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Best-selling author Leland Gregory--who has so entertainingly highlighted humanity's stupidity in the areas of crime, business, love, politics, cruelty, and history--is back with Stupid California . This time, Gregory builds a case for the common suspicion that Californians, from movie moguls to beach bums, have a special affinity for idiocy. Culled from print, online, and broadcast sources, Stupid California is a hilarious collection of true stories, trivia, and factoids about the Golden State, such as: * "California's state animal is the California grizzly bear, which is also on the state flag. The bear was honored in 1953, a full 31 years after the last known bear in the state was killed." * "During the 1980s, in a bold stroke against terrorism, the Chico City Council banned nuclear weapons, enacting a mandatory $500 fine for anyone detonating a nuclear weapon within city limits." Silly, shocking, weird, and amusing, Stupid California is ideal for both kinds of people--those who love California and those who hate it. |
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David Sedaris, the “champion storyteller,” ( Los Angeles Times ) returns with his first new collection of personal essays since the bestselling Calypso Back when restaurant menus were still printed on paper, and wearing a mask—or not—was a decision made mostly on Halloween, David Sedaris spent his time doing normal things. As Happy-Go-Lucky opens, he is learning to shoot guns with his sister, visiting muddy flea markets in Serbia, buying gummy worms to feed to ants, and telling his nonagenarian father wheelchair jokes.   But then the pandemic hits, and like so many others, he’s stuck in lockdown, unable to tour and read for audiences, the part of his work he loves most. To cope, he walks for miles through a nearly deserted city, smelling only his own breath. He vacuums his apartment twice a day, fails to hoard anything, and contemplates how sex workers and acupuncturists might be getting by during quarantine.   As the world gradually settles into a new reality, Sedaris too finds himself changed. His offer to fix a stranger’s teeth rebuffed, he straightens his own, and ventures into the world with new confidence. Newly orphaned, he considers what it means, in his seventh decade, no longer to be someone’s son. And back on the road, he discovers a battle-scarred America: people weary, storefronts empty or festooned with Help Wanted signs, walls painted with graffiti reflecting the contradictory messages of our time: Eat the Rich. Trump 2024. Black Lives Matter.   In Happy-Go-Lucky, David Sedaris once again captures what is most unexpected, hilarious, and poignant about these recent upheavals, personal and public, and expresses in precise language both the misanthropy and desire for connection that drive us all. If we must live in interesting times, there is no one better to chronicle them than the incomparable David Sedaris. |
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“Wisdom is better than wit,” said Jane Austen in a letter to Fanny Knight, “and in the long run will certainly have the laugh on her side.” Have you ever wanted to contribute to a discussion with an astute observation on unrequited love? Give advice to a peer on how to dress for a night out? Or end an argument with a biting quip on feminist politics? The Smart Words and Wicked Wit of Jane Austen is the perfect pocket book to carry around in your bag as you meditate on Austen’s surprisingly modern and perceptive life philosophies set against the backdrop of eighteenth century mores. Discover what she had to say about style and dress, men and women, love and heartbreak, keeping up with appearances, arts and graces, health and happiness, and more, and stock up your arsenal of wicked and practical wisdoms as you navigate life. Beautifully designed and curated, this entertaining collection compiles the wisest and wittiest Austen quotations that speak of the novelist’s enduring legacy in contemporary pop culture. Full of sense and sensibility, The Smart Words and Wicked Wit of Jane Austen is sure to delight devoted fans and casual readers alike. |
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Rule #1: It doesn’t matter. One of USA Today ’s Best Self-Help Books of the Year: “Hilarious.” — People Prize-winning essayist Roger Rosenblatt has commented on some of the most important trends and events of our time in insightful columns in Time and discerning commentaries on PBS Newshour with Jim Lehrer. But at the dawn of a new millennium, Roger found himself facing an issue that he couldn’t talk his way out of: getting old.   Luckily, aging couldn’t dull his wit, and he turned his sharp pen to creating a survival manual for the twilight of life. These fifty-four brilliant, funny, and indispensable rules range from how to handle a bad hair day (or a no hair day) to knowing the difference between humor and comedy to learning that, in the end, none of these little worries really matter. Practical, wise, and funny, Rules for Aging offers not only a new mantra for an older generation but “a guide for those in the younger generation who want to learn from the mistakes of their elders” ( Newsday ). |
