Humour collections and anthologies Books

821 products


  • I Remember Nothing and other reflections

    Transworld Publishers Ltd I Remember Nothing and other reflections

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis''Memories, aphorisms and stern good advice from America''s favourite naughty aunt'' Independent on Sunday''This book is as grown-up as a dirty martini'' Sunday Times''Sharp as a knife'' Daily Express___In her final book, Nora Ephron reflects on life, growing older, and everything she will and won''t miss. Filled with Nora''s trademark wit, wisdom and warmth.* No one actually likes to admit they''re old. The most they will cop to is that they''re older. Or oldish.* Freedom of the press belongs to the man who owns one.* I have been forgetting things for years-at least since I was in my thirties. I know this because I wrote something about it at the time. I have proof. Of course, I can''t remember exactly where I wrote about it, or when, but I could probably hunt it up if I had to.___Praise for Nora Ephron''So bold and so vulnerable at the same time. I donTrade ReviewYou don't have to be old to appreciate this collection of memories, aphorisms and stern good advice from America's favourite naughty aunt... snigger-out-loud... Reading this book is a little like being sat down by an older, wiser friend... good advice indeed * Independent on Sunday *Read Nora Ephron because she's funny, read her because she's wise, read her because she never writes a boring sentence, read her because she's sharp as a knife but her heart's in the right place... Enjoy! -- David Robson * Daily Express *As always, she has an eye for the killer detail... a mixture of memoir, rants and observations... This book is as grown-up as a dirty martini -- Daisy Goodwin * The Sunday Times *If we have to grow old (and as they say, consider the alternative) there's no better guide * People Magazine (Top 10 Books of 2010) *Tantalizingly fresh and forthright... She's self-effacing and brilliant. I use lines of hers all the time... She's like Benjamin Franklin or Shakespeare: her words are now part of the fabric of the English language * The New York Times Book Review *

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Girls Can Kiss Now: Essays

    Simon & Schuster Girls Can Kiss Now: Essays

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisNamed One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2022 by Vogue, BuzzFeed, Bustle, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Electric Lit, Thrillist, Glamour, CNN, and Shondaland “Wickedly funny and heartstoppingly vulnerable…every page twinkles with brilliance.” —Refinery29 Perfect for fans of Samantha Irby and Trick Mirror, a funny, whip-smart collection of personal essays exploring the intersection of queerness, relationships, pop culture, the internet, and identity, introducing one of the most undeniably original new voices today.Jill Gutowitz’s life—for better and worse—has always been on a collision course with pop culture. There’s the time the FBI showed up at her door because of something she tweeted about Game of Thrones. The pop songs that have been the soundtrack to the worst moments of her life. And of course, the pivotal day when Orange Is the New Black hit the airwaves and broke down the door to Jill’s own sexuality. In these honest examinations of identity, desire, and self-worth, Jill explores perhaps the most monumental cultural shift of our lifetimes: the mainstreaming of lesbian culture. Dusting off her own personal traumas and artifacts of her not-so-distant youth she examines how pop culture acts as a fun house mirror reflecting and refracting our values—always teaching, distracting, disappointing, and revealing us. Girls Can Kiss Now is a fresh and intoxicating blend of personal stories, sharp observations, and laugh-out-loud humor. This timely collection of essays helps us make sense of our collective pop-culture past even as it points the way toward a joyous, uproarious, near—and very queer—future.Trade Review“Fresh and witty.” —Vogue“Compulsively readable.” —The Skimm“Gutowitz maps the current lesbian canon with a lot of humor and more than a few wonderful, and wonderfully mortifying, personal anecdotes.” —Wired“Comedy gold…If you were to mark every single funny thing in this book, you would mark the entire book.”—Isaac Fitzgerald, Today“Ever-hilarious and insightful...Gutowitz explores how lesbianism went mainstream.” —Bustle“Between every one-liner and guffaw, Gutowitz delivers not just herself, but universal truths everyone can relate to.” —USA Today“[A] thrilling excavation of lesbian pop culture... a perfect combination of humor and sincerity, of wit, self-deprecation, and most importantly, self-love.” —Associated Press“Hilarious…Girls Can Kiss Now is going to be one of the most important accessories of 2022.” —Glamour"A laugh-out-loud look at the mainstreaming of queer culture...Gutowitz’s book is perhaps the definitive authority on what it means to be gay and a little too online.” —Harper's Bazaar“A hilarious, heartfelt eye-opener, helping readers laugh, get emotional, and, most importantly, consider how the world has wronged the lesbian community and the work that still needs to be done for true acceptance.” —Shondaland“Super-funny, personal, honest, insightful and filled with pop culture references, Gutowitz’s essays on queer culture will leave you laughing out loud.” —CNN“Irreverent and insightful…[a] heartfelt celebration and defense of the importance of pop culture in helping queer people feel seen.” —Buzzfeed“An equal mix of illuminating analysis and laugh-out-loud anecdotes.” —Thrillist“Wickedly funny and heartstoppingly vulnerable…every page twinkles with brilliance.” —Refinery29“Hilarious…Jill Gutowitz explores how pop culture has shaped society's perception of lesbianism, how it's impacted her own life, and, ultimately, what we can expect from a very queer future that's in store for us.” —Marie Claire"Incisive and funny…Gutowitz blends candid reflections on the experience of being closeted with witty analysis on how the media affects one’s perception of the world. Fans of the personal essay will be eager to see what Gutowitz does next.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Shines with humor, vulnerability, and poignancy...formally inventive and searingly personal...A witty essay collection about pop culture and queerness.” —Kirkus Reviews"Readers who recall where they were – because these iconic moments were lifechanging – when Orange is the New Black debuted or when paparazzi pictures of Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson arguing were published will relish re-living their importance with Gutowitz." —Booklist"Every single sentence glitters, quivers, and shakes with a kind of unhinged lesbian brilliance that is both wickedly funny and deeply self-aware. GIRLS CAN KISS NOW is not only the gayest book of essays I’ve ever read — it’s one of the best." —Gabrielle Korn, author of Everybody (Else) is Perfect "Jill Gutowitz's brain is full of lightning bolts. I loved every word of this hilarious and heartfelt book." —Diablo Cody, award-winning screenwriter and author of Candy Girl “Snaps, crackles and pops with sharp one-liners and biting wit. But when Gutowitz deftly uses her encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture to interrogate her own personal history and relationship to her queerness, her prose reaches a level of depth and tenderness that left me reeling with emotion. 10/10. You must read this book if you're gay, human, or both.” —Ryan O'Connell, author of I'm Special and Just by Looking at Him“Queer social media icon Jill Gutowitz weaves pop culture, relationships and humor together in a memorable, enjoyable collection…Lesbianism and shame intersect in an entertaining, thought-provoking way in these irreverent stories.” —GMA“You’ll certainly be entertained, but there is a certain level of tenderness and care that really makes this book shine.” —Buzzfeed

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops

    Little, Brown Book Group More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisWeird Things Customers Say in Bookshops was a Sunday Times bestseller, and could be found displayed on bookshop counters up and down the country. The response to the book from booksellers all over the world has been one of heartfelt agreement: it would appear that customers are saying bizarre things all over the place - from asking for books with photographs of Jesus in them, to hunting for the best horse owner''s manual that has a detailed chapter on unicorns.Customer: I had such a crush on Captain Hook when I was younger. Do you think this means I have unresolved issues?More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops has yet more tales from the antiquarian bookshop where Jen Campbell works, and includes a selection of ''Weird Things...'' sent in from other booksellers across the world. The book is illustrated by the BAFTA winning Brothers McLeod.

