Humour Books

Book SynopsisCharlotte Crosby has been one of the UK''s best-loved TV stars since she burst onto the celeb scene in 2011 with Geordie Shore. Laugh-out-loud hilarious, genuine, and a proper Geordie, Charlotte''s popularity has even seen her crowned winner of 2013''s Celebrity Big Brother. With her trademark humour and warmth, in ME ME ME Charlotte takes us on a very unique journey through her eventful teenage years (where literally nothing is off limits!), her attempts at holding down jobs (and booze), the life-changing experience of Geordie Shore, the truth about Gaz and his parsnip, and her inspiring weight-loss triumph. Full of drawings, doodles, and Charlotte''s personal photos, this will be unlike any other celebrity autobiography on the market. Extremely personal, insanely honest and pant-wettingly funny.

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Book Synopsis ''A must-have'' - The Telegraph''Book of the Week'' - The Independent''Hilarious'' - Sport Magazine In what other context do football fans use the words ''aplomb'' or ''derisory''? Why don''t we use ''rifle'' as a verb on the other six days of the week? Why do aggrieved midfielders feel the instinctive need to make a giant ball-shaped gesture with both hands after a mistimed tackle is punished? The more football Adam Hurrey watched, the more he began to spot the recurring mannerisms, behaviours, opinions and iconography that were mindlessly repeated in the football media. Some cliches are ridiculous, some are quaintly outdated, some have survived through their sheer indisputability. Here, featuring gloriously pseudo-scientific diagrams and the inimitable writing style that made footballcliches.com a smash hit, they are covered in all their glory.Trade ReviewAn entertaining, hilarious dissection of the language of football, complete with diagrams and illustrations. Open your chequebook for a last-ditch transfer swoop. - Sport MagazineHurrey's observations are worryingly accurate and will make you laugh out loud. If you want to know when we're officially in the 'business end of the season' or whether a goal was by a shot being fired, drilled, rifled, thundered, hammered, powered, slammed, rammed, or blasted into the back of the net then Adam is the man to tell us. - outsideoftheboot.comFootball Cliches is a crusade to analyse and dissect the art of the football cliche. The saturation of football coverage has ensured the emergence of a code, to which everyone in football unwittingly adheres. Literally over the moon to be up there with your Jonathan Wilsons and David Conns of the world on the FSF awards shortlist. - Football Supporters' Federation

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Book SynopsisFor fans of WHAT IF? and NEW SCIENTIST comes this brilliantly funny and informative look at the stranger side of evolution.Featuring:The Zombie ants mind-controlled by a fungusBeautiful salamanders that can regenerate any part of their bodies, including their brainsThe mantis shrimp, which fires its club-like appendage so fast that the surrounding water becomes as hot as the surface of the sunThe Antechinus, whose runaway testosterone levels cause them to have so much sex during their three-week mating season that they bleed internally, go blind, and drop dead...Featuring quirky illustrations and the signature blend of science smarts and humour that make Matt Simon''s Wired column so entertaining, this is an ideal stocking-filler for every popular science aficionado...

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Book SynopsisCharlotte Crosby is one of the nation''s best loved and funniest TV stars.Here in BRAND NEW ME Charlotte talks us through an incredibly busy year, making us laugh as ever with her funny moments (like when her mum woke up on Christmas morning to find her passed out naked by her new swimming pool) but also opening up about the difficult months surrounding her shock departure from Geordie Shore, betrayal and her heartbreaking ectopic pregnancy. After working through her loss by bravely speaking out, she is now an ambassador of the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, helping raise awareness of the symptoms so other women can get early treatment and help.So welcome to BRAND NEW ME, the next chapter in Charlotte''s life: businesswoman, TV presenter, charity spokesperson, stronger than ever, inspiring us with her work ethic, smashing it with her style and still making us wet our pants laughing.

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Book Synopsis**THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLER, APRIL 2017**''The night before Charlie was born I had this dream. I dreamt that I was a soldier, riding into battle ... completely naked, and on the back of a large, inflatable duck.''Matt Coyne has become a hero for thousands of parents everywhere who are devoted followers of his popular blog, Man vs Baby.This is his book, and it is not your average parenting tome. It''s packed with completely impractical advice for the bewildered new mum or dad - stuff you won''t find anywhere else: from ''Profanity Bingo'' for labour to a categorisation of various nappy disasters. But, more than that, it is the story of how becoming a parent is a kind of beautiful insanity - a thing that changes you.Above all, Dummy will keep you laughing through the exhaustion, the mystery and the madness of bringing up your own children. This is the parenting book for real peoTrade ReviewA hero for dads everywhere * Daily Mirror *Very, very funny -- Phillip Schofield * This Morning *Hilarious but accurate account of finding your feet as a parent ... Matt Coyne's post has struck a chord with parents from all over the world * Daily Mail *Brutally honest rant on the reality of parenthood has taken the internet by storm * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate TV companion book to Good Omens, a massive new television launch on Amazon Prime Video and the BBC, written and show-run by Neil Gaiman and adapted from the internationally beloved novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. ''[It was] absurdly good fun...Terry charged Neil with getting it made, almost as his deathbed wish, so it''s a real labour of love'' - David TennantIn the beginning there was a book written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman about the forces of good and evil coming together to prevent the apocalypse, scheduled to happen on a Saturday just after tea. Now, that internationally beloved novel has been transformed into six hour-long episodes of some of the most creative and ambitious television ever made. Written and show-run by Neil Gaiman and directed by Douglas Mackinnon, this BBC Studios creation brings Good Omens spectacularly to life, through Trade ReviewIf you loved the book and the TV series, then your coffee table needs to be weighed down by this mighty, meaty tome * SF Concatenation *