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“Genius… It is miraculous to read these pieces… You must read The Best of Me .” —Andrew Sean Greer, New York Times Book Review A  New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice A CNN and  Christian Science Monitor  Best Book of the Month For more than twenty-five years, David Sedaris has been carving out a unique literary space, virtually creating his own genre. A Sedaris story may seem confessional, but is also highly attuned to the world outside. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence. And it is almost impossible to read without laughing.   Now, for the first time collected in one volume, the author brings us his funniest and most memorable work. In these stories, Sedaris shops for rare taxidermy, hitchhikes with a lady quadriplegic, and spits a lozenge into a fellow traveler’s lap. He drowns a mouse in a bucket, struggles to say “give it to me” in five languages, and hand-feeds a carnivorous bird.   But if all you expect to find in Sedaris’s work is the deft and sharply observed comedy for which he became renowned, you may be surprised to discover that his words bring more warmth than mockery, more fellow-feeling than derision. Nowhere is this clearer than in his writing about his loved ones. In these pages, Sedaris explores falling in love and staying together, recognizing his own aging not in the mirror but in the faces of his siblings, losing one parent and coming to terms—at long last—with the other.   Taken together, the stories in The Best of Me reveal the wonder and delight Sedaris takes in the surprises life brings him. No experience, he sees, is quite as he expected—it’s often harder, more fraught, and certainly weirder—but sometimes it is also much richer and more wonderful.   Full of joy, generosity, and the incisive humor that has led David Sedaris to be called “the funniest man alive” ( Time Out New York ), The Best of Me spans a career spent watching and learning and laughing—quite often at himself—and invites readers deep into the world of one of the most brilliant and original writers of our time. |
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“Rule no. 1: Buy this book, laugh out loud, become a better person.” —Jason Alexander   488 Rules for Life  is not a self-help book, because it’s not you who needs help—it’s other people. Whether they’re walking and texting, asphyxiating you on public transport with their noxious perfume cloud, or leaving one useless square of toilet paper on the roll, people just don’t know the rules.   But now, thanks to Australian comedian Kitty Flanagan’s comprehensive guide to modern behavior, our world will soon be a much better place. A place where people don’t ruin the fruit salad by putting banana in it . . . where your co-workers refrain from reheating their fish curry in the office microwave . . . where middle-aged men don’t have ponytails.   What started as a joke on Kitty Flanagan’s popular segment on ABC-TV’s  The Weekly is now a quintessential reference book with the power to change society. (Or, at least, make it a bit less irritating.) |
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With new and classic Sarah's Scribbles comics, essays, and more, this book is a celebration of one of the best loved comic voices of a generation. With 100 comics, 15 essays, and dozens of photos and sketches, the fifth Sarah's Scribbles book offers a rare look behind the creative process of one of the most original and beloved comic artists of a generation. A comedic companion to her first book, the bestselling Adulthood is a Myth , the artwork and writing in Adulthood is a Gift! is a celebration of the many experiences and life lessons the author has picked up in her decade of making viral, relatable, and award-winning comics and books.   |
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From the market leader in true facts comes a big book of hilariously false information. The crackpot staff of the Bathroom Readers’ Institute is out of control. After 25 years of laboriously researching facts and verifying them and then verifying them again, Uncle John’s mischievous minions decided to blow off a little steam. The result: Fake Facts . It’s stuff that isn’t even remotely true--we just made it sound real. Why? Because it’s really funny. Fake Facts is 228 pages of origins, facts, weird products, strange diseases, kooky fads, slang terms, historical oddities, and other fascinating bits of information that are too good to be true…because they aren’t true. So put aside your BS detector and settle in to read about:   * The ill-fated “Vice President For a Day” for kids program * How the overfishing of dolphins led to the canned tuna industry * “Crumble,” “plaidsy,” “benji,” and other British slang * Abandoned rules of early baseball, and obscure rules of grammar * How early vegetarians gave Boston its “Beantown” nickname  * The secret superpowers of twins * James Joyce’s unpublished sci-fi trilogy * Unicorns, wizards, and pirates galore   And lots more falsified fun! |
