Humour Books

Book SynopsisOne of the most well-loved and best-selling humour titles of all time.Trade Review"...it's certainly the funniest book I ever read as a child and I read it again recently and I just couldn't believe how funny it still is ... I love it ... there's a sweetness about it I think which is... it's almost innocent - the pleasure they take just in the word play, and the messing around with what's established fact, is absolutely delightful..." Ian Hislop, A Good Read, BBC Radio 4* "1066 and All That is the ... greatest historical pastiche in English..." Professor Robert Bartlett, Wardlaw Professor of Medieval History, St Andrew's University The Daily Telegraph * "...1066 and All That it is an hilarious swipe at history the way it used to be taught... every trope of history teaching is brilliantly sent up..." John Sessions, With Great Pleasure, BBC Radio 4*

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Nerd royalty' BEN GOLDACRE 'Totally brilliant' TIM HARFORD'Required reading across the world' NEW YORK TIMESFrom the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com, hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask.Millions visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe's iconic webcomic. Fans ask him a lot of strange questions: How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? When (if ever) did the sun go down on the British Empire? When will Facebook contain more profiles of dead people than living? How many humans would a T Rex rampaging through New York need to eat a day?In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations and consults nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by comics. They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.Trade ReviewWith this book and with XKCD, you're a kid with a chemistry set all over again. [Randall Munroe's] enthusiasm for all things scientific is infectious . . . required reading for grown-ups, it's just fun to remember that science is really, really cool * REGISTER *With this book and with XKCD, you're a kid with a chemistry set all over again. [Randall Munroe's] enthusiasm for all things scientific is infectious . . . required reading for grown-ups, it's just fun to remember that science is really, really cool * REGISTER *With this book and with XKCD, you're a kid with a chemistry set all over again. [Randall Munroe's] enthusiasm for all things scientific is infectious . . . required reading for grown-ups, it's just fun to remember that science is really, really cool * REGISTER *Smart answers to silly questions: Randall Munroe reveals all * GUARDIAN *Smart answers to silly questions: Randall Munroe reveals all * GUARDIAN *Smart answers to silly questions: Randall Munroe reveals all * GUARDIAN *What If? maintains a delightfully free-wheeling tone throughout, especially when complicated calculations lead to whimsical results. Despite all the hard facts and gigantic numbers, it never feels like a textbook-and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to enjoy it * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *What If? maintains a delightfully free-wheeling tone throughout, especially when complicated calculations lead to whimsical results. Despite all the hard facts and gigantic numbers, it never feels like a textbook-and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to enjoy it * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *What If? maintains a delightfully free-wheeling tone throughout, especially when complicated calculations lead to whimsical results. Despite all the hard facts and gigantic numbers, it never feels like a textbook-and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to enjoy it * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *The best bathroom book you'll ever buy...Munroe takes inane, useless and often quite pointless questions asked by real humans (mostly sent to him through his website), and turns them into beautiful expositions on the impossible that illuminate the furthest reaches, almost to the limits, of the modern sciences .The first chapter, "Q. What would happen if the Earth and all terrestrial objects suddenly stopped spinning, but the atmosphere retained its velocity?" ends with the anthropomorphized moon worrying over the state of the Earth, and, with the gravity generated by its own rotation around the Earth, saving our dying planet. The physics are real; so is the emotional content. . . The answers are all illustrated with xkcd's trademark stick figures.. . . . and these are eminently approachable * NEWSWEEK *The best bathroom book you'll ever buy...Munroe takes inane, useless and often quite pointless questions asked by real humans (mostly sent to him through his website), and turns them into beautiful expositions on the impossible that illuminate the furthest reaches, almost to the limits, of the modern sciences .The first chapter, "Q. What would happen if the Earth and all terrestrial objects suddenly stopped spinning, but the atmosphere retained its velocity?" ends with the anthropomorphized moon worrying over the state of the Earth, and, with the gravity generated