Comedy and stand-up Books

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Book SynopsisThe number one bestseller and Sunday Times Humour Book of the Year by national treasure Bob Mortimer.‘The most life-affirming, joyful read of the year’ - Sunday Times‘Winningly heartfelt’ – The Guardian‘A triumph’ – Daily Mail Bob Mortimer’s life was trundling along happily until suddenly in 2015 he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required immediate surgery and forced him to cancel an upcoming tour. The episode unnerved him, but forced him to reflect on his life so far. This is the framework for his hilarious and moving memoir, And Away… Although his childhood in Middlesbrough was normal on the surface, it was tinged by the loss of his dad, and his own various misadventures (now infamous from his appearances on Would I Lie to You?), from burning dTrade Review‘It’s probably fairer to say that since his brush with mortality, Mortimer has come into his own. There is this book, which is a triumph… And Away is as good a celebrity autobiography as you could hope to read, and enthusiastically recommend.’ * Daily Mail *‘…(a) fascinating and often poignant memoir.’ * Daily Express & Daily Mirror *‘The book, too, grows more confident in talking about serious subjects as it progresses and it’s the honesty and openness that he allows in Gone Fishing that make And Away…, by the end, an unexpectedly moving read’ * The Observer *‘A glorious collection of stories from an extraordinary life. Once you put it down, you may get the immediate urge to pick it up again. Yes, you couldn’t let it lie.’ * Yorkshire Magazine *‘Bob Mortimer is pretty much established as a national treasure…So it's great to hear his story of how he got there first-hand…In the end he has become loved for being himself. And maybe that's the best type of success of all.’ * Beyond the Joke *‘Bob’s recent reinvention via the …Gone Fishing series means a whole new audience might indeed be surprised at how many different things he’s done and will particularly admire the non-showbiz route to stardom in our age of driven but ultimately vacuous and content-free superstars.’ * Yorkshire Bylines *‘It’s a precarious world, but And Away... is a heartfelt testament to the magic of finding your happy place within it.’ * The Sunday Times *‘(a) touching, funny autobiography.' * Observer *‘(a) comic masterpiece of a memoir: melancholically amusing, warm and witty’ * Strong Words *‘Filled with anecdotes from Mortimer’s life, And Away… contrasts humour with a deeper contemplation of life following his open-heart surgery’ * Radio Times *‘…deftly combines all the varied aspects of Mortimer’s eventful, fascinating life and paints a fully three-dimensional picture of this much-loved figure’ * Chortle *‘…it’s everything you would want from the man who is the highlight of every show you see him on’ * The Independent *

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Book Synopsis10th Anniversary of hit TV show. A Sunday Times Number One Bestseller Miranda Hart will carry you along with the sheer force of her charm, bumbling cheer and charisma. - Sunday ExpressWell hello to you dear browser. Now I have your attention it would be rude if I didn''t tell you a little about my literary feast. So, here is the thing: is it just me or does anyone else find that adulthood offers no refuge from the unexpected horrors, peculiar lack of physical coordination and sometimes unexplained nudity, that accompanied childhood and adolescence? Does everybody struggle with the hazards that accompany, say, sitting elegantly on a bar stool; using chopsticks; pretending to understand the bank crisis; pedicures - surely it''s plain wrong for a stranger to fondle your feet? Or is it just me? I am proud to say I have a wealth of awkward experiences - from school days to life as an office temp - and here I offer my 18-year-old self Trade ReviewIs Miranda Hart a National Treasure yet? If not, it can only be a year or two before she joins Stephen Fry and Alan Bennett in the trophy cabinet of the country's affections... That personality and voice belong to a uniquely cherished comedian, and the answer to that question in her title is actually, yes - it is just her. Because there's nobody like Miranda. * Daily Mail *Funny and charming and full of terrific comic ideas... Unlike most comedians, she can actually write... Every Christmas there is, at the very most, one celeb book that is genuinely worth buying and reading. Here is this year's. Accept no substitutes. * The Spectator *'As you'd expect, it's very funny indeed... we applaud this bumbling, childish and splendid attempt to create such a guide, which includes Miranda verbally sparring with her 18-year-old self' ***** * Heat *'Miranda Hart will carry you along with the sheer force of her charm, bumbling cheer and charisma'. * Sunday Express *The best thing about her book is its universality - it is stuffed with the kind of events with which almost every reader will identify - sometimes with a groan of horrified recognition. * The Lady *I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Miranda Hart's new book - we should all embrace our inner Miranda gene and learn to laugh at ourselves. * Daily Express *Comedy queen Miranda recalls the awkward experiences she has encountered over the years and gives her unique thoughts and advice on dealing with them... Warning: you will laugh out loud on public transport while reading this! ***** * Closer *Navigate the awkwardness of adult life with Miranda Hart's Is It Just Me? * Grazia *This is pure, unadulterated, totally genius, Miranda. A cult (would religion be too weighty a word?) must surely follow, where can we get the T-shirt? * Red Online *In her brilliantly funny book, TV's Miranda muses on some of the most challenging, baffling and 'hideola' aspects of life... all the anecdotes are told in her unique style, with regular interjections from her 18-year-old self. Such fun! ***** * Star *

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Book SynopsisPacked with hard-won wisdoms and gentle truths, this is Miranda's honest exploration of the lessons she has learned on her journey from illness to recovery''A bombshell, moving, inspirational. Hart passes on the tips that helped her emerge from psychological as much as physical doldrums. No comedian, female or male, has been so taken to the nation's bosom since Victoria Wood'' Independent''Irrepressible and joyous. Taking us affectionately by the hand, Miranda takes us through her ten-year journey to deep self-knowledge'' Daily MailA wonderful book, filled with treasure' Julia Samuel''A raw and poignant account. Miranda is more of an everywoman than ever before'' The Times''Miranda''s account of slowly letting her guard down and being vulnerable is sweet and moving, and proof that happiness is possible even in the most trying times'' Guardian----Hello to you, I am with news. I have a new book: I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You. I know what an intriguing title!Basically, I have had an unexpectedly difficult decade there have been surprising joys, but also deep revelations and challenging lows. I shall be honest about those, because what I discovered in the difficult times were my, what I call, treasures.Treasures practical tools, values, ways, answers researched from some great scientists, neuroscientists, therapists, sociologists (all the ists') out there, that have genuinely led to a sense of freedom, joy, peace and physical recovery I never would have thought possible.Life now, amazingly, with what I will share, is SUCH FUN! (always important to quote your own catch phrases. . .) If you fancy having a read, then I hope my story might help your story. After all, we are in this beautiful, mysterious, challenging life together. Rest assured there are funny stories along the way we will have a laugh too, my dear reader chum.Oh, and I couldn't possibly say if there is a love story in it . . . (There is shush). Exciting.----Sunday Times bestseller, October 2024