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Book SynopsisIs your cat smarter than Donald Trump?Already read The Beautiful Poetry of Donald Trump? Gobbled up Fire and Fury? Well, how about some Fire and FURRY. It''s time to give your cat a pick me up, as we pit its wits against the President...You know Donald Trump, right? Wobbly orange trumpet on legs? The answer to the question: ''What would the offspring of a Wotsit and a dolphin look like?'' Yeah, that guy. Well, he also happens to be the 45th President of the United States of America. There are many questions to be asked of Trump - did he collude with Russia? Is his hair made from caramelised orangutan farts? More pressing than all of them, though, is this: Is he smarter than your cat?*There''s only one way to find out...To complete the Cat vs Trump test you will need:A catA pencilThe ability to forget that the world feels like it''s on the brinkof nuclTrade ReviewA good present for a cat person * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWho wore the first pants? Who painted the first masterpiece? Who first rode the horse? This madcap adventure across ancient history uses everything from modern genetics to archaeology to uncover the geniuses behind these and other world-changing innovations.In this book, writer Cody Cassidy digs deep into the latest research to uncover the untold stories of some of these incredible innovators (or participants in lucky accidents). With a sharp sense of humor and boundless enthusiasm for the wonders of our ancient ancestors, Who Ate the First Oyster? profiles the perpetrators of the greatest firsts and catastrophes of prehistory, using the lives of individuals to provide a glimpse into ancient cultures to show how and why these critical developments occurred, and educate us on a period of time that until recently we''ve known almost nothing about.Trade ReviewA fun and enlightening quick trip through all the clever, stupid, dangerous, and gross human firsts that we've all wondered about. * Zach and Kelly Weinersmith, New York Times bestselling authors of Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything *In this fascinating and entertaining book, Cody Cassidy has done what might seem impossible: illustrating the identity, life, and death of some of the most momentous-and entirely anonymous-figures in human (and prehuman) history. * Ryan North, author of How To Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler *A breezy read through millennia of human development. * Kirkus Reviews *illuminating and entertaining... Enthralled readers will develop a new appreciation for the ancient past. * Publishers Weekly *Cassidy embarks on a wide-ranging, far-flung journey of curiosity that easily engages the reader. Chapters are brimming with history that may surprise readers as well as compel them to further investigate. * Booklist *WHO told the first joke? Or drank the first beer? Author Cody Cassidy has the answers to those questions and more in his new Who Ate The First Oyster? book. He has dug deep to uncover the untold stories of some of our ancestors' innovations and discoveries. * Daily Star *Despite its fun approach, the chapters are full of history and brings to life people time has forgotten. It's also a fascinating insight into how things we take for granted developed. * Good to Know *Cody Cassidy spent more than three years scouring libraries, debating with experts and travelling the world on a quest to solve the mysteries behind some of humanity's most significant innovations. * The Red Bulletin *Delves into the past and the circumstances of some of our greatest discoveries * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''Sane and sensible - and very funny.'' Marina O''LoughlinEver started a new diet and found yourself reaching for the wine and chocolate within a week? Well now you can! Jane Wenham-Jones, best-selling author and columnist, offers 100 tips on slimming down without sacrifice.Quirky but useful, fun but factual, Jane''s approach is a unique mixture of everyday science, the right mental attitude, and common-sense strategies, designed to fit in with your busy life. With advice on party weeks, dressing to hide the pounds, and how to lose weight fast when a big date looms, Jane offers tactics that work where most diets fail. From eating a chilli a day to speed up your metabolism, to doing quick bursts of exercise with rapid results, to simply thinking yourself skinnier, these tried-and-tested methods will see you leaner and fitter - while allowing for a daily fix of the foods you love.Trade ReviewSane and sensible - and very funny * Marina O'Loughlin *

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Book Synopsis**Winner of Best Sports Entertainment book at the British Sports Book Awards 2022**''Hard-hitting and hilarious'' - James Acaster''Funny, moving and compelling'' - Mike CostelloA heart-warming, hilarious true story about fighting and family, based on the acclaimed stage show. For fans of books by Dave Gorman, James Acaster and Danny Wallace, along with boxing tales from the likes of Tyson Fury and Ricky Hatton.THE CHAMPTerry Downes - the charismatic cockney known as ''The Paddington Express'' - was a world champion boxer, US Marine, gangsters'' favourite and later a film star and businessman. THE CHUMPJames McNicholas'' PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he''d be dead by the time he was 23. James has spent his life pursuing a career in acting and comedy. In reality, that has meant stints as a car park caretaker and river cruise salesperson. After Terry''s death, James finds himself in reTrade ReviewAn extraordinary family history, told with warmth and wit. Two remarkable underdog stories - come for the cockney scrapper who conquered the world, stay for the grandson and the fight of his life * Greg Jenner *Funny, moving and compelling * Mike Costello *I loved this book: poignant and funny * Suzi Ruffell *Hard-hitting and hilarious * James Acaster *A wonderfully funny and heartfelt story of what family and lineage means * Josh Widdicombe *If you like comedy and boxing this is the perfect book. James McNicholas is a very funny man and a brilliant writer * Rob Beckett *

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Book Synopsis**WINNER OF BEST SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK AT THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2022**''Hard-hitting and hilarious'' - James Acaster''Funny, moving and compelling'' - Mike CostelloA heart-warming, hilarious true story about fighting and family, based on the acclaimed stage show. For fans of books by Dave Gorman, James Acaster and Danny Wallace, along with boxing tales from the likes of Tyson Fury and Ricky Hatton.THE CHAMPTerry Downes - the charismatic cockney known as ''The Paddington Express'' - was a world champion boxer, US Marine, gangsters'' favourite and later a film star and businessman. THE CHUMPJames McNicholas'' PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he''d be dead by the time he was 23. James has spent his life pursuing a career in acting and comedy. In reality, that has meant stints as a car park caretaker and river cruise salesperson. After Terry''s death, James finds himself in reTrade ReviewAn extraordinary family history, told with warmth and wit. Two remarkable underdog stories - come for the cockney scrapper who conquered the world, stay for the grandson and the fight of his life * Greg Jenner *Funny, moving and compelling * Mike Costello *I loved this book: poignant and funny * Suzi Ruffell *Hard-hitting and hilarious * James Acaster *A wonderfully funny and heartfelt story of what family and lineage means * Josh Widdicombe *If you like comedy and boxing this is the perfect book. James McNicholas is a very funny man and a brilliant writer * Rob Beckett *

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Book Synopsis''Uproarious . . . [Phillips and Elledge] pair the abundant good humour of this book with a warning about the corrosive effects of conspiracy theories'' The TimesFrom the Satanic Panic to the anti-vaxx movement, the moon landing to Pizzagate, it''s always been human nature to believe we''re being lied to by the powers that be (and sometimes, to be fair, we absolutely are).But while it can be fun to indulge in a bit of Deep State banter on the group chat, recent times have shown us that some of these theories have taken on a life of their own - and in our dogged quest for the truth, it appears we might actually be doing it some damage.In Conspiracy, Tom Phillips and Jonn Elledge take us on a fascinating, insightful and often hilarious journey through conspiracy theories old and new, to try and answer a vital question for our times: how can we learn to log off the QAnon message boards, and start trusting hard evidence again?PraisTrade ReviewFor Tom Phillips and HUMANS:In dark times, it's reassuring to learn that we've always been a bunch of clueless f*cking nitwits -- Stuart Heritage * Don't Be a Dick, Pete *A light-touch history of moments when humans have got it spectacularly wrong... Both readable and entertaining * Telegraph *If you find yourself looking at the news and wondering how humanity has got so many things wrong, over and over again, this book is a very funny answer to just that question' -- Mark Watson, comedian

