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

Dramatically hilarious and honest!

I’ve read and/or listened to as many books or essays that David Sedaris writes or speaks on. His voice is soothing and the joke timing is well placed and executed! 10/10 would recommend to everyone over the age of 18! Bravo!

David Sedaris never fails to make me laugh

I think it’s wonderful how David Sedaris reveals all sides of his personality: Coward, genius, comedian, Unhappy son, and so on. His take on common things and uncommon things is so wonderful. His writing is fresh and full of braggadocio, humility, and honesty. I love everything he does! I really hope to run into him in Japan one of these days!

I'm so sad it's finished!!

I've been watching the remaining hours and minutes decline with a sense of sadness, while simultaneously delighting in the book itself. I love David Sedaris, and while I don't think he could put out a book I didn't pre-order in audio and print forms, some ARE better than others. This one is really a joy, and together with Theft By Finding is a fabulous look into the mind of an author I would love to be like, love to meet. But in addition to that, this book and Theft By Finding give me the impression that we could be friends, perhaps should be. Obviously that's not a practical thought and downright creepy if intended literally, but the intimacy of journal excerpts generally tends to nurture tiny, harmless versions of those kinds of thoughts. As with every other Sedaris book, I'm certain I will listen to it a second and then a third time.

Evil giggling

I find myself giggling like the dark hearted tramp I really am deep in my soul. Thank you for saying what we are really all thinking and saying it in such an entertaining way!

Ignore the haters!

I've read and listened to multiple Sedaris books. After reading a review that recommended giving this book a chance, I decided to do so, figuring I could return it if it turned out to be disappointing.
It was a good decision. I have thoroughly enjoyed its material and both of its narrators.
It may be slightly different from what his fans are accustomed to, but the humor is all his, and just as abusing as ever.
Don't miss out because so many readers were opposed to the new presentation style.