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Book SynopsisThe former Sex & Relationships Editor for Cosmopolitan and host of the wildly popular comedy show Tinder Live with Lane Moore presents her poignant, funny, and deeply moving first book.Lane Moore is a rare performer who is as impressive onstage—whether hosting her iconic show Tinder Live or being the enigmatic front woman of It Was Romance—as she is on the page, as both a former writer for The Onion and an award-winning sex and relationships editor for Cosmopolitan. But her story has had its obstacles, including being her own parent, living in her car as a teenager, and moving to New York City to pursue her dreams. Through it all, she looked to movies, TV, and music as the family and support systems she never had. From spending the holidays alone to having better “stranger luck” than with those closest to her to feeling like the last hopeless romantic on earth, Lane reveals her powerful and entertaining jTrade Review“Lane Moore is one of the most talented people I know and I’m so glad even more people will be able to read her words.”— Mara Wilson, author of Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame“How to Be Alone feels like peeling back your best friend’s skull and jumping into her brain. Lane is so open and funny and honest; I never want to be alone if it means I can’t have her with me. What a gift.” — Samantha Irby, New York Times bestselling author of Meaty and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life“How to Be Alone is like a song that pops up on the radio and lifts your spirits . . . so special, elegant, and true. It’s spectacular and truly personal. This book is with me every day, and it helps so much.”— Caroline Kepnes, author of You, Hidden Bodies, and Providence“How to Be Alone is the book I wish I had read in my early twenties. I truly believe it would have saved me a world of pain. The moment I met her I felt like I had known her my entire life. This book will make everyone smart enough to read it feel the same exact way.”— Laura Benanti, Tony Award-winning actress“Within this compassionately told memoir, Moore offers hard-won advice for those looking to get beyond a painful past.” — Publishers Weekly "Lane Moore turns a dismal childhood into laughs. [Her] story offers insights about the effects of childhood trauma and our capacity for resilience."— The Washington Post"It is [Lane's] thoughtfulness and compassion that will make How to Be Alone resonate with readers long after finishing the last page . . . Moore’s book is the empathetic friend you’ve been searching for your whole life."— CURVE MAGAZINE“An irreverent, candidly introspective exploration of toiling with loneliness that will leave readers feeling not so alone.”— Kirkus Reviews“The essays are whip-smart, pithy, and full of an honest, conversational charm that sets Moore apart.”— Booklist"One woman's wry, wise, sometimes funny and often melancholy reminder that friends can be demanding and complicating, love is imperfect and obligating, and you can't count on a hard-charging cavalry of people who were just right for you to come riding over the hill and sweep you away."— NPR's Weekend Edition "The most epic, incredible, soaring parts of your story, are the places where you’re tender, and funny, but also so harrowingly sad and devastated. Your commitment to survival is more than a notion; it’s a balm, an affirmation, an eternal love note, and a sacred love manifestation that starts as a whisper and rises into the atmosphere. How to be Alone gave me closure. What a gift it is to know that there’s another person in the world who’s so brave and true to her spirit that she survived the hardest parts of being alive. Instead of sinking into despair or madness; being waylaid by bitterness or tragedy; or turning the grueling and terrifying dark of isolation against yourself, you’ve transmuted it into a fire so bright that it blazes brilliantly, with a classic, universal humanity. James Baldwin said, “You think your heartbreak is unprecedented in the world, and then you read. How To Be Alone is like that."— Bitch Media "Honest, hilarious, and deeply intimate. How to Be Alone is a profound first book from a truly talented writer."— Bustle "[How to be Alone] pulls no punches . . . Readers will find themselves in her stories, and even if they don’t, they will come away from this book having learned something. A great book for all ages but should be required reading for 20-somethings navigating young adulthood."— New York Post "[A] bracingly honest memoir...Moore is especially equipped to address the taboo of loneliness, along with other adult problems, with hilarity and aptness."— REFINERY 29 "Even if you don’t know Lane personally, she still feels like someone you’ve known for years. And that’s exactly what reading How to Be Alone feels like: having an honest conversation with an old friend."— Hello Giggles "In funny, super relatable, and smack-you-in-the-face-with-how-thoughtful-it-is prose, Moore talks about crushes, identity, feminism, and finding self-worth when everything inside you is telling you that you kind of suck. Funny enough, How to Be Alone made me feel a lot less alone."— Marie Claire "Enter Lane Moore, who is the cutest human, creating relatable comedic material that is so raw, you’ll want to cry and cuddle with her— partly because she point-blank states that she craves comfortable, platonic cuddling, and partly because you’ve realized, while reading, how much you crave it, too."— Sometimes Snarky "It might sound like a downer, but she manages to add a lot of humor along the way."— Bustle "While Moore is delving into some of the most difficult moments of her life, she does it with wit and humor in a way that makes this book an enjoyable read."— BITCH MAGAZINE "How to Be Alone by Lane Moore isn’t a self-help book or one about mental illness but I included it because I think you might find some encouragement within the pages of this book."— All the Good Books

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Book Synopsis Comedian Pierre Novellie was on stage when a heckler suggested he was autistic. Usually, this disruption would be water off a duck''s back but two things made this heckler different: first, he was himself autistic. Second, he turned out to be absolutely right. This random encounter led to a diagnosis of autism at the age of 31 that unraveled his world, explained his struggles and answered questions that had bothered him for his entire life: why were the other kids obsessed with Britney Spears instead of The Goon Show? Why don''t people ever say what they mean? Why is everyone chewing so loudly? At once a hilarious and insightful journey through autism and neurodivergence, an entertaining explainer for the uninitiated and observational comedy for the neurodiverse, this is the perfect read for anyone who has ever asked themselves: why can''t I just enjoy things?

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Book Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • More than one million copies sold! A “brilliant” (Lupita Nyong’o, Time), “poignant” (Entertainment Weekly), “soul-nourishing” (USA Today) memoir about coming of age during the twilight of apartheid “Noah’s childhood stories are told with all the hilarity and intellect that characterizes his comedy, while illuminating a dark and brutal period in South Africa’s history that must never be forgotten.”—Esquire Winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor and an NAACP Image Award • Named one of the best books of the year by The New York Time, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, Esquire, Newsday, and Booklist Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents’ indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa’s tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle. Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life. The stories collected here are by turns hilarious, dramatic, and deeply affecting. Whether subsisting on caterpillars for dinner during hard times, being thrown from a moving car during an attempted kidnapping, or just trying to survive the life-and-death pitfalls of dating in high school, Trevor illuminates his curious world with an incisive wit and unflinching honesty. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother’s unconventional, unconditional love.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERThis is a self-help book like no other. Because you are not helping yourself, James Acaster is helping you.In 2019, James quit all forms of social media - covering his phone in tar and driving it to a lock-up in Rhyl, before setting up home in a castle he''d built himself called Castle Anti-Net. But when the withdrawal symptoms hit him, he realised in order to stay clean he''d have to replace everything social media gave him with three-dimensional, real-life activities. Employing the help of a mysterious, wealthy benefactor named Clancy Dellahue, and an ever-growing gang of misfits (aka the Tangfastic Crew), James found ways to replace his online friends (he joined the scouts) and spy on his exes (climbing ropes, zip lines, fake moustache) as well as anonymously bullying strangers, seeing photos of everyone''s dogs, getting public figures fired, arguing with everybody about everything, and so much more. His life is amazing

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Book SynopsisThe inside story of the one of the most successful British stand-up comedians, as told by the person best qualified to reveal all about the man behind the comic, his wife of over 20 years Pamela Stephenson.Once in a lifetime, there strides upon the stage someone who can truly be called a legend. Such a person is the inimitable, timeless genius who is Billy Connolly. His effortlessly wicked whimsy has entranced, enthralled and split the sides of thousands upon thousands of adoring audiences.And when he isn''t doing thathe''s turning in award-winning performances on film and television.He''s the man who needs no introduction, and yet he is the ultimate enigma. From a troubled and desperately poor childhood in the docklands of Glasgow he is now the intimate of household names the world over.How did this happen, who is the real Billy Connolly? Only one person can answer that question: his wife, Pamela Stephenson. Pamela's writing combines the very personal with a frank objectivity that Trade Review‘Searingly honest, it’s an engrossing story told with all the winning warmth and insight we have come to expect from clinical psychologist and former comedian, Pamela.’ Woman’s Weekly

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Book SynopsisIn this follow-up to his highly regarded book "Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out", globally acclaimed improviser, director, and instructor Mick Napier focuses on the complexities and theories of long form improvisation. This extended form of improvisation invites performers to be inspired for at least thirty minutes by a single suggestion as they push their creativity to the limit. Napier taps into over 30 years of experience and distils his tools for success into practical, engaging lessons: The art of introductions and edits; Different approaches to openers; Pros and cons of the back line; Why it''s okay to be funny; Finding the dominant energy; Sustaining a strong character.

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Book SynopsisIf you want to build a stand-up comedy career, this book is a must read. If you want to write comedy, this book is a must-read. If you simply enjoy comedy ... this book is a must read. Part One offers essential advice about understanding the fundamentals of stand-up, studying other comedians, finding your own style, writing your material, working the live performance, and appearing on television. Fascinating, candid, insightful interviews with today''s top comedians, who discuss at length why and how they do what they do, comprise Part Two, the bulk of the book. The third and last part of the book addresses your stand-up career through interviews with noted comedy club owners, an agent, a personal manager, and a television talent co-ordinator. Literally crammed with the wisdom of today''s finest stand-up comics, in terms of quality, quantity, and timeliness information, this book is without peer.

