Humour Books

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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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Legendary cricket broadcaster Henry Blofeld takes the reader on a journey from A-Z through the world of cricket. In his trademark charming style, Blowers goes through the alphabet, explaining some of the puzzling cricket terminology and regaling his favourite anecdotes from his fifty years in the sport, covering the most important moments in the sport's history as well as the most entertaining and amusing. The book will also contain a glossary for those who want to make sure they know their googlys from their bouncers. This gift book is perfect for fans of cricket who want to understand the sport from Henry's unique point of view, it is a humorous and entertaining jaunt through the cricket landscape.

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Book SynopsisEntertaining and packed full of time-saving tips, Outwitting Housework is an essential guide to making your house gleam without breaking a sweat. Household expert Barty Phillips shares her clever tips for avoiding chores wherever possible, revealing her sanity-saving shortcuts and creative advice for keeping those boring tasks to a minimum.Discover what basic tools of the trade you need and how to use them to bring sparkle, shine and a sense of calm to your home. Learn how to do effective minimal tidying, train errant family members and engage technology to help save you even more effort. Armed with these cunning and creative stratagems, you’ll soon be drying off those rubber gloves and doing something much more fun instead.

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Book SynopsisA hilarious comic collection by Susie Yi, creator of the Instagram sensation Cat and Cat Comics.Our feline friends can be quite mysterious, but you're about to get a front-row seat to their innermost thoughts. Learn how cats train their humans, what they get up to when you're at work, the precise number of seconds they will permit you to pet them for and what they really think of your singing.Organised into sections, the comics provide humans with insight into cat love, cat demands, cat judgements, cat schedules, cat wisdom, cat ego, cat gratitude, cat physics and cat relationships.This purrfect collection of Cat and Cat Comics is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and generally improve your day.

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Book SynopsisThis frank and hilarious illustrated gift book is the perfect guide to why your cat thinks you are an idiot You dote on your fluffy feline, but it may feel like the relationship is a little one-sided at times. Whether it's the judgemental stares or the cold shoulders, sometimes your cat doesn't seem to have the same enthusiasm for you as you do for them. If you're wondering why they treat you this way, allow this book to explain; your cat thinks you're a fool! Filled with witty original illustrations, this book offers many reasons why your pampered puss thinks you're ridiculous and why they're in charge. From following you into the bathroom to knocking things off shelves, gain insight into the mind of your moggy and allow them to explain why they act the way they do.Perfect for any cat lovers, or long-suffering owners, this book reveals the truth: your cat just thinks you are an idiot.

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Book SynopsisA quirky and light-hearted story featuring the lovable Ralf the Cockapoo, a real dog from Chichester.

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Book SynopsisDogs throughout history have enjoyed a special relationship with humankind, and our favourite four-legged creatures continue to grow in popularity. The writers and poets collected within this anthology reflect on the joys and pitfalls of dog ownership with brilliant wit, insight, and affection. From Roald Amundsen’s account of using and eating sled dogs in his expedition to the South Pole, to J.R. Ackerley’s tender portrayal of his ill-behaved dog Tulip, ON DOGS traces the canine’s journey from working animal to pampered pet. With a humorous introduction by Tracey Ullman (an inveterate adopter of strays), and 6 characterful dog portraits by animal photographer Rhian ap Gruffydd and a cover image by Picasso of his dog Lump. Contributors include Alice Walker, Charles Dickens, James Thurber, Miranda Hart, Brigitte Bardot, A.A. Gill, David Sedaris, Barbara Woodhouse, and many more.Trade Review"The infectious joy of dogs figures large in On Dogs: An Anthology, introduced by the actor and comedian Tracey Ullman. Although she is a devoted dog-lover…the selections in the anthology are not all feel-good. S everal are dark or poignant pieces on a dog’s death; others offer sour or sardonic comments on pet dogs. The collection is an eclectic mixture drawn from fiction, poems, anecdotes, and scientific or philosophical essays….It is… an enjoyable collection in which many aspects of our complex relationship with dogs are touched on.” — David E. Cooper, The TLS “This heartwarming compendium includes short essays, stories, reflections and poetry from note- worthy writers ranging from Virginia Woolf and David Sedaris to Shakespeare and Brigitte Bardot. A linen-bound hardcover sized to fit perfectly in the hand, it’s ideal for gift-giving.” — The Bark “Introduced by Tracey Ullman, this elegant, pocketsize tribute to our most loyal friends is realised in excerpts from novels, poems and literary theory.” — Louise Darblay, Art ReviewTable of ContentsContributors: Shakespeare, Alice Walker, Charles Dickens, Alexandre Dumas, James Thurber, Miranda Hart, Roald Amundsen, Will Self, Roger Scruton, Mikhail Bulgakov, J.M. Barrie, Jack London, Barbara Woodhouse, Lord Byron, Brigitte Bardot, A.A. Gill, J.R. Ackerley, Jack London, John Steinbeck, David Sedaris, Virginia Woolf, Attila Jozsef, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Dr Temple Grandin, Vita Sackville-West, Barbara Woodhouse, George Catlin, Elizabeth Gaskill, Kathryn Hughes, David Redmalm, Father Mark Osborne, Heli Chatelain, Eileen Battersby, Wislawa Szymborska & the Dowager Empress of China Tzu-his.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe University of Hard Knocks by means of Ralph Parlette is a timeless piece of inspiring writing that tells readers to look the difficult matters that happen in their lives as training with a purpose to assist them discover happiness. Ralph Parlette is an American lecturer and stand-up comedian who makes use of a friendly and humorous style to share deep thoughts on private growth. The suitable metaphor of the University of Hard Knocks suggests that screw ups and problems are like difficult education which could cause boom, resilience, and self-discovery. Parlette says that going through difficult occasions head-on and studying from them is an important a part of reaching one's full capability. Parlette talks approximately the commonplace human revel in of getting beyond troubles the use of a combination of stories, witty notes, and beneficial facts. He talks plenty approximately how persistence can exchange matters and how you can learn treasured lessons from existence's problems. People who study the book are instructed to technique problems with a superb mind-set and notice them as necessary elements of the adventure to achievement and personal pleasure. The University of Hard Knocks remains considered a traditional within the field of self-help literature. It offers lasting advice and ideas to people who are trying to figure out a way to cope with the problems of life and flip hard conditions into possibilities for private and professional increase.

