The Best of Me

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris

“Genius.... It is miraculous to read these pieces.... You must read The Best of Me.” (Andrew Sean Greer, New York Times Book Review)

David Sedaris’s best stories and essays, spanning his remarkable career - as selected and read by the author himself. Featuring fresh and classic recordings, including a new essay and an interview exclusive to the audiobook.

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice

A CNN and Christian Science Monitor Best Book of the Month​

For more than 25 years, David Sedaris has been carving out a unique literary space, virtually creating his own genre. A Sedaris story may seem confessional, but is also highly attuned to the world outside. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence. And it is almost impossible to listen without laughing.

Now, for the first time collected in one volume, the author brings us his funniest and most memorable work. In these stories, Sedaris shops for rare taxidermy, hitchhikes with a lady quadriplegic, and spits a lozenge into a fellow traveler’s lap. He drowns a mouse in a bucket, struggles to say “give it to me” in five languages, and hand-feeds a carnivorous bird.

But if all you expect to find in Sedaris’s work is the deft and sharply observed comedy for which he became renowned, you may be surprised to discover that his words bring more warmth than mockery, more fellow-feeling than derision. Nowhere is this clearer than in his writing about his loved ones. In these essays, Sedaris explores falling in love and staying together, recognizing his own aging not in the mirror but in the faces of his siblings, losing one parent and coming to terms - at long last - with the other.

Taken together, the performances in The Best of Me reveal the wonder and delight Sedaris takes in the surprises life brings him. No experience, he sees, is quite as he expected - it’s often harder, more fraught, and certainly weirder - but sometimes it is also much richer and more wonderful.

Full of joy, generosity, and the incisive humor that has led David Sedaris to be called “the funniest man alive” (Time Out New York), The Best of Me spans a career spent watching and learning and laughing - quite often at himself - and invites listeners deep into the world of one of the most brilliant and original writers of our time.

©2020 David Sedaris (P)2020 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

“The genius of The Best of Me is that it reveals the growth of a writer, a sense of how his outlook has changed and where he finds humor… The subject, in many of the pieces Sedaris has selected, is the judgment and pain we inflict on one another, and by ‘we’ Sedaris does not mean people in general. He means him. And he means you. And he means me… You must read The Best of Me. It will be a new experience, knowing that enough time has passed to find humor in the hardest parts of life. More than ever—we’re allowed to laugh.”—Andrew Sean Greer, New York Times Book Review

"An excellent introduction to Sedaris’ work if, somehow, you’re not among the millions who have made him a mainstay on bestseller lists and flocked to his ticketed readings. Even if you’ve read or listened to every word he’s ever written, it’s a terrific highlights reel and a chance to view the arc of Sedaris’ development as a writer over 25 years… In his more serious moments, Sedaris expresses surprise and gratitude for his good fortune. Even his father, “that perpetual human storm cloud,” has finally, in his late 90s, acknowledged his elder son’s fantastic accomplishments. The Best of Me is a well-earned victory lap.” —Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor

“The collection magnifies many of the attributes that have made Sedaris such a beloved writer, not least of which is the sense of wit... Across 46 stories and 400 pages, Sedaris’ clarity as a writer comes through. The pieces can be painfully funny and painfully poignant for the same reason: He’s economical with words, thoughts, jokes and emotions.”—Andrew Dansby, Houston Chronicle

BEST Covid comfort food

Loved every minute of it. As always. Give yourself this gift, you'll be happy you did.

A great variety!

I’ve listened to a lot of David Sedaris’s books and have had the pleasure of seeing in person as well. I love his work! This compilation was a bit different than other books I’ve listened to. It had the usual flare of hilarity but it was mixed with some more serious stories as well. I feel like I was listening to the reality that comes with getting older and experiencing more life, wisdom. I REALLY enjoyed the interview at the end of the audio. It was super fun to listen to this and I think it made the book even better! Enjoy!
And thank you David for continuing to share your passion with the world!

Some old favorites, but plenty of new

I love David Sedaris's writing. Humorous, but poignant. His stories are laugh out loud, tears streaming down my face! Thank you!!

Fabulous!

I love the honesty in David’s interpretations of events and the shocking nature of his true emotional responses to them. I would recommend this to half of my friends-only the ones with an intellectual humor that can consume this comedy without being offended. Thank you, David Sedaris, for another gem and the many laughs you provided.

Lost track of time

He never disappoints, I kept thinking I’d listen for 30 minutes and before I knew it 2 hours were gone! Loved the interview at the end too!

As always, fantastic!

David never ceases to amaze me with his words. The only thing that makes them better is his narration. Filled with hilarity and heart. I am anxiously awaiting whatever he bestows on us next!

Sedaris is a giant of literature

Why? Because he is fearless, imaginative and talented in his craft. I love you David

who couldn't Love David sedaris.

I started with me talk pretty One Day and have listened and even bought books all of them. he'll make you laugh and he'll make you cry so much insight into people. so honest. so real. I guess you get the picture I enjoy his books.

Thoroughly enjoyed.

This is his first book I’ve experienced. Honest. Surprising. Funny. Raw. Grateful to the author for sharing himself and for reading this book.

The Best of Me

Honnêtement drôle. Il parle des trucs on ne pense que! Tout le monde a des problèmes, mais Sedaris les adresses ouvertement. C’est rafraîchissant.
Superbe....Merci