I was a little disappointed in this book because I'd already read a handful of the essays in the New Yorker or in Esquire.

I was also a little disappointed because I realize I find David Sedaris much funnier on the radio; there's nothing like those weird stories delivered in his high, nasal, deadpan voice ... and pauses in the perfect places.

I might have been a little disappointed because David Sedaris' style is shifting. There's a certain poignancy in many of his stories now, particularly the ones about his family. Sometimes this works really well (as in the one where he visits his younger sister Tiffany, and reflects on what it means that he milks his family's lives for writing material)

But sometimes he seems to struggle between the humor and the poignancy, and the story flip-flops between them and doesn't end up succeeding at either.

I'll be curious to see if he starts developing this more serious aspect. If he does I think he will continue to be a really strong writer.