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Book Synopsis''Oh my word! This book is so delicious and fun and exciting!!!!!! I adored every single second!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''One of my favourite reads so far this year!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''100% perfect'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐**Game, Set, Match, the hilarious and utterly irresistible new romcom from Heidi Stephens, is available to pre-order now!**EMILY HAS SWORN OFF LOVE. BUT MAYBE IT''S TIME TO GET BACK IN THE SADDLE . . . ?Emily Wilkinson has lost everything. Literally. In a hair-straightener fire. Oh, and her boyfriend (and boss) has announced he''s going back to his wife. So, she needs a new job, a new plan, and somewhere to live that isn''t her childhood bedroom.Charles Hunter is looking for a live-in PA to help run Bowford Manor and Emily thinks she''s the perfect fit. Well, she''s s

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Book Synopsis''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Wow, wow, wow. I loved this story'' ''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Wow!!! What a book! Wish I could give it more stars!''**Game, Set, Match, the hilarious and utterly irresistible new romcom from Heidi Stephens, is available to pre-order now!**WHEN LIFE HAS YOU DOWN ON LOVE, SURELY THE ONLY WAY IS UP . . . ?__________________________Twenty-five years in showbiz is a good run, right? Because after tonight, when her small (read: huge) wardrobe malfunction was broadcast to the nation''s living rooms, Daisy''s time in the spotlight might be over.It''s all about damage control now, and Daisy needs an escape route. Fast. Especially when her sporting hero boyfriend publicly announces their engagement - the one she hasn''t actually agreed to tell the world about.All she needs is space from prying eyes and time fo

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Book SynopsisLOVE DOESN''T ALWAYS PLAY BY THE RULES . . .Hannah has been married to Graham since they were eighteen - a union of desperation to escape their strict families. He''s the only man she''s ever kissed and honestly, she''s not sure he''s any good at it. But fourteen years of washing his underwear is more than enough to kill the romance.Well, that and the fact that he''s got a work colleague pregnant.Hannah''s new-found freedom is an opportunity to finally put herself first, and a trip to Spain sounds like the perfect start. Yes, it might be with three near strangers, but it''s also a chance to play tennis every day under the Spanish sun, before heading off on a solo road trip and starting the next phase of her life.Then Hannah meets Rob, who has kissed ALL the women and is 100% not her type. And besides, she''s really not looking for love right now. But if there''s one thing Hannah knows about tennis, it''s that

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Book Synopsis''This book is everything. Lauren Layne at her best!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader reviewSuch a fun read, I adore everything Lauren Layne writes and this is no exception! Mac and Thomas are EVERYTHING!!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Classic Lauren Layne . . . the story just flew, pulled me in and had me reading the whole book in one sitting. I honestly think that You, Again is one of the best works of Lauren Layne''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''A delight - as sweet and bubbly as a glass of champagne'' BETH O''LEARYReaders give Lauren Layne ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐!''Romantic comedy PERFECTION and if you don''t read it, you really are missing out''''The romance, writing style and wit in this book is second to none. I have nothing but praise

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Book SynopsisA hilarious look at how the line between 'genius' and 'extremely lucky idiot' is finer than we'd like to admit.Trade ReviewKatie Spalding is one of those annoyingly talented writers. Funny, and with an absurd amount of obscure knowledge, The Limits of Genius is a must-read on how everyone is much, much stupider than they make out. What more could you ask for than a book that'll make you feel less of an idiot than Einstein? -- James Felton, author of 52 TIMES BRITAIN WAS A BELLENDThe Limits of Genius is a masterful combination of historical research and comedic storytelling, infused with erudition and judiciously dropped F-bombs. I laughed out loud on nearly every page. It is truly inspiring to read about the stupidity of geniuses. Thank you, Katie, for knocking these wunderkinds down a few pegs and making the rest of us feel smarter in the process. -- Justin Gregg, author of IF NIETZSCHE WERE A NARWHALWith wit and charm, each of Katie Spalding's stories in The Limits of Genius nudges, pushes and eventually shoves some of our most illustrious celebrity thinkers right off their pedestals. -- David McRaney, author of YOU ARE NOT SO SMARTThe Limits of Genius is a light-hearted and amusing account of some of history's most influential people. Even the brightest minds can produce some truly dim moments and this book doesn't hold back. -- Nick Caruso, New York Times bestselling author of DOES IT FART?A very funny, super interesting, and quite sweary look at history's great thinkers, examining all their quirks and foibles. -- Lucy PorterAn extremely entertaining book. The Leonardo chapter left me helpless with mirth and the Karl Marx one brilliantly tells my favourite "Karl Marx gets passed" anecdote better than any version I've ever seen. Smart and hilarious what's not to like. -- Otto English, author of FAKE HEROESSuch a great idea I wish I'd come up with it first. One of those books that makes you laugh so much you forget you're learning stuff. -- Jonn Elledge, author of The Compendium of (Not Quite) EverythingWith wit and charm, each of Katie Spalding's stories in The Limits of Genius nudges, pushes and eventually shoves some of our most illustrious celebrity thinkers right off their pedestals. Whether it was learning how Pythagoras died from an ill-timed fascination with beans, the career-derailing procrastination of Leonardo da Vinci, the truly impressive-in-its-magnitude gullibility of Arthur Conan Doyle, or the failed attempt of Thomas Edison to create a phone for calling ghosts, this warts-and-all review of the human, the very silly human, side of history's most famous 'geniuses' will fuel your dinner party conversations for years. * David McRaney, author of YOU ARE NOT SO SMART *The Limits of Genius is a masterful combination of historical research and comedic storytelling, infused with erudition and judiciously dropped F-bombs. I laughed out loud on nearly every page. It is truly inspiring to read about the stupidity of geniuses. Thank you, Katie, for knocking these wunderkinds down a few pegs and making the rest of us feel smarter in the process. * Justin Gregg, author of IF NIETZSCHE WERE A NARWHAL *

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Book Synopsis''A rollercoaster of glorious, criminal wordplay'' - Ian Martin, writer of VEEP, THE DEATH OF STALIN''Shit Literary Siblings celebrates the mundane figures, and the characters that, until now, were destined to lurk in the wings - Donna Quixote, Todd Gatsby, Hubert Humbert included'' - The FaceThe imagined worlds of books are populated by some of the most loved and recognisable characters we know. But for every famous detective, Victorian heroine and beloved children''s character there often exists an overlooked, often rubbish, and frequently downright sh*t sibling. These unfortunate nobodies have never had the spotlight turned upon them. Until now. Meet the likes of...Euston Bear - currently living off Burger King wrapper sandwiches after ending up at the wrong stationWalter Wonka - a Kettering dentist with a phobia of dwarvesGandalf the Greggs - beardy, pastry-covered piss wizard who spends l