    3 in stock

    £10.44

  • WhatAMelon

    Octopus Publishing Group WhatAMelon

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisA collection of cute and fruity puns for the epic fails in life.

    5 in stock

    £6.99

  • The Wit of Cricket

    Hodder & Stoughton The Wit of Cricket

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHIS BUMPER COLLECTION OF THE FUNNIEST ANECDOTES, JOKES AND STORIES FROM CRICKET''S BEST-LOVED PERSONALITIES PROVES THAT CRICKET IS STILL A FUNNY GAME - EVEN WHEN RAIN STOPS PLAY! With a new introduction by Jonathan Agnew. In this updated and expanded edition of the popular THE WIT OF CRICKET you can read many more hilarious anecdotes about legendary cricketers such as Richie Benaud, Ian Botham, Donald Bradman, Geoff Boycott, Andrew Flintoff, Joe Root and Ben Stokes. There also dozens of humorous gaffes and giggles from the commentary box by Jonathan Agnew, Henry Blofeld, Christopher Martin-Jenkins, Dan Norcross and others - not to mention sledging, short-sighted umpires, streakers, and the phantom sock snipper in the England dressing-room!

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • Donts for Mothers

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Donts for Mothers

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFollowing the success of Don''ts for Husbands and Don''ts for Wives a brand new old collection of advice: - From Birth to Weaning - The care of Young Children - Boyhood and Girlhood''Don''t wash the baby in hot water, it would weaken and enervate the babe, and thus predispose him to disease. Luke warm rain water will be the best to wash him with.''''Don''t choose a wet nurse of a consumptive habit. Check if she or any of her family have laboured under king''s evil ascertaining if there be any seams or swellings about her neck.''''Don''t rock an infant to sleep, it might cause him to fall into a feverish, disturbed slumber, but not into a refreshing, calm sleep. Besides, if you once take to that habit he will not go to sleep without it.''''Don''t add either gin or oil of peppermint to the babe''s food. It is a murderous practice.''''Don''t purge an infant during teething or any other time. IF WE LOCK UP THE BOWELS, WE CONFINE THE ENEMY, AND THUS PRODUCE MISCHIEF.'Table of ContentsPregnancy and Childbirth Ablution Diet Sleep Health Clothing In the Nursery Amusements Boyhood and Girlhood

    4 in stock

    £5.84

  • All Preachers Great and Small

    Poppyland Publishing All Preachers Great and Small

    5 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    5 in stock

    £8.96

  • School's Out: Truants, Troublemakers and

    Sandstone Press Ltd School's Out: Truants, Troublemakers and

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisA charming gift book of pleas, put downs, misplaced career guidance and character assessments collected from the school reports and memoirs of celebrities and ordinary people from across the UK and Ireland. Featuring household names such as Benedict Cumberbatch, David Bowie, Sandi Toksvig, Sir Billy Connolly, and even members of the Royal family, this collection will have readers laughing and digging out their own school reports.

    5 in stock

    £9.49

  • The First Rumpole Omnibus Rumpole of the

    Penguin Books Ltd The First Rumpole Omnibus Rumpole of the

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisWho rose to enduring fame on Blood and Typewriters, told the pregnant Portia of the Chambers it would come out in the end, advised Guthrie Featherstone, Q.C., to adopt a more judicial attitude, returned in the tender gloaming of each evening-via Pommeroy's and a glass of Chateau Fleet Street- to She Who Must Be Obeyed? The answer is Horace Rumpole whose legal triumphs, plundering stories into the Oxford Book of English Verse and less-than-salubrious hat are celebrated here in this first omnibus edition.

    2 in stock

    £15.29

  • The Cycling Cartoonist

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Cycling Cartoonist

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisA delightful celebration of cycling from renowned cartoonist and multiple-bike owner Dave Walker. With over 100 full-page cartoons that give an affectionate take on cycling in all its different forms, featuring cartoons about road cycling, mountain biking and bike ownership, via sportives and commuting--celebrating the simple pleasure of getting from A to B on two wheels.Trade ReviewCartoonist and cyclist Dave Walker has put together this hilarious coffee table book full of cycling-related illustrations * Cycling Weekly *I would be very surprised if there wasn't at least one page in this book with which any subculture of cyclist could not identify. * thewashingmachinepost *With luck, Walker may be at the forefront of a renaissance of the art of cycling cartoons. I for one would be happy to see more exponents of the art showing off their talents if they are as good as this. -- Feargal McKay * www.podiumcafe.com *I laughed out loud... There's so much in this book that will appeal to any rider. * www.ridevelo.cc *

    4 in stock

    £11.69

  • Senior Moments: Ageing Disgracefully: A

    Bonnier Books Ltd Senior Moments: Ageing Disgracefully: A

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA timelessly funny cartoon collection by Tim Whyatt.Everyone has at some stage had a 'senior moment' whether you've called your child by the wrong name, returned from the supermarket without the one item you went out for in the first place or even moaned at the annoying kid who is playing their music too loud.The years may keep piling up and our bodies may be losing the ultimate battle against gravity but our humour remains the same! Senior Moments: Ageing Distgracefully is an amusing collection of some of the best of two-time 'Henries' winner, Tim Whyatt's hilarious imagery, depicting the highs, lows, laughter and indignities of later life.

    2 in stock

    £6.99

  • Gill Irishology

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisIrishology is the ultimate warm, witty, and irreverent guide to all things Irish. Who else but the Irish can perform minor miracles with a prayer to St Anthony? Or truly appreciate the medicinal purposes of flat 7Up? Not to mention the front room, chipper chips, and the `bad pint.'' From things you''ll only hear and taste in Ireland to tips for surviving any social situation (an Irish wedding anyone?!).

