. His favourite part was the bit that made me retch and retch.....
I'm reading Me Talk Pretty One Day now.

This book has been travelling for so long and in safe hands that I didn't want to take any chances and it end up being binned in Swindon's town centre! This is why I'm taking it to the unconvention this weekend and giving it to a friend to read.
I love his Mum! She (or, more correctly his depiction of her) makes me laugh every time.

Thanks Cinderess for passing this on to me

What a good book about a quirky family! I didn't know anything about the author before I read this, and I actually didn't realise it was an autobiography until I stared reading it. Neither of these points mattered.....it was still a good read.

As this book is well travelled I am raying it on. So far the participants are:

shnedwards (will post int'l)
Icila (will post int'l)
debbie4osu (will post int'l)
davemurray101 (will post int'l)

The order may change to accommodate shipping preferences of anyone else wishing to join and to avoid the book zig-zagging around the world!

The usual:
- Someone will PM you for your address, PM them back and provide your address
- When you receive the book, please make a journal entry letting everyone know that you received it
- Please try to finish it within six weeks
- When the end is in sight, check the book's journal and PM the next person to get their address
- Make another journal entry and let everyone know what you thought of the book
- Make release notes to let everyone know that it's in the mail (cheapest shipping method is fine!)
- Send the book to the next person on the list
- Last person: Would you ray it forward?
If delayed make sure to let us know so that the ray will not stop.

Raying this well travelled book forward. Enjoy!

It's here! Thank you for sharing, sing-on-a-star. Wow, this book has travelled a long way already! Will be next after I've finished my current read.

Oh, and thank you sing-on-a-star for the great postcard!

Finished! A nice quick read that made me chuckle a few times. This will be on its way to Icila as soon as I have an address.

Thanks again sing-on-a-star for sharing!

On its way to the next participant. Hope you enjoy it!

Safe at home. Thanks !

I don't know if the Sedaris Family is really so weird but I love the funny and loving writing.

Waiting for debbie4osu's address.

On its way to USA.

Caught in a bookray from icila. I have a book to read first, and also going on vacation, but I will have this done shortly after my trip. Thanks for sending this along!

Sent to davemurray101 as a bookray. Hope it gets there in a timely manner.

Received in the post today. Should be an interesting read.

Excellent as usual from David Sedaris. My faves were Full House and the Tiffany story. Currently in the process of setting up a bookray.

Bookray continuing, this time to the Southern hemisphere. Participants so far.....

PJLBewdy (Aus)



The rules:
- Someone will PM you for your address, PM them back and provide your address
- When you receive the book, please make a journal entry letting everyone know that you received it
- Please try to finish it within six weeks
- When the end is in sight, check the book's journal and PM the next person to get their address
- Make another journal entry and let everyone know what you thought of the book
- Make release notes to let everyone know that it's in the mail (cheapest shipping method is fine!)
- Send the book to the next person on the list
- Last person: Would you ray it forward?
If delayed make sure to let us know so that the ray will not stop.