One October day in 1985, David Sedaris noted in his diary: “In the park I bought dope. There was a bench nearby, so I sat down for a while and took in the perfect fall day. Then I came home and carved the word ‘failure’ into a pumpkin.’’

It’s items like this that made his compilation of his diaries, “Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002,’’ a local bestseller.

Comedian and author Sedaris — who still keeps a diary — will talk about the book when he comes to Massachusetts this week. He’ll appear at Symphony Hall in Boston on Wednesday and at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford on Thursday.

We caught up with Sedaris by phone from his home in Sussex, England, before his trip.

Q. So what did you write in your diary today?

A. About the walk I took yesterday — I got caught in the rain. I wound up walking just 16 miles. Today I walked 20 miles and had a conversation with a man I met in the woods who told me that people “fly tip’’ on his property, which is when you dump a fridge or something in the country. That will be my main story tomorrow.

Q. You walk 20 miles a day?

A. It started when I got a Fitbit, which fit perfectly into my mental illness. One day this summer I walked 43 miles. I just walk compulsively until I’m hobbling. I imagine I’ll be in a wheelchair 10 years from now.

Q. Will you publish another volume of your diaries?

A. I don’t know that it would have a narrative arc like the first one did. Basically since 2002, I’ve just gone to Paul Smith to shopping at Comme des Garcons. I’ve also gone to living this life where my whole world is picking up trash on the side of the road. It’s what I’m known for. I was invited to Buckingham Palace.

Q. Wait, why?

A. The Queen invites do-gooders to her Garden Party every year. There were do-gooders of every stripe — a woman who survived the Holocaust in a wheelchair, people who work with the blind — and me. I was nominated for picking up trash. What’s interesting, [a few years ago] I was taking a cab, and I saw these people lined up outside Buckingham Palace, and the driver told me about the Garden Party. I said “What do I have to do to get invited?’’ He said, “Dedicate your life to service.’’

Q. Your story “C.O.G.’’ was adapted to film a few years back (starring Jonathan Groff of HBO’s “Looking’’ as Sedaris). Any other talk of movies?

A. I turn down everything. Because either you get involved, or you give someone permission to handle your life. What you want to happen is for it to be optioned and never made — then you get paid for it every year without the work. That’s the best.

Q. What books make you laugh?

A. I just read “The Egg and I,’’ [by Betty MacDonald, 1945]. The book was genuinely funny, and so fresh to me. It’s so modern, if you discount the stuff she said about Indians. And “Rabbit’’ [by Patricia Williams]. It’s like “Precious’’ but funny.

Q. What’s it like being an American in England right now?

A. They can’t really say anything to me because of Brexit. When George W. Bush was president, they rubbed my nose in it every day. With Brexit, they can’t really talk.