    1 in stock

    £11.39

  • Science(ish): The Peculiar Science Behind the

    Atlantic Books Science(ish): The Peculiar Science Behind the

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the YearA New Scientist Gift Pick"Bright, nerdy and funny! Of course I loved it." Dara Ó BriainCan we resurrect dinosaurs? Is a Martian holiday good for your health? Can we build a time machine? (And more importantly, can it look like the DeLorean?)Answering these questions and more, Rick Edwards and Dr Michael Brooks delve into the real science behind the greatest sci-fi movies ever made. From Planet of the Apes to Interstellar, each chapter probes a different classic, blasting apart tricky topics like astrophysics, neuroscience, psychology, botany, artificial intelligence, evolution, and plenty more. Packed with illustrations, bizarre facts and indispensable movie trivia, Science(ish) is the perfect read for curious minds.Trade ReviewBright, nerdy and funny! Of course I loved it. * Dara Ó Briain *Fun, scary answers to the "sci" in sci-fi movies. * The New Scientist *Fascinating and hilarious. * Richard Osman, co-host of Pointless *If you are a geek, a film buff, curious or simply want to know whether you still get BO in space, this is the book you have got to have. * Kate Humble *It's the kind of book I love. -- Joel Dommett * Shortlist *Explores everything from the ins and outs of black holes (Interstellar) to artificial intelligence (Ex Machina)... Edwards and Brooks don't take themselves too seriously and their cartoon heads pop up throughout deconstructing the films wittily while explaining the underlying science simply. * Sunday Times *Deeply funny, academically accomplished, and unfalteringly engaging. Entertaining as it may be, it's difficult to escape the fact that Edwards and Brooks have just made the world of popular science much harder work for the rest of us. * Ben Miller - comedian and author of It’s Not Rocket Science *Table of Contents0: Introduction 1: The Martian 2: Jurassic Park 3: Interstellar 4: Planet of the Apes 5: Back to the Future 6: 28 Days Later 7: The Matrix 8: Gattaca 9: Ex Machina 10: Alien 11: Acknowledgements 12: Index

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • Wow No Thank You.

    Faber & Faber Wow No Thank You.

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis**QUIETLY HOSTILE - THE HILARIOUS NEW BOOK FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR - IS AVAILABE TO PRE-ORDER NOW**''Irby might be our great bard of quarantine.'' New York Times''SO funny. Samantha Irby makes staying in feel like like a luxury, and reminds you that going out is actually quite annoying. I laughed out loud so much reading this -- I honestly couldn''t be more in awe of her.'' Sara PascoeStaring down the barrel of her fortieth year, Samantha Irby is confronting the ways her life has changed since the days she could work a full 11 hour shift on 4 hours of sleep, change her shoes and put mascara on in the back of a moving cab and go from drinks to dinner to the club without a second thought. Recently, things are more ''Girls Gone Mild.'' In Wow, No Thank You Irby discusses the actual nightmare of living in a rural idyll, weighs in on body negativity (loving yourself is a full-time job with shitty benefits) and poses the essential question: Sure sex is fun but have you ever googled a popular meme?''Samantha Irby is the king of sparkling misanthropy and tender, loving dread.'' Jia Tolentino''A laugh. A fart. A snort. Or some combination thereof. Be prepared to totally lose control of the noises that come out of your body while reading the latest essay collection from humor writer Samantha Irby.'' Bustle''The only writer who can make me laugh with abandon in public... Her signature irreverence is intact, of course, but it can''t mask the heart she leaves bleeding on the page.'' Elle''Samantha Irby is hilarious... Nothing is off limits and I love it.'' Candice Carty-Williams

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • English Humour for Beginners

    Penguin Books Ltd English Humour for Beginners

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis''To write a book is hard; to write a funny book is harder; to write a funny book both wise and funny is the prerogative of Mr. Mikes'' The Times_________________________If you want to succeed here you must be able to handle the English sense of humour.So proclaims George Mikes'' timeless exploration of this curious phenomenon. Whether it''s understatement, self-deprecation or plain cruelty, the three elements he identifies as essential to our sense of humour, being witty here is a way of life.Perfectly placed as an adopted Englishman himself, Mikes delivers his shrewd advice - helpfully divided into ''Theory'' and ''Practice'' - with a comic precision that does his chosen country proud. Drawing on a trove of examples from our rich comic canon, from Orwell (Every joke is a tiny revolution) to Oscar Wilde, this is the essential handbook for natives and foreigners alike.Mrs Kennedy: I don''t think, Mr Churchill, that ITrade ReviewWise and witty -- William Cook on 'How to Be an Alien' * Spectator *Brilliantly comical -- Pico Iyer on 'How to Be an Alien' * New York Times *Very funny * The Economist *He is witty, observant, tolerant and sane * The Observer *To write a book is hard; to write a funny book is harder; to write a funny book both wise and funny is the prerogative of Mr. Mikes * The Times *

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • Quietly Hostile

    Faber & Faber Quietly Hostile

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wow, No Thank You''Brilliant, hilarious and perspicacious.'' ELIZABETH DAY''One of our culture's greatest humorists is back.'' Glamour''SO funny.'' SARA PASCOEThis is not an advice book. Samantha Irby doesn't know anything.After fleeing Chicago to quarantine at home in Michigan, Irby finds herself bleaching groceries and wondering if her upper lip hairs are visible on Zoom. Her career reaches new heights: she gets to work with the iconic ladies of Sex and the City - her dream! - but behind the new-found glam, Irby is just trying to keep her life together. Our friend in print is back, on point, and ready to take us with her, from adopting Abe (her scrawny, watery-eyed firstborn dog) to her favourite, extremely specific porn searches (including two old nuns).Wildly, seditiously funny' New York TimesSam Irby is the king of sparkl

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Midnight Feasts Tasty poems chosen by A.F.

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Midnight Feasts Tasty poems chosen by A.F.

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe perfect Christmas gift for any food or poetry lover, this scrumptious illustrated hardback contains over 50 poems about every type of food imaginable. Food is the one thing that unites us all across time, nations and peoples. From chocolate, rice pudding and sandwiches to breakfast in bed, marmalade in the bath and the fruit of a mythical jelabi tree, in Midnight Feasts A.F. Harrold brings together a wonderful and diverse collection of poems to tickle your taste buds. Poets include Ian McMillan, Brian Patten, Choman Hardi, Imtiaz Dharker, William Carlos Williams, Salena Godden, Joseph Coelho, Sabrina Mahfouz, Lewis Carroll, W.S. Gilbert and A.E. Housman, as well as A.F. Harrold himself. This stunning poetry book is beautifully illustrated in full colour by rising star Katy Riddell (daughter of former Children''s Laureate, Chris Riddell) and is the perfect present at Christmas or any other time year. It will have the poetry and food fans in your life licking their liTrade ReviewThis moreish anthology – a menu of poetic snacks – is illustrated with beguiling, gentle humour. -- Kate Kellaway * The Observer *A gorgeous anthology of poems about food, this is funny, mouth-watering and moving, with delectable coloured illustrations to accompany the deliciousness. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Metro *Wonderfully in keeping with the Christmas spirit is Midnight Feasts, compiled by A.F. Harrold and illustrated by Katy Riddell. This brings together an eclectic and wide-ranging selection of poems about food, a mouth-watering collection. -- Ferelith Hordon * Books for Keeps *Stuff yourself with these poems, they're so delicious they should be fattening! -- Dawn Finch * An Awfully Big Blog Adventure *Food, glorious food is celebrated in verse in this tasty collection compiled by A.F. Harrold. Certain to tickle your taste buds. * Teach Primary *Even those who know poems and poets will find something new to whet their appetite: so many different poetic forms and moods are included here. A. F.’s choices are complemented by Katy Riddell’s deft and delightful colour illustrations: his words and her pictures combine to make a moreish book for a peck or a binge. -- Jonny * CLPE Staff Picks of 2019 *The book features some great contributions from well-established modern poets alongside poems by newer writers and those by the likes of Lewis Carroll and other old favourites. Particularly welcome is the fact that the poems feature food (and poets) from places other than Britain. This makes the book that bit more tasty. * Poetry Zone *This is a fabulous collection, brilliant for dipping in and out of. Another ‘must’ for the poetry shelf! * North Somerset Teachers' Book Awards Blog *You can't go wrong with a book about food and A.F. Harrold has assembled a tasty menu for this delicious anthology. -- Alison Kelly * Reading Zone *A great way to keep children entertained and introduce them to the wonderful world of poetry. -- The Book Activist * thebookactivist.blog *

