Simple Times - Amy Sedaris

Subtitled: Crafts for Poor People.

Okay, tongue firmly planted in cheek? Well, following the success of her last book I Like You (a New York Times bestseller and reviewed by me here), comedienne Amy Sedaris has come out with another definitive guide - Simple Times. This time crafting and crafters are the focus (target?)

To quote Amy - " Crafting is putting ideas into action and then holding them together with an inexpensive adhesive."

Where to get those ideas?Where to craft? Who is crafting?

"More than 8 out of 10 households have at least 4 out of 5 family members engaging in 2 out of 3 crafts 78% of the time. A staggering 98% of this group are homosexual men."

The chapters and crafts covered are totally eclectic. Think of those crafts you made in grade 2 that your mom hung on to. Some of the chapter headings? Crafting for Jesus, Handicraftbles, Shut ins, Teenagers Have a Lot of Pain, Sausages, Making Love or Fornicrafting and oh boy so many more.

Every page features full colour photographs of the crafts. These are so much fun to look at - I loved the miniature sets. But the centerfolds of stretching before and after crafting were priceless. I couldn't stop laughing. The costumes Amy wears are perfectly crafted, utilizing gingham, rick rack and pom poms to their fullest potential.

Yes some of the ideas are totally whacked, but a lot of them have merit. It is the presentation of the ideas that is priceless. And read the instructions very carefully - lots of jokes hidden in there. There are some actually really good recipes included. Really, you have to read an excerpt to get the picture.

You're either to going to love this book or go 'huh I don't get it?' Sedaris's humour is left of centre for sure and not politically correct all the time. Check out this video of Sedaris on Letterman to get an idea.

But really, we all know someone who would love this book!