By Kelly Keene

Title: Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

Author: David Sedaris

Star Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: This is a collection of short stories from Sedaris’ childhood up through the time he moves out of his parents home and start to find his own way in the world. He shares colorful anecdotes that explain how his siblings and him pass the time when their mom locks them out of the house. He describes his younger brother’s wedding, and the complicated relationship he formed with a budding thief in his first apartment building. Some of Sedaris’ idiosyncrasies are endearing, yet problematic. Whether his OCD makes him an easier target for robbery, or his affinity for weed helps him explain why his father kicks him out of the house. Relatable, funny, and always pushing the edge of humor and tragedy. 

Memorable Quotes:

“Boys who spent their weekends making banana nut muffins did not, as a rule, excel in the art of hand-to-hand combat.”

“She knew what my mother did not: either you want a clean floor or you want to use a mop, but you can’t have both.”

“Real love amounts to withholding the truth, even when you’re offered the perfect opportunity to hurt someone’s feelings…”

My Take:

I will never turn down an opportunity to have Sedaris in my ear. I love that he reads his own audiobooks aloud, and recommend reading this one by listening too. This collection, especially, addresses the complexities of LGBTQ+ adolescents and sibling dynamics. Sedaris includes  anecdotes from childhood and adult life that create a nice contrast, especially when he includes members of his family. Some evolve from one short piece to the next, and some don’t. Sedaris also helps his readers find humor in some of the trauma we all endure. His perspective is so fun to try on.