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Book SynopsisNew York Times best-seller!'Every one of these cartoons is just something that drifted into my head when I was alone with my thoughts. And, for better or worse, I 'jotted' them down. It was only later, when perhaps I received an angry letter from someone, that it struck me: Hey! Someone's been reading my diary!' --Gary Larson, from the preface to The Complete Far SideRevered by its fans as the funniest, most original, most 'What the ... ?'-inspiring cartoon ever, The Far Side debuted in January 1980 and enjoyed an illustrious 14 years on the world's comics pages until Gary Larson's retirement in 1994. The Complete Far Side celebrates Gary's twisted, irreverent genius in this ultimate Far Side book, a lavish production which takes its place alongside collector's-edition art books.A masterpiece of comic brilliance, The Complete Far Side contains every Far Side cartoon ever syndicated-over 4,000 if you must know-presented in (more or less) chronological order by year of publication, with more than 1,100 that have never before appeared in a book. Also included are additional Far Side cartoons Larson created after his retirement: 13 that appeared in the last Far Side book, Last Chapter and Worse, and six cartoons that periodically ran as a special feature in the New York Times Science Times section as The Far Side of Science. Creator Gary Larson offers a rare glimpse into the mind of The Far Side in quirky and thoughtful introductions to each of the 14 chapters. Complaint letters, fan letters, and queries from puzzled readers appear alongside some of the more provocative or elusive panels. Actor, author, and comedian Steve Martin offers his pithy thoughts in a foreword, and Gary Larson's former editor describes what it was like to be 'the guy who could explain every Far Side cartoon.'During its 14-year run, The Far Side was syndicated internationally to over 1,900 daily newspapers. It spawned 22 books and has been translated into a total of 17 different languages.For his work with The Far Side, Gary Larson received the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society in both 1991 and 1994. The National Cartoonists Society also named The Far Side Best Syndicated Panel in 1985 and 1987. In 1993, The Far Side was awarded the Max and Moritz Prize for Best International Comic Strip/Panel by the International Comics Salon. In 1995, Larson's animated film Gary Larson's Tales from The Far Side won the Grand Prix at the Annecy International Festival in Annecy, France. His second animated film, Gary Larson's Tales from The Far Side II, premiered in 1997 in the United States at the Telluride Film Festival and in Europe at the Venice International Film Festival.