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A man walks into a bar. It’s a low one, so he gets a promotion within his first six months on the job.   Four comedy writers transform classic joke setups into sharp commentary about the everyday and structural sexism that pervades all facets of life. Jokes to Offend Men arms readers with humorous quips to shut down workplace underminers, condescending uncles, and dismissive doctors, or to share with their exhausted friends at the end of a long day. A cutting, cathartic spin on the old-fashioned joke book, Jokes to Offend Men is a refreshing reclamation of a tired form for anyone who's ever been told to "lighten up, it's just a joke!"   |
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New York Times Bestseller "There is no writer quite like Dolly Alderton working today and very soon the world will know it.” —Lisa Taddeo, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Three Women “Dolly Alderton has always been a sparkling Roman candle of talent. She is funny, smart, and explosively engaged in the wonders and weirdness of the world. But what makes this memoir more than mere entertainment is the mature and sophisticated evolution that Alderton describes in these pages. It’s a beautifully told journey and a thoughtful, important book. I loved it.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and City of Girls The wildly funny, occasionally heartbreaking internationally bestselling memoir about growing up, growing older, and learning to navigate friendships, jobs, loss, and love along the ride When it comes to the trials and triumphs of becoming an adult, journalist and former Sunday Times columnist Dolly Alderton has seen and tried it all. In her memoir, she vividly recounts falling in love, finding a job, getting drunk, getting dumped, realizing that Ivan from the corner shop might just be the only reliable man in her life, and that absolutely no one can ever compare to her best girlfriends. Everything I Know About Love is about bad dates, good friends and—above all else— realizing that you are enough. Glittering with wit and insight, heart and humor, Dolly Alderton’s unforgettable debut weaves together personal stories, satirical observations, a series of lists, recipes, and other vignettes that will strike a chord of recognition with women of every age—making you want to pick up the phone and tell your best friends all about it. Like Bridget Jones’ Diary but all true, Everything I Know About Love is about the struggles of early adulthood in all its terrifying and hopeful uncertainty. |
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"Toxic Bible - The Book of Pluto," a playful and insightful journey inspired by the enigmatic figure of Future, the Toxic King. Explore the highs and lows of modern relationships, indulgence, and personal freedom through the lens of Future's iconic lyrics and persona. Inside, discover: - Commandments that push the boundaries of conventional wisdom. - Parables that weave tales of resilience, ambition, and the complexities of love. - Psalms that celebrate hedonism, authenticity, and the pursuit of happiness. - Proverbs offering humorous and thought-provoking insights into life's twists and turns. Whether a die-hard fan of Future or just curious about his cultural impact, "Toxic Bible - The Book of Pluto" offers a unique perspective. Not just a book, but a guide to living life on one's own terms, embracing both the toxic and transformative parts of the journey. |
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In the vein of Lebowitz's acclaimed Netflix limited series, Pretend It's a City — The Fran Lebowitz Reader brings together two of the famed author's bestsellers, Metropolitan Life and Social Studies. In "elegant, finely honed prose" ( The Washington Post Book World ), Lebowitz limns the vicissitudes of contemporary urban life—its fads, trends, crazes, morals, and fashions. By turns ironic, facetious, deadpan, sarcastic, wry, wisecracking, and waggish, Fran Lebowitz is always wickedly entertaining. |
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BE NO MAN'S PEACE. Have you ever been badgered by an annoying pick-up artist at the bar? Ever felt a burning desire to emotionally torture a friend’s boyfriend in an act of revenge? Have you ever endured just talking to a man before? If so, then this book is for you. With more than 100 phrases, questions, and comebacks, How to Piss Off Men is your essential guide to sending even the most relentless mansplainer into an existential crisis. Whether it’s referring to his expensive NFL jersey as “cosplay” or letting him know he has the confidence of a much taller man, this handbook will ensure you’re equipped to combat toxic masculinity in any situation.* * The advice in this book has been thoroughly tested for effectiveness. Even on the author, bless his heart. |
