I think I’ve said this before, but reading a new David Sedaris book has come to feel like catching up with an old acquaintance. One of the things I appreciate about Sedaris is how he finds humor in the little things or the mundane. He also says things that a lot of people think, but maybe won’t say. I guess that’s two things. In this case, he explores aspects of life during COVID and related lockdowns. For him, COVID became a rare moment of quiet and stillness where he was forced to spend more time than usual with us partner, Hugh. Something a bit different in this collection is that we see the death of his father, Lou. Anyone familiar with Sedaris and his work knows the tumultuous relationship they’ve had, but also the main character status he’s had across different essays and books. Sedaris captures something important that might seem obvious, but can be overlooked: the death of a loved one or relative doesn’t stop the lives of the rest of us. Things continue, life continues. Even in the moments immediately after, life continues. There’s no right way or wrong way to process this loss, but I think what Sedaris presents is starkly honest and feels like the close of a chapter. As a reader, it feels like an actor has decided to leave a show after playing the same character for 20 years. That’s not to say this book isn’t funny. It sure as shit is. The funniest parts, for me, came toward the end, but there are laughs throughout.