    3 in stock

    £13.49

  • Decline and Fail: Read in Case of Political

    Guardian Faber Publishing Decline and Fail: Read in Case of Political

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis'Optimism, mojo, complete bollocks. That's what the country is crying out for.'There is now only one certainty in life. When things can't possibly get worse, they absolutely will. And so, after three years of Maybot malfunctioning and Brexit bungling, welcome to BoJo the clown's national circus - where fun for none of the family is guaranteed. Fear not, however: Decline and Fail is your personal survival guide to the ongoing political apocalypse. This unremittingly entertaining collection of John Crace's lifegiving political sketches will get you through the darkest of days - or failing that, will at least help you see the funny side. Miss it at your peril...

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Peanuts: Snoopy

    Titan Books Ltd Peanuts: Snoopy

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fifth collection of classic Peanuts newspaper comic strips features 248 daily strips from 1955-1958 and feature Snoopy, perhaps Peanuts most popular character, certainly when it comes to cainines! This book is a facsimile edition of the fifth Peanuts collection originally published back in 1958 by the Clarke, Irwin & Company, Ltd of Toronto, Canada. This collection of 248 daily Peanuts newspaper strips that appeared between 1955 -1958 focuses on, perhaps the most famous character in the Peanuts universe, Charlie Brown's Beagle, Snoopy. Whether he's chasing snow flakes, doing impersonations or just dancing his world famous happy jig, things are always going to a little sillier when Snoopy's around. The strip's bitter-sweet humour and child-like innocence helped to cement the Peanuts comic strip's popularity and secure its reputation as a true, one-of-a-kind, timeless classic.

    3 in stock

    £5.99

  • The Jewish Joke: An essay with examples (less

    Profile Books Ltd The Jewish Joke: An essay with examples (less

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis'This book is funny, clever and, at times, heartbreaking. In other words, Jewish' David Baddiel '[Baum is] intellectually luminous, psychologically penetrating, existentially anxious, and wonderfully funny' Zadie Smith 'Hilarious and thought-provoking' David Schneider The Jewish joke is as old as Abraham, and like the Jews themselves it has wandered over the world, learned countless new languages, worked with a range of different materials, been performed in front of some pretty hostile crowds, but still retained its own distinctive identity. So what is it that animates the Jewish joke? Why are Jews so often thought of as 'funny'? And how old can a joke get? The Jewish Joke is a brilliant - and very funny - riff on Jewish jokes, about what marks them apart from other jokes, why they are important to Jewish identity and how they work. Ranging from self-deprecation to anti-Semitism, politics to sex, it looks at the past of Jewish joking and asks whether the Jewish joke has a future. With jokes from Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as Freud and Marx (Groucho mostly), this is both a compendium and a commentary, light-hearted and deeply insightful.Trade ReviewThis book is funny, clever and, at times, heartbreaking. In other words, Jewish -- David Baddiel[Baum is] intellectually luminous, psychologically penetrating, existentially anxious, and wonderfully funny -- Zadie SmithA Jew and a non-Jew read Devorah Baum's The Jewish Joke. They both found it hilarious and thought-provoking. Because it is -- David SchneiderHers is the book to turn to if you're looking to amuse your friends and has something in common with the joke books we used to pass around as kids ... [Shows] the sorrow that is the dark underside of laughter - sorrow that belongs to everyone -- Erica Wagner * New Statesman *A breezy, accessible meditation on how [Jewish] humour works, and why it is so integral to Jewish identity... There is much for the scholar to enjoy in Baum's erudite but lightly sketched analysis of how humour helps us to deal with ageing, dislocation, impossible families and sexual confusion. Alternatively, you could just read it for the gags -- Matthew Reisz * Times Higher Education *

    4 in stock

    £8.54

  • Officially Retired: Hilarious Quips and Quotes to

    Octopus Publishing Group Officially Retired: Hilarious Quips and Quotes to

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisCheers to retirement! Embrace the joy and laughter of your newfound freedom with Officially Retired. This hilarious collection of quotes and quips is the perfect companion for anyone navigating the adventures of post-nine-to-five life.Celebrate surviving the nine to five with this hilarious collection of quotes, quips and statements Congratulations, you''ve retired! It''s time to celebrate your freedom. Whether you have grand plans to travel the world or want to move into the slow lane, you can now enjoy trading in the work grind for doing whatever you want to do. Make the most of all your new free time withOfficially Retired,a funny book of quotes, quips and statements on the joys and tribulations of retirement. In this delightful little book, you will find witty observations on all aspects of retirement, including: - Embracing sleeping in and banishing the alarm clock - The challenges of keeping up with technology - The fleeing hair follicles - Being the only person happy on a Monday Perfect for anyone who wants to find humor in their golden years, or as a gift for someone about to escape the rat race, this little book is here to provide laughter and fun during your seven-day weekends. It''s time to put your feet up, relax and enjoy this side-splitting little book.

    3 in stock

    £6.99

  • Happy Half Hours

    Notting Hill Editions Happy Half Hours

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisA.A. Milne, best known as the author of the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories, was a successful writer long before his children’s stories launched him to overnight success. Milne himself disliked being relegated as a children’s author. At the age of twenty-three, he was appointed the Assistant Editor of Punch. He claimed ‘I know no work manual or mental to equal the appalling heart-breaking anguish of fetching an idea from nowhere.’ Milne had a talent for regularly turning out a thousand whimsical words on lost hats and umbrellas, tennis, dogs, faulty geysers, dotty maids, women loading film in a camera, the English obsession with rank and titles, cheap cigars, and any amount of life’s other little difficulties. He was praised for being able to produce ‘with apparently effortless ease and the utmost gaiety’ articles notable for their ‘enchanting ingenuity’. But there was another, more serious side to Milne. After serving in World War 1, where he survived the Somme, Milne was invalided home with trench fever in 1916. His experiences made him a committed and vocal pacifist. War was nothing but ‘mental and moral degradation’. His fiercely argued pacifism was ahead of his time, and forms some of his most powerful work.;This selection of Milne’s articles, spanning over four decades of his life from 1910 to 1952, are collected for the first time in this volume, including his passionately argued writings on pacifism. The writings demonstrate his trademark wit, varied genius, little-known political views, and nostalgia for a lost era.

