Humour collections and anthologies Books

Book SynopsisI've rounded up a rowdy assemblyOf my own Consequential DogsAs counterparts to Eliot's mogs.Mine are a rough and ready bunch:You wouldn't take them out to lunch . . .But if they strike you as friendly, funny,Full of bounce and fond of a romp,Forgetful of poetic pomp,I trust you'll take them as you find themAnd, at the very least, not mind them.T. S. Eliot''s best-selling collection of practical cat poems has been one of the most successful poetry collections in the world.For the first time in company history a companion volume will be published. Originally conceived by Eliot himself, Old Toffer''s Book of Consequential Dog poems are a witty, varied and exquisitely compiled as Eliot''s cats.

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Book SynopsisAll successful people are the same (you know, drive, will to win, determination) ? it?s just too dull to contemplate. But everyone who messes up big time does so in a way that is completely individual.Step forward the fifty Mexican convicts who dug an escape tunnel out of their jail and came up in the courtroom before the judge who sentenced them.Please welcome the world?s worst tourist who spent two days in New York believing he was in Rome.Be thrilled by the man who wrote an English-Portuguese phrasebook without either knowing English or owning an English-Portuguese dictionary.And marvel at the least successful kamikaze pilot who returned from eleven suicide missions, lived to the age of 93 and went on to write an autobiography in which he claimed planes were unsafe.The Not Terribly Good Book of Heroic Failures shows that there really is no limit to what humanity can achieve, celebrating the vast, life-enhancing possibilities of getting it wrong.

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Book Synopsis''Even funnier than the funniest book I''ve read'' - Matt Lucas In his 2004 bestseller The Timewaster Letters, Robin Cooper plagued everyone from the Campaign for Courtesy to the British Halibut Association with his bizarre and surreal written requests. In Return of the Timewaster Letters, he delivers another wonderful collection of his polite, persistent and peculiar correspondence. Whether he is raising money for his nationwide hair-drying tour, booking a hotel room for his robot calf, or just trying to get rid of half a ton of unwanted herring, Robin''s imagination, as ever, knows no bounds . . .As featured in the The Timewaster Letters Compendium audiobook read by comedy giants, Dawn French, Peter Serafinowicz and Robert Popper.Trade ReviewOne of the great correspondents of our age * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Hilarious and absurd * OBSERVER *Hilarious . . . a rich comic book that deserves more than to sit on a pile next to the toilet * TIME OUT *Even funnier than the funniest book I've ever read * Matt Lucas *

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Book SynopsisJillian Madison is the founder of the Pophangover Network, a collection of 11 snarky pop culture blogs. The network is visited by millions of people each month, and has grown into one of the Internet's premiere destinations for clever original humor and pop culture news. She currently lives in Connecticut.Trade ReviewCompletely and utterly hilarious -- Stephen Fry

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Book SynopsisRussell Ash has trawled parish registers and censuses going back 900 years to compile the first ever complete book of breathtakingly unlikely-but-true British names. It features an incredible and diverse range of totally genuine names, evoking everything from body parts (Dick Brain), sex (Matilda Suckcock), illness (Barbaray Headache) and toilet functions (Peter Piddle) to food (Hazel Nutt), animals (Minty Badger) and places (Phila Delphia). Every single one has been checked for authenticity and its source is given, as well as extra notes where further fascinating illumination is possible. The book provides a rigorously researched yet laugh-out-loud overview of Britain''s eccentricity through the ages. And in this fully revised, expanded and enhanced paperback edition, it is no exaggeration to say that it''s Pottier, Fartier and Knobbier than ever before.Trade Review'Sometimes it can feel as though so much of what we love about the British character has been stamped out by the joyless indifference of the Call Centre mob. You know the ones: 'Your call is Held in a Queue, You Will be Answered Shortly.' They have sapped our will to live, but, even worse, they have sapped our will to laugh. So let me recommend a hilarious new book called Potty, Fartwell And Knob: Extraordinary Names of True People. Some of the names it has traced are not suitable for a family newspaper. But all of them make you happy to belong to a people who believe it is their patiortic duty not to take themselves too seriously.' * Allison Pearson, >Daily Mail *'Hilarious... [the names] make you happy to belong to a people who believe it is their patriotic duty not to take themselves too seriously' * Allison Pearson, Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisAs a busy mum with a newborn and a toddler, viral sensation Laura Clery has plenty to say about the ups and downs of pregnancy, childbirth, and being the best mum she can be while also balancing career success, sobriety, marriage and creativity. With her engaging and witty voice, she pulls back the curtain on all aspects of her offbeat life, including dealing with addiction and virtual AA meetings during a pandemic and maintaining healthy relationships with her son, daughter, husband, and most importantly, herself. Laura’s life has changed a great deal since she wrote Idiot, but what hasn’t changed is her ability to celebrate the laugh-out-loud moments of everyday life and share the tough times with humour, honesty and heart.