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A collection of the best Miami Herald columns from the New York Times bestselling author of Squeeze Me on burning issues like animal welfare, polluted rivers, and the broken criminal justice system. If you think the wildest, wackiest stories that Carl Hiaasen can tell have all made it into his hilarious, bestselling novels, think again. Dance of the Reptiles collects the best of Hiaasen’s Miami Herald columns, which lay bare the stories—large and small—that demonstrate anew that truth is far stranger than fiction. Hiaasen offers his commentary—indignant, disbelieving, sometimes righteously angry, and frequently hilarious—on issues like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Bernie Madoff's trial, and the shenanigans of the recent presidential elections. Whether or not you have read Carl Hiaasen before, you are in for a wild ride. |
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Après Mlle Chiffre, Grand-Papy, M. Mégot, c'est cette fois Suzette la star de cette compilation des meilleurs gags du Petit Spirou. Dotée d'un caractère bien trempé, la fiancée du Petit Spirou dévoile pour nous un pan savoureux du mystère féminin. Un album thématique pour (re)découvrir le meilleur du Petit Spirou. |
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"This delightful book is a tribute to the genius of the human mind for conceptual precision and the beauty of the English language in capturing it. It resolves a great deal of puzzlement over confusable terms, and its endearing illustrations and lighthearted explanations multiply the satisfaction." —Steven Pinker, author of  The Language Instinct  and  Rationality What’s the difference between mazes and labyrinths? Proverbs and adages? Clementines and tangerines? Join author Eli Burnstein on a hairsplitter’s odyssey into the world of the ultra-subtle with Dictionary of Fine Distinctions . Illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist Liana Finck, this humorous dictionary takes a neurotic, brain-tickling plunge into the infinite (and infinitesimal) nuances that make up our world. The perfect gift for book lovers, word nerds, trivia geeks, and everyday readers, this illustrated gem is more than just a book—it is an indispensable resource akin to a thesaurus but filled with charm and wit. Each entry, from “latte vs. flat white" to “Great Britain vs. The United Kingdom," is accompanied by mnemonic aids, quirky asides, and detailed illustrations, making it a standout dictionary for any bibliophile or language enthusiast's library. For fans of The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows or Foyle's Philavery: A Treasury of Unusual Words , Dictionary of Fine Distinctions promises to be a cherished addition to the genre that offers clarity, joy, and a deeper appreciation for the subtleties of the English language. The quintessential librarian gift and English teacher gift, it’s an educational odyssey that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. |
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A hilarious handbook from three big-deal award-winning humorists: “I laughed til I plotzed. Did I use that correctly?” —W. Kamau Bell, goyish comedian Immerse yourself in the essence of Jewish humor and culture with A Field Guide to the Jewish People , brought to you by New York Times –bestselling Pulitzer Prize winner Dave Barry, #1 New York Times –bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and Emmy and Thurber Prize–winning SNL alum Alan Zweibel. Join them as they dissect every holiday, rite of passage, and tradition, unravel a long and complicated history, and tackle the tough questions that have plagued Jews and non-Jews alike for centuries. Combining the sweetness of an apricot rugelach with the wisdom of a matzoh ball, this is the last book on Judaism that you will ever need. So gather up your chosen ones, open a bottle of Manischewitz, and get ready to enjoy some “bona fide gems” from the authors of For This We Left Egypt? ( New York Journal of Books ). “No topic is off-limits.” — Kirkus Reviews “Literally has a laugh-out-loud moment on every page, sometimes more than one.” — Bookreporter |