    4 in stock

    £14.24

  • Do You Speak Football

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Do You Speak Football

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis''At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world... Sparky and very funny'' Paul Hayward''Amusing and informative in equal measure'' Oliver Kay, The AthleticA wonderful, endlessly delightful book' When Saturday ComesA new edition of an expertly compiled and utterly fascinating compendium of the weird and wonderful words and phrases used to describe football around the world.In this revised glossary of football words and phrases, discover the rich, quirky and joyously creative global language used by fans, commentators and players.From placing a shot ''where the owl sleeps'' in Brazil, to what it means to use your ''chocolate leg'' in the Netherlands, via ''Anglican'' a phrase adopted by Czechs to describe a disputed goal and the now ubiquitous ''it''s coming home'', this comprehensively researched book entertains and informs in equal measure.Discover why a ''Trade ReviewFunny, erudite, rich in detail and endlessly readable. Perfect for anyone who thinks they already know about the language of football. -- Barney Ronay * The Guardian *Sparky and very funny... At last, the definitive guide to football phraseology across the world. The richness of the game's language shines through in this addictive glossary. -- Paul Hayward * Five-time Sports Journalists’ Association Writer of the Year *Amusing and informative in equal measure. Who knew Dundee United commanded such disdain in Nigeria? -- Oliver Kay, The AthleticQuirky, addictive, stuffed with anecdote, it’s far more than a glossary… The writing is precise, light and often lovely. A treat. -- Jonathan Northcroft * Sunday Times *A fascinating and necessary work. -- Jonathan Wilson, founder of The BlizzardEin super Buch! -- Raphael Honigstein, The AthleticA wonderful, endlessly delightful book * When Saturday Comes *There are plenty of books about the language of football already, but surely not one like this: funny, informative and truly global. * 11Freunde *By reading this book, you will discover the complexity, the colour and the power of football’s global language. * Clarence Seedorf *A reminder that there are few better means of celebrating both our differences and similarities than the game of football. * The Guardian *Table of ContentsForeword by Clarence Seedorf Introduction South America Putting it on a Plate - Where Football Meets Food North and Central America Near Unstoppable - Top Corner Terminology Europe Between the Legs - Nutmeg Names Africa Dodgy Keepers - A Glossary of Gaffes Asia Natural Talent - Expressions Inspired by the Animal Kingdom Australasia Acknowledgements Index

    1 in stock

    £12.34

  • Semi-Gloss

    Allen & Unwin Semi-Gloss

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn her collection of autobiographical essays, fashion magazine editor Justine Cullen takes us on a hilariously candid exploration of her life so far - and all the mistakes she's made along the way.Semi-Gloss is an intimate, sharp and witty look at growing up and growing older from the kind of woman who seems like she has it all together - the glamorous job, the perfect family, the killer wardrobe. But, chipping away at that shiny, sparkly surface, Justine reveals the beautiful mess that lies beneath.A wildly entertaining and sometimes bumpy ride through a life well-lived, by one of Australia's most respected female voices.

    4 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Very Best of Fesshole: Britain Confesses

    Octopus Publishing Group The Very Best of Fesshole: Britain Confesses

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis*THE PERFECT FATHER'S DAY GIFT*'Puerile, reprehensible and very, very funny' Adam Kay'I love Fesshole. Every single one is a masterclass in storytelling' Jay Rayner'Hilarious! The only guide any alien would need to find out what humans are really like' David Schneider'The wild, the wonderful, the frankly unbelievable and the downright disgusting. Under the anonymity of the internet people confess their most embarrassing secrets and it might not be good for their souls, but it's great for the readers!' Richard K Herring It's confession time, folks! Things have been building up inside of you for too long. Secrets you thought you'd never share with another soul are bubbling to the surface begging for release.And where better to let it all out (/laugh at someone else's misfortune) than on the internet.Fesshole is a Twitter account (@fesshole) which allows people to anonymously confess their innermost thoughts, deepest, darkest secrets, and their most outrageously funny faux pas - but will the online world absolve you of your sins?This book contains the greatest confessions to date, and a whole heap of new ones.After all, if you can't confide in strangers on the internet, who can you tell?

    3 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Little Book of Oscar Wilde: Wit and Wisdom to

    Headline Publishing Group The Little Book of Oscar Wilde: Wit and Wisdom to

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisFlamboyant and witty, Oscar Wilde was famous for being famous. The toast of late-nineteenth London society, he once boasted he could speak spontaneously on any subject, and his writings were as varied as his captivating conversation. One of the leading playwrights of his age, he also found fame as a poet, novelist and essayist. Of course, Wilde's literary success is bound up with the tragedy of his private life, and his very name evokes fascination. Including Wilde's funniest remarks and ripostes as well as deeper reflections, this collection of wit and wisdom will amuse, provoke and delight. 'There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.' Lord Henry in The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1890. 'Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.' Intentions, 'The Critic as Artist', 1891. Table of ContentsThe Arts • Insights • America • Society • Love and Relationships • Wit • Wisdom.

    7 in stock

    £5.99

  • The Ultimate Book of Heroic Failures

    Faber & Faber The Ultimate Book of Heroic Failures

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Humour Book of the Year.Anyone can be a success, but it takes real and original genius to foul up big time. These are the all-time greats, Gods in the field of failure, surreal artists, who spurn mere drab success (''I''m a winner, Lord Sugar'') to explore the vast, magical, life-enhancing possibilities of getting it wrong. Any of us could make a mistake, but these great souls can turn the simplest everyday task into a scene of jaw-dropping wonder. These are the immortals.Stephen Pile, President of the Not Terribly Good Club of Great Britain and author of the number-one best-seller The Book of Heroic Failures, takes us on an all-new and mind-bendingly hilarious tour to celebrate the most spectacular and absurd failures of the last twenty-five years.Failure is everywhere. There are 235 stories in total spread from the Outer Hebrides to America, Ireland, Australia, Europe and Africa. The Syrian entry, for exam

    3 in stock

    £11.69

  • This Book is Literally Just Pictures of Animals

    Smith Street Books This Book is Literally Just Pictures of Animals

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book is here to give us all the side eye, showcasing our friends from the animal kingdom at their very sassiest.If the utter chaos of recent world events has taught us anything, it''s that people are bad at making decisions. So, in uncertain times, we need someone to tell us like it is - and that someone is animals. As its title suggests, this book is literally just pictures of animals silently judging you and your life choices. Some of these include: a monkey who knows what you did last night, giraffes who can''t believe you''re wearing that, cats who just can''t, and a corgi who isn''t angry - just disappointed.Toward these sage angels we must turn, in these weird times for humankind, to help us make better decisions - for ourselves and our furry friends who are, honestly, kind of embarrassed.