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Book SynopsisThe last twelve months seen through the eyes of the brilliantly funny cartoonist Matt - the perfect Christmas gift.'Matt is an Adorable Genius' Jilly CooperTrade ReviewA magical mix of school boy giggles and satirical schadenfraude. * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *His distinctive chuckle friendly, slightly rushed style makes this collection a must * BELFAST TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review[Corgis] are smart, trainable, biddable, loving dogs. Best of all, though, are those butts. Take it from me, there’s nothing in the canine world like a plump Corgi backside…A Corgi’s butt is a Corgi’s joy-buzzer, and every time I see it, I fall in love again. -- from the foreword by Stephen King

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Book SynopsisFor Gervase Phinn growing old is not about a leisurely walk to the pub for a game of dominoes or snoozing in his favourite armchair. As this sparkling collection of his very best humorous writing shows, he may be ''out of the woods'' but he is certainly not ''over the hill''.Looking back over more than sixty years of family life, teaching, inspecting schools, writing and public speaking, Gervase never fails to unearth humour, character, warmth and wisdom from the most diverse of experiences, whether they be growing up in Rotherham with the most un-Yorkshirelike of names or describing why loud mobile phone users get his goat.Brimming with nostalgia, gently mocking life''s absurdities, never shy of an opinion, this is Gervase Phinn at his wittiest, twinkly-eyed best.Trade ReviewFor those of us of a certain age, Out of the Woods but not Over the Hill is a wonderfully cheering title. When Gervase Phinn receives his peerage for services to good-heartedness, this will be the motto on his coat of arms: "Ex silvis sed non supra montem."... This entertaining and moving homework earns a good few merit marks. Gervase Phinn is not going downhill yet, by a long chalk on a blackboard * Independent, Jonathan Sale *Packed with hilarious yarns on family, growing up and growing old, this is a marvellous book * Express *

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Book SynopsisEver since Mrs Malaprop first took to the stage in 1775 and described a gentleman as 'the very pineapple of politeness', some famous figures have become better known for their slips of the tongue than for anything they said intentionally. In particular, the careers of a number of broadcasters, sporting figures and politicians have become defined by their verbal blunders. Former US Vice-President Dan Quayle is remembered solely for making unfortunate remarks such as 'Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.' Welsh naturalist Iolo Williams sent Twitter into meltdown when, discussing diving sea birds on Springwatch 2016, he asked a female conservationist: 'Is that the deepest shag you've ever had?' Even respected sports broadcaster Harry Carpenter was probably haunted forever by his seemingly innocent comment at the end of the 1977 Boat Race: 'Ah, isn't that nice? The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the cox of the Oxford crew.' I Wish I Hadn'

