First Line: Not long after deciding to release a book of diary entries, I came upon a five-pound note.

Summary: This is a collection of diary entries from the author. He describes life as a young man working attending college, teaching and falling in love.

Highlights: David! He is hilarious. I love listening to his books because I can hear him read them. When I was first introduced to him I wasn't sure he was for me but I've come to love him and his writing. It was great to see more into his life. Meeting Hugh. Writing. He touched on some of my favorite stories like Santaland. I felt so sad reading of his moms passing. Laughed at the jokes and bumper stickers interspersed in the book. This was very enjoyable and worth every minute!

Lowlights: Nothing.

FYI: Be prepared to laugh!

I am generally I huge David Sedaris fan and usually devour his books and his writing in the New Yorker. This just felt lazy and disjointed. I have to admit that I didn't finish it -- a rare occurrence for me.

David Sedaris is very funny. Enjoyed this one. Would read other books by him.

In this diary collection, David Sedaris finds everyday life circumstances entertaining. I think we all do that, but I really think he sits back and enjoys the ride (especially of mundane things) more than most. It doesn’t seem like he takes life too seriously and that’s refreshing. This book takes place when David is 21 and poor, starting out on his own and it is interesting as a big fan of his to see how he gets from there to having his books published and living in France in 2002. The one thing that struck me in this diary collection is that David mostly describes his life without emotions getting in the way. I know when I was young and kept a diary, it was full of my emotions and opinions and judgements, more so than what was actually happening in my life. He includes enough funny and strange observations to make this a fun read, but I guess that is his what made him famous and what we all love him for. David’s relationships with his family members were my favorite parts of the book. Reading this makes me want to go back and re-read all of his memoirs. It was really good to “visit” with him again.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing me with a copy.

As a huge David Sedaris fan, I really enjoyed reading these diary entries. They gave some great "behind the scenes insight into some of my favorite stories, such as teaching college writing classes and his years harvesting apples in Oregon. The diary entries paint a much bleaker picture of his early life than his stories. They include the astute observations of his stories, without the added humor. He describes the poverty around him in a matter of fact style, he doesn't hold much judgement of those around him, just mild annoyance. It is interesting to see his development as a writer throughout this collection. The first entries were very short, just a few sentences without much insight. As the time passes, the entries get more elaborate. They include not only events that happen to him, but conversations. You can see him using his creative license in turning events in his life into stories.

I would recommend keeping is other books nearby when reading this book, I felt the need to go back and reread some of his past stories and compare them to the diary entries!

Absolutely love this book. Not as funny as his othr books, but enjoyable all the same. It is amazing to me that his life of youthful wildness allowed him to grow into such a funny and caring guy, allowed him to age at all actually. It is interesting to see parts of his stories begin in his diary. Most amazingly to me is I didn't know that he was a santa elf for more than the one year, brave man.

Thoroughly enjoyed this read. He is an excellent author and always provides a good story.

I’ll preface this by saying I’m a big David Sedaris fan. I’ve read all of his books and have really enjoyed them all. Theft by Finding is a different approach to writing. Instead of the usual essay format, these are diary entries David has made throughout his life.

Personally, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as his other books. When reading his entries during his druggie years, I found I didn’t actually want to read his antics in detail. To me, it’s just not something I found interesting. Also, some entries are quite short. I found that I enjoy the longer essay version of his writing.

Since I’m a fan of his other works, I think I may have stuck with this longer than someone who is a new reader. I wouldn’t recommend making this the first book of his that you read. The book just didn’t hold my interest and I found that I was having to make myself pick it up and read it instead of being unable to put it down.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Probably not a book most readers will sit and read from start to finish, but as a David Sedaris fan it is interesting to see him evolve not only as a writer but as a witty observer. Dipping in at certain significant dates (such as 9/11, or when his books get published), is a fascinating experience for dedicated Sedaris readers.