by its own rotation around the Earth, saving our dying planet. The physics are real; so is the emotional content. . . The answers are all illustrated with xkcd's trademark stick figures.. . . . and these are eminently approachable * NEWSWEEK *The best bathroom book you'll ever buy...Munroe takes inane, useless and often quite pointless questions asked by real humans (mostly sent to him through his website), and turns them into beautiful expositions on the impossible that illuminate the furthest reaches, almost to the limits, of the modern sciences .The first chapter, "Q. What would happen if the Earth and all terrestrial objects suddenly stopped spinning, but the atmosphere retained its velocity?" ends with the anthropomorphized moon worrying over the state of the Earth, and, with the gravity generated by its own rotation around the Earth, saving our dying planet. The physics are real; so is the emotional content. . . The answers are all illustrated with xkcd's trademark stick figures.. . . . and these are eminently approachable * NEWSWEEK *Brilliant * ROLLING STONE *Brilliant * ROLLING STONE *Brilliant * ROLLING STONE *What If? includes old favorites, new inquiries and the mix of expert research and accessible wit that has made Munroe a favorite among both geeks and laymen * TIME *What If? includes old favorites, new inquiries and the mix of expert research and accessible wit that has made Munroe a favorite among both geeks and laymen * TIME *What If? includes old favorites, new inquiries and the mix of expert research and accessible wit that has made Munroe a favorite among both geeks and laymen * TIME *Munroe's brilliant What-If? column-which features scientifically rigorous, utterly absurd answers to ridiculous hypotheticals-has been on the bestseller lists since it was announced in March. Today, it hits shelves and: It. Is. A. Triumph * BOINGBOING *Munroe's brilliant What-If? column-which features scientifically rigorous, utterly absurd answers to ridiculous hypotheticals-has been on the bestseller lists since it was announced in March. Today, it hits shelves and: It. Is. A. Triumph * BOINGBOING *Munroe's brilliant What-If? column-which features scientifically rigorous, utterly absurd answers to ridiculous hypotheticals-has been on the bestseller lists since it was announced in March. Today, it hits shelves and: It. Is. A. Triumph * BOINGBOING *[What If?] has solved my annual birthday-present and holiday-gift dilemmas for a large group of people . . . What makes Munroe's work so fantastic is a combination of two elements: his commitment to trying to answer even the weirdest question with solid science, and his undeniable sense of humour. So, here's a "What If?" from me: If everyone on the planet simultaneously bought a copy of this book, stopped what they were doing and read it cover to cover, would modern civilization and our global economy collapse? It's worth trying the experiment. * HUFFINGTON POST *[What If?] has solved my annual birthday-present and holiday-gift dilemmas for a large group of people . . . What makes Munroe's work so fantastic is a combination of two elements: his commitment to trying to answer even the weirdest question with solid science, and his undeniable sense of humour. So, here's a "What If?" from me: If everyone on the planet simultaneously bought a copy of this book, stopped what they were doing and read it cover to cover, would modern civilization and our global economy collapse? It's worth trying the experiment. * HUFFINGTON POST *[What If?] has solved my annual birthday-present and holiday-gift dilemmas for a large group of people . . . What makes Munroe's work so fantastic is a combination of two elements: his commitment to trying to answer even the weirdest question with solid science, and his undeniable sense of humour. So, here's a "What If?" from me: If everyone on the planet simultaneously bought a copy of this book, stopped what they were doing and read it cover to cover, would modern civilization and our global economy collapse? It's worth trying the experiment. * HUFFINGTON POST *For the record, I'm loving XKCD's What If -- 'Dear Abby for mad scientists' * NEIL GAIMAN *For the record, I'm loving XKCD's What If -- 'Dear Abby for mad scientists' * NEIL GAIMAN *For the record, I'm loving XKCD's What If -- 'Dear Abby for mad scientists' * NEIL GAIMAN *Munroe has hit on a wonderful form of science and engineering communication that can do so much-extolling the value of analytical thinking, examining data, and doing back-of-the-envelope calculations-while entertaining readers at the same time . . . an incredibly fun book with quirky, hand-drawn pictures * AMERICAN SCIENTIST *Munroe has hit on a wonderful form of science and engineering communication that can do so much-extolling the value of analytical thinking, examining data, and doing back-of-the-envelope calculations-while entertaining readers at the same time . . . an incredibly fun book with quirky, hand-drawn pictures * AMERICAN SCIENTIST *Munroe has hit on a wonderful form of science and engineering communication that can do so much-extolling the value of analytical