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Book SynopsisHorrific and hilarious a dystopic vision of an England that would have given Orwell the heebie-jeebies' Independent''A brilliant work of satire'' The QuietusA SCARFOLK SANCTIONED BOOKAUTHORISED EDITION, AS SEEN ON THE RADIOThe Scarfolk Annual is the facsimile of a book discovered in a charity shop in the north west of England in August 2018. The shop, and indeed town, do not wish to be identified as they are keen to discourage the occult-totalitarian tourism' that as afflicted other areas of Britain as people hunt for further socio-archaeological traces of the mysterious, missing town of Scarfolk Britain's own Brutalist Atlantis.Apart from the archive of Scarfolk materials which was sent anonymously to the late Dr Ben Motte and formed the basis of the book Discovering Scarfolk, this children's annual is, to date, the only complete artefact from Scarfolk ever to be unearthed in the wild'.It's clear The Scarfolk Annual was not written to entertain children at Christmastime; its purposeTrade Review ‘The blackest of black humour. One of “the year's most essential books”’ Daily Mail ‘Horrific and hilarious… a dystopic vision of an England that would have given Orwell the heebie-jeebies’ Independent ‘Now you have a whole new reason to be scared. The Scarfolk Annual is essential reading’ Fortean Times ‘Hilarious. As on target and inventively addressed as anything in the Hitchhiker’s Guide series. [Littler] translates the sensibility to a 21st Century audience in a way that no other writer descended from [Douglas] Adams has come close to achieving’ The Beat ‘The syphilitic twin of Royston Vasey. Debauched and wrong and sickening and very very good’ Robin Ince ‘The Scarfolk Annual demands that you read it multiple times to decode every secret inside it. It’s so well-constructed that it will catch out those who only look at things for their face value. A brilliant work of satire’ The Quietus ‘Deceptively simple … an unpredictably wonderful, brilliant piece of political satire’ Boing Boing ‘One of the funniest things there is’ Mark Gatiss ‘Always a joy to see their little faces darken on the morning of December 25th when they unwrap the Scarfolk Annual’ Ian Rankin ‘It deserves to be discovered on bookshelves by poor unsuspecting souls for years to come’ We Are Cult ‘In these brain shattering days, Scarfolk is your guide and only friend … Bitingly funny, sometimes scary, and always brilliant’ Richard Kadrey, author of Sandman Slim ‘Funny nostalgia from a parallel universe not entirely unlike ours’ Al Murray ‘Not just a satirical look at the present via a warped nostalgic lens, but also a strangely beautiful graphic design object. Funny, creepy & an Orwellesque triumph of graphic design’ Anne Billson ‘Delightfully terrifying’ Gigslutz ‘Funny, bitter, weird and chilling in equal measure, and never less than witty and wonderful’ Warren Ellis

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER'A delight!' Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 2'Very entertaining.' Irish Times**From UKIP surge to Brexit shambles, horsemeat lasagne to Trump in the White House: bestselling comedian David Mitchell brilliantly tackles the dumbfounding times we live in.As facts are downgraded to opinions, as customers are preyed upon by algorithm-wielding websites, voters by targeted lies, cinema-goers by superheroes and children by measles, it is probably socially irresponsible even to try to cheer up.But if you're determined to give it a go, you might enjoy this eclectic collection (or eclection) of David Mitchell's attempts to make light of all that darkness. Scampi, politics, the Olympics, terrorism, condiments, proportional representation and rude street names are all touched upon by Mitchell's unremitting laser of chit-chat. Read this book and slightly change your life!

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Book SynopsisMen to Avoid in Art and Life pairs classical fine art with modern captions that epitomize the spirit of mansplaining.This hilarious book perfectly captures those relatable moments when a man explains to a woman a subject about which he knows considerably less than she does. Situations include men sharing keen insight on the female anatomy, an eloquent defense of catcalling, or offering sage advice about horseback riding to the woman who owns the horse. • These less qualified men of antiquity dish out mediocrity as if it's pure genius • For the women who have endured overbearing men over the centuries • Written with hilariously painful accuracy"Now, when you're riding a horse, you need to make sure to keep a good grip on the reins." "These are my horses."Through cringe-induced empathy, this timeless gift book of shared experiences unites women across history in one of the most powerful forms of resistance: laughter. • Started as a Twitter thread and quickly gained widespread popularity. • A great pick for a birthday or Galentine gift for a friend who needs a funny pick-me-up • Makes a perfect gift for women and feminists with a wry sense of humor, millennials, anyone who loves memes and Internet humor, as well as history and art buffs. • Add it to the shelf with books like Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit, Milk and Vine: Inspirational Quotes from Classic Vines by Emily Beck, and Awards For Good Boys: Tales Of Dating, Double Standards, And Doom by Shelby Lorman.

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Book SynopsisAre you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin... This hilarious book could save your career and get you the keys to the executive washroom! It is the ultimate guide to going to the toilet at work, and is filled with practical advice for dealing with all sorts of poop-related problems. What to do if: you are 'ill'; a colleague follows you into the bathroom; the flush doesn't work; no paper; no seat; your colleagues arrive; your phone rings; and many more real-life situations that are tough to cope with. All are complemented by useful diagrams. Table of ContentsIntroduction • The Golden Rules • Key to diagrams • Problems on the Way There • Problems on the Spot • Problems at Exit.

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Book SynopsisPeanuts is the most popular comic strip in the history of the world. Its characters - Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, and so many more - have become dearly loved icons for generation after generation. Now Charles Schulz's classic, Peanuts, will be reprinted in its entirety for the first time. In these beautifully produced editions, the strip will be presented in full in chronological order. They will be the ultimate books for Peanuts' fans the world over. These first volumes will be of particular fascination to Peanuts aficionados. Many of the strips from the series' first two or three years have never been collected before, in large part because they showed a young Schulz working out the kinks in his new strip. They include some characterizations and designs that are quite different from the cast we all know, including Snoopy's debut as a puppy!Trade ReviewThese timely re-issues illustrate not only the skill and subtle brilliance of his work but also the origins of the form beyond simple merriment. * * The List * *

