‘ Asking for candy on Halloween was called trick-or-treating, but asking for candy on November first was called begging, and it made people uncomfortable. David believed this to be a handicap that prevented the family from being able to function normally, hence why the Tomkeys were away on Halloween weekend and thought it ok for trick-or-treating to take place on another day: The book opens with a story (‘ Us and Them‘) about the Tomkeys, a family who lived on David’s street growing up and who didn’t believe in TV and therefore did not own one.

It’s not the obvious slapstick kind of humour, but more of a ‘this is somewhat inappropriate and probably politically incorrect, but I’m gonna say it, and it doesn’t stop it from being funny’ kind of humour. As odd as it may sound, he writes with a subtle hilariousness, and it’s irresistible. This is a collection of random short stories, scenes from his childhood growing up in a quirkily dysfunctional family and then later, how this family interacts and functions in the present day. It’s a very subtle, arrogant and perhaps even slightly sinister type of humour definitely dark, but funny nonetheless.

'Slumus Lordicus' - Sedaris' father's experiences as a landlord of a section 8 apartment complex in the early 80s.I finally got round to reading a book by David Sedaris and I think I’m now a bit of a convert. He is funny.

'Hejira' - Sedaris' father kicks him out of his house due to his homosexuality.

'The Change in Me' - the 13-year-old Sedaris wants to act like a hippie.

'Monie Changes Everything' - Sedaris' rich aunt.

'Consider the Stars' - reflecting on the cool kid at school.

'Full House' - a childhood game of strip poker gives the young Sedaris a touching moment.

'The Ship Shape' - childhood memories of the second home that his father never bought.

'Let It Snow' - the day when Sedaris's mother locked her children out in the snow.

'Us and Them' - childhood memories of a family 'who don't believe in TV'.

The essays address the author's upbringing in Raleigh, North Carolina, his relationships with family members, and his work and life in New York City and France.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is a 2004 collection of 22 autobiographical essays by American humorist David Sedaris.

Dress your family