David Sedaris Reading Order
6 series · 34 books · Born December 26, 1956
David Sedaris is a celebrated American writer known for his wit and incisive observations on everyday life. With a diverse portfolio that includes 34 books spanning six series—such as diaries, short story collections, children's literature, standalone plays, and non-fiction—he has captivated audiences since 1992. His most notable work, "Me Talk Pretty One Day," showcases his unique style of humor and storytelling, making him a prominent figure in contemporary literature.
Anthologies Series
Complete12 books (2001–2014)
Start with Strange Stories for Strange Kids, the first of 12 books in the Anthologies series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Strange Stories for Strange Kids 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 | 40 Model Essays 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Scoot Over, Skinny: The Fat Nonfiction Anthology 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  The Best American Essays 2005 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  Big Fat Little Lit 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  The Best American Erotica 2006 2006Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | Touchstone Anthology of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction 2007Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  NPR Holiday Favorites 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 | Flight Patterns: A Century of Stories about Flying 2009Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  My Ideal Bookshelf 2012Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 12 |  By the Book 2014Buy 🇺🇸 |
Children's Series
Complete1 book (2001–2001)
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pretty Ugly(With: Ian Falconer) 2001Buy 🇺🇸 |
Diaries Series
Likely Complete2 books (2015–2021)
Start with Theft by Finding and read in order.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Theft by Finding 2015Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020 2021Buy 🇺🇸 |
Non-Fiction Series
Ongoing6 books (2013–2026)
Start with Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, the first of 6 books in the Non-Fiction series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls 2013Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  David Sedaris Diaries 2017Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Calypso 2018Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 | Themes and Variations 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Happy-Go-Lucky 2022Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 |  The Land and its People 2026Buy 🇺🇸 |
Short Story Collections Series
Complete11 books (1992–2020)
Start with Origins Of The Underclass, the first of 11 books in the Short Story Collections series.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Origins Of The Underclass 1992Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  Barrel Fever 1994Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 3 |  Holidays on Ice 1997Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 4 |  Naked 1997Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 5 |  Me Talk Pretty One Day 2000Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 6 | David Sedaris: Live at Carnegie Hall 2003Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 7 |  Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim 2004Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 8 | Barrel Fever and Other Stories 2005Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 9 |  When You Are Engulfed in Flames 2008Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 10 |  Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk 2010Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 11 |  The Best of Me 2020Buy 🇺🇸 |
Standalone Plays Series
Complete2 books (1998–2002)
Start with The SantaLand Diaries and Season's Greetings and read in order.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 |  The SantaLand Diaries and Season's Greetings 1998Buy 🇺🇸 |
| 2 |  The Book of Liz - Acting Edition 2002Buy 🇺🇸 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has David Sedaris written?
- David Sedaris has written 34 books across 6 series. Their published works span from 1992 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each David Sedaris series?
- Here are the first books in David Sedaris's series: Anthologies: Strange Stories for Strange Kids; Diaries: Theft by Finding; Non-Fiction: Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls; Short Story Collections: Origins Of The Underclass; Standalone Plays: The SantaLand Diaries and Season's Greetings.
- What order should I read David Sedaris's books?
- We recommend reading David Sedaris's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is David Sedaris still writing new books?
- Yes, David Sedaris has 1 ongoing series: Non-Fiction.