thinking, examining data, and doing back-of-the-envelope calculations-while entertaining readers at the same time . . . an incredibly fun book with quirky, hand-drawn pictures * AMERICAN SCIENTIST *Thoughtful, scientific, and highly entertaining * PARADE *Thoughtful, scientific, and highly entertaining * PARADE *Thoughtful, scientific, and highly entertaining * PARADE *If you're the kind of person whose brain whizzes with questions, Munroe's book may calm the noise. He's done all the hard work for you * SHORTLIST *If you're the kind of person whose brain whizzes with questions, Munroe's book may calm the noise. He's done all the hard work for you * SHORTLIST *If you're the kind of person whose brain whizzes with questions, Munroe's book may calm the noise. He's done all the hard work for you * SHORTLIST *XKCD is nerd royalty, the alpha dork, there's no geek more widely cited and loved * BEN GOLDACRE, author of BAD SCIENCE *XKCD is nerd royalty, the alpha dork, there's no geek more widely cited and loved * BEN GOLDACRE, author of BAD SCIENCE *XKCD is nerd royalty, the alpha dork, there's no geek more widely cited and loved * BEN GOLDACRE, author of BAD SCIENCE *It's totally brilliant and everyone who matters already knows that! * TIM HARFORD, THE UNDERCOVER ECONOMIST *It's totally brilliant and everyone who matters already knows that! * TIM HARFORD, THE UNDERCOVER ECONOMIST *It's totally brilliant and everyone who matters already knows that! * TIM HARFORD, THE UNDERCOVER ECONOMIST *Education should aim to teach people to reason confidently about problems that they have never come across before. This book is a great deal of fun, and a masterclass in such reasoning. Like all the best lessons, you only realise you've learnt something once you've finished it * The Economist *Education should aim to teach people to reason confidently about problems that they have never come across before. This book is a great deal of fun, and a masterclass in such reasoning. Like all the best lessons, you only realise you've learnt something once you've finished it * The Economist *Education should aim to teach people to reason confidently about problems that they have never come across before. This book is a great deal of fun, and a masterclass in such reasoning. Like all the best lessons, you only realise you've learnt something once you've finished it * The Economist *Dangerously absorbing . . . if you have ever been gripped by an insatiable, preposterous intellectual curiosity (regardless of actual scientific knowledge), I could not think of a better book to keep you from doing that essay for an extra hour or two * Varsity *Dangerously absorbing . . . if you have ever been gripped by an insatiable, preposterous intellectual curiosity (regardless of actual scientific knowledge), I could not think of a better book to keep you from doing that essay for an extra hour or two * Varsity *Dangerously absorbing . . . if you have ever been gripped by an insatiable, preposterous intellectual curiosity (regardless of actual scientific knowledge), I could not think of a better book to keep you from doing that essay for an extra hour or two * Varsity *The reader is left constantly subject to outbursts of laughter, lin­gering doubts concerning the sanity of the human race, and an ever-growing fascination with the way our world and the universe works . . . Though science geeks will be the first to acknowledge Munroe's greatness, even people suffering from a chronic hatred towards anything concerned with math will find the humour and absurdity of What If? hard to resist * The Student *The reader is left constantly subject to outbursts of laughter, lin­gering doubts concerning the sanity of the human race, and an ever-growing fascination with the way our world and the universe works . . . Though science geeks will be the first to acknowledge Munroe's greatness, even people suffering from a chronic hatred towards anything concerned with math will find the humour and absurdity of What If? hard to resist * The Student *The reader is left constantly subject to outbursts of laughter, lin­gering doubts concerning the sanity of the human race, and an ever-growing fascination with the way our world and the universe works . . . Though science geeks will be the first to acknowledge Munroe's greatness, even people suffering from a chronic hatred towards anything concerned with math will find the humour and absurdity of What If? hard to resist * The Student *Funny and fascinating: brilliant for dinner with mates * Graeme le Saux *Funny and fascinating: brilliant for dinner with mates * Graeme le Saux *Funny and fascinating: brilliant for dinner with mates * Graeme le Saux *It will satisfy the curious and arouse curiosity in anyone who's not - and it's got great jokes * Irish Times *It will satisfy the curious and arouse curiosity in anyone who's not - and it's got great jokes * Irish Times *It will satisfy the curious and arouse curiosity in anyone who's not - and it's got great jokes * Irish Times *An essential holiday companion * Nature *An essential holiday companion * Nature *An essential holiday companion * Nature *