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Nudinits: Fun and Frolics in Woolly Bush: 25

    HarperCollins Publishers Nudinits: Fun and Frolics in Woolly Bush: 25

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisIt’s time to enjoy more bare-bottomed fun from Woolly Bush. Bernard and Barbara invite you to the Woolly Bush Carnival and all that entails – there’s dancing round the maypole, a baking competition, vegetable growing, archery, farm animals and a dog show to enjoy. Patterns include Jim the farmer, his dog Willie and his pig and piglets, the chickens and cockerel as well as the village Vicar and his binoculars. Packed with lots of dinky objects to create your scene – from an archery set to a Battenberg slice and even a sausage in a bap. Bursting with British eccentricity, double entendres and a lot of village fun, this craft book will appeal to knitting fans and humour-lovers alike.Trade Review‘Hilarious, if not a little naughty’ -- Simply Knitting

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Tale of Toxic Positivity A hilarious Beatrix

    HarperCollins Publishers The Tale of Toxic Positivity A hilarious Beatrix

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe author of the hit parody The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadfully Teddy draws on the simple, idyllic world of Beatrix Potter to shed light on some of the most pertinent issues of our time.Beatrix, a refined and gentle lady, decides to relocate to the countryside to escape the chaotic city and exorbitant house prices of London, in search of a simpler, more holistic life. Looking forward to painting cute rural animals and writing stories about their charming ways, she desires nothing more than to surround herself with nature and to practice mindfulness and kindness. But after months spent in isolation during ?hibernation?, all the local wildlife emerge grumpy, sweary and having forgotten all their social skills ? Jemima Puddleduck has even been cancelled. Will Beatrix?s new small garden and spare room make all this aggro worth it?Trade Review“Refreshing as a quadruple gin and full fat tonic, this subversive and very funny book loosens the laughter corsets and makes you never want to fasten them again. We all need a break from the self-righteous and virtue signallers and Planet Paul Magrs is where it’s at. Love, love LOVED it.” – Milly Johnson

    3 in stock

    £10.44

  • I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell

    Penguin Books Ltd I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisTucker Max received his B.A. from the University of Chicago, where he graduated in 1998. He attended Duke Law School on an academic scholarship, where he graduated with a J.D. in 2001 (despite the fact that he neglected to buy any of his textbooks for his final two years and spent part of one semester - while still enrolled in classes - living in Cancun). He currently lives in Chicago, and when he isn't drinking or fornicating, he writes for his website, www.tuckermax.com.

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • You Goddess

    Faber & Faber You Goddess

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis''What guts. What attitude! These are the immortals I wish I'd learned about at school.''OLIVIA COLMAN Channel the feminist power of mythical goddesses in this witty, inspirational gift book. ''Wonderful.'' CERYS MATTHEWSWhether it's the Norse warrior goddess Freya breaking all the rules, the Yoruba goddess Oshun being unafraid to ask for what she's owed, or the Japanese goddess Uzume finding humour and playfulness in even the most embarrassing of situations: this fierce and fantastic tour of 25 ancient deities reclaims these feminist icons for a new generation.Why settle for mere mortal excellence when you could be living like a goddess?Divinely illustrated by Georgia Perry, You Goddess! will help you conquer today's world.

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • An English Christmas

    John Murray Press An English Christmas

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis''If I could work my will,'' said Scrooge indignantly, ''Every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.''This year go carol-singing in the Cotswolds with Laurie Lee or attend church with a grumpy Samuel Pepys. Make plum puddings for bemused French villagers with Elizabeth David; go present shopping with Virginia Woolf or eat far too much with Agatha Christie. Celebrate Christmas at Chatsworth, in the workhouse or marooned in the ice with Shackleton ... For forty-five years, the arrival of John Julius Norwich''s latest Christmas Cracker became as essential a part of the Christmas experience as holly and mistletoe. In An English Christmas the late legendary popular historian gathered all the best writing about this strangest and most memorable time of year into one book and his brilliant eye for a story is evident on every page.VTrade ReviewIts contents are like those of a Christmas stocking, in that small nuggets jostle alongside much larger pieces * The Times *A charming introduction that's almost worth the admission price alone * The Spectator *

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Laughter Lines: A Herald Joke Book

    Bonnier Books Ltd Laughter Lines: A Herald Joke Book

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisUnleashing the most whimsical wisecracks from The Herald's endlessly silly Diary column, Lorne Jackson presents a brand new collection of jokes to tickle the most discerning of funny bones.Featuring over 300 hilarious jokes and a brain-busting quiz to test your pun proficiency, these weird and wonderful gags include a handy crooner-themed guide to chromosomes, pelican perspectives and Dracula himself!Prepare for the ultimate dose of top-quality quips to induce giggles, groans and guffaws and keep you endlessly amused . . .

    3 in stock

    £6.99

  • The Wicked Wit of Ireland

    Michael O'Mara Books Ltd The Wicked Wit of Ireland

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book is a fun and lighthearted look at the notoriously funny and wonderfully unique Irish wit.The Irish have a famously hilarious way with words that has made them beloved the world over. Producing comedians such as Dylan Moran, Sharon Horgan, Tommy Tiernan, Alison Spittle, Graham Linehan and Ed Byrne, who artfully blend mockery with a self-deprecating appreciation of their unique vernacular, Ireland has a language and culture like no other. Migrating from their small Emerald Isle to many far corners of the world, the Irish have brought with them that complex black humour and sarcasm that defines them. From the satires of Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde through to the hilarity of J.P. Donleavy and the sublime nonsense of Flann O’Brien and Spike Milligan, their distinct culture has been celebrated by many and in many forms.The Wicked Wit of Ireland combines traditional Irish humour, one-liners, anecdotes, and of course quips about the classic Irish mammy, into a fun and entertaining compilation.Trade ReviewIt is a richly evocative and funny book of just what makes Ireland the Irish tick * Derry Post *

    3 in stock

    £7.59

  • Little Angels

    Dalesman Publishing Co Ltd Little Angels

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    3 in stock

    £6.99

  • Sick in the Head Conversations About Life and

    Duckworth Books Sick in the Head Conversations About Life and

    Book SynopsisFrom the writer of Knocked Up, Pineapple Express and Superbad, and the director of This is 40 and Trainwreck, comes a collection of intimate, hilarious conversations with the biggest names in comedy from the past thirty yearsTrade Review'The funniest man in Hollywood' Sunday Times'Hilarious and informative... my representatives assure me I will appear in a future edition' Will Ferrell'I can't stop reading it... I don't want this book to end' Jimmy Fallon'Anyone interested in comedy should invest' Heat'It's funny (natch), gossipy, page-turningly readable and packed with hard-won observations about showbusiness and life' GQ'Open this book anywhere, and you're bound to find some interesting nugget from someone who has had you in stitches many, many times' New York Times'These are wonderful, expansive interviews-at times brutal, at times breathtaking-with artists whose wit, intelligence, gaze, and insights are all sharp enough to draw blood' Michael Chabon