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Book Synopsis'One of the funniest books of the year' - GuardianA collection of hilarious personal essays, poems and even amusement park maps on the subjects of insecurity, fame, anxiety, and much more from the charming and wickedly funny creator of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. "It's nice to know someone as talented as Rachel is also pretty weird. If you're like me and love Rachel Bloom, this hilarious, personal book will make you love her even more." - Mindy Kaling "Rachel is one of the funniest, bravest people of our generation and this book blew me away." - Amy SchumerRachel Bloom has felt abnormal and out of place her whole life. In this exploration of what she thinks makes her 'different', she's come to realise that a lot of people also feel this way; even people who she otherwise thought were 'normal'.In a collection of laugh-out-loud funny essays, all told in the unique voice (sometimes singing voice) that made her a star, Rachel writes about everything from her love of Disney, OCD and depression, weirdness, and female friendships to the story of how she didn't poop in the toilet until she was four years old. It's a hilarious, smart, and infinitely relatable collection (except for the pooping thing).Readers love I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are'I adore Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and this book was exactly what I needed it to be. Would highly recommend.' 5*'Rachel's voice is loud and clear from the first lines of the book. I've been missing it since Crazy Ex-Girlfriend . . . this time she's talking right to me, in my head, and it is like being part of this newfound Friendtopia.' 5*'Heartfelt. Honest. Genuine. And funny as hell . . . Rachel writes about the things that could have broken her, but didn't, in a very funny and raw way, and she doesn't hold back.' 5*'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a hilarious and honest show which does not hold back when confronting the truth of sex, love, mental illness and life. This same comedic and chaotic energy is channelled in Bloom's wonderful book which I would highly recommend, whether you are a previous fan of hers or not.' 5*Trade ReviewOne of the funniest books of the year * Guardian *With one of the best covers of the year, Rachel Bloom (creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) delivers her first collection of hilarious personal essays... As you might expect, her riffs on everything from fame to imposter syndrome are laugh-out-loud hilarious, and the book even includes various amusement park maps as a bonus * Irish Independent *Rachel is one of the funniest, bravest people of our generation and this book blew me away -- Amy SchumerRachel Bloom looks at our 'normal' world through the point of view of a confused, hopeful alien with a huge heart and a raging, quirky creativity. I will never look at amusement park maps the same way -- Patton OswaltIt's nice to know someone as talented as Rachel is also pretty weird. If you're like me and love Rachel Bloom, this hilarious, personal book will make you love her even more -- Mindy KalingPainfully funny (and funnily painful) -- B.J. NovakThere's something I love a lot that people don't acknowledge as a thing and it's heartbreaking comedy. This book is that. Read it. You will laugh while you're crying and cry while you're laughing. Treat yourself to the heartbreaking comedy that is the life of Rachel Bloom -- Sarah SilvermanMy podcast made Rachel Bloom cum and it'll make you cum too -- Dan SavageWith one of the best covers of the year, Rachel Bloom (creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) delivers her first collection of hilarious personal essays... As you might expect, her riffs on everything from fame to imposter syndrome are laugh-out-loud hilarious, and the book even includes various amusement park maps as a bonus * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisAnjelah Johnson had two dreams as a kid: to be an actress and to be a chola. You may know Anjelah Johnson for her viral sketch "Nail Salon" (over 30 million views) or her beloved ghetto-fabulous MadTV character Bon Qui Qui, but it's her clean humor and hilarious storytelling that make her one of the most successful stand-up comedians today. In Who Do I Think I Am? Anjeleh shares hilarious stories about her life, from her irrational fear of death ("Please Don't Die, Okay?") to growing up caught between two worlds ("I'm Mexican/Hella American") to her cultural pride ("Chola Wishes & Caviar Dreams"). Of course, like any good Latina, she offers a choice of stories that are mild ("I Love Jesus But I Will Punch A 'Ho), medium ("Chin-checked by Prince") and spicy ("I'm Dating You Cuz I'm Hungry").The book follows Anjelah's unlikely journey as she transforms from a suburban kid with Aquanet-drenched hair into a conservative Christian who abstains from drinking and premarital sex, into a mall-famous Raider cheerleader, and then an actually famous comedian traveling the world and meeting people from all-walks of life. As she travels the world, Anjelah has eye-opening experiences, and she morphs from square, rigid Anjelah into "Funjelah," and learns that she can still ride with Jesus without squashing the other parts of her personality.Anjelah's stories explore subjects such as embracing--and sometimes trying too hard to embrace--your racial identity, finding your place in the world and chasing your crazy dreams, the messiness of an evolving faith, and searching for belonging and meaning. Through her journey, Anjelah discovers her true identity, found only in the all-encompassing love of God, and encourages readers to have the audacity to dream big and fight to achieve their goals, no matter what obstacles they may face.

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Book SynopsisA rollicking comic treasury, starring the world's most famous cartoon horse. He has hundreds of thousands of followers on Facebook and a surging presence on Instagram. Each day, he and his diverse group of friends share their mishaps, their successes, and their innermost thoughts with the world. He is seemingly ageless, looking even better now than when his ascent to fame began. Who is this intriguing Internet celebrity? Fergus the Horse (Equus hilarious), the creation of artist Jean Abernethy, has been entertaining audiences—young and old, in print and online—with his comedic adventures for the past 20 years. His rise to fame was documented in the epic equine comic collection The Essential Fergus the Horse, and now, Abernethy celebrates his age—and the wisdom that should come with it—with an all-new selection of horsey humor, including many cartoons fans have never seen before, created exclusively for this book. With a genuine appeal that crosses boundaries of breed, discipline, and geographic location, Fergus unites anyone with an eye for a horse and a need for a laugh. Readers of all ages—from 5 to 95—will be delighted by his wit, honesty, and profoundly funny observations on horses, humans, and the life they strive to live together.

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Book SynopsisThe tangled life of the knitter is the subject of inspired nuttiness in 300 tongue-in-cheek meditations from the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. At Knit’s End captures the wickedly funny musings of someone who doesn’t believe it’s possible to knit too much and who willingly sacrifices sleep, family, work, and sanity in order to keep doing it. Covering everything from the deadly “second sock syndrome” to a pile of yarn so big it can hide a washing machine, this hilarious collection will have knitters in stitches!