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Book Synopsis''Best book of the year!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''A fantastic debut'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐The brilliant, heart-warming debut novel from the Sunday Times best-selling author of Dummy and Man vs Toddler''A lovely feel-good treat'' The Times ''Simply perfect'' Daily Mirror ''Hilariously funny... and beneath it all really quite lovely'' The Metro Brilliant, just brilliant'' Huffington Post__________________Sometimes, the friend you need is the one you never saw coming.Frank and Red are a mess.Frank is a grumpy old curmudgeon. A recluse whose only company is the ''ghost'' of his dead wife, Marcie. He is estranged from his friends, his son, and the ever-changing world beyond his front gate. And then Red moves in next door.Red is six. A boy strugTrade ReviewA lovely feel-good treat . . . Matt Coyne's beautifully crafted, warmly funny book gives us Frank and Red's perspectives on navigating the upheavals in their lives and their road to friendship. Red's reckless attempt to reunite Frank with his adult son adds some high-stakes drama, but it's the little moments of connection, compassion and healing that will melt you. * The Times *His parents have split and he's the brunt of school bulling, but precocious six-year-old Leonard (Red) is a trusting soul, and when he sets out to befriend crusty, effing, blinding, grieving widower Frank - his new neighbour - he soon finds himself on a daring mission to reunite the man with his estranged son. A warm-hearted, weepy, riotously funny, feel-good novel. * Saga *Heart-warming, perceptive and empathetic, not to mention very funny, Frank and Red is a genuine joy to read. * CultureFly *Can't put this down . . . Honest, heartwarming and woven with brilliant, warm humour. -- ANNA MATHUR, Sunday Times bestselling authorAbsolutely brilliant. Anyone who reads it will be highly recommending it!! Bravo -- DAISY UPTON, Sunday Times bestselling authorWarm, tender and very funny. A triumph of heartstring-pulling. -- SARAH TURNER, Sunday Times bestselling authorWarm, heartfelt and laugh out loud funny, I adored Frank and Red and couldn't put this book down. -- BECKY HUNTER, author of One MomentIt's properly funny while packing a huge emotional punch. This is one of those books that reminds you of what it means to be human. Highly recommend. -- JENNIE GODFREY, author of The List of Suspicious ThingsHeartfelt, humorous and hugely entertaining. -- SAMUEL BURR, author of The Fellowship of PuzzlemakersThe pair are such wonderful characters and I was utterly charmed by them from the very first page. A very funny story about friendship and acceptance. * Prima *Can't put this down . . . Honest, heartwarming and woven with brilliant, warm humour. -- ANNA MATHUR, author of Raising a Happier Mother

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Book Synopsis**A perfect loo book - full of fiendishly clever word games and brainteasers**Ah, the tedium of the toilet. The boredom of the the bathroom. If only there was a more edifying way to pass the time while carrying out your morning ablutions.Well now there is!*Train your mind while on your behind!*Featuring 102 fiendishly clever word games, brainteasers, puzzles and quiz questions, this is the ultimate bathroom book for your home, or a superb stocking filler for the lofty loo book lover in your life.*It''s quizmas time for business time!*For those who''ve enjoyed The Shiit Workout, 52 Things to do on the Loo, and Things to do While you Poo on the Loo.*Search for solutions while doing your ablutions!*

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsList of illustrations General editors’ preface Preface Introduction Jonson in 1610 London Alchemy Sex, Generation and Family Literary Alchemy: Collaborating with Authors Alchemy of Place: London, Blackfriars, Playhouse Staging Revivals: Collaborating Across Periods Staging the Page: Textual History Later Editions Folio Paratext THE ALCHEMIST Appendix: Casting The Alchemist Abbreviations and References Abbreviations used in notes Works by and partly by Shakespeare Works by and partly by Jonson Editions of The Alchemist collated Other works cited Index

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Book SynopsisA fast-paced whirlwind of fantasy and mockery confined to a single room, The Alchemist offers a witty culmination of Jonson''s experiments with city comedy. The play has been widely recognized as one of the most impressive achievements of the period''s theatre; Coleridge famously described it as one of the three most perfect plots in literature. Yet it is a notoriously difficult play: its alchemical language has aged into obscurity, and its insiderly humour can seem impenetrable to students approaching it for the first time. This comprehensively annotated edition translates and illuminates the play''s many pleasures and shows how Jonson''s cynical, street-wise wit resonates with our contemporary sensibilities. Pollard highlights the play''s witty ingenuity, while offering the information and guidance to enable students to understand and enjoy The Alchemist fully.Table of ContentsList of illustrations General editors’ preface Preface Introduction Jonson in 1610 London Alchemy Sex, Generation and Family Literary Alchemy: Collaborating with Authors Alchemy of Place: London, Blackfriars, Playhouse Staging Revivals: Collaborating Across Periods Staging the Page: Textual History Later Editions Folio Paratext THE ALCHEMIST Appendix: Casting The Alchemist Abbreviations and References Abbreviations used in notes Works by and partly by Shakespeare Works by and partly by Jonson Editions of The Alchemist collated Other works cited Index

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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 *

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Book SynopsisA return to the wit and wisdom of Boris Johnson Brexiteer, Foreign Secretary, Prime Minister. New and updated edition.2019 the year that Boris took on the lingering gloomadon-poppers', pledged to steer the UK between the Scylla and Charybdis of Corbyn and Farage' and into the calmer waters of political freedom. Of course there was always bound to be a bit of plaster coming off the ceilings of Europe's Chanceries'.Harry Mount has updated his edited collection of the Prime Minister''s wit and wisdom with three new chapters dealing with Boris''s time as Brexiteer-in-chief; Foreign Secretary and ''On the Threshold of Downing Street''.He describes Boris's Brexit campaign, his leadership breakdown in 2016, his ups and downs as Foreign Secretary, his time outside the political establishment, his turbulent private life and how Boris felt it was his manifest destiny to become the prime minister.So buckle up for a riotous tour of the million-pouTable of ContentsIntroduction by Harry Mount 1 The Child is Father of the Man - Early Life, Eton, Oxford and the Bullingdon 2 Boris's Nine Lives: Gaffes, Denial and Resurrection 3 Fourth Estate Boris - Triumph in Brussels, the Spectator years 4 Boris in the House - political views 5 Mr Mayor - Boris in City Hall 6 Boris vs Dave - Race to the top 7 Politicians I have known... 8 Olympic Hero 9 Boris the Classicist 10 On wine, women and song - and bicycles 11 Boris the Culture Vulture 12 Brexit Boris 13 BJ of the FO (2016-2018) 14 On the Threshold of Downing Street 15 Other people on Boris

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Book SynopsisExcellent The TimesKevin''s immense knowledge shines on every page. Gary LinekerA football book by a fan for the fans. A treasure trove... Alan DaviesAn entertaining romp through the back alleys and glamour parks of English football. FourFourTwoPartly autobiographical, partly polemical, but mostly funny, Who Are Ya? is a snapshot of modern football, exploring the history of all 92 English Football League clubs.During his time as a broadcaster, Kevin Day has spoken to thousands of football players, managers and most importantly fans from across the generations. He spent thousands of hours crossing the country on trains, planes, automobiles, coaches and once a donkey called Lightning watching football at all levels. This book is the result of that: a tale of being chased down a railway line at Cardiff, a story of meeting George Best, an account of a lady getting her first Hull City tattoo Trade ReviewKevin's immense knowledge shines on every page. -- Gary LinekerThis is a football book by a fan for the fans. A treasure trove of fun and fascinating facts on every club, including yours, with as much time devoted to Leyton Orient, as to Liverpool, to Mansfield Town as to Manchester City. Worth buying just to discover the origin of the name Gillingham. Despite being from South London the author has managed to string several sentences together. -- Alan DaviesThis book is very funny and one all football fans will enjoy. So authentic you can almost smell the fried onions. -- Freddie FlintoffKevin is a very funny man and a Crystal Palace fan. The two don’t always go together but this is a brilliant, laugh-out loud book. -- Jo BrandVery funny, informative and full of the sort of quirky facts I can use to impress my brother. -- Clare BaldingExcellent fun * The Times *An entertaining romp through the back alleys and glamour parks of English football * FourFourTwo *Brilliant... I loved this book so much... Superb. -- Phil Williams * Times Radio *I'm going to recommend this by the very funny Kevin Day, even though It includes a chapter on why you shouldn't support Chelsea. Which I believe I'm in. Possibly as one of the reasons. -- David BaddielAn absolute belter -- Paul Ross * Talksport *Table of ContentsForeword by Gary Lineker Introduction All 92 Football Clubs Absent Friends Post-match Analysis Acknowledgments

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Book Synopsis''Piercingly honest witty wonderful'' - The Observer''My favourite way to learn is when a funny, clever, honest person is teaching me that''s why I love Rosie Wilby!'' - Sara Pascoe''Funny, sweet, entertaining, insightful, life-affirming...'' Viv Groskop''Hilarious, honest and brilliant'' Helen Thorne''Rosie Wilby unearths the hope and hilarity that can come from heartbreak'' Abigail TarttelinIn 2011, comedian and podcaster Rosie Wilby was dumped by email... though she did feel a little better about it after correcting her ex's spelling and punctuation. Obsessing about breakups ever since, she embarked on a quest to investigate, understand and conquer the psychology of heartbreak. This book is a love letter to her breakups, a celebration of what they have taught her peppered with anecdotes from illustrious friends and interviews with relationship therapists, scientists and sociologists about separating in the modTrade ReviewWe all know about the joys of love and relationships, but there's so much more to discover about the glorious benefits of breakups. Rosie reassures and entertains you through brilliant stories and fabulous facts, about what can be gained from the end of a relationship. This is a hilarious, honest and brilliant book! * Helen Thorn, Scummy Mummies podcaster *Piercingly honest… witty… wonderful * The Observer *For anyone who has ever been disenchanted by idealised romantic fairytales, this book will make you feel less alone. Rosie Wilby unearths the hope and hilarity that can come from heartbreak. * Abigail Tarttelin *My favourite way to learn is when a funny, clever, honest person is teaching me - that's why I love Rosie Wilby! * Sara Pascoe *Funny, sweet, entertaining, insightful, life-affirming... this book is all the things a breakup is not. Rosie’s wisdom is balm for the soul for anyone who has ever been in love. * Viv Groskop *[A] gem of a book * Red Magazine *Comedian Rosie Wilby deftly blends her own experiences with insights from therapists, sociologists and scientists to explore why heartbreak can be so devastating. -- Therapy TodayIf you’ve ever been heartbroken, this will help you heal. Plus it’s FUNNY -- Nichi Hodgsonwise, funny and clever -- Lucy-Anne HolmesI unexpectedly found this really brilliant. It’s about how heartbreak can be a real turning point and the creativity that comes with the depths of depression. It’s a really new take on it. -- Lorraine CandyThe smartest and most thought-provoking book about breakups in recent memory… expertly blends comedy, personal memoir and science to create the most essential book of the season * The Maritime Edit *The Breakup Monologues is a book to go back to, again and again. It’s smart, funny, and wise. Buy it for all your friends, single, coupled, or otherwise. * Liza Delfouli, Arts Hub *The perfect blend of humour, memoir and science * Diva *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewWe all know about the joys of love and relationships, but there's so much more to discover about the glorious benefits of breakups. Rosie reassures and entertains you through brilliant stories and fabulous facts, about what can be gained from the end of a relationship. This is a hilarious, honest and brilliant book! -- Helen Thorn * Scummy Mummies podcaster *piercingly honest… witty… wonderful * The Observer *For anyone who has ever been disenchanted by idealised romantic fairytales, this book will make you feel less alone. Rosie Wilby unearths the hope and hilarity that can come from heartbreak. -- Abigail TarttelinMy favourite way to learn is when a funny, clever, honest person is teaching me - that's why I love Rosie Wilby! -- Sara PascoeFunny, sweet, entertaining, insightful, life-affirming... this book is all the things a breakup is not. Rosie’s wisdom is balm for the soul for anyone who has ever been in love. -- Viv Groskop[a] gem of a book * Red Magazine *Comedian Rosie Wilby deftly blends her own experiences with insights from therapists, sociologists and scientists to explore why heartbreak can be so devastating. * Therapy Today *If you’ve ever been heartbroken, this will help you heal. Plus it’s FUNNY -- Nichi Hodgson... wise, funny and clever -- Lucy-Anne HolmesI unexpectedly found this really brilliant. It’s about how heartbreak can be a real turning point and the creativity that comes with the depths of depression. It’s a really new take on it. -- Lorraine CandyThe smartest and most thought-provoking book about breakups in recent memory… expertly blends comedy, personal memoir and science to create the most essential book of the season * The Maritime Edit *The Breakup Monologues is a book to go back to, again and again. It’s smart, funny, and wise. Buy it for all your friends, single, coupled, or otherwise. -- Liza Delfouli * Arts Hub *Fascinating, insightful and empathetic, it’s a more compelling read than many novels and considerably funnier. * Literarysofa.com *A brilliantly wise combination of humour and science. * Psychologies *The Breakup Monologues is utterly readable and engaging. It cleverly delves into a universal rite of passage, analysing it from a scientific and psychological angle while also being moving and invoking laughter. * The Wee Review *An absolute joy to read, The Breakup Monologues will no doubt make anyone who reads it think more deeply and empathetically about their former and current relationships. And laugh. A lot. * Morning Star *Rosie is the most amiable, trustworthy, and soul-searching of narrators. Anyone in need of supportive hand-holding in the love department should read this. Still, it’s far more than a self-help book. The Break-up Monologues is a bittersweet laugh from start to finish – my new literary best friend. * Perspective *Her wit and compassion make this a joyful read -- Matthew D’AnconaUnflinchingly honest…reassuring, relatable and surprisingly hopeful. * Psychologies *Table of ContentsIntroduction Prologue: The Butterfly Painting Part One: Backwards 1 Wired for Love 2 The Lexicon of Breakups 3 I Thought I'd been Ghosted but He'd Just Gone to Prison 4 Great Expectations 5 Stuck in the Middle 6 It's All Downhill from Here 7 The Moths of Doom 8 'Just Scream!' 9 The Bisexual Comedian 10 Hormonal Hell 11 Summer Freeze 12 The Friendship Breakup 13 Only Child Syndrome 14 Unwanted Snapshots 15 Sex and Death Part Two: Bonus Breakup Content Breakup Playlist Bite-Sized Breakup Stories A Few of my Favourite Breakup Films Part Three: Forwards 16 Beginnings are Endings and Endings are Beginnings 17 A Fart in a Graveyard … and the Value of Arguing 18 The Professional Breakup 19 Shared Values and Experiences 20 ’Til Dog Us Do Part 21 We Are Family 22 Keeping it Together, Moving On 23 Healthy Space … and a bit about Attachment Theory 24 The Good Breakup 25 Poly Breakups 26 My Chemical Romance? 27 Towards a Growth Mindset 28 Recovery and Reprogramming 29 Happy Endings 30 We're Gonna Need a Bigger Bed Epilogue: Love in the Time of Corona Conclusion: How Breakups Keep Us Together Acknowledgements Further Reading