    £11.69

  • Under the Duvet

    Penguin Books Ltd Under the Duvet

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisGet comfortable, sink under the covers and dip into the hilarious Under the Duvet: Deluxe Edition for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into bestselling author Marian Keyes'' life . . .''A must-read for all. Keyes'' funny and poignant tales will have you chuckling'' Heat________''Let''s get one thing straight: I''m not an outdoorsy type. If I was offered the choice between white-water rafting and being savaged by a rabid dog, I''d be likely to tick the box marked dog''Under the Duvet brings together Marian Keyes'' unputdownable and utterly irresistible journalism and musings on life.Whether it''s shopping, travel, feminism or fashion, Marian takes us on a riotous anecdote-packed journey into her weird and wonderful world.There are adventures with fake tan, love affairs with shoes and nail varnish, and, as a special treat, she includes seven of her hard-to-find (and, she tells us, harder to write) short stories.Trade ReviewPraise for Marian Keyes * - *Gloriously funny * The Sunday Times *A total triumph * Daily Mail *Not only is it a great story with funny, loveable characters, it made me laugh out loud * Stylist *Funny but poignant * Marie Claire *

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Lockdown Secrets: Postcards from the pandemic

    Batsford Ltd Lockdown Secrets: Postcards from the pandemic

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA compelling collection of anonymous postcards sent during lockdown, revealing hilarious, salacious, relatable and sometimes heartbreaking secret confessions. In the thick of the 2021 coronavirus lockdown, designer and shopowner Eleanor Tattersfield put out a call on Instagram: 'I'll send you a postcard, you send me a secret'. Lockdown Secrets is an astonishing record of what happened next. Postcards poured in, some beautifully decorated, some simply handwritten, but each one anonymously sharing a very personal confession. They came from people of all ages and all walks of life, including some celebrities. Prominent themes began to emerge: relationships, sex, masturbation, food, rebellion, loneliness and, surprisingly, a lot of love for lockdown itself. This beautiful book brings together the best of the postcards Eleanor received, and all human life is here: furtive infidelities, bad behaviour in the local bakery, sneaking off for baths during a busy homeschooling schedule, rediscovered marital bliss, and, occasionally, poignant moments of sadness and despair. We've all been through the lockdown experience, and every reader will find something to relate to in this fascinating collection, a perfect snapshot of an extraordinary time.Trade Review'By turns confessional, funny and moving, this anthology of secrets collected during lockdown is an endlessly entertaining and fascinating document of those strange, strange times ... An ingenious concept of a book that will make an entertaining and elegant gift ... Honest and enlightening, what an extraordinarily unique document of such extraordinary times this book is.’ - LoveReading || 'Lockdown’s most addictive Instagram account’ - Stylist.co.uk || 'This book will change your life' - Sir John Hegarty || ‘A fascinating glimpse into other people’s lives’ - Top Santé || ‘Very addictive and very funny’ - Features Director, Good Housekeeping - Jackie Brown

    2 in stock

    £11.69

  • Find the Loo Before You Poo

    HarperCollins Publishers Find the Loo Before You Poo

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis A SEARCH AND FIND BOOK

    3 in stock

    £9.49

  • Shes Nice Though

    HarperCollins Publishers Inc Shes Nice Though

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisAN NPR BOOK-OF-THE-DAY • A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY STAFF PICK • A NYLON MUST-READ • A FORTUNE NEW BOOK TO READ IN AUGUST“And, at the center of it all, am I actually nice or am I just performing a role I think I’m expected to play?” Mia Mercado is a razor-sharp cultural critic and essayist known for her witty and hilarious dissections of the uncomfortable truths that rule our lives. In this thought-provoking collection of new essays, Mercado examines what it means to be “polite,” “agreeable,” and “nice.” She covers topics from the subtleties of the “Bad Bitch” and why women dominate the ASMR market, to what makes her dog an adorable little freak and how you know if you’re shy. This is a book about the unspoken trick mirror of our “good” intentions: the inherent performance of the social media apology, celebrating men when they do the bare minimum, and why we trust a Midwesterner to watch our stuff when we go pee.Throughout, she ponders her identity as an Asian woman and asks what “nice” even means—and why anyone would want to be it. With writing that is as precise as it is profound, and cultural references that range from trash reality television to the New York Times Sunday-morning crossword puzzle, Mercado uncovers weird, long-overdue truths about our frailties and failings. In the end, she sees them not as a source of shame but as a cause for celebration. Filled with revelations that range from the silly to the serious,She’s Nice Though offers a mind-bending glimpse into the illusions and delusions of contemporary life—and reveals who we *really* are when no one is watching.Trade Review"A sharp essay collection that celebrates our collective insecurities and failures." — New York Times Book Review "In these intimate and sharp explorations, Mercado interrogates the origins and edges of her own affability, probing the ways in which gender, race, geography, and other identity markers can shape—or warp—human personality." — Poets & Writers "She’s Nice Though is the latest showcase of Mercado’s searing humor and insight. In her new book, she explores the limitations of being nice and polite. Delving into the cultural expectations of shallow pleasantries, Mercado wonders if there is actual value in being endlessly accommodating and polite. In humorous, relatable essays, Mercado explores this moral conundrum along with participating in the bread craze during the peak of the pandemic, her unique dog, what it’s like to be an Asian American woman living in the Midwest, the less than impressive “social media apology,” and more. " — Shondaland “In this hilarious collection, Mercado explores the concept of what it’s like to be a “nice girl.” She plays with form, including essays written as lists: [e.g.] ways she’ll die because she’s too nice to ask for help. Mercado is half Filipino, and she examines the stereotype of the submissive Asian woman and how that has influenced her life. Mercado’s laugh-out-loud [stories] will delight readers.” — Booklist “Mercado returns with another collection of humorous essays exploring her experience as an Asian woman from the Midwest. . . . Mercado maintains her self-deprecating humor while offering serious reflections on American culture, and the mix hits home. Mercado’s fans will eat this up.” — Publishers Weekly “Mia Mercado's writing is hilarious, warm, relatable, confessional and emotional. Her writing leaps off the page!” — Megan Amram, writer/producer of The Good Place and The Simpsons “A millennial humorist takes on timely topics. . . . An often amusing romp through contemporary issues by a popular humorist.” — Kirkus Reviews "This is a truly funny book...She's Nice Though skewers the full range of definitions—and expectations—of behaving well." — Vanity Fair

    3 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Thurber Carnival

    Penguin Books Ltd The Thurber Carnival

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe hilarious writing of James Thurber, author of ''The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'', collected in this classic anthology.This collection brings together the best of James Thurber''s brilliantly funny, eccentric and anarchic writings. It includes his most famous work, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, in which an ordinary man''s fantasies have a more powerful hold on him than reality, as well as essays, poetry and cartoons gathered from all of Thurber''s collections. Making fun of his own weaknesses and those of other people (and dogs) - the English teacher who looked only at figures of speech, the Airedale who refused to include him in the family, the botany lecturer who despaired of him totally - James Thurber is a true original, whose off-beat imagination shows us everyday life from a different angle.James Thurber was born in 1894 at Columbus, Ohio, where, as he once said, so many awful things happened to him. After university (Ohio State) he worked Trade ReviewOne of the absolutely essential books of our time * Saturday Review of Literature *One of the great humorists * Sunday Times *

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • My Dining Hell

    Penguin Books Ltd My Dining Hell

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisJay Rayner is an award-winning writer, journalist and broadcaster with a fine collection of floral shirts. He has written on everything from crime and politics, through cinema and theatre to the visual arts, but is best known as restaurant critic for the Observer. For a while he was a sex columnist for Cosmopolitan; he also once got himself completely waxed in the name of journalism. He only mentions this because it hurt. Jay is a former Young Journalist of the Year, Critic of the Year and Restaurant Critic of the Year, though not all in the same year. Somehow he has also found time to write four novels and two works of non-fiction. He is a regular on British television, where he is familiar as a judge on Masterchef and the resident food expert on The One Show. He likes pig.

