This is a series of essays about random topics, observations of life and people surrounding the author. He is very insightful, observant and funny. He describes situations so well, I was laughing out loud. His descriptions of his time in France and his attempts at the language were especially funny. However, some of the book is just plain crude, which detracts from his otherwise witty writing.

I think that I heard a clip of David Sedaris on iTunes which inspired me to pick up this book. I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but it was definitely not what I read. Perhaps something less intelligent, more shallow, with poorer writing? The book was definitely better than I anticipated. In a series of humorous and nostalgic autobiographical essays, Sedaris reflected upon his childhood and other memorable moments in his life.

Although some of the stories became a bit long and overly descriptive for me, others more than made up for it. Occasionally I even found myself near tears at the quirky absurdity of his observations. After finishing the book, I searched for some of the stories on youtube and was happily surprised to learn that his readings are even more entertaining. I will definitely be seeking out more of his work, and I may actually download some of his readings, so that I can have the delicious auditory experience as well.

David Sedaris doesn't pull any punches while introducing us to his eclectic family, and observing the entertaining and often ridiculous idiosyncrasies of common Americans, as well as the French. Me Talk Pretty One Day is laugh-out-loud funny as Sedaris has the ability to expose and turn any seemingly ordinary situation into hilarity, by picking it apart and applying a healthy dose of sarcasm and a honed wit.

To think that the foundation of his extended vocabulary in elementary school was due to using a thesaurus to find s-free alternatives in order to escape his pronounced lisp and keep the loathsome school appointed speech therapist, or as he referred to her, 'articulation coach,' off his back.

Although it is hard to pick a favourite from these 27 insightful and animated recollections, I find myself partial to the stories detailing his family and their quirky personalities. I think it would be quite the event to be a fly on the wall at one of their traditional Greek Orthodox Easter dinners. I look forward to reading more of Sedaris' comedic moxie.

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Great Book!!! Read it cover to cover in one day. Couldn't put it down.