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Book SynopsisCracking... full of running gems, realities and giggles. Nice work!'' Martin Yelling, Marathon TalkLovely very impressive' TalkSPORT''From now on, if anyone I know mentions that they want to start running, this will be my first recommendation'' Stuart HeritageBest Books of 2021: Sport Waterstones selectionThe Runner's Code explores the unwritten rules of everyday running and is essential reading for anyone who marvels at marathons, tears round the track or simply plods round the park.Filled with smart advice and brilliantly knowing humour, this unique celebration of running takes the newbie and veteran alike through the secret, nuanced and blindingly obvious rules of running to answer all the important questions, such as:- What's the correct etiquette for acknowledging other runners?- What should you do if you get caught short' on a run?- And exactly how many times can you ask colleagues for marathon sponsorship?The book is packed with plenty of need-to-know information to help you deliver your best running performance, such as coping with different weather conditions, advice on kit and clothing (how many miles can a pair of trainers last, and is it ever appropriate to run in a mankini?) and pavement etiquette (overtaking dawdling pedestrians on a busy street).There are also sections on getting the best race-day nutrition, finding the perfect running headspace and gaining maximum joy from your running.The Runner''s Code features exclusive contributions from BBC presenters Nicky Campbell and Louise Minchin, sports writer Henry Winter, and leading running authors Anna McNuff, Paul Tonkinson, Rachel Cullen, Martin Yelling, Liz Yelling, Helen Croydon and Michael Stocks. They each brilliantly reveal what they love and what they hate about running.Written by journalist, author and self-confessed running nut Chas Newkey-Burden, The Runner's Code will help us to all run better and more responsibly, while reminding us of the joy and, at times, the wonderful absurdity of running.Trade ReviewLovely - very impressive. * TalkSPORT *Cracking... full of running gems, realities and giggles. Nice work! -- Martin Yelling * Marathon Talk *From now on, if anyone I know mentions that they want to start running, this will be my first recommendation -- Stuart HeritageChas's enthusiasm for running infectious -- Henry ManceA fantastic book by an amazing writer. -- Nicky Campbell...an entertaining and informative handbook to the joys of running is a book that no budding athlete should be without. * Waterstones *Filled with great advice, this book takes you on a journey through the secret world of running. * Trail Running *Table of ContentsIntroduction Welcome to the Tribe Kit Nutrition Events Clever Running Health & Safety A Bit of Fun It’s All in the Head Run Happy

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Book Synopsis''Ask a Scotsman for directions and he''ll tell you which way to go. Ask an Englishman and he''ll try to sell you a map.'' Anon''Oats. A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people. ''Samuel JohnsonIt''s 700 years since the Scots and English went head-to-head at the Battle of Bannockburn... and we''ve been winding each other up ever since. Has there ever been a better time to celebrate seven centuries of love, hatred and indifference?Susan Morrison and Albert Jack offer the view from each side of the border in this hilarious miscellany of Anglo-Scots rivalry, featuring quotes, stories and trivia from Stephen Fry, Bill Bryson, Jimmy Carr, Robert Burns, Billy Connolly, Frankie Boyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel Johnson and many, many others.

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Book Synopsis''No life can really be all black, right? Even during the darkest times, what got me through that bleakness was laughter and time. With enough of both of these things I reckon you could get over just about anything.''Nick Frost burst onto our screens in a blaze of camo fatigues and weaponry as the Territorial Army obsessed loveable idiot Mike Watt in the hit cult comedy Spaced. Since then, fans around the world have watched him with a fervent devotion as he fought zombies, rescued aliens and salsa''d his way to box office smash after smash.It''s quite a story. But it''s not this story. This story isn''t the romp from movie set to Hollywood party. This is a story of a life like no other.With blistering candour Frost recounts his childhood growing up in Essex in a household full of love and optimism but tragically blighted by alcoholism, illness and sudden life shattering misfortune. Dogged by his own personal demons, Nick tells of the hil

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Book SynopsisDid you know that . . . a soldier''s biggest social blunder is called jack brew - making yourself a cuppa without making one for anyone else? That twitchers have an expression for a bird that can''t be identified - LBJ (the letters stand for Little Brown Job)? Or that builders call plastering the ceiling doing Lionel Richie''s dancefloor? Susie Dent does.Ever wondered why football managers all speak the same way, what a cabbie calls the Houses of Parliament, or how ticket inspectors discreetly request back-up? We are surrounded by hundreds of tribes, each speaking their own distinct slanguage of colourful words, jokes and phrases, honed through years of conversations on the battlefield, in A&E, backstage, or at ten-thousand feet in the air. Susie Dent has spent years interviewing hundreds of professionals, hobbyists and enthusiasts, and the result is an idiosyncratic phrasebook like no other. From the Freemason''s handshake tTrade ReviewA fabulous read for anyone who loves words, and wants to learn some more. Funny, fact-filled and delightful -- Jonathan RossWonderfully clever and funny . . . a national treasury from a national treasure -- Richard OsmanA fascinating, joyful look at the tribes all around us, from twitchers to taxi-drivers. A must -- Matt HaigI thought only criminals had their own words for everything. Dent's Modern Tribes shows me quite how wrong I was -- Lynne TrussSparkles with gentle wit, fascinating illustration, and linguistic insight -- David CrystalA brilliant, funny, wise, and illuminating canter through the languages of modern tribes -- Richard MadeleySusie Dent is a one-off. She breathes life and fun into words -- Pam AyresThe keys to the mysterious Kingdom of Jargon -- Adam BuxtonThis phrasebook is like no other and will help anyone talk the talk - whatever that might be * The Sun *Thoroughly entertaining and illuminating * Independent *Fascinating study of expressions . . . Dent is something of a modern-day Professor Henry Higgins * The Lady *A work of considerable interest and charm, dishing up verbal pleasures and surprises on virtually every page * Sentence First blog *

