No one sees the world quite like David Sedaris. The American best-selling author, humorist, and master of satire keeps a notebook on him at all times that holds observations from his travels and surroundings.
Sedaris draws from the everyday -- including his personal life and upbringing, things tourists say, and external catheters -- for series of short stories that he's shared on public radio, in magazines including Esquire and The New Yorker, and in his own books.
On Thursday, April 25, Sedaris will visit Gammage Auditorium to read from his latest works and sign copies of Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, described as "a bizarre and stimulating world tour."
See also: - "Sign Painters" is a Visual Portrait of an American Tradition - Laurie Notaro: Toss the Book You Have in Your Purse and Read These Instead
In Sedaris' words:
"From the perils of French dentistry to the eating habits of the Australian kookaburra, from the squat-style toilets of Beijing to the particular wilderness of a North Carolina Costco, we learn about the absurdity and delight of a curious traveler's experiences."
The book -- like most things Sedaris -- is a quirky blend of storytelling and observation with a healthy dose of dark humor, and in honor of his visit to Tempe, we've compiled a list of our favorite lessons learned from the American author:
5. If you aren't cute, you may as well be clever.
4. Real love amounts to withholding the truth, even when you're offered the perfect opportunity to hurt someone's feelings.
3. All of us take pride and pleasure in the fact that we are unique, but I'm afraid that when all is said and done the police are right: it all comes down to fingerprints.
2. When shit brings you down, just say "fuck it," and eat yourself some motherfucking candy
1. Most people would have found it grotesque, but when you're in love nothing is so abstract or horrible that it can't be thought of as cute.
Sedaris visits Tempe's Gammage Auditorium, for a reading, discussion, and book-signing starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($40 to $75) are available through Gammage's website.
Follow Jackalope Ranch on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest.