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From the creator of The Good Place and the cocreator of Parks and Recreation , a hilarious, thought-provoking guide to living an ethical life, drawing on 2,400 years of deep thinking from around the world. Most people think of themselves as “good,” but it’s not always easy to determine what’s “good” or “bad”—especially in a world filled with complicated choices and pitfalls and booby traps and bad advice. Fortunately, many smart philosophers have been pondering this conundrum for millennia and they have guidance for us. With bright wit and deep insight, How to Be Perfect explains concepts like deontology, utilitarianism, existentialism, ubuntu, and more so we can sound cool at parties and become better people. Schur starts off with easy ethical questions like “Should I punch my friend in the face for no reason?” (No.) and works his way up to the most complex moral issues we all face. Such as: Can I still enjoy great art if it was created by terrible people? How much money should I give to charity? Why bother being good at all when there are no consequences for being bad? And much more. By the time the book is done, we’ll know exactly how to act in every conceivable situation, so as to produce a verifiably maximal amount of moral good. We will be perfect, and all our friends will be jealous. OK, not quite. Instead, we’ll gain fresh, funny, inspiring wisdom on the toughest issues we face every day. |
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What If? has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher. |
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Nick Offerman, woodworker, actor, and co-host of NBC’s Making It, invites you on a hilarious and informative woodworking adventure that takes you behind the scenes of his very own woodshop.   Nestled among the glitz and glitter of Tinseltown is a testament to American elbow grease and an honest-to-god hard day’s work: Offerman Woodshop. Captained by hirsute woodworker, actor, comedian, and writer Nick Offerman, the shop produces not only fine handcrafted furniture, but also fun stuff—kazoos, baseball bats, ukuleles, mustache combs, even cedar-strip canoes.      Now Nick and his ragtag crew of champions want to share their experience of working at the Woodshop, tell you all about their passion for the discipline of woodworking, and teach you how to make a handful of their most popular projects along the way. This book takes readers behind the scenes of the woodshop, both inspiring and teaching them to make their own projects and besotting them with the infectious spirit behind the shop and its complement of dusty wood-elves.      In these pages you will find a variety of projects for every skill level, with personal, easy-to-follow instructions by the OWS woodworkers themselves; and, what’s more, this tutelage is augmented by mouth-watering color photos (Nick calls it "wood porn"). You will also find writings by Nick, offering recipes for both comestibles and mirth, humorous essays, odes to his own woodworking heroes, insights into the ethos of woodworking in modern America, and other assorted tomfoolery.        Whether you’ve been working in your own shop for years, or if holding this stack of compressed wood pulp is as close as you’ve ever come to milling lumber, or even if you just love Nick Offerman’s brand of bucolic yet worldly wisdom, you’ll find Good Clean Fun full of useful, illuminating, and entertaining information. |
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Uncle John is back with the 36th annual Bathroom Reader, an all-new collection of entertaining articles that explore the weird and wonderful world we live in. In this 36th edition of  Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader , longtime fans and new readers alike will be astounded by a treasure trove of wonderfully weird (and true!) stories that explore the realms of pop culture, history, sports, science, and everyday folks, including the always popular misadventures of dumb crooks. Uncle John and his team at the Bathroom Readers’ Institute have reached into all corners of the world to bring you this all-new collection of entertaining and informative articles that include short reads for a quick trip to the throne room as well as longer page-turners for when you take an extended visit. You’ll also find a plethora of amusing lists, odd factoids, quotes, and quizzes that will tickle every trivia enthusiast’s fancy.   |
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"The blueprint for how to be funny." - Charna Halpern, author of TRUTH IN COMEDY & ART BY COMMITTEE. "Deceptively simple techniques." - Kelly Leonard, The Second City (Exec. VP, President of Theatricals), "Yes And" (co-author), "Getting to Yes, And" (host). "A must-read for anyone looking to upgrade their humor game." - Peter McGraw, coauthor of The Humor Code. ________________________ When a joke flops…It hurts. Nothing beats getting big, genuine laughs from a room full of people. But when a joke doesn't land, your confidence takes a hit, and it feels like you've let everybody down. Figuring out why a joke didn't work and trying again is what makes you funnier. You could try grinding it out on your own, hoping you'll get lucky. Or you could get serious about your sense of humor. With a career spanning a quarter of a century, veteran comedian and comedy coach Mike