A Carnival of Snackery

Diaries (2003-2020)

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris, Tracey Ullman

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice
Finalist for the Audie Award in Humor

There’s no right way to keep a diary, but if there’s an entertaining way, David Sedaris seems to have mas­tered it.

If it’s navel-gazing you’re after, you’ve come to the wrong place; ditto treacly self-examination. Rather, his observations turn outward: a fight between two men on a bus, a fight between two men on the street, pedestrians being whacked over the head or gathering to watch as a man considers leap­ing to his death. There’s a dirty joke shared at a book signing, then a dirtier one told at a dinner party—lots of jokes here. Plenty of laughs.

These diaries remind you that you once really hated George W. Bush, and that not too long ago, Donald Trump was just a harm­less laughingstock, at least on French TV. Time marches on, and Sedaris, at his desk or on planes, in hotel dining rooms and odd Japanese inns, records it. The entries here reflect an ever-changing background—new administrations, new restrictions on speech and conduct. What you can say at the start of the book, you can’t by the end. At its best, A Carnival of Snackery is a sort of sampler: the bitter and the sweet. Some entries are just what you wanted. Others you might want to spit discreetly into a napkin.

Critic reviews

Praise for A Carnival of Snackery:

“Sedaris is a singularly talented humorist who lands acerbic zingers with the calculating precision of a kamikaze pilot… Throughout the colorful, caustic yarns that fill his best-selling essay and story collections, he’s maintained league-of-his-own status by staying light on his feet: Just when you’re expecting a wry jab, he clocks you with a poignant gut punch.”—Rachel Rosenblit, Washington Post

“Deeply satisfying… the diaries are as clear, direct and funny as his essays… [Sedaris] has such a gift for illuminating small things.”—Liana Finck, New York Times Book Review

“Uproarious… a must for Sedaris fans.”—Lesley Kennedy, CNN

“Mesmerizing and jolting… Sedaris’ shrewdly sketched world travelogue, hilarious anecdotes, and frank reflections on loved ones, and life's myriad absurdities and cruelties major and minor, make for a delectably sardonic, rueful, and provocative chronicle… fans don't want to miss a word.”—Donna Seaman, Booklist

“A rich trove for hardcore Sedaris fans.”—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Theft by Finding:

“Sedaris is no ordinary diarist. He’s more like a private detective, sneaking around and capturing his subjects in moments when they think no one is looking.”—Fiona Maazel, O, The Oprah Magazine

“Finding meaning and humor in life’s interstices… is Sedaris’s unique genius as a writer… What is fascinating about this book is that narrative coherence is not apparent from one sentence or paragraph to the next but emerges through the sequence of entries over many years.”—David Takami, Seattle Times

“Sedaris fans will thrill to this opportunity to poke around in the writer’s personal diaries, which he has faithfully kept for four decades and used as raw material for his hilarious nonfiction as well as his performances.”—Paul S. Makishima, Boston Globe

“Perhaps his most intimate book… Sedaris has become a reigning master of crystalline social commentary and blisteringly humorous self-reflection.”—Lauren Christensen, Los Angeles Times

“Randomly open to any page and you’ll find a gem… Sedaris’s gift is to make you stop and think one moment and laugh out loud the next.”—Rob Merrill, Associated Press

I adore David. Not for those new to his writing!

This is a great book/diary but if you don’t read David Sedaris then start with Calypso or one of his earlier writings. I don’t think that you will enjoy it the way you will once you know him a little better. Then come back!
I was hesitant about Tracy Ullman because I love the way David does it!! I have to admit she did a fabulous job and I like that they switched off a bit and made it fun. As always, thank you Mr. Sedaris!!! 💙💜💛❤️

So satisfying

First, regarding the narration, at least 80% of this is narrated by Sedaris. The Ullman parts take a little getting used to, but eventually it becomes very interesting to hear David’s writing interpreted by a different person.

As to the substance, Sedaris is far more successful and wealthy in this volume than the previous, and that pervades the writing. But he’s never unaware of that, and it adds a lot of depth to the stories.

I’ve enjoyed the diaries more than his other books, though I like them too. There’s much that’s compelling and real, as well as endlessly funny and fascinating, of course.

If you enjoyed the previous diaries and are open minded about handling the (small) Ullman experiment, you’ll enjoy this.

So funny, and the narration is perfect!

I have listened to a lot of David Sedaris’ books and I was concerned that the transition between Tracey Ullman and David Sedaris would be jarring. It’s not. It’s absolutely seamless and Tracey Ullman added an extra layer of humor to the stories in this book. This is one of my favorite collections and I have listened to it over and over again.

Great As Always!

David Sedaris and Tracy Ullman split the narration 50/50. it takes 1 or 2 chapters to get used to the switching back and forth however it's still a great listen!!! I recommend it.

Please redo without Ullman

I have nothing against Ullman but her parts are intrusive and I can’t wait til her parts are over. The transitions detract from the flow of the book. Nice experiment but a failure in my opinion. We LIKE David Sedaris’ voice…

just delightful

Exactly what I was hoping for. As a long time sedaris fan I really appreciated the journal selections that were thoughtfully brought together with so much theme and movement. It was so relatable. So entertaining. I wish we could all be as open with eachother as this book was with us- but then again. It everyone’s thoughts would be worthy or praise as this is. I’m in a hard weird time of life and I feel like I have full permission to just embrace it and keep it weird. No shame in that.

Best of the Best

There is no other author that can elicit a laugh from me like David. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him in person at a book signing and he’s as kind and funny as you’d expect. I love his stories and can sit for hours listing to them. His humor may not be for everyone but who is!? Thank you David for such great entertainment.

When you listen - you’ll know. Savage.😂

Quintessential David. How much garbage have we picked up now, I wonder? Just listen to it.

audio

My favorite part about listening to a David Sedaris book is that he reads them. I find myself not listening to this book the least

American humorist who writes of his life experience

The author provides many examples and why they are absurd. The book is written from his diaries. He was able to incorporate his family members in these anecdotes. A number are gross, but some are quite hilarious. Davis Sedaris and Tracey Ullman are the presenters. These are good choices.