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Book SynopsisIn the mid-1970s, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Andy Kaufman, Richard Lewis, Robin Williams, Elayne Boosler, Tom Dreesen, and several hundred other shameless showoffs and incorrigible cutups from across the country migrated en masse to Los Angeles, the new home of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. There, in a late-night world of sex, drugs, dreams and laughter, they created an artistic community unlike any before or since. It was Comedy Camelot-but it couldn't last.William Knoedelseder was then a cub reporter covering the burgeoning local comedy scene for the Los Angeles Times. He wrote the first major newspaper profiles of several of the future stars. And he was there when the comedians-who were not paid by the clubs where they performed- tried to change the system and incidentally tore apart their own close-knit community. In I'm Dying Up Here he tells the whole story of that golden age, of the strike that ended it, and of how those days still resonate in the lives of those who were there. As comedy clubs and cable TV began to boom, many would achieve stardom.... but success had its price

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Book SynopsisEver since they started dating, Sarah and Stef had dreams of getting to visit Toronto-the home of Scott Pilgrim, the CN Tower and the legendary comic book festival, TCAF! In this Our Super Adventure Travelogue book, Sarah and Stef finally get to make this dream come true! Join them as they take in the famous sights and sounds of the city, get soaked at Niagara Falls, and try poutine for the very first time! Plus, bonus photos from their trip!

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Book SynopsisWinefulness is the new mindfulness.Cancel the hot yoga and pick up a cool Pinot Grigio - sometimes all you need is a nice glass of wine. Through the good times and the bad, it's always there to pick you up and it's always got your back. So enjoy this collection of wine wisdom for the soul, and learn to view the world through rosé-tinted glasses.As the old saying goes, where there's a wine there's a way.Includes inspiration such as:- It isn't wise to keep things bottled up- No Champagne, no gain- Life is a Cabernet, after all- Every cloud has a Syrah lining- Do things for the right Rieslings

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Book SynopsisEighteen episodes from Eric and Ernie’s BBC Radio 2 comedy series, collected together for the very first timeBetween 1975 and 1978, when they were at the peak of their popularity on BBC TV, Morecambe and Wise also starred in their own radio series, with each episode scripted by the one and only Eddie Braben.This feast of gags, sketches and song and dance numbers — plus of course Ernie’s ‘plays what I wrote’ — features a host of special guests including Ann Hamilton, Anita Harris, Gayle Hunnicutt, Richard Caldicot, Percy Edwards, Nicola Pagett, Brian Wilde, Des O'Connor, Vince Hill, Penelope Keith and The Nolan Sisters.So pull back the stage curtain and settle down to nine hours of sparkling comedy, in the company of ‘the tall one with glasses’ and ‘the one with the short, fat, hairy legs’. Honestly, you can’t see the join.The Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise ShowWritten and adapted by Eddie BrabenProduced by John BrowellThe Best of British Laughs – Morecambe & WisePresented by Barry TookProduced by John BrowellThe Entertainers: Morecambe & Wise: Two of a KindPresented by Frank DixonProduced by Herbert SmithPlease note: some of the humour on this recording reflects the era in which it was first broadcastThe comedy in this release reflects the attitudes and conventions of the era in which it was first broadcastRunning time: 9 hours approx.

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Book Synopsis'Dear Mr. Adam, I am writing on behalf of the Central Watch and Social Problems Committee of the Mothers’ Union to ask whether you have a programme in mind on the moral issue of venereal disease.''Sir, Where are the B.B.C’s censors? We do not care for the language that was inflicted on us Tuesday night in “The Battle of Britain”. Don’t retort, ‘You need not listen if you don’t want to’. We did not know it was coming.''Dear Mr. Frost, Let me start by saying how much I enjoy your programme & that I was among those many who felt almost that they had lost a blowsy old friend when dear & vulgar, but nonetheless thought-provoking and funny TW3 went off the air.'For anyone who regularly feels tempted to put pen to paper, I’m Sure I Speak For Many Others is an alternative history of the BBC, from its triumphant broadcast of the coronation in 1953, to that Tynan moment, the controversial That Was The Week That Was, and the groundbreaking Grange Hill.Stretching across over forty years of programming, these never before seen letters represent the joy, the fury and the wit of the nation.

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Book SynopsisDave Walker, cartoonist, cyclist, web editor and former church and youth worker, is the UK’s most shrewd observer of the quirks of church life. His distinctive Guide to the Church cartoons appear weekly in the Church Times, and have made their way into books and calendars, onto mugs, tea-towels and T-shirts. This sixth collection of Dave's cartoons includes, among other things: • how drones, contactless payment and other new technology can come in handy in the local church • how to spot a new curate • the holiday club and how to survive it Now in a horizontal format for easier browsing - and laughing!

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Book SynopsisDid your home haircut make your child look like Friar Tuck?Did you forget to put bananas in your banana bread?Did your primary-schooler have to correct your times tables?Then you were probably one of many people trying your f*cking hardest to parent during lockdown, and so now deserve a medal (or a case of gin).Featuring entries from fellow survivors on the horrors of homeschooling, the nightmares of kitchen experiments, the fallibility of trying to keep your colleagues' respect, the inevitability of putting on all the weight and the joys of considering what you did to make the world punish you so......Lockdown Parenting Fails is a hilarious (and trauma-inducing) collection of the best memories from the worst time in everyone's lives.

