The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start
Because David Thorne’s books are compilations of satirical essays, real-world email correspondences, and web articles rather than continuous narratives, there is no strict plotline you need to follow. However, to fully appreciate the recurring characters, running jokes, and the evolution of his signature deadpan humor, the best way to read his work is in publication order.
If you are a newcomer to Thorne's brand of humor, you should absolutely start with his breakout book, The Internet Is a Playground. This volume contains the famous seven-legged spider email exchange and the 'Missing Missy' cat poster saga, which serve as the perfect introduction to his style before you dive into his later, more cynical collections.
David Thorne Books in Publication Order
Here is the chronological publication list of David Thorne's books, which includes both his main essay collections and his special compiled archives:
- The Internet Is a Playground (2011/2014 reissue) – The essential starting point containing his most viral early internet hits and office prank emails.
- I'll Go Home Then, It's Warm and Has Chairs: The Unpublished Emails (2012) – A follow-up that doubled his initial sales, packed with new email correspondence and offline essays.
- Look Evelyn, Duck Dynasty Wiper Blades. We Should Get Them. (2014) – A shorter, highly focused collection of digital exchanges and modern consumerist satire.
- That's Not How You Wash a Squirrel (2015) – A hilarious collection of arguments and exchanges centering on domestic disputes, neighborly friction, and petty bureaucracy.
- Wrap It In A Bit of Cheese Like You're Tricking The Dog (2016) – Another installment of everyday conflicts turned into comedic battles of attrition, exploring social awkwardness and internet arguments.
- The Collected Works of 27B/6 (2016) – A comprehensive archive compiling stories, designs, and content directly from the website.
- Walk It Off, Princess (2017) – A collection that blends his classic biting sarcasm with slightly more personal reflections on life, family, and aging.
- The Ducks in the Bathroom Are Not Mine (2017) – A 10-year anniversary collection representing the absolute best of 27B/6 from 2007 to 2017.
- I Wont Be Coming Into Work Today Because You're All Dickheads (2019) – A workplace survival-themed guide illustrating Thorne's encounters with HR, colleagues, and corporate nonsense.
- Burning Bridges to Light the Way (2019) – A collection containing entirely new, previously unpublished essays and email exchanges.
- How to Talk to Girls and Lizards (2023) – A collection of absurd dialogues, dating commentary, and miscellaneous exchanges.
- Yesterday's Words at Tomorrow's Prices (2024) – Thorne's recent compilation, which features material from previously out-of-print books alongside new essays.
What to Know Before You Start: Continuity and Recurrent Characters
While each book operates largely as a standalone collection of independent articles, several recurring 'characters' pop up across multiple books. Understanding these real-world foils makes the reading experience much richer:
- Helen Bailey: Thorne's long-suffering property manager who is frequently targeted in absurd disputes over rental terms, apartment inspections, and, famously, claims of unauthorized pets (which inspired the title of The Ducks in the Bathroom Are Not Mine).
- Simon: Thorne's former graphic design colleague who is often the victim of elaborate workplace pranks, chart-based criticisms, and ridiculous office requests.
- Thomas: Thorne's son, whose childhood interactions and dry responses are chronicled in several family-centric essays.
Chronological and Overlap Caveats
Because Thorne originally publishes much of his work on his personal website, 27bslash6.com, before selecting and editing pieces for book publication, readers should expect some repetition. Here are a few key caveats to keep in mind:
The Anniversary and Best-Of Compilations
Books like The Collected Works of 27B/6 (2016) and The Ducks in the Bathroom Are Not Mine (2017) are retrospective anthologies. If you have already read his first five books, you will find substantial content overlap in these anniversary editions. They are best suited for collectors or readers who want a single-volume highlight reel rather than reading through his entire catalog.
Out-of-Print Materials and Re-Releases
Thorne occasionally alters his book titles or depublishes older books. For example, his 2024 release Yesterday's Words at Tomorrow's Prices explicitly draws upon and repackages pieces from older, harder-to-find books to make them accessible to modern readers. If you cannot find physical copies of his middle-era books, the 2024 release is a great way to catch up on those essays.
Practical Reader Advice
If you are trying to decide how to build your reading list, follow these tips:
Are the books standalones?
Yes, every book can be picked up, opened to a random page, and read independently. However, reading them in chronological order allows you to follow Thorne's relocation from Australia to the United States and the changing landscape of internet communication from late-2000s email threads to modern social media interactions.
The Verdict: Start with the Playground
Do not skip The Internet Is a Playground. It remains the gold standard of digital satire and sets the tone for everything that followed. If you enjoy the workplace trolling and customer service arguments in that volume, proceed sequentially through his books to watch his style develop over the next decade.