I love David Sedaris’ writing and “When You Are Engulfed in Flames” is no exception. His short chapters are sometimes charming, often laugh out loud funny and occasionally touching. His language is frequently crude, but you quickly overlook that.

Sedaris has written other books including “Naked“, “Me Talk Pretty One Day” and “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim“. What do they all have in common? His sense of humor and his willingness to share even the most embarrassing aspects of his family’s dysfunction. Yes, we all have family stories that make us snort and cry, many of which we would NEVER share with someone else. Sedaris seems to revel in sharing those details. You wonder how anyone related to him manages to continue to talk to him on a regular basis.

Though some of his family seem to enjoy the attention. His sister’s book “I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence” (Amy Sedaris) is a cookbook of sorts that shares his brand of strange humor.

If you enjoy David Sedaris, you may also enjoy Laurie Notaro. For a milder brand of humor (that carries less offensive material), try Erma Bombeck, DL Stewart or Firoozeh DuMas.