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Book SynopsisBack in 1922, when Howard Carter first smashed his way into the tomb of long-dead Egyptian King Tutankhamun, the guttering candle in his hand illuminated a scene of unimaginable splendour. “Can you see anything?” asked Lord Carnarvon.“Yes! Wonderful things!” responded a breathless Carter. Fast forward just over a century, and any adventurer opening a copy of Viz - The Barber’s Pole will be similarly astounded by the comedy gold they will find haphazardly piled up within its covers. Because just like the tomb of an Egyptian Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, the 226 pages within its stout and glossy covers are packed with priceless treasures. It’s the sort of 24-carrot comedy gold that has made Viz the country’s fourth* or fifth** favourite humorous magazine (* ** possibly sixth) for well over four decades… * Edge-of-seat Adventures: Jack Black and His Dog Silver, Who’s Who in a Medieval Plague Village, Motorhead’s Christmas Adventure, and Bad Bob the Randy Wonderdog. * Shocking scandals about your favourite showbiz stars, Scotch eggs, Deepfake Porn, Tony Blair, and your chance to become a Crypto-Billionaire. * Cartoons: The Fat Slags, Sid the Sexist, Biffa Bacon, Mrs Brady Old Lady, Johnny Fartpants, The Real Ale Twats, Roger Mellie, and Raffles the Gentleman Thug * Readers’ letters and Top Tips, spoof ads, quizzes, games, things to cut out and make, and much more. Obviously, at this point we would like to point out that, unlike King Tut’s burial place, there is no real evidence that Viz has ever been the subject of a deadly curse, placed upon it three thousand years ago by a sinister, hooded priest of the God Thoth. And we consider it very unlikely indeed that anyone who dares to break open the cover of Viz - The Barber’s Pole will simply drop dead from unexplained causes - as Lord Carnarvon did a year to the day after breaking the seal on Tutunkhamun’s tomb. Sorry, no refunds.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER from the star of Netflix's The Duchess, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Your Face or Mine and host of All That Glitters'A fearless origin story' Caitlin Moran'Brilliant!' Aisling Bea'Outrageously brilliant! I'm buying this for all my friends' Laura Whitmore'Witty as hell' Tom AllenWildly readable... tremendous' The Times*****Hi, I'm TV's Katherine Ryan. I'm known to live my life embracing the reality that you just can't please everyone, so you might as well put yourself out there and have a laugh. As my mother always said, 'Katherine, if we all liked the same thing, we'd all be married to your father.' Being audacious led me to becoming the calm, contented woman I am today - who doesn't care what strangers think of her and can always take a joke.I'm often asked how I developed my lurid level of courage and assurance and for tips on how others can match. This is my blueprint for just that, a collection of my most relatable advice.How To Attract Toxic Men AND Keep Them Interested!How To Have A BabyHow To Impress Famous Celebritiesand so much more...No matter what I do, there will always be something about me that reads as simply, outrageously audacious. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

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Book SynopsisThe new book by the hilarious Daisy May Cooper. The Bafta Award Winning actor and bestselling author delves into the unexplained and shares the spookiest stories from her life and the world at large For as long as Daisy May Cooper can remember, she's been fascinated with the unexplained. Ghosts, spirits, tea leaves, astrological charts, paranormal activity - you name it, she's been obsessed! In her hilarious new book, Daisy sets out to probe the otherworldly and investigate how her own experiences with forces we can't explain have influenced all parts of her life. Armed with an open mind and ghost-hunting equipment from the dark web, she explores haunted houses, interrogates experts who claim they can communicate with the other side, reveals a brush with paganism that turned out to be a front for swinging, and digs in to her own spooky side. It's like 'Scooby-Doo' meets 'Mystic Meg', via

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Poignant and brutally honest. . . will make you laugh out loud.” — Washington Post, "The Best Feel-Good Books of the Year" “A laugh-out-loud book of essays. . . . strikes gold. . . . Klein’s comedic sensibilities and abundant care for women make her the ideal writer to square off against the obligations and judgments placed on mothers. . . . an instant classic." — Glamour “Comedian Jessi Klein delivers a necessary laugh for parents just beginning to emerge from the dumpster fire otherwise known as pandemic parenting. . . . grapples with the humiliations and possibilities of midlife and motherhood, from impossible car seats to equally befuddling ‘Mama’ necklaces. Even the essay titles are funny.” — Time Magazine "Her humor and insights are spot-on." — People, "The Best New Books" "Achingly funny." — Esquire, "The 8 Best Comedy Books of the Year" “Brutally honest and so very human.” — Vulture, “The Best Comedy Books of the Year (So Far)” “Jessi Klein is back with an unflinchingly honest and hilarious memoir about navigating the absurdly high expectations of being both a mom and a woman. . . . I’ll Show Myself Out will not only make you laugh but also, and most importantly, think, ‘Hmm, so it’s not just me.’” — Shondaland “Jessi Klein has yet again ‘delivered’ (and yes I’m using that in the messy motherhood-pun way—I’m not the writer) a collection of the most relatable, achingly raw, and stunningly human essays I have read about the mess of motherhood and this chapter of life since her last collection. And… they are of course hilarious. THANK YOU JESSI for this gift. Please read it, mothers. It is nourishment.” — Kathryn Hahn “Jessi Klein’s essay collection spoke to the deepest part of my soul and being. Her framing of motherhood as a ‘hero’s journey’ made me weep from feeling seen. I also howled with laughter so many times I was politely asked to leave a restaurant. It’s a perfect book.” — Casey Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of The Wreckage of My Presence “I'll Show Myself Out is so pee-in-the-pants funny, I made sure to wear period underwear while reading it. Insanely smart and wildly relatable, Jessi Klein's highly anticipated second book is the most entertaining thing I've read in a long time.” — Ali Wong, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Girls "Jessi Klein has once again arrived with a collection of essays so familiar to me, it's like she has been directly inside my brain. Smart, bold, and uproariously funny. It's a 10/10 from me." — Kate Baer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Kind of Woman and I Hope This Finds You Well “[Klein] is gifted at turning the day-to-day minutiae into comedy gold, while simultaneously pulling back to lend commentary (often searing commentary) on the larger picture. A lot of her writing reminds me of David Sedaris, the way you find yourself laughing your ass off as you read along, and then suddenly you’re like why is my heart in my throat?” — Jenny Rosenstrach, New York Times bestselling author of The Weekday Vegetarians and Dinner: A Love Story “A bold and irreverent collection. . . . Klein is full of surprises, and moments of hilarity often dissolve into unexpected glimpses of joy. . . . Funny, clever, and full of heart, this one’s a gem.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Klein isn't here to make motherhood look pretty, but she ends up making it look pretty great in the truest sense of the word, mixing laughs with poignancy and treating heavy topics with a brightening kind of honesty.” — Booklist Praise for You'll Grow Out of It: "A book like Jessi Klein's YOU'LL GROW OUT OF IT comes along to remind us just what an artful confessional essay can do." — New York Times "Is it really a surprise that comedian Jessi Klein, head writer and executive producer for Inside Amy Schumer, would write a book of personal essays brimming with sharp observations and insights and poignant recollections but that above all is very, very funny? ...We guarantee that this book will quickly become one of your summer favorites." — Entertainment Weekly "[Jessi Klein's] astute, hilarious essays about the perilous path to modern womanhood will have you wincing in recognition." — People "Klein shares her eccentric path to adulthood, from her tomboyish girlhood to sidesplitting dating tales and beyond in this uproarious, relatable, and irresistible memoir." — Harper’s Bazaar "Deftly blending irreverent humor with poignant insights, Klein's writing is wonderfully intimate." — New York magazine "Never afraid to share insights and reveal the raw truth behind her own stories, Klein makes readers laugh while inspiring them, a feat that calls to mind the work of the late Nora Ephron. This uplifting and uproarious collection of personal essays will be repeatedly shared among friends." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Reading [Jessi Klein's] book is like watching her--doubtless superb--stand-up act." — Booklist (starred review) "A gifted comedian turns the anxieties, obsessions, insecurities, and impossible-to-meet expectations that make up human nature into laughter." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Really Good Actually and I'm Glad My Mom Died'Moving, hilarious and generally astonishing' - Guardian'The most fun a reader can have this summer' - Daisy Buchanan'Brave, funny and moving' - Aisling Bea 'A deftness that catches your breath' - Fern Brady'An incredible piece of writing' - Brett Goldstein'Interrogates moments of trauma with insight, kindness and humanity' - John RobinsThis is a book about mistakes. And why we should de-flower shame in all its messy, complicated glory...This book contains tales of dead dads, pretend dead dads, getting barred from an osteopath's, getting arrested, sex crimes and forgiveness. I used to be addicted to boys and alcohol and then men and alcohol and then some other things. I was a little unhinged. I've got some great