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Book SynopsisVolume one of Spike Milligan''s legendary memoirs is a hilarious, subversive first-hand account of WW2''The most irreverent, hilarious book about the war that I have ever read'' Sunday Express''Close in stature to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear in his command of the profound art of nonsense'' Guardian______________''At Victoria station the R.T.O. gave me a travel warrant, a white feather and a picture of Hitler marked This is your enemy. I searched every compartment, but he wasn''t on the train . . .''In this, the first of Spike Milligan''s uproarious recollections of life in the army, our hero takes us from the outbreak of war in 1939 (''it must have been something we said''), through his attempts to avoid enlistment (''time for my appendicitis, I thought'') and his gunner training in Bexhill (''There was one drawback. No ammunition'') to the landing at Algiers in 1943 (''I closed my eyes andTrade ReviewThe most irreverent, hilarious book about the war that I have ever read * Sunday Express *Brilliant verbal pyrotechnics ... throwaway lines and marvelous anecdotes * Daily Mail *Desperately funny, vivid, vulgar * Sunday Times *Close in stature to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear in his command of the profound art of nonsense * Guardian *Milligan is the Great God to all of us -- John CleeseThe Godfather of Alternative Comedy -- Eddie IzzardThat absolutely glorious way of looking at things differently. A great man -- Stephen FryManifestly a genius, a comic surrealist genius and had no equal -- Terry WoganA totally original comedy writer -- Michael Palin

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Book SynopsisOur most cherished cartoon bird shares his wisdom on life in this beautifully produced gift book for all generations. From his perch on top of Snoopy's doghouse, Woodstock spends his days trying (and failing) to fly, falling in love with worms and striving to be an exemplary secretary to Snoopy. For the millions of faithful Charles Schulz fans, and those who fondly remember Snoopy's scrappy side-kick, 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 ReviewIt'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 an American treasure - an artist, philosopher, and keen observer of human life -- BILL CLINTONThe world of Peanuts is a microcosm, a little human comedy for the innocent reader and for the sophisticated -- UMBERTO ECOCharles 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 WATERS

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Book SynopsisHere’s an accusation – Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything. When it comes to language, it all depends on what your definition of ‘is’ is. And one for the existentialists – you haven’t lived until you think about death all the time. Daniel Klein and Thomas Cathcart take philosophy to task with flair and gusto in this wise and hilarious treasure of a book. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar... is an irreverent crash course through the great thinkers and traditions. It’s philosophy for everyone, from the curious layperson to the professor who’s seen it all. Klein and Cathcart have the knack of getting to the core of an issue in a crystal clear line, meaning there’s more room for jokes – good jokes, clever jokes, jokes that’ll have you laughing so hard the people nearby will shoot you strange looks. It’s the philosophy class you wish you’d had and finally, it all makes sense!Trade Review'A hoot'. * Times Literary Supplement *‘Cathcart and Klein know their stuff, and wear their learnedness lightly…I can’t help but love this book, and I have been quoting liberally from it.’ * Philosophy Now *‘What happens when you mix corny jokes, one-liners and vaudeville humour with some of life’s great lessons? You get an extraordinary read you’ll want to share with as many people as possible.’ * Orlando Sentinel *‘A hoot!’ * Chicago Sun-Times *

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Book Synopsis''Bill Bryson on two wheels'' IndependentScaling a new peak of rash over-ambition, Tim Moore tackles the 9,000km route of the old Iron Curtain on a tiny-wheeled, two-geared East German shopping bike. Asking for trouble and getting it, he sets off at the Arctic winter''s brutal height, bullying his plucky MIFA 900 through the endless and massively sub-zero desolation of snowbound Finland. Haunted throughout the journey by the border detritus of watchtowers and rusted razor wire, Moore reflects on the curdling of the Communist dream, and the memories of a Cold War generation reared on the fear of apocalypse - at a time of ratcheting East-West tension. After three months, 20 countries and a 58-degree jaunt up the centigrade scale, man and bike finally wobble up to a Black Sea beach in Bulgaria, older and wiser, but mainly older.Trade ReviewOne hundred per cent self-inflicted … Beyond stupid … It's hilarious. -- Adrian Chiles * Radio 5 Live *Bill Bryson on two wheels. * Independent *The world's funniest travel writer. * Observer *A good, entertaining writer, laugh-out-loud funny in parts. * Irish Independent *It’s a hoot. -- Michael Kerr * Daily Telegraph, Book of the Year *It’s a hoot. -- Michael Kerr * Daily Telegraph, Book of the Year *