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Book SynopsisFrom marital bliss to margaritas, wives are awfully wonderful and this tip-top collection of retro photos and frightfully funny captions capture everything to love about marriage.The Wit and Wisdom of... is a series of terrifically humorous books brought to you by the rip-roaringly funny folks behind the best-selling On-the-Ceiling greetings cards.Perfect as a birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day or Mother's Day gift for long-suffering wives everywhere.Also available: The Wit and Wisdom of Dad, The Wit and Wisdom of Mum and The Wit and Wisdom of the Husband.

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Book SynopsisHath thou seen thy Classic Art Memes?This hilarious book is full of laugh-out-loud classic art memes to brighten your day. From renaissance to baroque, rococo to romantics historical art is made hysterical with amusing modern wit.

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Book SynopsisWomen are like teabags. We don''t know our true strength until we are in hot water. - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT In their battle with adversity, many women have picked up inspiring truths that have helped them on their journey to success and happiness. This handy pocket book collects over 600 empowering, witty and thought-provoking quotations from women from across history, including activists, musicians, scientists, comedians, athletes and more. Hear from the likes of: • Jane Austen • Dorothy Parker • Maya Angelou • Helen Keller • Cleopatra • Rosa Parks These wise words include thoughts on sexuality, politics, success and more.

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Book SynopsisThe Book of Senior Moments introduces the reader to a wonderful collection of humorous anecdotes, confessions, tips, retorts and excuses to help you avoid those all too familiar senior moments.Have you ever referred to your oldest and closest friend as 'Thingy'? Reached the top of the landing, only to realize that you have no idea why you came upstairs in the first place? Congratulations - or commiserations - you've had your first senior moment!Fear not, for help is at hand. The Book of Senior Moments introduces the reader to a wonderful collection of these rites of passage, drawn from the experiences of everyone from politicians to pundits. It includes exit strategies for when you've been ambushed by your memory, as well as tips on how to avoid getting ambushed in the first place.Part guide, part humorous overview, and crammed with advice, examples, anecdotes, confessions, tips, retorts and excuses, this is an absolutely essential book for anyone growing long in the tooth and short of memory.

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Book SynopsisChristmas comes but once a year... and in the world of the grumpy bloke, that’s once too often! But turn that frown upside down with the hundreds of jokes and one-liners in this book of festive fun.There’s nothing like a good laugh to chase away the winter blues or cheer yourself up and, let’s face it, some people need it more than others! Make sure the grumpy bloke in your life is well entertained (even when he really doesn’t want to be) by the gags and jokes in this whopping compendium of Christmas funnies from a veritable master of the art, Nick Harris.From Christmas jumpers to sad-sack Santas and from broken tree lights to shocking Christmas dinners, there are jokes aplenty to raise a smile in even the grumpiest bloke ... okay then, a chortle ... the merest hint of an upturned lip ...? Oh, come on, it’s FUNNY!

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Book SynopsisThe Wicked Wit of England is a celebration of British humour, featuring a collection of stories, anecdotes, quips and quotes that capture the various idiosyncrasies of the English character.If there is one thing that first-time visitors to England find mystifying – along with our obsession with discussing the weather, our pride in making the perfect cup of tea, and our impossible-to-decipher slang – it is our unique sense of humour. Have you just been insulted? Or was the slight merely a demonstration of affection? Was that a genuine compliment? Or is the ever-present sarcasm in English conversation at work again? The dark, dry and often ironic humour of the English can be difficult to get your head around, but there’s no doubting its essentiality at the heart of English culture. As well as celebrating this classic humour, The Wicked Wit of England encompasses the various idiosyncrasies of the English character – the social awkwardness, the constant need to apologize, the stiff upper lip, and the love of queuing, to name but a few. Containing a varied collection of stories, anecdotes, quips and quotes featuring English people from all walks of life, from Quentin Crisp to Frank Skinner and Stephen Hawking to Thora Hird, this book might not help outsiders fully understand the English, but it might help them tolerate us a little more.

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Book SynopsisTHE SECOND BOOK FROM THE VIRAL TWITTER (X) @FESSHOLE'A ridiculously reliable source of joy, shock and horror' - James O'Brien'I sometimes read one of those fesses and wonder if I submitted it myself the night before, after a few beers' - James May The anonymous voices of the internet are back, ready to spill their deepest, darkest secrets and side-splitting faux pas.In this eagerly anticipated second coming, Rob Manuel has once again compiled the most jaw-dropping, knee-slapping, and cringe-inducing confessions out there.Prepare to immerse yourself in the seedy underbelly of human nature, where no secret is too taboo, no embarrassment is left unexplored, and laughter knows no bounds. Once again, the online world becomes an unexpected arena of collective catharsis, and this riotous read is an addictive deep dive into our shared guilt.This must have book contains favourite viral confessions, and a whole heap of new ones. After all, if you can't confide in strangers on the internet, who can you tell?Trade ReviewPuerile, reprehensible and very, very funny -- Adam KayI sometimes read one of those fesses and wonder if I submitted it myself the night before, after a few beers -- James MayA ridiculously reliable source of joy, shock and horror -- James O’BrienYou'll piss yourself laughing -- Daisy May CooperI love Fesshole. Every single one is a masterclass in storytelling -- Jay RaynerHilarious! The only guide any alien would need to find out what humans are really like -- David SchneiderThe 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