Dear Diary, I read this book recently that was completely in diary format since the author had, in fact, published 25 years of diary entries, (Volume I) apparently, that started when he was about 20-21 years old and has continued on ever since. He started off with brief statements and observations of his day. I guess 1977 to 1983 are his really "bleak" years. Which are typical when you're young, broke and no real goals in life. I think many of us could relate. He's starting to sound a little humorous.
"The diary lightened up when I moved to Chicago, partly because I was in a big city and because I felt better about myself." David attended and graduated from the Art Institute here, where many fabulous entries; particularly his writing times at his favorite IHOP near his neighborhood. Bountiful years And he's still alive.
In 1990 David moves to NYC and the world really opens up to him. Tons of cleaning jobs to earn some cash, millions to observe, and times to write, day or night. He meets Hugh here, thank goodness, gets himself together a bit more, and starts to become the success he is today. You know, that quirky little guy that a reads his books out loud at all different venues; and we pay our hard-earned money to buy tickets to go listen to him, willingly. What a racket! He's really funny though and we all like him. I myself have all his books in print form and audio. Personally, I like sarcasm.
So diary, it's worth it, I get my own copy today! Amazon is going to drone it over. I'm lying, I pre-ordered it. But I am going to also listen on audio, so much better when David reads it to you. Still, what a racket! The audio is awesome!

I'm really disappointed that there are not any pictures in this book. That "New Yorker" article recently got my hopes up for pictures. Oh well. Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC.

I'm a huge David Sedaris fan -- Theft by Finding is one of his best.

I'm a sedaris fan - pretty sure i've read everything he's had published, and have been to a reading. I feel like i'm the perfect target audience for this latest book of diary entries. I don't think this is a stand-alone or introductory sedaris book. You need some familiarity with his work to appreciate this one. Also, it started out a bit slow, but definitely picked up as it progressed. There were a handful of lol moments, and a few interesting historical references (9/11, for example) that helped it along, as well. I will recommend this to sedaris fans, for sure.

Boy, did this book seem like a quick way to profit off of name and reputation. I read bits and pieces of it, which is what you do when you stumble across a diary and decided to sneak a peek, but after about a half an hour of this I grew bored.

Just not for me.

I have enjoyed David Sedaris's work for quite a while now, and while Theft by Finding is not my favorite, I think fans of his will really enjoy it. The first half, while he was in his 20s and doing drugs in North Carolina, was not all that fun to me. As the entries go on, though, I found myself enjoying it more and more, and reveling in his success when he writes about his work started getting noticed. I would not recommend this as a readers' entry into his writing, but overall it was great!

I read the first 25% of this book via the ARC and decided that I need to purchase it for myself immediately. As Sedaris claims in the introduction, it's not a book to be read cover-to-cover - it's a book to dip into over a period of time. I want this book sitting next to my reading chair on my end table waiting for me to return to it again and again.

Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002) by David Sedaris is very highly recommended collection of entries from his diaries.

This is an edited compilation selected by Sedaris of his diaries. "I’m including only a small fraction. An entirely different book from the same source material could make me appear nothing but evil, selfish, generous, or even, dare I say, sensitive. On any given day I am all these things and more: stupid, cheerful, misanthropic, cruel, narrow-minded, open, petty - the list goes on and on." A different edit would have changed the entire book. In fact, Sedaris started out planning to just share the funny diary entries when his editor suggested that he go back to the early entries and share things that weren't as funny. He did this and it changed the book, as he then decided to eliminate many of the funny entries. The result is a compelling collection that follows Sedaris's life from a struggling drug-abusing drop out to a celebrated humorous author.

For his diary entries Sedaris notes: "What I prefer recording at the end - or, more recently, at the start - of my day are remarkable events I have observed (fistfights, accidents, a shopper arriving with a full cart of groceries in the express lane), bits of overheard conversation, and startling things people have told me." The wonderful thing about these tidbits of observation is that they often capture societal opinions during current events of the times. For those of us who are around the same age, the entries pull you back to that time and what was happening then, as well as what you were doing.

Fans of Sedaris's writing will clearly see the inspiration for some of his stories. His wit and humor, along with the gifted way he has with words and descriptions, is here, and many will recognize the source material for some of his stories. But while he is often hilarious, he is also honest. There are many poignant revelations and emotional situations presented along with the expected funny remarks, stories, and observations.

