Naked by David Sedaris
Strictly speaking Sedaris writes essays rather than fiction, but they sit happily in this section. Naked, published in 1997, was the collection that brought him to a wide audience. Most of the pieces look back on his childhood and youth in Raleigh, North Carolina, his large and memorable family, and some odd jobs and travels in his twenties.
Sedaris is brutally honest about himself. His childhood tics and compulsions, his awkwardness and his mistakes are all on the page, and he writes about them with a lot of humour. His mother is a standout presence throughout, and the essays about her are some of the most affecting in the book.
I'm a big fan of David Sedaris and have seen him live in Melbourne a couple of times. His sometimes gentle, sometimes acidic humour combined with his masterful storytelling always makes for a good read. His stories of his family are insightful, witty and often poignant. I tend to find my internal voice reading his text in his laconic Southern drawl. Every one of his books is a treat, and if you like his humour, you're guaranteed laugh-out-loud moments.
Some of the content is adult, so it may not suit everyone. If you prefer audiobooks, Sedaris narrates his own work and his delivery adds a lot.
Why you might enjoy it: If you like memoir, dry humour and writing that finds the funny side of family life, Naked is a good place to start with him.
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Do you have a favourite Sedaris story? Tell me about it in the comments.
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