A master of the pregnant pause and king of cockeyed deadpan, Sedaris is at the top of his game in these five live performances, delivered in cities across the U.S. The disc includes one of his animal fables, as well as trenchant observations about his life in France and his travels during his author tours. As mundane an experience as shopping at Costco provides as many opportunities for humor, meditations on his past, and appreciation for the bizarre as does the time Sedaris fed a kookaburra outside an Australian restaurant. The brisk and endlessly entertaining listen again proves that mere readers of Sedaris are missing out. (Dec.)

Sedaris's sparkling essays always shimmer ore brightly when read aloud by the author. And his expert timing, mimicry and droll asides are never more polished than during live performances in front of an audience.—Publishers Weekly - Starred Review for WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES

"A master of the pregnant pause and king of cockeyed deadpan, Sedaris is at the top of his game in these five live performances...The brisk and endlessly entertaining listen again proves that mere readers of Sedaris are missing out."—Publishers Weekly

David Sedaris has become a Christmas tradition, at least for this listener—it just doesn't feel like the holidays unless I’m hearing one of his hilarious, and hilariously inappropriate, stories. At just over an hour long, this collection is like a Sedaris sampler platter, just right for bite-sized listening—three short, funny stories; “Laugh, Kookaburra,” which is longer and more serious (and lovely); and some brief diary entries, all recorded live at venues around the country. As always, Sedaris is in fine form reading his own material—he has great comic timing, and the addition of appreciative live audiences is welcome, enhancing his performance and making listeners feel like they’re laughing right along with the rest of a crowded auditorium. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine