The Book Blog

Humorist and satirical author David Sedaris is currently on his April/May book tour, reading excerpts from his national bestseller When You Are Engulfed in Flames. The Paris resident and National Public Radio humorist has been hailed as the rock star of the literary world, engaging fans from nearly every country in his speaking engagements and tours, entertaining audiences with his dry humor and observational tact that makes the mundane seem extraordinary.

As The Christian Science Monitor writes in review of When You Are Engulfed in Flames: “David Sedaris’ ability to transform the mortification of everyday life into wildly entertaining art” has extended with the latest book. He’s a talented artist that doesn’t just write beautiful prose but also performs it well, so be sure to get <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.stubhub.com/david-sedaris-tickets/”>David Sedaris tickets</a> from http://www.stubhub.com.

A prominent contributor to Esquire and The New Yorker, Sedaris published his first series of short stories in 1994, entitled Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays with Bay Back Books. The national bestseller went on to become the Village Voice Literary Supplement’s Favorite Book of the Year, as the awkwardly hilarious author moved up the social ladder with appearances on National Public Radio’s Moring Edition.

Recounting his days as a Macy’s elf, complete with the green tights, SantaLand Diaries was another favorite that was included in both Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice. “The great skills with which Sedaris slices through cultural euphuisms and political correctness proves that he is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today,” wrote the Biltmore Farms Hotel Group.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Sedaris’ fourth personal narrative and bestseller (following Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim) has continued to showcase his work to international audiences. According to the Barclay Agency, the humorist has more than seven million copies of his books in print, translated into 25 languages. His work expanded when he comprised his favorite short stories into the collection Children Playing before a Statue of Hercules, in which Sedaris introduced the stories and edited them.

A lover of short stories since his days apple-picking in Odell, Ore., he wrote, “When apple-picking season ended, I got a job in a packing plant and gravitated toward short stories, which I could read during my break and reflect upon for the remainder of my shift. A good one would take me out of myself and stuff me back in, outsized, now, and uneasy with the fit.”

Even more original is his work with sister Amy Sedaris, with whom he has collaborated under the name “The Talent Family,” writing nearly a dozen plays produced throughout New York City. Among the most well known plays includes The Book of Liz, which was published in book form by Dramatists Play Service, and One Woman Shoe, which earned an Obie Award. A great performer, his live albums have been nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album, including 2009’s David Sedaris: Live for Your Listening Pleasure.