When You Are Engulfed In Flames

Is David Sedaris' life more interesting than mine? Or does he just have better powers of observation and the ability to communicate stories in a witty and compelling way? I'm leaning towards the latter. At least I hope so...

I enjoyed Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked. I didn't think they were either boring or remarkable; they were just plain enjoyable. I got into David Sedaris more after I subscribed to The New Yorker. David Sedaris is a regular contributor and many of his essays (including those in When You Are Engulfed In Flames) are featured within the magazine. One of my residents burned me a CD of him reading his stories at Carnegie Hall. His unique voice and wry emphasis added so much to the work and I got really into him.

I was a little disappointed that I had already read a few of the essays in this book (thanks to The New Yorker). However, I am a sucker for any kind of travel writing and I gobbled up the essays on his life in France and his short move to Japan (to quit smoking). I marvel at his ability to complete capture a moment - hilarious and awkward in its entirety. It makes me want to carry a notebook around in my pocket and start talking to the strangest looking people around in hopes of experiencing half the stuff that Sedaris writes about.

Official Book Club Selection

Audiobooks. Love them or hate them? I used to love them when I was kid. An avid reader even then, I soon realized that there were some activities that were inappropriate for reading: arts and crafts (you need your hands), walking down the street (I've mastered that now) and riding in the car (motion sickness!). I would check out tons of audiobooks from the Wheaton library. Especially ones read by a British narrator. There was something so satisfying about sitting at my desk, stamping away to my heart's content and listening to "The Phantom Tollbooth" on my Walkman.

After a fifteen-year hiatus, I decided to go back to audiobooks. Well, on a trial basis. I listen regularly to "This American Life" podcast and was tempted by the offer of a free book from Audible.com. I picked Sarah Vowell's "Assassination Vacation" because I saw that Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart had guest appearances on the book. Well, I didn't read the fine print and ended up being charged $14.95 a month (for one month only) as a Gold Platinum Premium member. With that honor came one free book. I wasn't too thrilled with my audiobook experience from Sarah Vowell - it sounded like a book I'd much rather physically read than listen to. So this time, I went for laughs.

I love me some Kathy Griffin. I've watched her show, "Life on the D-List" since it started on Bravo. I figured this book would be a good choice, especially since it was read by her. I was right. Instead of feeling like I was being read to, I felt like Kathy was just chit chatting with me. I laughed out loud a lot of times (definitely good on public transportation...people will keep their distance). I loved hearing about her childhood, her long hard climb to legitimate fame, her plastic surgeries, her failed marriage (he stole her money!) and her inside scoops on other celebrities. It was like one really long episode of the show.

I think listening to the audiobook, in this case, was better than actually reading it. Her wit, timing and impersonations added a lot to the experience. I'm definitely not converting to audiobooks (I canceled my Audible membership) but wouldn't turn another comedy memoir down.

Playing Favorites

I have to be honest. I don't trust someone who doesn't have a favorite book. Myself, I have several. The first book that made the list?