New Sedaris for your eyes and ears; visits Vegas in 2009!

By Joe Brown

Friday, June 6, 2008 | 2:40 p.m.

When a new book by David Sedaris comes out, I buy it twice: I get the hardcover copy and read it immediately, and I download the audio version from Audible.com. They're completely different experiences, both laugh-out-loud funny. The unabridged audio versions of the comic essayist's books are usually full of surprises, with guest appearances by his sister Amy Sedaris and others.

I'm already halfway through his latest collection, "When You Are Engulfed In Flames," which hit stores Tuesday; I can't wait to start listening to the audio version, which runs to more than 9 hours.

I'll be the one smiling and laughing during rush hour on 215 rush -- Sedaris on the car stereo = the opposite of road rage.

One grumble in this love note: Las Vegas, as I've noted before, doesn't see many famous authors stopping by on their book tours. You might think that Sedaris, who enjoys perversity and human oddities, would be sure to include Vegas on his current 60+ city (!) national book tour. I mean, he's reading in Tulsa. Salt Lake City. Des Moines.

Not fair! I suggest we, the readers of Las Vegas, send (polite) e-mails to Sedaris' management -- let's make a case for a Sedaris visit to Vegas! (We promise not to yell out "Read 'Santaland Diaries,' man!")

UPDATE: Wow, that was fast! Just got word from Sedaris' manager that he'll be reading at UNLV's Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall in Las Vegas on May 3, 2009. (Tickets are not on sale yet.)

While we're waiting, here's a smart and funny Q&A with Sedaris about his new book.