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Book SynopsisThe Peanuts gang celebrate the highs and lows of friendship in this beautifully produced gift book for all generations. Friendship can come in many guises and in this addition to the Peanuts Guide to Life series we learn from Linus that man's best friend is perhaps his blanket, Snoopy shows us that happiness is a thoughtful friend who brings supper and Lucy teaches us that a little friendly criticism can go a long way. But most of all, we learn that friendship is being one of the gang.Trade ReviewIt'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 an American treasure - an artist, philosopher, and keen observer of human life -- BILL CLINTONThe world of Peanuts is a microcosm, a little human comedy for the innocent reader and for the sophisticated -- UMBERTO ECOI became obsessed by it. The obvious thing is the wit, and the irony, but there's also a sort of spiritual simplicity in Woodstock and Snoopy, silent clowns who have the deepest thoughts about the human conundrum. And the set-up of the boy who always underachieves and his dog who's brilliant at everything - it's hilarious. We all went to school with a Lucy, or a Linus, or a Pigpen -- JUDE LAW * * Daily Telegraph * *Charles Schulz was, plain and simple, a great artist and philosopher . . . But most importantly, 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 WATERS

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Book SynopsisDiscover the sixth book in the ludicrously inaccurately named Hitchhiker''s Guide to the Galaxy trilogy, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and featuring original cast members including Simon Jones, Geoff McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey and Sandra Dickinson.Arthur Dent led a perfectly ordinary, uneventful life until the Hitchhiker''s Guide to the Galaxy hurled him deep into outer space. Now he''s convinced a cruelly indifferent universe is out to get him. And who can blame him?His life is about to collide with a pantheon of unemployed gods, a lovestruck green alien, a very irritating computer and at least one very large slab of cheese. If, that is, everyone''s favourite renegade Galactic President can get him off planet Earth before it is destroyed . . . again.''A triumph, fabulous. Colfer has given us a delight'' Observer''I haven''t read anything in a long time that made me laugh as much'' The Times''Chock-full of fanciful, inventive one-liners and asides, brimming with a burning sense of the ridiculousness of life'' Independent on Sunday''The best post-mortem impersonation I have ever read'' Mark Lawson, Guardian

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Book SynopsisIf you were to master the twenty languages discussed in Babel, you could talk with three quarters of the world's population. But what makes these languages stand out amid the world's estimated 6,500 tongues? Gaston Dorren delves deep into the linguistic oddities and extraordinary stories of these diverse lingua francas, tracing their origins and their sometimes bloody rise to greatness. He deciphers their bewildering array of scripts, presents the gems and gaps in their vocabularies and charts their coinages and loans. He even explains how their grammars order their speakers' worldview. Combining linguistics and cultural history, Babel takes us on an intriguing tour of the world, addressing such questions as how tiny Portugal spawned a major world language and Holland didn't, why Japanese women talk differently from men, what it means for Russian to be 'related' to English, and how non-alphabetic scripts, such as those of India and China, do the same job as our 26 letters. Not to mention the conundrums of why Vietnamese has four forms for 'I', or how Tamil pronouns keep humans and deities apart. Babel will change the way you look at the world and how we all speak.Trade ReviewEye-opening and thoroughly entertaining ... [Dorren] is wonderful company: chatty, informative, enthusiastic. -- Laura Freeman * The Times *Hugely readable ... Dorren is both an intimidatingly gifted linguist and a wonderfully eloquent writer. You couldn't wish for a better guide to the wonders of the world's bewildering array of tongues. -- Simon Griffith * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisAnother achingly funny, uncomfortably relatable novel from the brilliant Caroline Hulse, chock full of black humour, family drama and a murder mystery with an explosive end ...Trade ReviewCaroline Hulse is a very funny writer and a wonderfully compassionate observer of human frailty -- Kate EberlenI SO enjoyed Like A House on Fire - Acutely observed and brilliantly funny. Very Nina Stibbe * Clare Mackintosh *I loved it - Funny and sad and relatable and deeply human. A big hat tip to the citing of We Need To Talk About Kevin, too * Harriet Tyce *Absolutely loved Like A House on Fire. A proper delight * Richard Roper *Witty, whip-smart and wincingly observant, pure entertainment from start to finish. A Caroline Hulse book is a reading highlight of my year * Cathy Bramley *Sheer delight from start to finish * Lesley Kara *I could not put Like a House on Fire down. Funny, moving and astute. A triumph! * Nicola Mostyn *Part Fleabag, part Agatha Christie, Like A House On Fire is everything I love in a book. A sharply observed study of relationships packed with subtle wit, I was hooked from page one. Bravo Caroline, what a triumph! * Josie Silver *Painfully astute and brilliantly funny, Like A House On Fire is a triumph of a novel. I loved it * Beth O'Leary *I loved Caroline Hulse's first novel, The Adults, so much, and I love her second book EVEN MORE. Like A House On Fire is hilarious and brilliant and clever in that way only Caroline knows how to be. The story is so compelling, I couldn't put it down, and the writing is so fresh and relatable. Highly, highly recommend! * Lucy Vine *A total joy from start to finish, Like A House on Fire is a treat to savour. Caroline's perceptive, warm and witty characterisation brings this book to life - readers will all recognise (with affection) someone within its pages. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read Caroline's next book * Charlotte Duckworth *An engaging domestic drama with well-drawn characters. * Candis Magazine *Warm, witty & brilliantly realised. * Daily Mail *A riveting read that shows the lengths people will go to to keep up appearances, this will reel you in and keep you hooked. * Heat Magazine *Hulse astutely taps into the underlying tensions of family life [...]. A deliciously dark comedy of manners. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisA Blandings novelUncle Fred is one of the hottest earls who ever donned a coronet. Or as he crisply puts it, ''There are no limits, literally none, to what I can achieve in the springtime.''Even so, his gifts are stretched to the limit when he is urged by Lord Emsworth to save his prize pig, the Empress of Blandings, from the enforced slimming cure of the haughty Duke of Dunstable. Pongo Twistleton knows his debonair but wild uncle shouldn''t really be allowed at large - especially when disguised as a brain surgeon. He fears the worst. And in yet another brilliant novel by the master of English comedy, Pongo will soon find his fears are amply justified.Trade ReviewIt's dangerous to use the word genius to describe a writer, but I'll risk it with him -- John HumphrysFor as long as I'm immersed in a P.G. Wodehouse book, it's possible to keep the real world at bay and live in a far, far nicer, funnier one where happy endings are the order of the day -- Marian KeyesWodehouse always lifts your spirits, no matter how high they happen to be already -- Lynne TrussThe incomparable and timeless genius - perfect for readers of all ages, shapes and sizes! -- Kate MosseNot only the funniest English novelist who ever wrote but one of our finest stylists -- Susan Hill