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Book Synopsis“The answer is not to silence me. . . . The answer is for you to have better arguments.”Go the Joe Rogan way. Sh*t Joe Rogan Says is a book of motivation, inspiration, and reflections from the man who talks to everybody. Not one to back down from a conversation or an f-bomb, Joe Rogan tells it like it is and gives everyone a fair shake.From years of discipline and expertise in martial arts, to unabashed comedy and showing people how to face their fears, to his stratospheric ascent to podcast greatness, Joe Rogan knows a little something about life, discipline, hard work, and an unrelenting pursuit of personal freedoms and free thought. Get Joe Rogan’s take on philosophy, comedy, politics, free speech, mind-altering experiences, censorship, and happiness with this collection of his most influential quotes and ideas. Get your hands on 150 Joe Rogan-isms on life, free thought, and common sense Find motivation, momentum, and real talk in Joe Rogan’s no-nonsense reflections Follow the Joe Rogan route to achieve confidence, nonconformity, and an uncensored life

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Book SynopsisThe hysterical, shocking and incredibly intimate memoir from one of the most original and unique comedians alive today.Hello! I'm Brian Limond, aka Limmy. You might know me from Limmy's Show. Or you might not know me at all. Don't worry if you don't.They asked me to write a book about mental health, because I sometimes talk about my mental health in tweets and interviews, like suicidal thoughts and anxiety, and what I've done to try and deal with it.I said to them, oh, I don't know if I could fill a whole book with just that. But how's about I write a general autobiography type of thing, and all the mental health stuff will naturally appear along the way? I could talk about growing up and slashing my wrist and taking acid all the time and getting done for car theft and feeling like a mad freak that would never amount to anything.And then how I made my own sketch show. I directed it and everything. Plus I'm a dad. I'm an adult. But I still feel like that mad freak from years ago. I stilTrade Review‘One of the most innovative and fearless comedians on the block’ -The Guardian ‘One of the most idiosyncratic and original comics working today’ -The Independent

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Book SynopsisDave Itzkoff is the author of Mad as Hell, Cocaine's Son and Lads. He is a culture reporter at the New York Times, where he writes regularly about film, television, theatre, music and popular culture. He previously worked at Spin, Maxim and Details, and his work has appeared in GQ, Vanity Fair, Wired and other publications. He lives in New York City.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA fascinating and hilarious glimpse into Paul''s life at home in the country with his animalsPaul O''Grady''s Country Life for the first time gives a glimpse into the home life of one of Britain's best loved stars, alongside the animals he adores. Sometimes rural idyll, sometimes hell on earth, Paul's life in rural Kent has been shared over the years with some very vocal pigs, a mad cow, various rescued barn owls, the world's most sadistic geese and Christine the psychotic sheep among many other animal waifs and strays. And of course Paul tells the stories of the dogs in his life including the tiny chihuahua/Jack Russell cross with Napoleonic ambitions, Eddie, Miss Olga, Bullseye, Louis, Boycie and, of course, Buster, the greatest canine star since Lassie. In addition, Paul shares some of his favourite recipes, explores country lore and superstitions, and extols the benefits of growing your own vegetables, herbs aTrade ReviewFor the past decade, O'Grady has lived a quiet life in Kent... and he details the change of pace with typical wit and frankness. * Radio Times *

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Book SynopsisHere, for the first time, is complete collection of actor and entertainer Stanley Holloway's incomparable comic monologues, which he performed between 1929 and 1941. All the much-loved characters such as Albert Ramsbottom (with a stick with an orse's ead andle'), Sam Small (Sam, Sam, pick oop tha' arm), and King Arold (on his orse with his awk in his and') are gathered together and brilliantly illustrated by cartoonist Bill Tidy.

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Book SynopsisWitty sex guide which will appeal to watchers of Sex and the City and Will and Grace. A huge word-of-mouth success in the States.Since primitive times women have gazed over campfires, and wondered how best to please their tool-wielding men. Grunting males have offered little help or guidance for these eager-to-learn companions, instead occupying themselves with chest thumping, sports on cable and other posturing.It took aeons of Darwinian development for women to realise that the answers to their many questions were as close as the nearest telephone. Who better to unveil the mysteries of the he-man psyche than a woman''s best friend, the master of refined thinking, the gay man? He knows exactly how and when to elicit that ultimate ooh-ooh, because he knows all too well what he wants.Written by best friends Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman this guide to male pleasure contains such man-pleasers as: The Flying Wallenda position The Upstanding Citizen The Princeton Belly Rub Combo plattersSoTrade Review‘Very funny.’ GRAHAM NORTON “Essential reading…” Canary Magazine.

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Book SynopsisFollow the misadventures of Ian Moore as he chronicles the charming and chaotic escapades of his family and their eccentric assembly of animals, on their continued search for serenity in rural FranceAfter six years in the idyllic Loire Valley, comedian Ian Moore, his family and his ever-expanding menagerie are beginning to feel like they''re on the cusp of the peace and tranquillity they hoped for when they moved from dreary Crawley to la belle France. Their grand project, a writing school called Les Champs Créatifs, is finally complete - only, nobody''s signed up.Natalie and the boys must contend with the ever-colourful locals, including a Sicilian faith healer, threatening hunters and the Christmas Pudding Man, and Ian must test his mod mettle against two new additions to the animal family - a pair of disappearing goats. With stresses, strains and animal poo mounting up, la famille Moore have their work cut out - but they''re determined to give it their best shot!

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Book SynopsisSequel to the 'book of the year' million-copy bestseller, BILLY, and reissued to coincide with the ITV tie-in, BILLY CONNOLLY: JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLDTrade Review'[A] frank and funny portrait of the endearing Scottish beastie' * Daily Telegraph *'Stephenson has produced another entertaining and insightful book about the Big Yin' * Express *'An entertaining, vivid and intimate portrait of Billy, which is candid enough to remind you why you wouldn't want to be married to the loveable madman' * Australian Women's Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Renaissance commedia dell''arte to today''s Second City comedy troupe, improvisation has been a hit. Learn the structure behind the spontaneity of comedy improvisation in this improv theatre text. Over 35 performance-tested improv structures and performance tips in this book help even a beginner tackle this off the cuff humor with confidence. Learn the elements of successful improvisation: setting, characters, conflict and action, dialog, and humor. Then have fun polishing your new skills in comedy clubs, coffee houses, or acting classes. Instructions on loosening up, writing routines, coping with audiences, and protecting original routines through contracts and copyrights are also included.