Lukas (Tonight Show, Comedy Central, Second City, CBS Radio) strips comedy down to the bone. In Finding Your Funny Muscle, Mike shows you how to "flex" your ideas into funny, original, and relatable humor that gets big laughs—and makes you memorable for the right reasons. His proven blueprint includes: - How to develop your own brand of comedy by answering just four questions. - Five ways a 'Comedy Lens' helps you create original punchlines. - The exact joke framework pro comics have used to build their careers. - How to come up with A+ material—fast—using the Humor Blueprint. - 36 Humor Heightening Devices to consistently create fresh material. - A simple technique to avoid freezing and easily remember your 'bits'. - All the laugh-getting tips and tactics from Mike's 24-year career as a pro comedian, improviser, and comedy coach. Whether you're a fan of comedy, an aspiring joke-slinger, or a working pro with an 'itch' to make it big, Finding Your Funny Muscle reveals the hard-won truth: you can learn to be funnier. _______________________ "Lukas really knows what he's talking about." - Brian Stack, Writers Guild Award Winning / Emmy Nominated writer for Conan O'Brien, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, actor, comedian. "Mike Lukas is a brilliant, hyper-observant comic." - Rich Talarico, writer/producer Key & Peele, MADtv, SNL, The Tonight Show, Second City. "This is the blueprint for how to create an act that will be 100% your own." Eddie Clark, comedian & actor (Law & Order, Exiled, Orange Is the New Black, A&E, OPTIMUM ONLINE). |
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As Trump returns to the ballot in 2024, this collection of  Doonesbury  Sunday comics about the former (and possibly future) president will hit just ahead of one of the most significant election cycles in decades.  “I want to be a dictator for one day.”  – Trump Volume V of the  Doonesbury  Trump Quintet tracks the ever-metastasizing Big Lie, with Mark offering a month-by-month calendar to track the Former Guy’s burgeoning court dates. Unfortunately for the Trump Innocence Project, it turns out almost all the witnesses are former aides or allies. How did Dems manage to weaponize Trump's friends? While readers puzzle over that, they can also play a life-of-crime board game —  Donald Trump's Spree.  The only way to win, of course, is to cheat, but no problem — it’s been normalized. Fortunately, this volume also features the  Doonesbury  regulars, with Alex and Toggle raising three free-range kids and Mike happily wallowing in grandpahood. Mr. Covid retires, proud to know his wilier, more adaptive descendants will keep taking the fight to the unvaxxed. Joanie thinks Rick’s latest story is the best thing he's ever written: too bad it was actually authored by ChatGPT. Roland and Rascal, wading through Ukrainian snowdrifts, blunder into a Meta crack-up. Not even fantasy is making sense, but in  Day One Dictator,  G.B. Trudeau gives it his best shot yet. Garry Trudeau  is in his 36th year of trying to make Donald Trump go away. Nothing’s worked. |
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Qui ne connaît les Schtroumpfs ? Ces gentils lutins bleus à gros bonnet blanc se ressemblent tous, même s'ils ont chacun leur caractère, et parlent une curieuse langue dans laquelle la plupart des mots sont remplacés par schtroumpf ou schtroumpfer. Sous l'autorité débonnaire du grand Schtroumpf, ce sympathique petit peuple organise sa vie et lutte contre l'abominable sorcier Gargamel, qui ne rêve que de les détruire. Une adorable fantaisie qui séduira les plus petits et distraira leurs aînés. |
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“All at once funny, touching, dazzlingly informative and fascinating, brilliantly imaginative and altogether wonderful. Capable of switching between divine silliness and genuinely tender sweetness, tragedy, and wonder.”—STEPHEN FRY History belongs to the heroes. But to get the full story, sometimes you have to ask the side characters.   The lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Henry VIII, and Queen Victoria fill bookshelves and fascinate scholars all over the world. But little attention is given to the ferret who posed for the Renaissance master, the servant who oversaw the Tudor’s toilet time, or the famous horse who thrilled the miserable old monarch.   These supporting cast members have been waiting in the wings for too long, and Adrian Bliss thinks it’s high time they join their glory-hogging contemporaries in the spotlight. Fortunately—thanks to some recently discovered ancient complaint letters, court transcripts, and memoirs in bottles—now they can.   Equal parts fascinating and hilarious, The Greatest Nobodies of History is a surreal love letter to life’s forgotten heroes, featuring hitherto undocumented accounts from Ancient Greece to the front lines of the Great Emu War.   All that follows really happened, and some of it could even be true. |
