The Best of Me

The Best of Me is a collection of David Sedaris's personal favorite essays and short fiction from his decades-long career. Released in 2020, the compilation features previously published works from his earlier books plus five essays that appeared only in The New Yorker. The collection spans Sedaris's evolution as a writer, from his early works focused on outlandish situations and characters to his later essays examining family relationships, aging, and personal connections. Each piece was selected by Sedaris himself, though he notably excluded his well-known "Santaland Diaries" essay. The book demonstrates how Sedaris's style has transformed over time, moving from broader comedy to more nuanced observations about human nature and mortality. His trademark wit remains consistent throughout the collection while his subject matter grows increasingly introspective.

Readers describe The Best of Me as a strong collection of Sedaris's previously published essays, though some note it covers familiar ground for longtime fans. Readers highlighted: - Dark humor balanced with emotional depth - Family stories, especially about his parents and siblings - Commentary on American culture and life abroad - Evolution of his writing style over decades Common criticisms: - Recycled content from previous books - Uneven quality between older and newer pieces - Some essays feel dated - Dark topics can be off-putting for new readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (5,800+ ratings) "Like catching up with an old friend," wrote one Amazon reviewer. Others called it "the perfect introduction to his work" for new readers. Critics noted "if you own his other books, you already have these stories" and "the darker pieces feel out of place in what's meant to be a 'best of' collection."

Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood A memoir chronicles life with an eccentric family through sharp observations and dark humor while navigating religious upbringing and cultural contradictions.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris Personal essays examine culture shock, family dynamics, and daily life through self-deprecating narratives and keen observations of human behavior.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson Tales of childhood memories, rural Texas life, and struggles with mental health unfold through absurdist humor and unflinching honesty.

Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs A memoir captures the dysfunction of unusual family arrangements and coming-of-age experiences through dark comedy and stark revelations.

I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley Essays explore urban life, professional mishaps, and personal relationships through observations of modern existence and cultural peculiarities.

🎭 Sedaris first gained widespread recognition by reading his essays on National Public Radio, particularly his famous "SantaLand Diaries" about working as a Christmas elf at Macy's. 📝 He meticulously maintains personal diaries and has kept daily journals since 1977, which now total over 180 volumes and serve as primary source material for his essays. 🎓 Despite being a bestselling author, Sedaris never graduated from college - he dropped out of Kent State University and later attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 🌍 The author spends several hours after each of his shows meeting readers and signing books, often drawing unique doodles and writing personalized messages for each fan. 🏠 Sedaris has a home in West Sussex, England, where he is known for spending hours picking up roadside litter - an activity that earned him a garbage truck named in his honor by the local council.