I listened to these as bedtime stories while in the European countryside, so take that as you will.

This is my second David Sedaris, and it's not as personal as Calypso but equally enjoyable. Some stories aren't from his perspective at all, but instead we get to briefly visit the brain of truly unhinged and surprising (functional??) people.

The best part of these stories, essays, and even a funny poem, is that they're off the wall in a way that carefully toes the line of an annoying "rawr means I love you in dinosaur haha I'm so random" without actually going over it. There's bizarre taxidermy, culture shock, funny travel story, endless politics, and just general delights in the weirdness of being a human, bodily functions and all.

Recommended if you're in the mood for a book that's really just a stand-up comedy show full of unexpected twists and turns. 3.5 stars rounded down - enjoyable, but not essential reading (Calypso was the stronger collection, so far).

More thoughts here: https://youtu.be/N13GyePhEvk