I guess when I started this I assumed it would be a series of humorous short stories curated by David Sedaris. Anyway, what it turned out to be was better by far, just unexpected. It’s nice to have exposure to some quality prose in between the million fantasy books I read

I really enjoyed reading this book....if only I could find what happened to it. Do you have it?

I love David Sedaris and I went to see him live... he recommended some books to read and then I found this collection he compiled. I am not a huge fan of short stories. I like them only if the story completes itself and isn't all about symbolism and themes. A few stories I loved and some I couldn't get into (... borderline hated). If you like short stories, David Sedaris is a great author with excellent taste and I am sure this compilation will not disappoint. If not, go into it realizing it's what it is... that's what got me through it. Thankfully there were a few stories to make the book worthwhile.

I actually didn't finish this... got kinda stuck.

David Sedaris, who I think is quite funny, put these stories together from his list of favorites and I agree with the reviewer who said he has some strange taste in stories. Actually she said appalling but I did at least like the first one, maybe only because it came from Patricia Highsmith. Through the rest, my mind wandered.

This book made me wish that all of my favorite authors would put together a collection of their favorite short stories. The intro by David Sedaris is lovely and I found myself deeply loved by several of the selections. Plus, this is a low pressure opportunity to read some short works by literary heavyweights that might otherwise feel unapproachable.

I loved this anthology! Sedaris is one of my favorite satirical, clear-thinking authors. An amazing collection of old and new stories by the likes of Katherine Mansfield, Dorothy Parker, Flannery O'Connor, Lorrie Moore, Jhumpa Lahiri, Charles Baxter, Patricia Highsmith,Jincy Willett, Amy Hempel, Akil Sharma, Tobias Wolff and Sarah Vowell. A treasure trove of humor, deep sadness and insight. Plus I love the title! And the cover art. And Sedaris' introduction. Do I sound enthusiastic? Yep!

I'm re-reading this for about the fifth time, and I'm still shocked by how good a collection it is.

This was an enjoyable read, nonetheless.

Oh, no, I’m sorry. Didn’t I mention…..?
David Sedaris did not write anything more than the introduction and postscript of this now hard to find edition. The stories are by other people - some you may even know.
These stories were selected by him.
He personally enjoyed them.
Sale of the book originally contributed to a literacy fund for kids.

So, this is not a David Sedaris book ?
It is a book he helped to assemble.
A collection of stories he cherished.
A book published to promote a great cause.

So, wait…….I guess it does count.
Just read most or all of his other stuff first.

This book is David Sedaris, just from a different vantage point.

This is such a good collection of short stories! Immediately upon finishing the book, I went back and reread my favorites. I spent most of the book almost-but-not-quite crying. So many feelings!

Excellent. I forgot just how wonderful a good short story can be.

One of the reasons that I love David Sedaris is that he shares my love of reading and books. In his introduction, Sedaris reflected about books and wrote that, in his opinion, "a good one would take me out of myself and then stuff me back in, outsized, now, and uneasy with the fit. This led to a kind of trance that made the dullest work, the dullest life, bearable." And he claimed that "I believed, and still do, that stories can save you." Exactly! David Sedaris wrote the introduction to this book and he has picked his favorite short stories to be enjoyed by readers. The authors are as varied as the stories and include Alice Munro, Dorothy Parker, Tobias Wolff, Lorrie Moore, Patricia Highsmith, and Flannery O'Connor. I picked up this book expecting it to be authored by David Sedaris and, after my initial surprise, found myself engrossed in the wonderful short fiction.