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Book Synopsis''Enlightening Funny, smart, original and provocative ... It is hard to imagine the stalwarts of Mock the Week recognising the Druze militia leader Walid Jumblatt in a London cinema'' NEW STATESMAN''Few standups have come close to capturing a fraction of this creative energy in a book Alexei Sayle is an exception'' GUARDIANWhat I brought to comedy was an authentic working-class voice plus a threat of genuine violence - nobody in Monty Python looked like a hard case who'd kick your head in.In 1971, comedians on the working men''s club circuit imagined that they would be free to continue telling their tired, racist, misogynistic gags forever. But their nemesis, a nineteen-year-old Marxist art student, was slowly coming to meet themThatcher Stole My Trousers chronicles a time when comedy and politics united in electrifying ways. Recounting the founding of the Comedy Store, the Comic Strip and the Young OTrade ReviewEnlightening … Funny, smart, original and provocative ... It is hard to imagine the stalwarts of Mock the Week recognising the Druze militia leader Walid Jumblatt in a London cinema … Compared to today’s comics and the unctuous 1970s Variety Club of Great Britain golf club elite, Sayle – baleful, menacing, intelligent – comes over as a bloke whose company one might seek out, whether he cared or not. He is a master of the flashing en passant insult. I laughed out loud * New Statesman *Few standups have come close to capturing a fraction of this creative energy in a book … Alexei Sayle is an exception … The reader is left with a lesson so often imparted in the standup’s foray into memoir: comedy is no laughing matter * Guardian, Book of the Day *I devoured the first chapters of Sayle’s terrific second volume of memoirs … Thatcher Stole My Trousers, but he changed my life **** * Mail on Sunday *Thatcher Stole My Trousers deals with the birth of stand-up as we understand it in the UK … I really, really enjoyed this, I thought it was brilliant ... Laugh-out-loud * Stewart Lee *The inventor of alternative comedy * David Baddiel *Comedy underwent seismic change in the 1980s, and Alexei Sayle was at the forefront of it … Thatcher Stole My Trousers, is full of self-accusation, pratfalls, memories of idiocy and delusion, all built up for comic effect. But about his debut he is deadly serious: he knows he helped change the tone of British comedy. He blazed a trail for a new generation of punkish comic violence (such as The Young Ones) and politically engaged stand-up, that consigned to oblivion the old gag-merchants; he effectively silenced the humour of mothers-in-law, tits, arses, Pakis, micks and poofs * Independent *An unexpected delight. All those lefty stand-up comedians who monopolise the funny stuff now: their style started with Alexei Sayle and his comrades of the 1980s ... It is not packed with one-liners. It is much funnier than that ... Observant and wry * Independent *Sayle relates an endless stream of entertaining anecdotes ... An affectionate account of a group of performers who transformed British comedy * Sunday Times *An interesting social history here as comedy and politics come together in the late 1970s and his work with The Comic Strip and The Young Ones takes centre stage. It’s fascinating to watch Sayle battle with his principles * Observer *Alternative comedy’s erstwhile ranter-in-chief has mellowed with age but expect a few residual flecks of spleen * Daily Telegraph *The granddaddy of alternative comedy… Takes potshots at the establishment and his comrades. Laced with his trademark corrosive wit * Shortlist *This century he has reinvented himself as a writer. A good one too. Thatcher Stole My Trousers is a pleasure to read * Herald *Brilliantly funny * Waitrose Weekend *A combative return for a pioneer of alternative comedy … Anarchic * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisHilarious, heartwarming and inspirational, this is the number 1 Sunday Times bestselling autobiography by comedian Sarah Millican. The funniest book of the year! *****''The naughtiest, helpiest, laughieoutloudiest and goodest book I''ve ever done reading on. Give that girl a banana!'' DAWN FRENCH SARAH MILLICAN''S AUTOBIOGRAPHY WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH, FEEL NORMAL AND PROBABLY SNIFF YOUR LEGGINGS. Part autobiography, part self help, part confession, part celebration of being a common-or-garden woman, part collection of synonyms for nunny, Sarah Millican''s debut book delves into her super normal life with daft stories, funny tales and proper advice on how to get past life''s blips - like being good at school but not good at friends, the excitement of IBS and how to blossom post divorce. If you''ve ever worn glasses at the age of six, worn an off-the-shoulder gown with no confidence, been contacted by an old school bully, lTrade Review'The naughtiest, helpiest, laughieoutloudiest and goodest book I've ever done reading on. Give that girl a banana!' Dawn French'Of course Sarah Millican's writing will make you laugh out loud, but there are moments where she will touch you deeply. The dirty bitch.' Kathy Burke'A properly funny autobiography had a one-night stand with a genuinely inspirational self-help book and this is their lovable mongrel offspring.' Frank Skinner'Do not read this while eating tomato soup. You are guaranteed to laugh and stain something.' Sandi Toksvig'Funny and honest. Sometimes too honest. Like your nan when she's drunk at Christmas.' Ricky Gervais'This is everything you want Sarah's first book to be. Outrageously funny, painfully honest and deliciously filthy.' Phillip Schofield'What a fantastic comedy victory for the peerless Madam Millican... Blows much of the erudite, smug old bollocks in bookshops out of the water.' Jo Brand'Like Sarah - funny, wise and authentic. Read it!' Miranda Hart'Just like her stand-up: nothing is off limits, honest, candid, but most of all laugh-out-loud funny.' Alan Carr'Settling down with the divine Ms M's book is like cosying up with your best mate, big laughs, intimate confessions, earthy wisdom and hilarious, self-deprecating honesty, it's all there.' Meera Syal'Hilarious and heartwarming, just like the author.' David Walliams'If you like Sarah, read this book and you will love her. If you already love her, you will love her even more.' Michael McIntyre'As cheering and neccessary as a sweary cup of tea.' Caitlin Moran'How To Be Champion does something all too rare, it encourages us: to laugh at our flaws, to value ourselves, and also to fight back when the chips are down. It's as hilarious as it is touching. This book should be taught in schools!' John Robins'Witty, wise, forthright and very funny. Terrific!' Graham Norton'A wonderful read... Sarah Millican is a national treasure.' Matt Lucas'Just as wise and funny and honest as [Sarah] is. Loved it.' Jojo Moyes'Original, thoughtful and inspiring; I found myself laughing out loud on far too many occasions to count.' Jason Manford'As good as a cuddle.' Sarah's dad'This book is ballsy, naughty and sexy, just like its author. Also most importantly FUNNY, with the occasional flash of the vulnerable woman beneath the bold-as-brass exterior. If you don't love her your heart is dead.' Richard Herring'Not just a book, this will make you laugh, hold your hand when you're feeling wobbly and whisper into your ear, that not only are you normal, you're "champion".' Jenny Eclair'I knew Sarah's book would be hysterical because she is one of the best comedians in the world, but her book is also wise, touching, heart warming and uplifting. Buy it for all your mates!!' Sara Pascoe'This book is empowering, vulnerable and, of course, hilarious. Which is like every time I've ever spent with the always inspiring Sarah Millican.' Joe Lycett'I've had Sarah in the bath, in bed and even on the train and I can honestly say her book is the best relationship of my life. Hilarious, honest and emotional. It's like having a best friend in a book. A triumph.' Susan Calman'A wickedly smart, throbbingly relatable, hysterically funny book that will remind you that you're never alone - you've always got Sarah Millican. As good as a girls' night in with your best friend and your favourite cake.' Deborah Frances-White - The Guilty Feminist'Sarah Millican is as funny in book form as she is onstage, which is very funny indeed.' David Baddiel'This book is completely brilliant. If you don't love it, come find me.' Claudia Winkleman'You know when you cry laugh and nod over-enthusiastically with a friend because what they're saying is so funny and so true? That's how I felt about Sarah's wonderful book' Louise Pentland The one-liners come thick and fast in comedian Sarah Millican's memoir HOW TO BE CHAMPION, and when bad things happen - bullying or divorce - the jokes become funnier and more real. You'll be laughing a lot, crying a bit and cheering for her, too * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *One of our favourite stand-ups looks at her own life to show that life doesn't have to be perfect and you don't have to be amazing all the time. Packed with laugh-out-loud stories and advice, this will delight her many fans -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *I do not recommend you read this book in public, unless you like snorting and crying with laughter in front of strangers. This is a book in which the writer's warmth shines through and the advice really is responsible and helpful. Do read it, you will learn something; even if it is just how to bake a cake -- Kate Stone * FUNNY WOMEN *Written with the sort of warmth and sincerity that hallmarks her stand-up. Her book is, in short, champion * CHORTLE *Funny, feisty and just a little bit filthy, the fast-talking Geordie is one of Britain's best-loved comedians. Her book, a combination of memoir and self-help book, will make you laugh out loud * BEST *Down-to-earth superstar Millican tells her own story here of how she turned to stand-up after the break-up of her first marriage and conquered the male-dominated comedy world. Honest, touching and, like Millican's stand-up shows, endearingly smutty * EVENING STANDARD *