    3 in stock

    £8.04

  • OK Lets Do Your Stupid Idea

    Penguin Books Ltd OK Lets Do Your Stupid Idea

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the year's funniest books ... witty, wise and worth returning to again and again * i Paper *Funny, smart, soulful and sometimes devastating, this book shows life in all its shades. It made me laugh and cry -- Emilie Pine, author of Notes to SelfWarm, wry, charming, absorbing ... It's the most gorgeous and heartbreaking book about humans and why we need each other -- Daisy Buchanan * via Twitter *Funny and adorable -- Nina StibbeI was reminded - very happily reminded - of Kurt Vonnegut. But Patrick Freyne is his own writer and this book is clever, lovely and great, great fun -- Roddy DoylePatrick Freyne has a distinct and enviable gift for story-telling ... Full of humour and tenderness, this book is an absolute JOY -- Sinéad Gleeson, author of ConstellationsOne of the best-written, smartest and gosh-darn-it funniest books I've read in a very long while -- Séamus O'ReillyHilariously, painfully, Freynefully brilliant -- Joseph O'ConnorWhether he's writing about his childhood on a military base, working in a kebab shop with a nazi in his teens, playing in punk bands in his twenties, or grappling with the question of whether to have children, Patrick Freyne is a writer of rare humour, depth, and humanity. These essays are a delight -- Mark O'Connell, author of To Be a MachineA cracking, sad, funny, honest, brave and hilarious read -- Liz Nugent * via Twitter *No one makes me laugh like Patrick Freyne -- Paul HowardSuperb ... The stories move from breathtakingly vulnerable to extraordinarily funny, and all with such skill and lightness of touch. I loved it -- Louise O'NeillI don't know another writer who could balance poignancy and hilarity with such grace ... Goosebumps! Guffaws! It's got it all. I love this book -- Doireann Ní Ghríofa * via Twitter *Guffaw-out-loud funny * Business Post *A riotous read from the get-go ... An absolute tonic for our times * RTÉ Guide *F*cking fantastic. Patrick is a brilliant writer -- Blindboy Boatclub * via Twitter *Lovely ... It's very worth reading -- Dara Ó Briain * via Twitter *A wonderful book ... done with a gorgeous twist of humour and great emotional insight ... One of my books of the year -- Ryan Tubridy * RTÉ Radio 1 *Exquisite ... One of the funniest writers in Ireland * Irish Examiner *Immensely readable, warm, human and very, very funny * Irish Daily Star *Pixies were loud-quiet-loud. Patrick Freyne is funny-sad-funny. I really loved his new book -- Ed O'Loughlin * via Twitter *Readers are sure to find themselves touched by Freyne's writing ... Delightful * Journal.ie *Freyne's thoroughly entertaining debut is a flash of warmth and wit in the darkness * Totally Dublin *Genuinely moving ... [It] will evoke warmth in anyone who isn't totally sociopathic * Hot Press *A delightful insight into the mind of the hilarious Patrick Freyne * Irish Country Magazine *So honest, so funny, and most importantly, 11/10 for self-deprecation -- Sarah BreenBrilliant ... An absolute mind hug -- Niall BreslinFreyne's radar is precision-honed to find the madness within the mundane * Sunday Independent *More moving that I ever expected and somehow funnier than I assumed -- Emer McLysaght * Irish Times, Best Books of 2020 *

    2 in stock

    £11.89

  • The Ladybird Book of The DoGooder

    Penguin Books Ltd The Ladybird Book of The DoGooder

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT GIFT for the Do-Gooder in your life. (Don''t you just hate them?)_________________________________________________The do-gooder does all sorts of crazy things. It can be something as easy as running a marathon, or as difficult as dressing up.To make this eccentric behaviour seem less like a cry for help or the beginnings of a substantial personal crisis, the do-gooder does it for charity._________________________________________________ Vernon has a job as a street fundraiser for the R.N.L.I. He wears a high-visibility jacket, a high visibility and high visibility trousers.Everybody on the street still pretends they cannot see him._________________________________________________This delightful book is the latest in the series of Ladybird books which have been specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them. The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent re

    3 in stock

    £9.25

  • Oxford Student Pranks

    The History Press Ltd Oxford Student Pranks

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisOxford student pranks

    3 in stock

    £9.49

  • Dont Forget To Sing In The Lifeboats U.S edition

    Workman Publishing Dont Forget To Sing In The Lifeboats U.S edition

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisUncommon times call for uncommon wisdom. It's inspiring to hear from people who've graduated from the school of hard knocks, yet kept a sense of humor. People like Twain, Voltaire, Oscar Wide. People who've said the thing so well that we all wish we'd said it. This title presents a collection of reassuring reality.Trade Review"Why is there so much month left at the end of the money?"---John Barrymore "October. This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February." Mark Twain "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much"---Mother Teresa "When one burns one's bridges, what a very nice fire it makes." Dylan Thomas And Voltaire: "Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Donts for Weddings

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Donts for Weddings

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFollowing the success of Don''ts for Husbands and Don''ts for Wives a brand new old collection of advice for couples from courtship to the honeymoon.On looking for a partner in life:Don''t single out a girl if you do not intend to propose to her, for the way in which your conduct is regarded will be greatly influenced by your banking accountOn The Question:Don''t rush but chose an auspicious moment, A man who tries to propose when a servant is expected to arrive with a scuttle of coals is not likely to meet with much favour.On the Engagement:Don''t allow awkward pauses to break the conversation because your thoughts and eyes are hungrily trying to follow your lover, who is manfully assisting the hostess.On Planning The Event:Don''t forget that elderly bridesmaids in youthful frocks and girlish hats are ridiculous to the unthinking, and pathetic to those who look below the surface.On GifTable of Contents1. Choosing a Spouse 2. The Courtship 3. The Question of Age 4. The Proposal 5. Celebrating the Engagement 6. The Engaged Couple 7. Should Matters go Awry 8. Elopements 9. Preparations, Gowns and the Trousseau 10. The Invitations 11. Wedding Presents 12. Setting up Home 13. Banns and Legal Formalities 14. Planning the Day 15. The Bride 16. The Bridesmaids 17. The Groom and Best Man 18. The Reception 19. The Honeymoon 20. The Newly-Married Couple in Society 21. Marriages Requiring Further Thought 22. Second Marriages

    4 in stock

    £5.84

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