Day 13: Amy Sedaris Gets Crafty

It's Day 13 in our 24 Days of Books, and we're in the mood to laugh. Three years ago, comedienne and humorist Amy Sedaris thrilled, amused and horrified millions of people with her guidebook to entertaining called I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. One of those books you really had to see to believe, it struck just the right in-your-face note on every page, giving hundreds of I-can’t-believe-she-said-that tips about food preparation, alcoholic beverages, party favors and other do-it-yourself projects. What she does with pantyhose you don’t want to know.

Ms. Sedaris’ new book is similar in format and laugh-out-loud funniness. In Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People, our resourceful author discusses the new crafting movement and what you can do about it in your very own craft room – you do have a craft room, don’t you? Doesn’t everybody?

Here is just a taste of what’s in this book: Doll wigs as doorknobs. Hair lamps. Donut squirrel feeders. Worm bins. Painted rocks. Crab Claw roach clips. Clothespin crucifixes. Sandwich bag condoms. Tinfoil bracelets. Hotdogs on a rake. Photographs of everything. What this woman does with coffee filters and a yard of gingham, you don’t want to know.

So what we’re saying here is that if you are as strange as we are, we think Simple Times will appeal to you. And also to your strangest friends.

By the way, what did Mr. and Mrs. Sedaris feed those children? Amy’s brother David Sedaris, a world-class humorist in his own right, has another new book this year. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk is a collection of essays about modern life, but using animals as subjects. What if rodents dated? What if dogs had marital problems? What if cats went to AA? In jail?

We have both of these books just waiting to be laughed at. Treat yourself (or someone you strangely like) to a good time.