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Book SynopsisThe classic bestseller from the star of Parts Unknown and No Reservations: 25th Anniversary edition, with a new introduction by Irvine Welsh.BEFORE THERE WAS THE BEAR, THERE WAS BOURDAIN.Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino' A.A. GillFantastic: as lip-smackingly seductive as a bowl of fat chips and pungent aioli' Daily TelegraphAfter twenty-five years of sex, drugs, bad behaviour and haute cuisine, chef and novelist Anthony Bourdain decided to tell all and he meant all.From his first oyster in the Gironde as a child, to his lowly position as a dishwasher in a honky-tonk fish restaurant in Provincetown; from the kitchen of the Rainbow Room atop the Rockefeller Center to drug dealers in the East Village, from Tokyo to Paris and back to New York again, Bourdain's tales of the kitchen are as passionate as they are unpredictable, as shocking as they are funny.Kitchen Confidential will make your mouth water and your belly ache with laughter and leave you wanting more.Compelling with its intriguing mix of clever writing and kitchen patois more horrifically gripping than a Stephen King novel' Sunday TimesExtraordinary written with a clarity and a clear-eyed wit to put the professional food-writing fraternity to shame' Observer

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Book SynopsisThe million-copy bestselling phenomenon: a funny, moving, uplifting tale of love and community that will leave you with a spring in your step. Now a major film starring Tom HanksTrade ReviewDelightful ... the perfect holiday read. * Evening Standard *It's the most enchanting, beautiful tale. -- Ben FogleA warm and tender story about love, loss and second chances, peppered with memorable characters, wonderful set pieces and some beautifully black humour. Ove is a joy from start to finish. -- Gavin Extence, author of The Universe versus Alex WoodsAn uplifting, life-affirming and often comic tale of how kindness, love and happiness can be found in the most unlikely places. * Sunday Express *A charming debut. * People *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE THURBER PRIZEThe compelling, inspiring, (often comic) coming-of-age story of Trevor Noah, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.One of the comedy world''s brightest new voices, Trevor Noah is a light-footed but sharp-minded observer of the absurdities of politics, race and identity, sharing jokes and insights drawn from the wealth of experience acquired in his relatively young life. As host of the US hit show The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, he provides viewers around the globe with their nightly dose of biting satire, but here Noah turns his focus inward, giving readers a deeply personal, heartfelt and humorous look at the world that shaped him. Noah was born a crime, son of a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother, at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents'' indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the first Trade ReviewAn engaging, fast-paced and vivid read . . . Essential reading not only because it is a personal story of survival, leavened with insight and wit, but because it does more to expose apartheid - its legacy, its pettiness, its small-minded stupidity and its damage - than any other recent history book or academic text * GUARDIAN *It's no surprise that Trevor Noah, the slyly suave successor to Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show, should write a smart book. But 'smart' doesn't begin to cover what he pulls off in Born a Crime . . . Noah's memoir is extraordinary . . . essential reading on every level. It's hard to imagine anyone else doing a finer job of it * SEATTLE TIMES *Powerful... The story of his life is full of chase scenes in which he runs, hell for leather, from spankings, from the long arm of the law, and from the swinging fist of his stepfather... a unique perspective * THE TIMES *A soul-nourishing pleasure, even with all its darker edges and perilous turns, reading Noah recount in brisk, warmly conversational prose how he learned to negotiate his way through the bullying and ostracism . . . is an enormous gift * USA TODAY *A BOOK TO READ NOW * WALL STREET JOURNAL *A memoir with heft... The interracial coupling that produced him really was a crime, making him an outsider. But he thrives with the help of his astonishingly fearless mother. (At one point she tosses him from a moving car -- driven by gangsters -- to save his life.) However brutal South African history is, their fierce bond makes this story soar * PEOPLE, Best New Books *Noah has a real story to tell -- and tells it well... A little scary, but trust me -- it's funny * NEWSDAY *An affecting memoir. . . a love letter to his mother * WASHINGTON POST *Mind-blowing as f*** * COSMOPOLITAN *Noah proves a gifted storyteller, deftly lacing his poignant tales with amusing irony * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *Incisive, funny, and vivid, these staggering true tales are anchored to Noah's portrait of his courageous, rebellious, and religious mother who defied racially restrictive laws to secure an education and a career for herself - and to have a child with a white Swiss/German even though sex between whites and blacks was illegal. . . . Trevor Noah's electrifying memoir sparkles with funny stories . . . and his candid and compassionate essays deepen our perception of the complexities of race, gender, and class * BOOKLIST *A gritty memoir . . . studded with insight and provocative social criticism . . . and brilliant storytelling and acute observations * KIRKUS *Sharp, at times harrowing ... The Daily Show host Trevor Noah reveals his coming-of-age as the son of protective interracial parents in apartheid South Africa * HARPER'S BAZAAR *Humble, candid and funny * ELLE (South Africa) *Thoughtful, observant and empathetic...a warm and human story of the type we will need to survive the Trump presidency's imminent freezing of humane values * MAIL & GUARDIAN (South Africa) *Compelling . . . By turns alarming, sad, and funny, his book provides a harrowing look through the prism of Noah's family, at life in South Africa under apartheid and the country's lurching entry into a post-apartheid era in the 1990s . . . Born a Crime is not just an unnerving account of growing up in South Africa under apartheid, but a love letter to the author's remarkable mother -- Michiko Katutani * New York Times *Treats what could be a dark topic with humour and light. * Oyinkan Braithwaite, author of My Sister the Serial Killer *

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Book SynopsisTed has co-starred in BBC2's Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing since Series 3 and is now an integral part of the popular show, keeping Bob and Paul on their toes. He is mostly Patterdale Terrier although a DNA test revealed some surprising results. He is 12 years old and lives in Surrey but travels a lot with his fishing work. This is his first book.Ted's trusted co-author Lisa Clark has been producing entertainment and comedy shows for over 30 years from The Big Breakfast and Don't Forget Your Toothbrush, to Shooting Stars, Vic & Bob's House of Fools and Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing since it began in 2018. Lisa lives with Ted, a Briard called Bo, her current husband, Dan, and occasionally her sons, Jon-Joe and Archie.

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Book SynopsisAs every dog owner knows, man's best friend is a complex bundle of appetites, instincts and winsome wiles. Few first-time owners will realise, however, quite what they are taking on. But Thelwell's comic compendium will explain everything you need to know and provide a new leash of life.Trade Review"'The master English cartoonist ... a laugh a page' Publishers' Weekly"

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Book SynopsisDr Tim Benson is Britain's leading authority on political cartoons. He runs the Political Cartoon Gallery and Café which is located near the River Thames in Putney. He has produced numerous books on the history of cartoons, including Giles's War, Churchill in Caricature, Low and the Dictators, The Cartoon Century: Modern Britain through the Eyes of Its Cartoonists, Drawing the Curtain: The Cold War in Cartoons and Over the Top: A Cartoon History of Australia at War.

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Book SynopsisThe 8th book in the bestselling DOG MAN series from Dav Pilkey!

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Book SynopsisThe SIXTH book in the hilarious series from the creator of Captain Underpants! Is Dog Man bad to the bone? The heroic hound is sent to the pound for a crime he didn't commit! While his pals work to prove his innocence, Dog Man struggles to find his place among dogs and people. Being a part of both worlds, will he ever fit in with one?

