David Sedaris requested a typewriter be put in his hotel room. He doesn’t use computers and has never been on the Internet. He is a writer. He moved to France for the smoker-friendly environment. He has six toes on his left foot. He will be in the Memorial Union tonight at 8.

Sedaris, the hilarious and best-selling author of “Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays,” “Naked,” “SantaLand Diaries & Seasons Greetings: 2” and “Holiday on Ice,” will talk about his latest release “Me Talk Pretty One Day.”

The book is about his move to Paris and learning the language. Sedaris’ usual wit and politically-incorrect signature charm have inspired a movie deal for the book.

Sedaris stomped into the comedic world with his autobiographical essays recounting his odd-but-true work experiences as an elf in a Macy’s store in essays called “SantaLand Diaries” which aired on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.

The success of “SantaLand Diaries” led people to encourage Sedaris, to his annoyance, to continue to write Christmas-related material.

Instead, Sedaris has dipped his pen into almost every subject from homosexuality to drugs to the oddities of everyday life.

A few of his stories and essays include “Diary of a Smoker,” “I Like Guys,” “Dinah,” “The Christmas Whore,” “Giant Dreams, Midget Abilities and A Plague of Tics” – a story about a Taurette Syndrome sufferer who can’t suppress his desires to lick light switches or press his nose against the car window.

Steve Sullivan, communications manager for university news, said that Sedaris is funny to read but even better to hear live.

“Sedaris is a brilliantly funny writer,” who has perfectly captured the “dynamics of family” and the “satirical aspects of modern life,” Sullivan said.

Larry Charles, former supervising producer of “Seinfeld” on NBC, was also impressed with Sedaris’ writing.

While driving in his car, Charles stumbled upon an NPR show featuring Sedaris. The essay left Charles laughing out loud and convinced him to call Sedaris to see if he would write for the show.

Although Sedaris didn’t go on to write for television, he has joined forces with his sister Amy to write a variety of plays, one of which has won an Obie Award.

Comedy must run in the family as Amy has performed with the Second City comedy troupe and now has a show on Comedy Central, “Strangers with Candy.”

“This American Life” is an NPR show that gives a variety of writers a topic, then airs several of their stories or essays on the topic. The sessions, which Sedaris is regularly a part of, can be gut-wrenching hilarious or tear-trickling touching.

Laura Hatfield, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences, is a big fan of Sedaris and will be introducing him Thursday.

“The highlight of my weekend is listening to `This American Life,'” Hatfield said. “It gives you a broad spectrum of peoples lives.”

“College students would respond well to his humor,” Hatfield added.

Hatfield is excited to see if the picture of Sedaris that she has painted from his voice over the three years that she has listened to him, matches the man.

Sedaris is coming to ISU as part of a book tour for “Me Talk Pretty One Day.”

Sullivan has received many phone calls from fans wanting to purchase tickets to the speech, but admission is free. Judging by Sedaris’ fan base, Sullivan predicts a diverse crowd and a packed house for the speech.