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Book SynopsisFourteen-year-old Jim Hawkins is serving ale in The Admiral Benbow Inn – when suddenly the door slams open and in strides Billy Bones, the infamous pirate, to change Jim’s life forever… Soon, Jim finds himself on board The Jolly Todger and setting sail on the high seas. Alongside him, the crew includes Captain Birdseye, Black Dog, Blue Peter, the one-legged Long John Silver, and a parrot called Alexa – and their destination: a mysterious tropical paradise in the Caribbean named Treasure Island. Or Skeleton Island. Depends who you ask. This riotously chaotic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved Treasure Island is a collaboration between John Nicholson (The Hound of the Baskervilles) and the physical-comedy theatre company Le Navet Bete, with their four actors playing dozens of characters. Following the company’s hilarious, hit adaptations of Dracula: The Bloody Truth and The Three Musketeers, it premiered at the Plymouth Athenaeum in 2019, and in a Black Spot-defying production at the Exeter Northcott Theatre in 2020, before touring nationally. If you’re looking for a rip-roaring, swashbuckling, family-friendly retelling of a classic story to perform with your theatre company or drama group, then X marks this spot.Trade Review'A ripping good yarn with an abundance of theatrical surprises' * The Stage *'Batten down the hatches for breakneck and breathless barrels of laugh-out-loud hilarity' * British Theatre Guide *'Great fun... a version of Stevenson's novel that not only entertains, it refreshes the narrative for a modern audience' * The Reviews Hub *

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Book SynopsisA mobile phone is something that gives you the whole world at the touch of your finger but this book is even better. Magic Mobile is a collection of thirty pre-loaded' new text files in a no-fuss, non-digital entertainment system. In a volume that succeeds Matchbox Theatre and Pocket Playhouse, each of these short comic masterpieces displays Michael Frayn's unique genius in forever capturing life's latest absurdities.Tune in to the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Magic Mobile 13 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 June. Michael Frayn's eleven novels include Towards the End of the Morning, Headlong, Spies and Skios. His seventeen plays range from Noises Off to Copenhagen.

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Book Synopsis''Funny, fresh and heart-warming'' Stella Newman ''Smart, self-aware, and properly funny'' Richard Roper''A dream of a rom-com!'' Holly Miller Can you fall in love like they do in the movies? It''s Evie Summers'' job to find out. Because if she can''t convince her film agency''s biggest client, Ezra Chester, to write the romantic comedy script he owes producers, her career will be over. The catch? He thinks rom-coms are unrealistic - and he''ll only put pen to paper if Evie shows him that it''s possible to meet someone in real life the way it happens on the big screen. Cynical Evie might not believe in happily ever after, but she''ll do what it takes to save the job that''s been her lifeline . . . even if it means recreating iconic rom-com scenes in public. Spilling orange juice on a cute stranger? No problem. Leaving her number in books all over London to see who calls? Done. With a lTrade ReviewFunny, fresh and heart-warming - a book to fall in love with -- Stella NewmanI completely loved it. Smart, self-aware, and properly funny. I was cheering Evie on from page one. -- Richard RoperA fresh and funny romcom with all the magic of the movies. Would like to read more! -- Anna BellThis was a dream of a rom-com! A delightful summer read that had me revelling in the meet-cutes and rooting for a happy-ever-after. Touching and smart, with a cast of warm, funny characters I completely fell for. -- Holly MillerWinters's charming debut combines tropes from classic romantic comedy films to hilarious effect. * Publishers Weekly *Relive your favourite rom-com movie moments in this charming and delightful meet-cute novel -- Erin Reinelta writer who's one to watch * Sarra Manning *This is The Perfect romcom, sharp and clever and so funny! * Michele Gorman *Packed full of laughs, this is perfect for romcom addicts. * My Weekly *The perfect romance. A relaxing read for the warmer months. * Woman *the perfect feelgood read * Red Magazine *With laugh-out-loud moments and a lot of heart, it's a delightful summer read -- Zoe West * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisWhy Mummy Drinks meets Bridget Jones. The first in the bestselling comedy series. Juliette is a new mother, but life isn't going the way she'd hoped. She doesn't live in a cottage with roses around the door. She doesn't own a rolling pin. And Daisy's out-of-work actor father still hasn't proposed. While Juliette sobs her way through sleepless nights and nappy changes, Nick drinks Guinness and plays computer games. Meanwhile, his helicopter mother is always on hand to find fault--with Juliette. At least when Nick pops the question, things will look up...won't they? With a supporting cast including Juliette's over-honest mother, potty-mouthed grandmother, militant hippy best friend, and handsome-but-scarred hotel magnate Alex Dalton, the first in Suzy K Quinn's hilarious, bestselling Bad Mother series is a sassy, uplifting, addictive treat.Trade Review`Frank, disarming and hilarious, it's the best women's fiction I have read since the last Marian Keyes and it made me spit more coffee out than Bridget Jones' Diary ever did. I can't wait to read books 2 and 3' - Rachel Read It, 'This book made me laugh so much it became dangerous for a mother of four to continue' - Books In My Hallway

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Book SynopsisPacy, witty and affectionate' GuardianRob Beckett never seems to fit in. At work, in the middle-class world of television and comedy, he's the laddy, cockney geezer but to his mates down the pub in south-east London, he's the theatrical one, a media luvvy. Even his wife and kids are posher than him.In this hilarious exploration of class, Rob tries to understand the life he lived growing up as a working-class kid in comparison to the life he lives now.Will he ever favour a craft beer over strong lager? When did it become normal for kids to eat sushi? Is he still working class? Why does he feel so embarrassed about success? And, will it ever be acceptable to serve pie mash on a wooden board?Tackling the questions big and small, A Class Act is a funny, candid, often moving account of what it feels like to be an outsider and why actually that's the best (slightly awkward) place to be.Trade Review ‘Pacy, witty and affectionate’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisFollow the hilarious misadventures of Ian Moore and his family as their search for serenity in rural France leads them on a journey of chaos, commotion and comedyComedian, mod and professional grump Ian Moore has had enough. Tired of being unable to park anywhere near his cramped house in a noisy town he doesn''t like, he hatches a plan to move his wife and young son to a remote corner of the Loire Valley in search of serenity and space. Several years later, Ian finds himself up to his neck in bilingual offspring, feral cats, promiscuous horses, dysfunctional spaniels and needy hens; he''s wrestling with electric fences, a foreign language, a mountain of animal waste and a wife who collects livestock like there''s a biblical flood on the horizon, all while trying not to dirty his pristine loafers.But despite the ups, downs and increasing demands of Ian''s showbiz career, the Moore family persevere in true Brit style to create a unique, colourful and ul

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Book Synopsis''There was none like her before and there''s been none like her since - she was unique.'' Dawn FrenchPublished to celebrate the much-missed Victoria Wood''s 70th birthday, this stunning hardback edition of Chunky contains the very best of Wood''s sketches and shows, including those never seen on TV, as well as:NEW introduction from Celia Imrie, star of many of Victoria Wood''s showsAdditions and annotations from Wood''s acclaimed official biographer, Jasper Rees.''I was very proud to be part of her gang.'' Celia Imrie''She is on a par with Alan Bennett.'' Clive James''Absolutely perfect.'' Sarra Manning

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewComedy Bang! Bang! is to podcasts what roasted turkey is to lunch meat. This book is to reading what underpants are to daydreams. * JON HAMM *Everything you'd want in a CBB book: chapters, pages, words, letters, pictures, syllables, winks, gravy, live bees, and, of course, Scott's signature dance! I'm going to read it five more times then go back to sleep. * ADAM SCOTT *I look forward to reading this book. Or at least scanning it for my name. In all honesty, I probably won't read it. * ZACH GALIFIANAKIS *Scott has the most interesting guests, including a guy named Paul F. Tompkins. I've never met him, but everyone says we'd really get along. * GILLIAN JACOBS *I'm feeling a tremendous amount of pressure to write something hilarious about this hilarious book. . . . I've got nothing! But it's hilarious!! * JACK BLACK *Scott's a friend. I met him in kindergarten. (He dropped out of school right after that.) I want to preserve my friendship with him, so: I think the book is unbelievable! * PAUL REUBENS *The Comedy Bang! Bang! book is far better than I expected it to be. Like, when Scott said I had to do a blurb, I kind of dreaded it, but then I actually skimmed it and was like, Holy shit, Aukerman did the work on this one. * THOMAS LENNON *I am scared of how hilarious this book might be. If I'm found dead anytime soon, look to see if this tome is near my lifeless hands and avenge me. * EDGAR WRIGHT *“Impressive . . . Aukerman and his gang of high-powered friends and contributors can tell a funny story. Devotees will love the origin stories and comedy bits from the series’ beloved characters, and the collection’s creative structure may land the show some new fans as well.” * KIRKUS REVIEWS *