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Book SynopsisA collection of proverbs in the original Scots, and translated into English covering family, work, money, self-Improvement and food and drink amongst other topics. Scots proverbs tell it like it is, and provide advice for a myriad of situations. This pocketsize volume would make an excellent souvenir or a gift for any occasion.Trade ReviewWithout doubt Allan Ramsay is an unsung hero of Scottish poetry… It is fair to say without Ramsay there would be no Robert Burns. PROF. GERARD CARRUTHERS, University of GlasgowAllan Ramsay was not only a pioneer of the Romantic movement and a collector and editor of Scots songs; he was also a cultural innovator of the Enlightenment. PROF. MURRAY PITTOCK, University of Glasgow

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Book SynopsisA collection of proverbs in the original Gaelic, and translated into English covering family, work, money, self-Improvement and food and drink amongst other topics. Gaelic proverbs tell it like it is, and provide advice for a myriad of situations. This pocketsize volume will make an excellent souvenir or a gift for any occasion.

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Book SynopsisA collection of absurdities, many online, gleefully collected by the editor and bibliophile Jim McCue, best known for his edition (with Christopher Ricks) of Eliot's poetry. Elegantly presented and an ideal small Christmas present.

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Book SynopsisA unique collection of fishing stories from the past 200 years that prove that when it comes to fishing, things can and often do go hilariously wrong. From stories of record breakers that got away to boats that sank, rods that broke and pike and salmon that ran amoke, Great Angling Disasters is the ultimate chronicle of those less than triumphant days on the riverbank. For everyone interested in fishing with rod and line whether they are game, coarse or sea fishermen.Trade Review‘This delightful collection of more than 40 angling stories … is an eclectic mix of quirky tales, set within a bygone era, and sympathetically edited by Tom Quinn. … Some of these fishy tales reference long-lost techniques and equipment, but this does not distract from hooking the reader with its descriptive narrative, making it as accessible and appealing to non-anglers. … Overall, an excellent read for anglers of all ages.’ Land & Business, CLAStraight away from the front cover illustration of a suited gent struggling in some discomfort with a giant fly stuck in a delicate area while his ghillie looks on, I could tell I was going to enjoy this book.I think we all love a good yarn especially if we can identify with either the unfortunate victims in this instance or at least the potential for whatever the misfortune they encountered. The very opening sentence of the introduction says it all – “Fishing, it has been said, is an accident waiting to happen.”This book is a humorous collection of fishing tales gathered from old sources dating from the 1870’s to the 1940’s which adds a whole different flavour to them, with images of Tweeded gents, cane rods and a time of greater difference between the classes, city folk and country folk.With adventures set at home and abroad, there is a wide set of styles and stories. Something for everyone you might say. * Fish and Fly *Table of ContentsIntroduction1: Overwhelmed and UnderplayedCaught in the FliesCaught in a DrainA Fortune LostMystery FishThe End of the Legendary Grayling2: BamboozledFlounderingNo Luck in IrelandRotten LineAmerican EscapadesMonster Mahseer3: Making MischiefConger AttackLost Beneath the LiliesDeath at the TrowsFishing Not MarryingTyne WavePike Escape4: A Little Local DifficultyAbandoned by the Goddess of FishingThat Old Line!Mud in Your EyeThe Road to Hell …Down a HoleVicar on the RunAcrobatic FishDouble TroubleEels and EarsFlying Sea TroutTorn to ShredsSalmon Tied in KnotsThe Weed Not the ManAn Endless Dive, and Then RainInglorious Piking5: Head Over HeelsThe Great Unseen Bass‘I am Afraid it is a Shark’Shark Bait Tarpon Lokoja, West Africa, 19146: Missing the PointBovine BattleJust One Thing After Another …Triumph, Then Tragedy7: Tragic MuseMad About PikeFish Attacks BoyDouble DisasterTackle Dancing BullNight ManoeuvresFit for an EmperorEighty Pounder LostClouded in MythCopyright