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Book SynopsisA myth-busting, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping and fun-filled expedition through the world of Game of Thrones.Trade ReviewThe book is a breezy, funny, but thoroughly researched survey of the fantastic wonders on Game of Thrones. * Wall Street Journal *

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Book Synopsis''I LOVE THE BOOK... A BRILLIANT READ'' Chris Evans, Radio 2 Breakfast ShowALSO OUT NOW: THE MYSTERIUM, the must-have follow-up to The Odditorium''This book, that I approached with caution, turns out to be magnificent. Tested it with the Moondog entry. Passed A+'' Danny Baker, Radio 5LiveA CELEBRATION OF CURIOSITY AND OBSESSIONStep into a world of gloriously unpredictable characters such as Ivor Cutler, Quentin Crisp, Joe Orton, Reginald Bray, Ken Campbell, Screaming Lord Sutch, Sun Ra, Buckminster Fuller, Timothy Leary and Ayn Rand.The Odditorium is a playful re-telling of history, told not through the lens of its victors, but through the fascinating stories of a wealth of individuals who, while lesser-known, are no less remarkable.Throughout its pages you''ll learn about the antics and adventures of tricksters, eccentrics, deviants and inventors. While their stories range from heroiTrade ReviewPraise for The No9 Bus to Utopia, by David Bramwell:"Packed with wisdom, humour and pathos." Tom Hodgkinson, Idler - IdlerPraise for David Bramwell: "A remarkable storyteller." (Radio Times). - Radio TimesPraise for David Bramwell: "Bramwell clearly has an eye for the oddball and arcane." (The Guardian). - The Guardian

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Book Synopsis**THE ESSENTIAL & IRREVERENT BOOK FROM AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN AND STAR OF JOE LYCETT''S GOT YOUR BACK AND THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE **Also seen on Epic Win, The Time it Takes,8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Taskmaster. He''s seen everywhere in fact. ''Joe is nothing short of hilarious'' SARAH MILLICAN''I Lycett, I Lycett a lot'' HARRY HILL''We were snorting with laughter like a happy pig throughout. Lots more of the same please Joe! 5*s'' HEAT MAGAZINE* * * * * *Dear Reader,Life is hard. We are a bombarded generation: Facebook, billboards, Twitter, Instagram, taxes, newspapers, watches monitoring our sleep, apps that read our pulse, terrorism. There''s such an onslaught to the senses these days it''s a marvel any of us manage to get out of bed. I love bed.While we are overwhelmed and confused by the miasmic cloud of infTrade Review'His uniquely wry and witty humour rolls merrily out from the very first page and we were snorting with laughter like a happy pig throughout. Lots more of the same please Joe! 5*s' * HEAT magazine *'Deceptively subversive . . . He elevates anti-authoritarian pettiness to the level of absurd art . . . A witty rebel' * GUARDIAN *

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Book SynopsisThe wildly popular author of Bad Arguments returns with a funny, smart introduction to algorithms -- those perennially misunderstand, increasingly important problem-solving rules that can save you time and lead to better choices, every day.Trade ReviewOne of the more clever ways of introducing computational thinking to the general public * Vint Cerf, Turing Award winner, Chief Internet Evangelist at Google, a 'Father of the Internet' *

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Book SynopsisIn THE MYSTERIUM David Bramwell and Jo Keeling (authors of THE ODDITORIUM), present a user guide to the strange and unexplained corners of modern life. THE MYSTERIUM catalogues a host of bizarre, funny and intriguing stories for a post-Nessie generation still fascinated by the unknowable. Drawing on contemporary folklore, unsolved mysteries, and unsettling phenomena from the dark corners of the internet, this book celebrates the joy of asking questions and the thrill of finding answers which stop you dead in your tracks.Featuring a group of men who scared themselves to death, Space''s version of the Bermuda Triangle, a cat who can sniff out the dying and the tale of Slender Man, the monster who stepped out of Photoshop and into our nightmares, this fascinating book is a catalogue of the extraordinary, the strange, the mysterious and the downright creepy.

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Book Synopsis**FROM THE WOMAN WHO CAMPAIGNED FOR FLEXIBLE WORKING THE IRREVERENT BESTSELLER & THE PERFECT GIFT FOR PARENTS AND PARENTS-TO-BE**''Hilarious ... a must-read''THE SUNFrom Anna Whitehouse aka Mother Pukka and Matt Farquharson aka Papa Pukka, comes the Sunday Times bestsellingaccount of parenting told from both perspectives, and a handy guide (kind of) on how to raise a small human. The must-read for all parents and parents-to-be - and possibly the best (or worst) baby shower gift you could ever give a prospective mum or dad ...MOTHER PUKKA AND PAPA PUKKA offer you this: a book that will not help you grow or raise a human successfully, but a book that might, if you''re not too emotionally battered - and can see past the permanent eye twitch - help you laugh a little more than you cry.This is one couple''s take on the horrors and humour of modern parenting told from his side and hers: ho

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Book Synopsis#SaffronBarkerVSRealLifeIn world of airbrushing and perfectly constructed social media lives, one girl is battling to make it through completely unfiltered (well, almost). Immerse yourself in Saffron Barker''s wonderful, comical, and often challenging universe as she slays her teenage years with flair and enthusiasm (sometimes).Relationships! Confidence! Make-up fails! No tricky stone is left unturned as we follow Saffron over a year of her crazy life while she sets herself a series of goals, tries ever more elaborate ways to convince her brother to appear in a video, and tells the world she''s coming to get it.