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Book SynopsisToday, he stars in hit films, headlines sold out tours, hosts the popular Uncle Joey’s Joint podcast, and is a devoted father - but his life wasn’t always so picture-perfect. Joey “Coco” Diaz credits his success to his “immigrant mentality,” the work ethic his mother modeled for him and on which countless others have depended to survive the harsh landscape of being an outsider. Diaz wasn’t always a star, but he was always a comedian - it just took him a while to figure it out. To be fair, he was pretty busy while he was young: helping his tough-as-nails mother in her bar, holding a gun for the first time at the age of six, and later dealing drugs and serving time. Tremendous is the story of Diaz’s life, from grueling childhood and misspent youth to finding his true calling in comedy. Immigrants, fans of celebrity tales, and comedy enthusiasts alike will be enthralled by this incredibly true, foul-mouthed, and funny memoir. It’s not a story for the faint of heart, or for prudes who’ve never spent a week sleeping in a piece of playground equipment. From finding his mum’s body to high stakes crime, addiction and depression, there are plenty of dark episodes in this saga. Diaz shares it all with brutal honesty and humour, in the same inimitable voice he’d use talking to you from the stage or in a bar. He also shares the story of his improbable rise to the top and the bumpy road that led him there. An inspiration to misfits everywhere, Tremendous is storytelling at its finest - and a reminder that the direst of circumstances can change in unimaginable, unpredictable ways.

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Book SynopsisFrom Shaun Micallef, beloved host of ABC TV’s news satire Mad as Hell, comes Tripping Over Myself – an insightful and funny memoir about comedy and life that takes us through uncharted waters to unexpected places.Comedy has been Shaun’s escape, his guiding light, his refuge, his passport, his lifebuoy, his drug, his mask, his means, his end, his lingua franca, his Self. But it’s not everything.From his early years as a gangly, bespectacled nerd in suburban Adelaide to the giddy heights of national TV stardom, Shaun regales us with his experiences and his continuous reinvention through humour with... well, humour. He writes with candour about his successes and failures, loves and losses, along with tales of wine, women, song, and eccentric dancing. Behind the persona of one of Australia’s best-loved comedians lurks, as you will discover, an idiot.Despite Shaun’s best efforts, Tripping Over Myself is sprinkled with thoughtful insights and observations and shows us how to persist in the face of adversity or even good fortune. You will laugh, you will dog-ear pages, you will wonder, you will Google ‘Jerry Lewis’, you may book a trip to India, and you will come away from this book reflecting on your own life in new and remarkable ways.Trade Review ‘As I was reading Tripping over Myself this morning I felt something funny was happening to my mouth. I touched it with my fingers. It was smiling.’ – BARRY HUMPHRIES ‘I had to teach this flog the absolute basics. Embarrassing.’ – KATE McCARTNEY ‘Shaun Micallef is an enigma, wrapped in a nerd, inside a truly brilliant comedian.’ – ANDREW DENTON ‘Working with Shaun was ‘the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life’. – DENISE SCOTT ‘Shaun Micallef is the most uniquely talented comedic performer Australia has ever seen. His unseen humility also means he would never use this quote to grotesquely self-promote himself.’ – ROVE McMANUS ‘I am forever grateful that Shaun Micallef hasn’t let being a complete genius get in the way of also being so stupid.’ – CELIA PACQUOLA ‘Everyone talks about Shaun’s washboard abs and pert buttocks, but he’s also very funny.’ – MARK HUMPHRIES ‘Who else, in this country, could possibly make a career that's lasted well over 30 years doing weirdo stuff on network television? We love Shaun and we couldn't be here without him. Also, he owes us 20 bucks.’ – AUNTY DONNAPRAISE FOR SHAUN MICALLEF’S PREVIOUS BOOKS ‘Shaun is a genius. In fact the worst written part of this entire book is this quote.’ – WIL ANDERSON ‘One of the greatest comic voices of our time.’ – MATT LUCAS ‘Shaun has a gift for the surreal. The English language is a sunlit garden. Shaun has a Harley-Davidson and a cast-iron alibi. He will be home by nightfall. You may hear some noise. It will be made by you. You will feel much better afterwards.’ – JOHN CLARKE ‘He’s a wonderful hybrid of Peter Cook and Stephen Fry with a touch of Graham Kennedy’s subversiveness.’ – THE AUSTRALIAN

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Book Synopsis*A memoir and self-help manual by one of the country's most treasured comedians - for anyone who feels stuck in a rut but doesn't have the tools or self-belief to shake things up*In his mid-twenties, Jimmy was bored, boring, unfulfilled and underachieving. He wasn't exactly depressed, but he was very sad. Think of a baby owl whose mum has recently died in a windmill accident. He was that sad. This book tells the story of how Jimmy turned it around and got happy, through the redemptive power of dick jokes.Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary. Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him. It tells the story of Jimmy's life - the transformation from white-collar corporate drone to fake-toothed donkey-laugh plastic-haired comedy mannequin - while also explaining how to turn your own life around and become the you you've always dreamt of being. At just £20, it's cheaper than Scientology, quicker than therapy, and significantly less boring than church.Before & Laughter contains the answers to all the big questions in life, questions like:· What's the secret to happiness?· Is Jimmy wearing a wig?· What happened with that tax thing?· What's the meaning of life?· Is Jimmy's laugh real?· Can those teeth bite through vibranium?And for readers in the West Country: yes, there are pictures (actually, sorry, there are no pictures, but there's a book about a hungry caterpillar you'll love).Because it's Jimmy Carr - recently scientifically proved to be the funniest comedian in the UK - there are jokes, jokes and more jokes throughout. If laughter really was the best medicine, the NHS would be handing out this book in Nightingale Hospitals.Fascinating, thoughtful and insightful - are all words that appear in the book.Trade ReviewRiveting * Daily Mail *An utterly sincere guide for people to achieve bigger things in life * Guardian *Very funny and very beautiful, packed with jokes and genuinely wise advice * Chris Evans *So good. I've loved every second of reading it * James Corden *A hilarious book that will be adored by Jimmy's fans. Both of them * David Walliams *Made me laugh, made me think, what more do you want from a comedian's memoir? * Alastair Campbell *I was really annoyed at how good this book is and that's the biggest compliment I can give * Romesh Ranganathan *Very, very funny - a great read * Gary Davies, The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show *At last, a selfless biography that aims to inspire and does. Also, of course, very, very funny * Rich Hall *It's the first life advice book from someone whose life you would actually want * Katherine Ryan *

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Book SynopsisAfter coming last by quite such a distance on Taskmaster Series 15, and seeing his emotional frailties laid bare in a series of memes of him with his head in his hands, Ivo Graham is adapting to an increasingly irreversible reputation as a man better known for his chaos than his comedy. Yardsticks For Failure is an exquisite map of the brain behind the breakdowns; a deep dive into the various facepalms of Ivo''s recent past, and a live diary of his unravelling present, where his solution to the general bedlam of his life has been to pile his plate higher than ever before. Longer-term resolutions of rest and relaxation can wait; in the meantime he''s trying to host the greatest club night of all time, run a Sub-3 marathon while pushing a wheelchair, and put his heart on the line in a show unlike anything he''s ever done before. Can these dreams become a reality, or will they just become more yardsticks for failure?A gleeful glimpse behind the grubby curt

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Book SynopsisThis is a funny and beautiful book. What a little bastard.' RUSSELL BRANDA millennial''s answer to David Sedaris. No writer is funnier than Joel Golby.' DOLLY ALDERTONA collection of full-throated appreciations, withering assessments, and hard-won lessons by the popular journalist.There are a few things you need to know about Joel Golby. Both his parents are dead. His dad was an alcoholic. He himself has a complicated relationship with alcohol. He once went to karaoke three times in five days. He will always beat you at Monopoly, and he will always cheat.Joel makes a name for himself as a journalist who brings us distinguished articles such as A Man Shits On A Plane So Hard It Has To Turn Around And Come Back Again', but that says more about us than him. In his first book, Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant Joel writes about important stuff (death, alcohol, loss, friendship) and unimportant stuff (Saudi Arabian Camel Pageants, a watertight ranking of the Rocky films, MTrade Review ‘Joel Golby is my favourite pop-culture obsessed nihilist. If you like camel beauty pageants and robot sex as much as I do you’ll love this. You’ll laugh, cry and probably be a bit weirded out.’ SHARON HORGAN ‘Seeing the byline “Joel Golby” means you’re about to ungraciously snort with laughter in a public place. Sharper at dissecting the madness of 21st century online existence than any other writer.’ CAITLIN MORAN ‘Joel Golby is brilliant, his writing is brilliant, and his book is brilliant brilliant brilliant.’ JOE LYCETT ‘Joel is one of my favourite writers. He is brilliant and so is this massive book. If push came to shove, I would almost certainly pay the full RRP for it.’ GREG JAMES