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Book SynopsisVintage Don Camillo stories, all but one in English for the first time.La Bassa is the home of Don Camillo and Peppone, the lowland plain on the banks of Italy’s Po River where their hilarious goings-on are set. Their creator was born there and returned to live in 1952. The following years were among the happiest in his life: it was a time when he was wholly in tune with the spirit of the place and when most of the present stories were written.Many of these stories were published in Italy under the equivocal title, 'People Like Us'. There is a strong affinity between the fictional characters and the real people of la Bassa. And we like them not least because their stories espouse the instinctive humanity and fundamental compassion which it is their creator’s purpose to reveal.‘So shrewd a glimpse into the minds of the people…’ London Evening News'Absolutely delightful in their satirical swipes at human weakness.' - Paul MertonTrade Review‘Written with such warmth and simplicity, so concerned with the trivialities of everyday life and giving us so shrewd a glimpse into the minds of the people . . .’ London Evening News;'Giovanni Guareschi's tales of Don Camillo, the Italian priest with a hefty left hook, are absolutely delightful in their satirical swipes at human weakness.' Paul Merton;'Instinctive humanity and compassion.' Guardian;‘Charming and enchanting . . . Witty and wise.’ Edinburgh Evening NewsTable of ContentsTwo Paths (1950) A Chronicle Continued (1950) Il Crik (1953) Ceratom (1953) Incognito (1953) Nembo (1953) Comrade Bramble (1953) Giannona (1953) Care Home (1953) A Night in the Kremlin (1953) Faith (1953) Sister Philomena (1953) Festival (1953) Two Mid-Season Saints (1953) A Colossus with Feet of Cloth (1953) The Lottery (1953) The Pale Spumarino (1953) The Passagatto (1953) An Old Teacher of Nature (1953) Common Sense (1954) National Unity (1954) Poetic Justice (1954) Royal Reserve (1954) The Attack (1954) The Science of Life (1954) The Chest of Drawers (1956)

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Book SynopsisFrom the mean streets of Hackney to sleepy South London suburbs, from boho Bloomsbury to City wine bars, London Lies is a tour of the capital as you've never seen it before. Moving from 1930s Camden to a Royal Wedding "riot," via football fights, office steeplechases and awkward dates in art galleries, London Lies is a bizarre, funny, moving and sometimes unnerving glimpse into the secret life of the city we all love and know.Featuring nineteen writers and twenty-three stories showcased at award-winning monthly live literature event, London's Liars' LeagueTrade ReviewThere’s the frustrations of dating at the Renoir, finding inspiration on the tube, getting drunk and rejected by the city and many other snippets of capital life. Some are tangentially related, some could only take place here. Some end on a punchline, some on a sucker punch, and the one about an elderly lady after the apocalypse nearly had us snivelling on a commuter train. * Londonist *

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Book SynopsisSince lockdown began, people have woken up to Janey Godley’s comedy by the hundreds of thousands… [She] has provided much-needed relief throughout the coronavirus pandemic with her gallus Glesga interpretations which have been shared around the country with much glee. – Daily Record ‘Ye’ve been TELT. Everybuddy’s gonnae die if yeez aw keep gaun aboot an meetin each other an gaun hame wi a virus oan ye. So Ah’ve telt ye wance an Ah’m no gonnae tell ye again. This is the official line. If Ah see any o you oot there, Ah’m gonnae take a run an pit ma toe up the crack o yer arse. SO QUIT IT! Stey in the hoose, wash yer hands an keep yer family safe.’Trade ReviewPraise for Janey Godley 'A f ***ing great comedian' – BILLY CONNOLLY 'Some of the sharpest-elbowed comedy in the world' – NEW YORK TIMES 'The Godmother of Scottish comedy' – THE SCOTSMAN

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Book SynopsisWe like Jeff Goldblum. You like Jeff Goldblum. Helen McClory really likes Jeff Goldblum. The Goldblum Variations is a collection of flash fiction, stories and games on the one and only Jeff Goldblum as he, and alternate versions of himself, travels through the known (and unknown) universe in a mighty celebration of weird and wonderful Goldbluminess. Maybe he's cooking, maybe he's wearing a nice jumper, maybe he's reading this very book. The possibilities are endless. Treat yourself, because all that glitters is Goldblum.Trade ReviewMcClory turns in a crushingly excellent display of metatextual prowess that also manages to be uplifting and fun. The Goldblum Variations is the sweetest kind of adventure. - Pop Matters; Seriously, take a gamble on this book. It is a befitting celebration of a remarkable actor via a thought-provoking odyssey of make-believe from one of the most remarkable emerging literary talents the UK has to offer. - The Quietus

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Book SynopsisWhile Ireland (like much of the rest of the world) was in lockdown in Spring and Summer 2020, we scratched our heads and wondered what to do to help lift people's spirits. We decided to join forces with Irish Pensions & Finance and run a competition celebrating Irish people's love of a good story – and a good laugh. There were only two requirements: make it funny, and make it (fairly) short. We were overwhelmed by the response: we received hundreds of entries, from all over the island and points beyond, by people from all walks of life. There were only three winners - but we decided to gather the best stories into a book. And here they are – from the sublime to the ridiculous. Think Graham Norton's Big Red Chair to Samuel Beckett's dark humor – and all points in between. The result is: Brevity is the Soul: Wit from Locked-Down Ireland.

