This is a second copy that I bought to accomodate some of the 28 people who signed up for my original BookRing. This one will be a BookRay, since I don't need to get both copies back!

The final order:

MrsJones - OH - RCVD 6/15/04
Stensler - WI - RCVD 6/20/04
doris - Canada - RCVD 8/9/04
Rlylv2Rd - MN - RCVD 9/13/04
enidq - IL
Lorelei03 - NY
princessaurora - PA
spaceystacey - NJ
fsr44 - RI
caffcaff - UK
Readinator - Australia
chivers - Brazil
SasquatchBR - Brazil

Mailed to MrsJones on 6/12/04.

Received the book in the mail today. I've already started the first story/essay and am hooked. I can tell this is going to be a great read!!

Well, I'm a little disappointed. Other books by Sedaris have made me laugh out loud, but this one only elicited a few smiles. Really,the only story that was funny (to me) was "Put a Lid On It," a story about David's visit to his sister's home. It was witty and he poked fun at himself in this story more than in others, I thought.

But - though I didn't think these essays were as funny as his earlier works, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Sedaris hit on subjects that I'm sure many people can relate to, such as the story of the weird family next door who came trick-or-treating the night after Halloween. David's mother acted hospitably and sent David and his siblings to get candy from their own Halloween loot, but the kids refused and David stuffed as much candy as he could into his mouth rather than share it. Oh, that brings back memories (of hoarding candy, not gorging on it... )But even worse - I pulled the same stunt David's mother did one year when trick-or-treaters came to the door after I'd run out of candy! Geez! My poor son! Guess I owe him an apology...

I groaned again when my actions related to David's mother in both the story of their "Beach House" and the story in which she comes and drags David away from his apartment before the neighbor woman and her daughter can cause David any more trouble.

Anyway, after reading this book, I feel like I know David and his family almost intimately. He even addresses this issue in one essay. I often wondered while I was reading it how the people portrayed in his stories felt about having their lives exposed publicly. Especially the boy who had to sit on David's lap at the poker game????

I'm anxious to hear what other people think about this collection of essays. It was a fast read and very enjoyable, but it just didn't have the humor that I was expecting based on Sedaris' earlier works.

received in the mail today! I am so looking foward to reading this book. David Sedaris is one of my favorite writers... but alas I have two bookrings ahead of it... won't be long though I promise.

A very intimate and funny book, although it wasn't laugh out loud like some of his other books I enjoyed it immensly. I find it very strange that in some cases I know David Sedaris' family better than I know my own...

Finished this a few weeks or so ago and didn't mail it off right away sorry about the delay. Mailing out today to Doris.

Received today. Yippee! Can't wait. I am halfway through my present book and I have one ring ahead. It won't be long though.

Many thanks Captain Jack!

I just finished this book on Friday. It is very funny in parts but also more poignant then the other book of his that I have read (Holidays on Ice). I laughed out loud at spots (more near the end) but I feel this book reflected a lot more of who David Sedaris is and his past. I must remind myself that these are true stories. The stories in this authors life are so interesting and unique but they can be related to nevertheless.

I love this author even more now. Great book!

PMing Rlylv2Rd to send to them.

Thanks so much CaptainJack for setting this up!

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed today to RlyLv2Rd.

Thanks so much for allowing me the opportunity to read this fab book!

Keep smilin!

Holy bookrings, Batman...This is number three this week. But in the words of the great Gloria Gaynor (I think that is who said it)..."I Will Survive!" I am so looking forward to this book, and worry not my ring pals, I am a fast reader so I will not let it languish on my shelves for months. Thanks again CaptainJack for the invite...hope your move went well (again, hope I am remembering right).

PS: Whoever added the article on the book "Nice, thanks for sharing."

CaptainJack I owe you a huge "thank you." This book was fabulous. It was truly laugh out loud funny. I read excerpts (like the Halloween story)to my husband last night because I couldn't stop giggling. I so needed a light, fast, happy read. Love David Sedaris, and I am absolutely beside myself for not knowing he was in town a month or so ago doing a free chat and book signing at the University. I heard he is as great in person as his writing!

Sorry this took more than my average week to read...I forgot it when I went out of town all last week.

Just received in the mail and will get to soon.

This copy is clearly stuck with enidq and, judging from the many other bookrings/rays that have been stuck with her for months and months, it isn't likely to move on any time soon. I'll purchase another copy and send it on to the next reader. I do apologize to the readers who are waiting. I know how frustrating this can be!!!