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Book SynopsisThis book is a light-hearted look at life in the city of Bath in Roman times, almost two thousand years ago. Back then, the city was called Aquae Sulis (the Waters of Sul). Sul being a local goddess sacred to the tribe who lived in this region.Although the Tales and most of the characters are fictitious, the general facts about the Romans are true. Details about how they lived, what they believed, their rituals, the medicines they used (prepare to be revolted!), what they ate and what they wore have been gleaned from many reliable sources.The stories are mostly irreverent because, despite the Romans achieving many great things, the people themselves could be quite obnoxious! They kept slaves, slaughtered people and animals in the arena just for fun, and subjugated other nations in order to expand their Empire.Hence, these Tales generally poke fun at the Romans, many of whom were illiterate or semi-literate which often had dire consequences, as the Tales reveal.I hope you enjoy reading about life in Aquae Sulis and perhaps learn some little-known facts and even a bit of Latin!

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Book SynopsisBuild yourself a box and think outside of it. Your time starts now …In the TV show and on my marriage certificate, my job description is ‘Taskmaster’s Assistant’. That’s what I do and it’s an honour. I like Taskmaster a lot. And, of course, I love The Taskmaster. He’s mountainous. If you feel in any way the same as me then you should enjoy this paperback version of the official Taskmaster book.There are tasks for you, your friends and your family. There are new tasks, secret things and sneaky tricks. And there is one swear word. So it’s almost exactly like being on the show.Good luck. Make good choices. Let’s do Him proud.Alex HorneTaskmaster’s Assistant

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Book SynopsisLoosen up with a smile on your face... Marion Deuchars has practiced yoga for many years, and well knows the benefits it brings. Now she shares that passion with her illustrated character Bob the Bird, whose expressive poses will charm you into a reviving session of yoga breathing, stretching, posing, and mindfulness. Yoga for Stiff Birds rejects the clichés of studio photography in favour of a more immediate, inviting, look. With a few brush strokes Marion helps Bob into every position from the downward-facing dog to the tree; both useful and inspiring, her art will raise a smile, whether you’re a regular practitioner or a yoga novice, and will encourage even the creakiest reader to breathe, stretch, and bend like they never have before.

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Book SynopsisFrom the Oscar-nominated screenwriter (When Harry Met Sally) and successful director (Sleepless in Seattle), Nora Ephron comes a bittersweet autobiographical book about love and loss. Published as part of a beautifully designed series to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Virago Modern Classics.Trade ReviewI am not a great reader of comic novels, but Ephron's hilarious, recipe-strewn, semi-autobiographical account of a heavily pregnant woman whose husband has left her for a woman with a 'neck as long as an arm' is a treat. A perfect example of Ephron's gift for turning tragedy into comedy, Heartburn is evidence that revenge is indeed a dish best served cold[Ephron] chatters up a storm, always on the verge of wisecracking up * Guardian *What really interested Ephron, for all her clever writing about food, politics and overcluttered purses, were matters of the heart. She is the exact opposite of Dorothy Parker. She is wit without cynicism, the ultimate romantic -- Gail Collins * New York Times *I have bought more copies of this book to give to people, in a frenzy of enthusiasm, than any other . . . Heartburn is the perfect, bittersweet, sobbingly funny, all-too-true confessional novel. There is not a wrong word - about food, marriage, life, love, lossFull of cynicism and gags, this autobiographical novel is comic writing at its finest -- Andrew Billen * The Times *Heartburn took the most miserable personal situation and made it hysterically funny, inspiring and utterly relatable to women of all ages. I became obsessed with its author and thinly disguised heroine * Stylist *Heartburn is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking and as brittle (very) as it is steely (even more)It is snortingly funny in its depiction of the death throes of a relationship. And it bursts with recipes. What more could you ask for?Not just the funniest novel ever written about divorce, but the funniest novel ever. Only the truly talented make writing as good as this look easy -- Hadley Freeman * The Week *I kept a copy of Nora Ephron's Heartburn next to me as a reminder of how to be funny and truthful, and all I ended up doing was ignoring my writing and rereading Heartburn -- Amy PoehlerThe real magic of the novel comes from Ephron's nonchalant conversationalism -- Helen Rosner * New Yorker *Simply one of the greatest novels involving food ever written from the writer of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. It's about love, sex, adultery and key lime pie -- Jay RaynerThis book taught me about love, loss and writing. It's a timeless classic * Independent *

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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 SynopsisBrian Bilston has been described as Twitter's unofficial Poet Laureate. With over 400,000 followers on social media, Brian has become truly beloved by the online community. He has published collections of poetry, You Took the Last Bus Home; Alexa, what is there to know about love?; and Days Likes These. His novel Diary of a Somebody was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award. He has also published a collection of football poetry, 50 Ways to Score a Goal, and his acclaimed poem Refugees has been made into an illustrated book for children.Trade ReviewBrian Bilston is a laureate for our fractured times -- Ian McMillanBilston is a magician with words * The Guardian *Part John Cooper Clarke, part Frank Sidebottom . . . brilliant * Esquire *

