For my recent trip I was looking for some new, light reading, so I picked up Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Parts of it (but not all parts) are very funny, especially the essays focusing on New York City, food and the gender of French nouns. I guess when he writes about things of interest to me, I find it hilarious, so he's a good writer.

However, Sedaris has a pattern of using the contraction "I'd" to mean "I had" instead of "I would." For example, on page 130: "I'd done my best to warn her but was actually thrilled when she rejected my advice." I am aware this is gramatically acceptable. But I find it to be disconcerting. I'm used to seeing "I'd" to mean "I would" and it just sounds (and looks) better that way.

It's probably just a matter of personal preference, but good writing is all about flow, and this awkward construction places bumps on the road. Although Sedaris is talented and witty, this particular "I'd" construction is a minor irritation.