Theft by Finding is not to be missed. The title of the book is based on a term used in the U.K. where, if you discover something of value and keep it, it is called "theft by finding." Sedaris's acute eye and ear for actions and dialogue is clearly evident as he recorded many events and conversations that he "found" or overheard, along with the more direct conversations and encounters he experienced.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Little, Brown and Company.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2017/06/theft-by-finding-diaries.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2017222025

Bedtime is safe again. For several nights in a row, my poor husband would be almost asleep when I would bust out laughing while reading an entry from one of David Sedaris' diary entries. Let's just say he was not amused. I've been a David Sedaris fan for nearly 20 years and have been looking forward to this book for months. For that reason, I'm not the most unbiased of reviewers. If you've read and enjoyed previous Sedaris books, or if you've had the chance to hear Sedaris read from his diaries before, you'll enjoy Theft by Finding. You'll recognize elements of other stories in the diary entries, but it doesn't feel repetitive to me. Instead I found it interesting to learn the beginnings and back stories of Sedaris stories I've previously loved. The reader will also get insight into some of the harder, not funny parts of Sedaris' life.

You can't fault the author for the early diary entries dragging a bit. It's not as if he knew in 1977 that one day these would be shared with the world. The format takes a few years (in book form!) to get used to, and I made a note that the book finds its groove and takes off around 1984. If you've never read Sedaris before, don't start here. However if you are fan, Theft by Finding: Diaries is a must-read.

"In order to record your life, you sort of need to live it. Not at your desk, but beyond it. Out in the world where it's so beautiful and complex and painful that sometimes you just need to sit down and write about it."

I'm so glad that Sedaris lives out his thoughtful, quirky, observant life and writes the details down for us.

David Sedaris fans will love this book! His personality and humor thoroughly shine here. Short diary entries interspersed with more detailed entries describe his life with dry wit. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advance copy of David Sedaris' latest book, Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- Humorist David Sedaris shares his diary entries from the years 1977-2002. 

LIKE- I'm a huge Sedaris fan and I was thrilled to be granted an ARC of Theft by Finding. I've seen Sedaris speak several times and at each show, he reads a handful of entries from his diary. Often, they are absolutely hilarious, especially his wry observations of fellow humans, including their conversations that he eavesdrops. I couldn't help but hear Sedaris' voice as I was reading Theft by Finding. If an audio version with Sedaris narrating becomes available, I highly recommend it. His tone is half of what makes the entries so funny.

Sedaris explains that the title is from a British law called "Theft by Finding," in which a person can be punished if they find something valuable and do not turn it in. For example, you're unlikely to get punished for keeping a pound, but if you find a wallet with a wad of cash and don't hand it over, you're guilty. Many of Sedaris' diary entries involve snippets of conversation and characters that he "finds" by observing strangers. The title couldn't be more perfect.

Artists will find hope in Sedaris' career journey. At the start of the diary entries, in 1977, Sedaris is twenty-one. The early entries show Sedaris struggling to figure a career path and his attending art school. He works odd jobs, many involving manual labor, and like a lot of twenty-somethings, lack of money is a major issue. Even when Sedaris sells his first two books ( he earns a two book deal), he still doesn't earn enough to completely quit his day jobs. As someone who is a late-bloomer with regard to career goals, I took heart in Sedaris' story, especially that earning a solid living from writing didn't happen until he was middle-age. Sedaris is a brilliant writer and his success certainly didn't happen overnight. I'd also argue that some of his best stories come directly from that delayed success. If Sedaris had success young, he'd never have had to take a job as a Macy's Elf and Santaland Diaries would exist. I don't want to imagine a world without Santaland Diaries!

I was surprised by the tremendous amount of time that Sedaris has spent at IHOP! 

DISLIKE- At the start of the diaries, Sedaris mentions that he envisions Theft by Finding, to be a coffee table type of book, something you'd pick up now and then, rather than read straight through. Since I had a review copy, I read it straight through. Sedaris has the right idea with his advice ( imagine, an author knowing what's best for their own book!), reading it cover-to-cover in two days, was overwhelming. I found the more recent entries to be far more insightful and entertaining than the earlier ones, likely due to maturity and Sedaris becoming a stronger writer. It also may be that his later entries were written when he was around my current age, so I found them more relatable. 

RECOMMEND- Yes. If you're a Sedaris' fan, Theft by Finding, is a must-read. If you're not familiar with Sedaris, don't make this your first pick. I'd recommend starting with Me Talk Pretty One Day or Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. I'm hoping that Sedaris will release a companion book with his Diary entries 2003-present.

A MUST-READ for Sedaris fans. A carefully curated selection from his journals over 25 years, this sort of feels like a behind the scenes look at David's life. It's truly admirable that he's been keeping a journal all these years and explains how he writes his fabulous, funny stories. Not to mention he's honest, observant, kind, and a humble guy.