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2021 SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR The hilarious trials and tribulations of stand-up comedian Paul Tonkinson as he attempts to beat the much lauded 3-hour mark at the London Marathon. Along the way, we are introduced to the characters helping Paul with his quest. Celebrity names such as Bryony Gordon, Russell Howard, Roisin Conaty and Vassos Alexander pop up with wit and wisdom, alongside an alpine adventure to the Mayr Clinic with Michael McIntyre that pushes Paul to the limit. And not forgetting the words of wisdom' and derision from Paul's anti-running friend, Richard. With a supporting cast of fellow comedians, this is a warmly written and wonderfully honest adventure-through-sport that will both entertain and inspire.Trade ReviewI couldn't put it down... insightful, inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny! -- Michael McIntyreThis book is that rare thing - something that actually makes me WANT to run another marathon. Utterly joyous! -- Bryony GordonThe funniest book about running I have ever read. In fact it is the only book about running I have ever read, but it is HILARIOUS! -- David WalliamsEnjoyed it enormously. Pain. Hope. Misery. Joy. All the big stuff. Excellent. -- Dara Ó BriainWhat a brilliant, funny and above all, inspiring book. I read it in three days flat. I literally raced through it as though running alongside Paul. -- Tim VineThis book is funny (which I expected) and concerns running (ditto), but it is also exceptionally moving and profound. Don't be fooled: it's not really about completing a marathon. It's about life and all its joy and weirdness. Recommended to all, even those who jog no further than the fridge. -- Miranda SawyerFunny and captivating, even persuasive. A book that memorably and joyously illustrates how we can find our escape and ourselves by switching off from the rest of the world that actually switches us on. -- Robin InceExcellent... Extremely talented. Brilliant. * Time Out *Very good book... very funny, very insightful, very inspiring -- Chris Evans * Virgin Radio *Fabulous book -- OJ Borg * Radio 2 *You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy 26.2 Miles to Happiness * The Scotsman *Hilarious * Daily Mail *The best book about running I have read -- Nick Cohen * The Critic *Table of ContentsPreface 5.45 a.m. Race Day Part 1 Beginning: Miles 1-13 1 November. Five months before the marathon. A conversation with Richard 2 Scarborough 1981. The First run London Marathon. Mile 1 3 2 January. Flat white orgy 4 4 January. In da club 5 Two days later. Bryony Gordan drags us south of the river 6 Mid February. McIntyre Mayr madness 7 10 February. This is a journey into time. Mile 10. Rotherhithe. Observations from the pack. 8 Scarborough 1982, 5:30 a.m. Teenage kicks for free 9 Crouch End. Dirty Burger. Richard gets behind the sub-3 goal 10 Late February. Tuesday track. The voices, the voices Mile 13 Wapping. Halfway but NOT Part 2 The Monster: Miles 13-20 11 What's that coming over the hill? 12 Why this is not a misery memoir 13 Happy talking, talking happy talk 14 Early March. You are my hero Mile 16. Isle of Dogs. Peaking 15 Six weeks to go. The life of the hero 16 Five weeks before the marathon in Cuba 17 The hardest week. 26 March - 2 April. 58 1/2 miles 18 Pantsgate Mile 18. Isle of Dogs to Canary Wharf. Crossing over 19 York marathon. There are things we don't know we don't know 20 Meaningful mantras. Rudeness 21 The juice Part 3: The Battle: Miles 20-24 Mile 20. Poplar. Here we go again 22 Super Mario Catch-Up Miles 21, 22. Limehouse to Shadwell. Knocked out 23 Black Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Three weeks before the marathon Mile 23 1/2. Approaching the Embankment. A bearded intervention 24 Two weeks before the marathon. Owning Richard Part 4 Tipping Point Mile 24. Blackfriars. The magical possibility Part 5 Better 25 Mile 25. The final corner 26 Finished 26.2 Bonita Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisThe long awaited story of one of Britain’s greatest comic legends.Trade Review'Eric Sykes, now 82, is a splendid survivor. Recently the subject of a charming South Bank Show, the indefatigable Lancastrian is still working, with blithe disregard for his deafness, blindness and heart bypass operation. Characteristically, Sykes ends this engagingly artless autobiography with the news that he has been cast as Frank Bryce in the latest Harry Potter film. The tone throughout is warm-hearted, though occasionally there are welcome blasts of asperity. And there are joyful pages devoted to what is surely Sykes's finest hour – his glorious riot of ad-libbery with Jimmy Edwards in “Big Bad Mouse”.' Hugh Massingberd, Daily Telegraph 'His prose is crisp and dry, with a poetic, vernacular lilt…Candid, erudite and most of all cheery. Warm and comforting.' The Times 'A charmed life…and one does not begrudge him an ounce of his success…Sykes's career is far from over.' Guardian 'A chatty, always amiable memoir. A far better testament to this game old trouper than the normal ghost-written guff.' Daily Express

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Book SynopsisPrepare to laugh' Reese Witherspoon253 steps to becoming an anti-it girl.Funny woman, Instagram star and international comedy sensation, Celeste Barber's Challenge Accepted! is a raucous, hilarious and outspoken guide to life, unwanted gas and how to rock a sexy scar.Part-memoir, part-comedy routine, part-advice manual, Challenge Accepted! is Celeste at her best, revealing her secrets to love, friendship, family and marriage (oh hai, #hothusband), and how to deal with life's many challenges why she checks the bath for sharks, how Nutella quite literally shaped who she is as a woman, and why being famous on Instagram is like being rich in Monopoly. It's real, like totally, really real.Trade Review‘Prepare to laugh when reading this memoir. Just when Celeste has you in stitches, she hits you right in the heart.’ –Reese Witherspoon

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Book SynopsisWelcome to the jungleWhen you've grown up thinking your twenties are all about working hard, playing hard and trying not to get pregnant, life comes at you fast when you go from hump to bump.So you thought adulthood would mean a high-flying career and a luxury lifestyle, but instead have ended up with a Lycra-based wardrobe and a deep fear of what lies at the bottom of the ball-pit in soft play?Join comedian Sophie McCartney as she voyages deep into the uncharted territories of mating, birthing, feral offspring, mums overdoing it at the watering hole, and the perilous viper's nest of the school WhatsApp group.With laugh out loud humour and eye-watering honesty, Sophie shows how whether you've had a day full of whining or a night full of wine, there's joy to be had in the perfectly imperfect wild ride into parenthood.Trade Review ‘Reassuring, relatable and laugh-out-loud funny – I loved it!’ Sarah Turner, The Unmumsy Mum ‘Brilliant! Painfully accurate and criminally funny. Like a chat with your most outrageous friend.’ Ellie Taylor ‘If you’re looking for the funniest mum on Instagram, you’ve found her!’ Mother & Baby magazine

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Book SynopsisPaul Whitehouse and fishing expert John Bailey celebrate the timeless joy of fishing.Paul Whitehouse and John Bailey have been devout fishermen for longer than they care to remember. A hobby, past time or sport call it what you want they have felt the pull of the water ever since they were kids and have never missed the chance to set up on the bank and try their luck.In this wonderful book, the two fishermen collaborate to celebrate the rich tapestry that is fishing from mentors to memories; from philosophy to modern jargon; from watercraft to becoming self-styled Fishing Detectives'. Punctuated by brilliant stories, beautiful illustrations by Carys Reilly-Whitehouse, and recollections from fishing day trips past, How We Fish is the perfect tome for the veteran fisherman or the budding angler warm, funny and rich in the wonders of the riverbank.

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