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Book SynopsisOctober 2019 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first broadcast of Monty Python's Flying Circus on BBC Television. This book contains the full script with pictures of the last Monty Python film.

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Book SynopsisCelebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the first broadcast of Monty Python's Flying Circus on BBC Television in October 1969

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Book Synopsis''We have had diaries from other Cabinet Ministers, but none I think which have been quite so illuminating... It is a fascinating diary... It is shorter than Barbara Castle''s... and although it is rather more accurate than Dick Crossman''s, itis distinctly funnier'' - Lord Allen of Abbeydale (formerlyPermanent Secretary at the Home Office) in The Times''It has an entertainment and educational value which isunique. It is uproariously funny and passes the acid test ofbecoming more amusing at every subsequent reading... I willgo so far as to claim that in the characters of Jim Hacker andSir Humphrey Appleby, Messrs Lynn and Jay have createdsomething as immortal as P.G. Wodehouse''s Bertie Woosterand Jeeves'' - Brian Walden in The StandardTrade ReviewIts closely observed portrayal of what goes on in thecorridors of power has given me hours of pure joy -- Rt Hon. Margaret Thatcher MPWe have had diaries from other Cabinet Ministers, but none I think which have been quite so illuminating... It is a fascinating diary... It is shorter than Barbara Castle's... and although it is rather more accurate than Dick Crossman's, itis distinctly funnier -- Lord Allen of Abbeydale (formerly Permanent Secretary at the Home Office) * The Times *It has an entertainment and educational value which isunique. It is uproariously funny and passes the acid test ofbecoming more amusing at every subsequent reading... I willgo so far as to claim that in the characters of Jim Hacker andSir Humphrey Appleby, Messrs Lynn and Jay have createdsomething as immortal as P.G. Wodehouse's Bertie Woosterand Jeeves -- Brian Walden * The Standard *

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Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT GIFT for the lonely, the deluded and the desperate.__________________________________It is Barney and Leigh''s wedding day. They have certainly come a long way from their first date. They have learned to supress their personalities and pretend they want the same things, so they will be able to put up with each other for several years. Everyone is happy for them.Their story is over.__________________________________Marcus and Fiona have had three dates.Fiona knows this means she will either end up spending the rest of her life with Marcus, or eventually have to break up with him, horribly.Both of these ideas are terrifying to Fiona.Tomorrow Fiona will fake her own death and join Cirque du Soleil.__________________________________This delightful book is the latest in the series of Ladybird books which have been specially planned to help grown-ups with the world about them. The large clear script, the careful choice of words, the frequent repetition and the thoughtful matching of text with pictures all enable grown-ups to think they have taught themselves to cope. Featuring original Ladybird artwork alongside brilliantly funny, brand new text. ''Hilarious'' Stylist

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Book SynopsisClarkson is back with a brand new book of hilarious stories and observations about our gone-wrong world.___________In November 2016 we woke up to the news that the forthright presenter of a popular television programme had become the most powerful man on the planet. His name, sadly, was not Jeremy Clarkson, but we might not have been any more surprised if it had been.Because the world seems to have taken a decidedly odd turn since Jeremy last reflected on the state of things between the covers of a book. But who better than JC to help us navigate our way through the mess?And while he''s being trying to make sense of it all he''s discovered one or two things along the way, including- The disabling effects of being vegan- How Blackpool might be improved by drilling a hole through it- The problem with meditation- A perfect location for rebuilding Palmyra- Why Tom Cruise can worship lizards if he wants toIt''s all been aTrade ReviewA good book to dip in and out of * Auto Express *Praise for Clarkson: * - *Brilliant...laugh-out-loud * Daily Telegraph *Very funny...I cracked up laughing on the tube * Evening Standard *Outrageously funny...will have you in stitches * Time Out *

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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 SynopsisHow can an animal even be this d*mn cute?This adorable gift book is the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life. Packed with sweary captions and fun f*cking facts, this laugh out loud package will help you get out all that so-cute-I-can't-handle-it aggression! Get ready to tell adorable hedgehogs to take a f*cking hike and snoozing sloths to stop that cute sh*t already!