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author, comedian, actress, and producer Phoebe Robinson is back with a new essay collection that is equal parts thoughtful, hilarious, and sharp about human connection, race, hair, travel, dating, Black excellence, and more. Written in Phoebe's unforgettable voice and with her unparalleled wit, Robinson's latest collection, laced with spot-on pop culture references, takes on a wide range of topics. From the values she learned from her parents (including, but not limited to, advice on not bringing outside germs onto your clean bed) to her and her boyfriend, lovingly known as British Baekoff, deciding to have a child-free union, to the way the Black Lives Matter movement took center stage in America, and, finally, the continual struggle to love her 4C hair, each essay is packed with humor and humanity. By turns insightful, laugh-out-loud funny, and heartfelt, Please Don't Sit On My Bed In Your Outside Clothes is not only a brilliant look at our current cultural moment, but a collection that will stay with you for years to come.

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and timely essay collection about race, gender, and pop culture from comedy superstar and 2 Dope Queens podcaster Phoebe Robinson Being a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: she's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend," as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn't that...white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; she's been followed around stores by security guards; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. the. time. Now, she's ready to take these topics to the page-and she's going to make you laugh as she's doing it. Using her trademark wit alongside pop-culture references galore, Robinson explores everything from why Lisa Bonet is "Queen. Bae. Jesus," to breaking down the terrible nature of casting calls, to giving her less-than-traditional advice to the future female president, and demanding that the NFL clean up its act, all told in the same conversational voice that launched her podcast, 2 Dope Queens, to the top spot on iTunes. As personal as it is political, You Can't Touch My Hair examines our cultural climate and skewers our biases with humor and heart, announcing Robinson as a writer on the rise.

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Book SynopsisStephen Leacock is an unjustly neglected master of the short-story genre, once considered the best-known humorist in the world. Although he was a prolific writer, producing about fifty novels, biographies and histories, he was best known for his humorous articles and short stories in magazines. One of his later collections, Frenzied Fiction shows a master of a genre at the height of his game, and contains all the hallmarks of his earlier work and the trademark wit which he had refined over the previous decades. By turns laugh-aloud hilarious and poignant, and containing such gems as ‘My Recollections as a Spy’ and ‘Simple Stories of Success, or How to Succeed in Life’, this collection builds a strong case against prohibition, paints a moving picture of a war-torn world, caricatures and lampoons novelists, actors and princes, and demonstrates why he met with such success and stacked a fan base with figures as varied John Lane, A.P. Herbert and Groucho Marx.Trade Review'No one, anywhere in the world, can reduce a thing to ridicule with such few short strokes.' (Evening Standard) 'His wisdom is always humorous, and his humour is always wise.' (Sunday Times) 'Professor Leacock has made more people laugh with the written word than any other living author. One may say he is one of the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age.' (A.P. Herbert)Table of Contents'My Revelations as a Spy', 'Father Knickerbocker A Fantasy', 'The Prophet in Our Midst', 'Personal Adventures in the Spirit World', 'The Sorrows of a Summer Guest', 'To Nature and Back Again', 'The Caveman as He Is', 'Ideal Interviews (with a European prince, with our greatest actor, with our greatest scientist, with our typical novelists)', 'The New Education', 'The Errors of Santa Claus', 'Lost in New York: A Visitor’s Soliloquy', 'This Strenuous Age', 'The Old, Old Story of How Five Men Went Fishing', 'Back from the Land', 'The Perplexity Column as Done by the Jaded Journalist', 'Simple Stories of Success Or How to Succeed in Life', 'In Dry Toronto: A Local Study of a Universal Topic', 'Merry Christmas, Note on the Text, Notes

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Book SynopsisHeroes and danger, comfort and claws. A black cat dreams of finding a new family, and a vampire is woken by a brush with ancient folklore. Then a cat tests just how far his nine lives run, before a stray moves in, and a kitten discovers a thirst for adventure ... Full of playfulness and wildness, this is a vibrant collection from eleven UK authors about the reality of being owned by a cat

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Book SynopsisIn India''s tropical paradise, stands a town wrapped around a giant roundabout, where a canny caretaker with a French connection holds sway. Vying for his attention are two competing neighbours. Appu holds lessons for the living but Maya cares only for the dead. And a gastronome dog plays ball girl to tennis-loving nuns. At the centre is an imposing temple so ancient that no one knows exactly when it was built. Here, even a tiny railway station has set its own rules for acceptance and belonging. On the other side of the tracks, a baker runs errands for total strangers in the middle of a pandemic. Malgudi Days meets reality in the search for joy and belonging in a book that is alternatively heartwarming and hilarious. Anjana Menon takes you to a place that you wish stays that way forever, in these true stories of hope and resilience from a midway Kerala town.

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