Holidays on Ice

In my Readers Advisory class we've been required to annotate and book talk several titles over the semester, and last night's class focused on graphic novels, bestsellers, and audio books. I presented Holidays on Ice, one of my favorite things to read every Christmas. It is available as an audio book and nothing beats David Sedaris reading any thing at all!

This book is a hilarious compilation of six short stories that all take place during the holidays. Retelling the misadventures of his dysfunctional family, his full-time job as an elf at Macy’s department store, and other strange situations, Sedaris presents an entertaining and comedic look at the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Because the audio-recording was narrated by the author (who is a qualified performer), one can only assume it is in exactly the tone and style that was intended when it was written. While not every author should or could narrate their own work, this one can. Sedaris’ dry reading of the text alludes to the boredom and mundaneness of his life in a side-splitting fashion.

Whether you read this book or listen to it, it matters not. One of my favorite parts is "The Santaland Diaries," where the author recounts his days as an elf (named Crumpet) at Macy's department store in New York City. I highly recommend this sardonic, irreverent, non-heartwarming, holiday memoir.

This makes a perfect Christmas gift for almost anyone on your list! Check it out through the following links - Buy it! Borrow it! Listen to excerpt! (click on "Santaland Diaries")