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Book SynopsisThis omnibus edition - now in hardback - contains much of Norman Thelwell's invaluable advice to aspiring equestrians on how to get into the saddle and stay there; each item illustrated with inimitable and deadly clarity. From the first publication of Angels on Horseback in 1957, the Thelwell pony entered the language and the libraries of horse-lovers everywhere. The angels in Angels on Horseback are children, but there is plenty here about their parents. Both for those who know Thelwell, and for those who have not met him before, this book is a savoury at all times but especially after attending a gymkhana. Since their debut appearance in Punch over sixty years ago, Norman Thelwell's cartoons and drawings have delighted millions of people all over the world. His portrayals of sporting pursuits, human beings at play, the life of the countryside and, of course, ponies, are the products of a unique comic genius.

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Book SynopsisSunday Times bestseller and The Times #1 bestsellerA Between The Covers Book Club Pick 2023Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2019Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2019Winner of the 2019 LA Times Award for Best Crime ThrillerCapital Crime Debut Author of the Year 2019__________'A literary sensation'Guardian'A bombshell of a book... Sharp, explosive, hilarious' New York Times'Glittering and funny... A stiletto slipped between the ribs and through the left ventricle of the heart' Financial Times__________When Korede's dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what's expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This'll be the third boyfriend Ayoola's dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede's long been in love with him, and isn't prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other...Trade ReviewPulpy, peppery and sinister... This scorpion-tailed little thriller leaves a response, and a sting, you will remember. * New York Times *A literary sensation * Guardian *A sensational debut * Observer, Debut's of 2019 *Fiendishly talented * The Times *Hilarious, disturbing, and so much fun to read. * Elle, Books to watch in 2019 *Utterly addictive and a pure joy to read * Stylist *A bombshell of a book - sharp, explosive, hilarious * New York Times Book Review *Feverishly hot * Paula Hawkins, author of 'The Girl on the Train' *Lethally elegant -- Luke Jennings, author of Killing Eve: Codename VillanelleDelightfully naughty... The wittiest and most fun murder party you've ever been invited to. * Samantha Irby, Marie Claire *Disturbing, sly and delicious * Ayobami Adebayo, author of 'Stay with Me' *Riveting, brutally hilarious, ultra-dark novel... A delicious tale. * Nylon *An ideal book for the present moment * Washington Post *This book is amazing, and every woman should read it in public. While cackling. * Lit Hub, Book of the Year 2018 *A deliciously kitschy thriller... Murderously good fun * Tatler, Best Books of 2019 *You can't help flying through the pages * Buzzfeed, Book of the Year 2018 *Inventive and darkly comic * Daily Mail *A stiletto slipped between the ribs and through the left ventricle of the heart * Financial Times *Oyinkan Braithwaite is rewriting the slasher novel, and man, does it look good... A terrific and clever novel about sisterhood * Refinery29 *A gem: small, hard, sharp, and polished to perfection * Edgar Cantero, author of 'Meddling Kids' *Sly, risky, and filled with surprises * Idra Novey, author of 'Ways to Disappear' *Bursting with chutzpah and laced with deadpan wit * Liz Jensen, author of 'The Ninth Life of Louis Drax' *Blazing... Bitingly funny and brilliantly executed * Publishers Weekly, (starred review) *Dark, scathing, insidious, and wickedly funny * Crimereads *Deftly written... pointy and sleek * The i *A comically clever and exciting debut * The Skinny *A short, sharp and sinister sister act, told with plenty of mordant humour * Irish Independent *A darkly funny romp * Big Issue *That dark humour will stay with you long after you've put down the book * Scotsman *Leaves you torn between laughing, crying, and immediately going out and resisting the patriarchy * Vogue *[A] glittering noirish comedy. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisDiscover important tips, thoughts, opinions, quotes, complaints, and basic philosophical misunderstandings in this profound collection of Pigeon-isms. This 80-page, gift-sized collector's title features all-new original art along with big (and little) Pigeon-y tidbits to ponder.

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Book Synopsis**THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER** a comic about dinosaurs navigating the complexities of life, together

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Book SynopsisThis takes the form of Tom's battered homework diary - crammed with his doodles and stories. "No school for two whole weeks! (Yeah!) I can forget ALL about lessons (and irritating things like Marcus Meldrew). And concentrate on good stuff like: Inventing new ways to annoy my sister Delia. Band practice for DOGZOMBIES (with my mate Derek)..."