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Book SynopsisA seasoned cartoonist of epic proportions, Brandon-Croft carves out space for Black women s perspectives in her nationally syndicated strip. Few Black cartoonists have entered national syndication, and before Barbara Brandon-Croft, none of them were women. From 1989 to 2005, she brought Black women s perspectives to an international audience with her trailblazing comic strip Where I m Coming From. From diets to day care to debt to dreaded encounters with everyday racism, no issue is off-limits. This remarkable and unapologetically funny career retrospective holds a mirror up to the ways society has changed and all the ways it hasn t. The magic in Where I m Coming From is its ability to present an honest image of Black life without sacrificing Black joy, bolstered by unexpected one-liners eliciting much-needed laughter. As the daughter of the mid-century cartoonist Brumsic Brandon Jr. the creator of Luther, the second nationally syndicated strip to feature a Black lead Brandon-Croft learned from the best. With supplementary writing by the author and her peers alongside throwback ephemera, this long-overdue collection situates Brandon-Croft as an inimitable cartoonist, humorist, and social commentator, securing her place in the comics canon and allowing her work to inspire new readers at a time when it is most needed.Trade ReviewBarbara Brandon-Croft s strips have aged beautifully, like fine wine and Tina Turner. Both ahead of its time, and right on time Where I m Coming From knows where we ve been and where we re heading. And on top of that, it s shaking-my-head funny!?Tayari Jones, An American Marriage. Unapologetic truth! Barbara Brandon-Croft's comics transcribe a multitude of Black voices page after page. Where I'm Coming From is more than just social commentary, it's a rare gem of Black perspective that reveals not much has changed, but you won't need to read between the lines to understand how easily it could.?Taneka Stotts, Elements: Fire A Comic Anthology by Creators of Color. Barbara Brandon-Croft s charming gestural lines and elegant take on the comic strip draw an intimate portrait of Black womanhood, Black friendship, and Black love. This collection sheds light on how Where I m Coming From came to be and affirms Barbara Brandon-Croft s seat at the table. Her strip is funny, serious, alluring, and transformative.?Ebony Flowers, Hot Comb. Where I m Coming From is a treasure. Art meets archive in one beautiful, bountiful book chronicling Barbara Brandon-Croft s pivotal work as the first Black woman syndicated cartoonist in the U.S. The wit, worries, and womanhood of 1990s Black culture come to life through diverse Black women s points of view. Though she didn t dream of becoming a cartoonist as a kid, the legacy, politics, and humor of Brandon-Croft s cartoonist father, Brumsic Brandon, Jr., are here as well. But make no mistake, the snappy dialogues and affirming, close-up cartoon images (and t-shirts!) of Brandon-Croft's era stand all on their own. This is a must-have book!?Yona Harvey, Poet and Co-Author of Marvel Comics' Black Panther: World of Wakanda. What's your big 3? I think I'm a Cheryl sun, a Judy moon, and a LeKeisha rising. Whoever you identify with, Babara Brandon-Croft knows how to build characters that have such realness they feel like people you know. I toggle between wanting to be their friend to feeling like a child of the 90s, secretly listening in on 'grown folk' conversations. The topics are so candid and timeless it feels impossible that many of these stories were written over 30 years ago. Where I'm Coming From shows how far we have come as a culture with glimpses of how much more progress we need in the world of comics, black and women's rights. I am grateful to follow in Barbara's footsteps and hopefully add to the conversation she has already started."?Bianca Xunise, Six Chix. Barbara Brandon-Croft is cartooning royalty as far as I'm concerned. Her work is so good at capturing the conversations that I'd hear in my auntie's salon. So real, yet so rare for the comics page.?Keith Knight, The K Chronicles, co-creator of Woke. Distinctly and quietly funny takes on life, love, and all the stuff in between.?Essence Magazine. From rape convictions to 'Don t Ask, Don t Tell' to the challenges of being a single mother, the diversity of Brandon-Croft s characters conversations showcased a depth of feeling and sharpness of intellect that representations of Black women in media so desperately needed.?Black Nerd Problems. [Barbara Brandon-Croft] explores humorously the serious issues affecting Black people and the nation as a whole, from the Clarence Thomas hearings to the Rodney King verdict and questions of equal justice.?The New York Times