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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 *

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Book SynopsisHILARIOUS AND HEARTBREAKING OFFICIAL COLD FEET NOVEL FROM THE HIT TV SERIES.What happened to your favourite characters between series five and six of Mike Bullen''s award-winning TV series?**********Reeling from the sudden death of Rachel, his beloved wife, Adam has no time to grieve. He has to keep going, for the sake of their baby son. Jenny moves back in with ex-husband Pete, eight and a half months pregnant with another man''s child. Can their relationship overcome past jealousies? Karen and David agree to an amicable divorce - but that''s before he sleeps with the divorce lawyer . . .*******THE LOST YEARS is an irresistible chance to catch up on all the laughter, the tears, the life lessons we missed while they were gone.''I loved it. The characters have been captured so well and it just feels so like Mike Bullen''s creation . . . Harrington shoTrade ReviewI loved it. The characters have been captured so well and it just feels so like Mike Bullen's creation. Harrington has understood the characters exceptionally well, and I loved taking the journey with them. Their voices ring out from every page, and I love the fact that I learnt more about them and their journey. Harrington should be very proud - it really is fabulous! * Margaret Conway, Line Producer Cold Feet *The author has captured the essence of the characters so very well that they appear uninterrupted in the imagination and continue as if there had never been any sort of lull in the story. As always, the characters made me laugh out loud and yet, they also made me a little bit sad, but such is the nature of the Cold Feet phenomenon, there's always a clever mix of light and shade which is continued in this novel. * Jaffa Reads Too *Irish author Carmel Harrington was asked to bridge the gap from the original storyline to the current one, in her novel Cold Feet: The Missing Years. New characters are introduced alongside the original ones, adding a dimension to the heart-warming humour. From Manchester to Belfast and back, the novel spans a year of tears, laughter and friendship in true Cold Feet style. Harrington has captured the characters' colloquialisms, personalities and group dynamic. An immensely enjoyable companion to the TV show. * Irish Times *I had a fantastic time reading th[is] book . . . It really felt like it could have been the next series of Cold Feet in its original run . . . The Lost Years is a fantastic adaptation that keeps the essence of everything that made Cold Feet, Cold Feet and for fans of the show, it is a must-read * The Tattooed Book Geek Blog *This book retains the charm . . . [It] was like catching up with old friends and I couldn't put [it] down . . . Good job, Carmel. It's not easy to take on such much-loved characters and continue it on whilst staying true to their personalities but you pulled it off. Any chance of another one? * Novel Kicks Blog *

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Book SynopsisExplore the extraordinary stories behind some of the greatest - and strangest - adventures and explorations in human history.

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Book SynopsisSunday Times top ten bestseller Dadlife is real life parenting through the eyes of a modern day dad by Simon Hooper, aka Instagram's Father of Daughters

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Book SynopsisSunday Times top ten bestseller Forever Outnumbered is real life parenting through the eyes of a modern day dad by Simon Hooper, aka Instagram's Father of Daughters

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Book SynopsisRandall Munroe is . . .''Nerd royalty'' Ben Goldacre''Totally brilliant'' Tim Harford''Laugh-out-loud funny'' Bill Gates''Wonderful'' Neil GaimanAN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe world''s most entertaining and useless self-help guide, from the brilliant mind behind the wildly popular webcomic xkcd and the million-selling What If? and Thing Explainer For any task you might want to do, there''s a right way, a wrong way, and a way so monumentally bad that no one would ever try it. How To is a guide to the third kind of approach. It''s full of highly impractical advice for everything from landing a plane to digging a hole. ''How strange science can fix everyday problems'' New Scientist''A brilliant book: clamber in for a wild ride'' NatureTrade ReviewRidiculous, delightful and, damn it, educational * Sunday Times (Culture) *A pure delight, a salty-sweet mixture of hard science and bonkers whimsy * Boing Boing *Extremely accurate and often amusing answers to everyday issues * Daily Mail *Consistently fascinating and entertaining * Wall Street Journal *The creator of the popular, extremely excellent webcomic xkcd cleverly illustrates a guide of complicated solutions to simple tasks as common as digging a hole * USA Today *[How To] tackles problems from the mundane-such as how to move to a new house-to those that may trouble a mad scientist building her first lava moat. The solutions are often hilariously, and purposefully, absurd. Embedded in these solutions, however, is solid scientific, engineering, and experimental understanding . . . [for] anyone who appreciates science-based solutions to life's problems * Science Magazine *A witty, educational examination of 'unusual approaches to common tasks' . . . generously laced with dry humor . . . Munroe's comic stick-figure art is an added bonus. . . . Apart from generating laughter, the book also manages to achieve his serious objective: to get his audience thinking * Publishers Weekly, starred review *A gleefully nerdy hypothetical instruction book for armchair scientists of all ages * Booklist *An enjoyable treat for fans of logic puzzles, brain hacking, kaizen, mad science, and other forms of mental stimulation * Kirkus Reviews *Required reading across the world * New York Times *A great deal of fun * The Economist *Fascinating * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis From the bestselling author of One Hundred Ways For a Cat To Train Its Human comes a new guide on how to improve your own life by learning from your cat. Content, living in the moment, finding pleasure in small things - your cat knows exactly how to get the best out of life. So let your cat be your guru as Celia Haddon shows in 100 ways how adopting their outlook can lead to our own happiness. Stretch out, relax, find a warm spot - and enjoy purrfection.

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Book SynopsisCombining the razor-sharp wit of writer Declan Lynch with illustrations and contributions from Father Ted co-creator Arthur Mathews.Since Declan Lynch and Arthur Mathews first shone a light into this darkest corner of the darkest living room in all of Ireland over a decade ago, things have actually got worse for that almost-forgotten species we call the Poor Ould Fellas - impossible though it seems.Further confined to their unhappy dwelling places by the drink-driving laws, a new range of challenges have emerged to torment them in a baffling post-analog world, where emails seek to release them from the few remaining shillings that weren''t stolen by bankers during the crash.Now they must negotiate a universe full of new words (falafel, bitcoin, Spotify) and concepts (texting, sexting, going away for the weekend, composing a tweet, growing a beard, online banking) that mean absolutely nothing to them. Notes from a Lost Tribe is a hilarious

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Book SynopsisCombining the razor-sharp wit of writer Declan Lynch with illustrations and contributions from Father Ted co-creator Arthur Mathews.Since Declan Lynch and Arthur Mathews first shone a light into this darkest corner of the darkest living room in all of Ireland over a decade ago, things have actually got worse for that almost-forgotten species we call the Poor Ould Fellas - impossible though it seems.Further confined to their unhappy dwelling places by the drink-driving laws, a new range of challenges have emerged to torment them in a baffling post-analog world, where emails seek to release them from the few remaining shillings that weren''t stolen by bankers during the crash.Now they must negotiate a universe full of new words (falafel, bitcoin, Spotify) and concepts (texting, sexting, going away for the weekend, composing a tweet, growing a beard, online banking) that mean absolutely nothing to them. Notes from a Lost Tribe is a hilarious

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