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Book SynopsisA brand new book from Square Peg coming soon in September 2020

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Book SynopsisThe world's most beloved beagle shares his philosophy on life in this beautifully produced gift book for all generations. In his inimitable style, Snoopy spends his days extolling the virtues of dancing, hanging out with his best bird friend Woodstock, pursuing a full supper dish and giving his owner - our favourite lovable loser, Charlie Brown - the run-around. For the millions of faithful Charles Schulz fans, and those who fondly remember the joyful dog with the wild imagination, this is the first in a new series to cherish that will see the beguiling Peanuts gang share their sentiments on everything from food to friendship.Trade ReviewForget Wittgenstein and Sartre, the great 20th Century philosopher was Snoopy * * Daily Mail * *Snoopy: the protean trickster whose freedom is founded on his confidence that he's lovable at heart, the quick-change artist who, for the sheer joy of it, can become a helicopter or a hockey player or Head Beagle and then again, in a flash, before his virtuosity has a chance to alienate you or diminish you, be the eager little dog who just wants dinner -- JONATHAN FRANZENIt's impossible to think of another popular art form that reaches across generations the way the daily comic strip does . . . at the pinnacle of that long tradition, there was Charles Schulz * * Seattle Times * *Charles Schulz was a great artist and philosopher . . . he teaches all ages that if you can learn to laugh at the things that cause you the most pain you will be the strongest of all. Peanuts: a real way of life -- JOHN WATERSThe world of Peanuts is a microcosm, a little human comedy for the innocent reader and for the sophisticated -- UMBERTO ECOCharles Schulz was an American treasure - an artist, philosopher, and keen observer of human life -- BILL CLINTON

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Book Synopsis**The First Ever Maths Book to be a No.1 Bestseller**''Wonderful ... superb'' Daily MailWhat makes a bridge wobble when it''s not meant to? Billions of dollars mysteriously vanish into thin air? A building rock when its resonant frequency matches a gym class leaping to Snap''s 1990 hit I''ve Got The Power? The answer is maths. Or, to be precise, what happens when maths goes wrong in the real world.As Matt Parker shows us, our modern lives are built on maths: computer programmes, finance, engineering. And most of the time this maths works quietly behind the scenes, until ... it doesn''t. Exploring and explaining a litany of glitches, near-misses and mishaps involving the internet, big data, elections, street signs, lotteries, the Roman empire and a hapless Olympic shooting team, Matt Parker shows us the bizarre ways maths trips us up, and what this reveals about its essential place in our world.Mathematics doesn''t have good ''people skills'', but we would all be better off, he argues, if we saw it as a practical ally. This book shows how, by making maths our friend, we can learn from its pitfalls. It also contains puzzles, challenges, geometric socks, jokes about binary code and three deliberate mistakes. Getting it wrong has never been more fun.Trade ReviewMatt Parker has pulled off something wonderful . . . his stories are superb. -- Marcus Berkmann * The Daily Mail *Parker is consistently very funny . . . highly entertaining. * The Guardian *Numbers to die for. Four stars. -- Simon Griffith * Mail on Sunday *Bought it yesterday, enjoying it enormously, well done! -- Dara Ó Briain * Twitter *I just finished the new book by irrepressible maths enthusiast @standupmaths, and it's GREAT! -- Adam Savage, ex-host of 'Mythbusters' * Twitter *An entertaining and often alarming journey through the numerical blunders made over the years. * The Big Issue *Very funny. . . a compendium of stories about mathematical failures; some are amusing, others alarming, as in the case of the passenger aircraft that ran out of fuel because it had been measured in the wrong units * Telegraph Books of the Year *The surprise bestseller that makes maths fun * Sunday Times Magazine *Fun, informative, and relentlessly entertaining, Humble Pi is a charming and very readable guide to some of humanity's all-time greatest miscalculations - that also gives you permission to feel a little better about some of your own mistakes -- Ryan North, author of How to Invent Everything

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Book SynopsisHop into this uplifting little book, filled with positive affirmations on self-love and empowerment, as told by the internet's beloved mushroom frog "Don't forget about the subtle magic that is happening all around you every day" Meet the little frog! With its mushroom cap and endless collection of fabulous footwear, this adorable amphibian is here to be your new best friend. Whether you need an emotional boost, some friendly encouragement or an honest view on the world, the little frog will be your guide. Created by the California-based artist Maybell Eequay, this book is a perfect compassionate gift for yourself or others. Inside you will find:- Over 40 hand-drawn illustrations of the little frog- Beautiful life lessons and empowering reminders that it's okay to be gentle with yourself and to feel your feelings- A humorous, no-nonsense approach to positivityThese illustrations will fill your heart with love for yourself and others, and remind you that it's brave and wonderful of you to exist!

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Book SynopsisGoat and animal lovers: Celebrate your favorite internet sensation with this hilarious, one-of-a-kind mini screaming goat!Specifications: Your new goat companion is 3 inches and sits on a tree stump base; when you give him a gentle press, he delivers an incredibly lifelike goat screamIncludes Mini Book: Also includes a mini illustrated pocket guide of fun facts and trivia about everyone's favorite farm animalPerfect Gag Gift: A good stress reliever and the perfect gift for your White Elephant party and gift exchanges, birthdays, or any other occasionFun for All: Bring a little humor and joy to your home, office, or dorm room with this hysterical yelling goat