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe ultimate guide to animal flatulence: the perfect gift for anyone who has ever farted.Dogs do it. Millipedes do it. Dinosaurs did it. You do it: I do it. Octopuses don't (and nor do octopi). Spiders might do it: more research is needed. Birds don't do it, but they could if they wanted to. Herrings do it to communicate with each other. At the beginning of 2017, an innocent question on twitter about snakes formed the hashtag #doesitfart and spread pungently across the internet - and major newspapers - as dozens of experts weighed in on which animals do and don't fart, and if they do, how much, how often, what it's made of, what it smells like, and what it's for. Does it Fart? is the result: the fully authoritative, fully illustrated guide to animal flatulence, covering the habits of 80 animals in more detail than you ever knew you needed. What foods make hyena farts smell especially bad? What is a fossa, and does it fart? Why do clams vomit but not fart? What is a fart, anyway? With contributions from dozens of biologists, Does it Fart? is a book that will allow you to shift the blame onto all kinds of unlikely animals for years to come.

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Book SynopsisMagic is forbidden in Myrsina, along with various other abominations, such as girls doing maths. This is bad news for Gretel Mudd, who doesn’t perform magic, but does know a lot of maths. When the sinister masked Huntsmen accuse Gretel of witchcraft, she is forced to flee into the neighbouring Darkwood, where witches and monsters dwell. There, she happens upon Buttercup, a witch who can’t help turning things into gingerbread, Jack Trott, who can make plants grow at will, the White Knight with her band of dwarves and a talking spider called Trevor. These aren’t the terrifying villains she’s been warned about all her life. They’re actually quite nice. Well… most of them. With the Huntsmen on the warpath, Gretel must act fast to save both the Darkwood and her home village, while unravelling the rhetoric and lies that have demonised magical beings for far too long. Take a journey into the Darkwood in this modern fairy tale that will bewitch adults and younger readers alike. Trade Review'Gabby is one of the funniest writers I know' Sarah Millican‘Very funny. If you like Terry Pratchett, or think gothic fairy tales should have more LOLs, ’tis the book for ye’ Greg Jenner'I have read this and it is great. Pratchetty fun for all the family' Lucy Porter'Magical, surprising and funny’ Jan Ravens

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Book SynopsisWith the Duke of Dunstable trying to steal his pig to sell to Lord Tilbury, mischievous Church Lads camping in his park, his sister Constance bossing him unmercifully, and Lavender Briggs, his secretary, making life miserable, Lord Emsworth has little time to concentrate on the invasion of Blandings Castle by yet another impostor. But Bill Bailey, a.k.a. Cuthbert Meriwether, has inveigled himself into the castle to be with his beloved, Myra Schoonmaker, who is staying there under the eagle eye of Lady Constance, and Lady Constance is determined to thwart him. In the end virtue conquers vice: the lovers are united, Dunstable defeated and Tilbury trounced, but only through the brilliant plotting of Frederick, Earl of Ickenham whose greatest triumph is to marry off Lady Constance to an old admirer, Myra's father. In the end everyone is happy who deserves to be, none more so than Lord Emsworth who at one fell swoop frees himself from the tyranny of a duke, a secretary and a sisterTrade ReviewThe handsome bindings are only the cherry on top of what is already a cake without compare * Evening Standard *He exhausts superlatives * Stephen Fry *

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Book SynopsisWhich king ordered everyone to bed at 8pm? How many Pot Noodles are sold every second in Great Britain? How many streets must a London cabbie memorise in order to pass 'the knowledge'? How much does the hammer of Big Ben's bell weigh? If you want to know the answers to these and a whole host of other questions about Blighty, then this is the book for you! Great Britain is a nation steeped in history, traditions and terrible food. But how much do we really know about our weird and wonderful island? In this informative, amusing and fun compendium of knowledge, author Hannah Warner reveals a host of things you probably don't - but should - know about your country. This entertaining collection includes fascinating facts about royalty, politics, history, food and drink, sport, writers, transport - and even Great British failures. It is a celebration of the great and the good (plus those who were not so great but tried hard) from this land. So once you've taken the bulldog for a walk, queued for your fish and chips, made a nice cup of tea and put your feet up, sit back and revel in all that is glorious about Great Britain!

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Book SynopsisAs its name subtly suggests, this book features 80 pictures of excessively cute animals. That's Literally it. Among other gems, you can expect some cats flaunting some fabulous wigs, sloths dangling casually, otters holding hands (an actual thing that occurs in nature) and piglets wearing little rainboots for some adorable reason. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this book is a landmark moment in the history of photojournalism. While turning these puppy-peppered pages, your mood will Literally become one of delight and tenderness. And therein lies the powerful magic of pictures of cute animals. Just simply peering into those big eyes carries with it all the gravitas of a David Attenborough nature documentary, but without having to actually watch a documentary. The resilience of the animal kingdom is endlessly inspiring. Cast your mind to this iconic image: a kitten dangling from a tree branch, while sagely encouraging us humans to just hang in there. And h

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