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Book SynopsisBrilliantly whimsical yet oddly informative, TheOatmeal.com is an entertainment site full of comics, quizzes, and stories. Matthew Inman, creator of TheOatmeal.com, is a king of all trades when it comes to the Web. He writes, draws, and codes everything on the site, and his viral marketing skills make the site a huge success. How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill Youis a very funny, creative selection of comics, facts, and instructional guides, which all stem from the creative wonderland at TheOatmeal.com. The book will be designed to create suspense/anticipation with page turns analogous to the experience of scrolling down through the panels on the website. For example, Cat vs. Internet will use page turns to draw out the reader''s anticipation of what the crafty kitty might do next to get attention from his Internet-fixated owner. Other favourite cat comics include How to Pet a Kitty, The Bobcats, and 17 Things Worth Knowing About Your Cat. A pull-out poster will be incTrade Review"Forget zombies. A terrible menace looms: the purring furball. Fortunately, How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You reveals the coming kitty apocalypse." (Deirdre Donahue, USA Today)"The Oatmeal is itself an online sensation and Inman a web comics superstar, making this a surefire winner." (Publishers Weekly)"The Oatmeal is one of the funniest and most creative sites on the Web. It mixes the absurd with the educational with the silly to get a site that appeals to all ages and types." (The Huffington Post)

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Book SynopsisAdrian Bliss is a creator, writer and performer from London, best known for his comedy sketches which, explore everything from history to natural science to religion. Adrian's work has earned him nearly 20 million followers across social media and has been featured in CNN, The Times and Vogue. Adrian was named one of the New Faces of Comedy at Just For Laughs, and his one-man play Inside Everyone sold out its debut run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival prior to opening.

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Book SynopsisWhat if there's a hidden dimension to Donald Trump; a sensitive, poetic side? Driven by this question, Rob Sears began combing Trump's words for signs of poetry.What he found was a revelation. By simply taking the 45th President of the United States' tweets and transcripts, cutting them up and reordering them, Sears unearthed a trove of beautiful verse that was just waiting to be discovered.This groundbreaking collection gives readers a glimpse of Trump's innermost thoughts and feelings on everything from the nature of truth, to what he hates about Lord Sugar. And it will reveal a hitherto hidden Donald, who may surprise and delight both students and critics alike.Now with seventeen all-new poems! As we lurch deeper into the Trump presidency, this timely publication also includes Sears' scholarly footnotes and introduction, in which he excavates new critical angles and insights into the President's poetry which the casual reader might initially overlook.Trade ReviewA triumph * * Telegraph * *Hilarious -- STEWART LEEThis is great * * Peter Serafinowicz * *I'm very highly educated. I know words, I know the best words -- DONALD TRUMP, Campaign rally, 30 Dec 2015

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAn hilarious companion volume to Thelwell's MAGNIFICAT.

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Book SynopsisDesperate Times is the brilliant and unfl inching new collection of sketches of contemporary political life by The Times's master of satire, Peter Brookes. Within these pages, the multiple winner of the British Press Awards Cartoonist of the Year showcases the standout pieces from his political cartoons in The Times, up to the minute and breathtaking in their bite and wit. Cataloguing two of the most turbulent years on record, Desperate Times provides an unsparing critique of political leaders and events at home and abroad. From Brexit and Megxit to Trump's departure and the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, this collection of exquisitely crafted cartoons provides vivid proof, were it needed, that we are indeed living through desperate times.Trade Review"Brilliant ... As we approach a forlorn, empty-shelved Christmas, buy this book as presents for your friends – it will make them laugh in this Brexit bleak midwinter." - Lord Baker, The House Magazine

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Book SynopsisSimon Heffer was born in 1960. He read English at Cambridge and took a PhD in modern history at that university. His previous books include: Moral Desperado: A Life of Thomas Carlyle, Like the Roman: The Life of Enoch Powell, Power and Place: The Political Consequences of King Edward VII, Nor Shall My Sword: The Reinvention of England, Vaughan Williams, Strictly English, A Short History of Power, Simply English and High Minds: The Victorians and the Birth of Modern Britain. In a thirty-year career in Fleet Street, he has held senior editorial positions on The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator, and is now a columnist for The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph.

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Book SynopsisTHE HILARIOUS, MUST-HAVE HANDBOOK FOR ANYONE WHO HAS HAD TO ENDURE THE BULLSH*T OF THE MODERN WORKING WORLD. Are you a total failure at work? Do you struggle with simple tasks like using the phrase moving forward in every email? Have you never used the word synergies in a LinkedIn post? You need W*nkernomics.Picture the scene. You''re sitting in a meeting at work. Your colleagues are deep in serious discussion. Terry says he wants an end-to-end, digital-first solution by COB Friday. Fiona says she''ll have to take that offline and circle back later. And then quite suddenly, you catch yourself thinking, ''hang on... what the f*ck are they talking about?'' Like, seriously, what do those words even mean?W*nkernomics is for anyone who has ever been told to reach out, touch base, drill down, or optimise their ducks on the same songsheet. Learn how to:* Navigate endless meetings* Master passive aggressive emails* Outmanoeuvre your colleagues with nothing more than an obnoxious LinkedIn profile, a pack of Post-it Notes and the phrase ''circle back''.W*nkernomics will help you navigate workplace hell like a boss.

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