Popular culture Books

Book SynopsisLove That Journey For Me dives deep into the cultural sensation of Canadian comedy-drama Schitt’s Creek. Considering the fusion of existing sitcom traditions, references and tropes, this Inkling analyses the nuance of the show and its surrounding cultural and societal impact as a queer revolution. By discussing how the show reshapes LGBTQ+ narratives from the crafting of the town itself, and celebratory influences including Cabaret, to how writer-creator Dan Levy utilised and subverted expectations throughout his work, Emily Garside will showcase how one TV show became a watershed moment in queer representation and gay relationships on screen. Part analysis of Schitt’s Creek’s importance, part homage to a cultural landmark, this is a show that – in the words of David Rose himself – needs to be celebrated. This book is that celebration. This book is unofficial, and unaffiliated with Schitt’s Creek and its brand.

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Book SynopsisIf ever in doubt, just ask yourself What would Jane do?It is a truth universally acknowledged that most of us could use some guidance. Whether you're looking to marry a man with several carriages to his name, are recovering from an illness caused by wet stockings, or you're unsure what colour ribbon is the best match for your outfit, Jane Austen's wisdom is here to guide you through any problem. This book features insights from Austen's wide world of characters. With illustrations of her beloved characters and their most enlightened quotes, it'll guide you through the day ahead and help you resolve your questions. Not sure you've made the right decision? Better be without sense than misapply it as you do. Unsure what to do with your afternoon? To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment. Confused why you're struggling to make friends? Your defect is a propensity to hate everybody. Austen's wisdom is at your disposal to give you the insights you need, whether your sister has eloped with your ex or you're in love with your stepbrother.

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Book SynopsisWhether it was Harry talking about his todger in his controversial autobiography, or celebrities from Gary Lineker to Phillip Schofield and Huw Edwards dominating the news agenda, plus strikes, inflation, wildfires, the Wagner group performing the briefest mutiny of all time, an ill-fated trip to the Titanic, and - as usual - a stack of scandals leaking out of the Cabinet, 2023 has had just as many newsworthy things you'd like to forget as any other year. Before you can do that though, this book is going to quiz you on them. There's the missing words round, odd one outs, stolen formats from other quiz books, word searches, crosswords, mazes, and - as a word of warning - some close-up photographs of Michael Fabricant.  With over 1,000 questions on everything from politics to pop culture, Have I Got News for You: The Quiz of 2023 promises hours of entertainment and is probably the only sardonic souvenir of 2023 going.

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Book SynopsisAnalyses popular Japanese manga published from the 1990s to the present that portray the everyday lives of adults and children with disabilities in an ableist society. The book focuses on five representative conditions currently classified as disabilities in Japan, and explores the complexities and sociocultural issues surrounding each.

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Book SynopsisThe iconic and animatronic mystic Zoltar offers words of wisdom to bring you much happiness with this wise and all-knowing fortune-telling deck.- Specifications: Deck contains 100 authentic mini fortune telling cards (3-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches)- Keepsake Box: Packaged in a deluxe keepsake box with a magnetic closure that is sturdy for continued use- Mini Size: Small size is perfect for travel and taking on the go- Perfect Gift: A unique and fun gift for fans of Zoltar and mystics alike- Officially Licensed: Authentic Zoltar collectible

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Ed Yong, Brian Cox and Carl Zimmer: a dazzling scientific and cultural adventure through our ideas about extraterrestrial life.

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Book SynopsisWide-ranging, witty and fresh a stimulating read. Authentic fun'Tim Harford, Financial Times Best Summer Books 2022Brilliantly witty, profoundly illuminating, Alice Sherwood is a master storyteller' Simon SchamaThought-provoking and beautifully written' Adrian Wooldridge, Washington PostA sweeping and persuasive manifesto witty and wide-ranging a pleasure'Literary ReviewTerrific the sheer breadth of her subject matter is extraordinary'Matthew d'Ancona, Tortoisemedia.comAlice Sherwood is the real deal' Marcus du SautoyFascinating and hugely entertaining' Brian EnoUnfailingly compelling and often shocking' Philip Mould, presenter of Fake or Fortune?Riveting captivating a thoroughly enjoyable debut' Financial TimesWe live in an age when the pursuit of authenticity from living our ''best life'' to eating artisan food matters more and more to us, but where the forces of inauthenticity seem to be taking over. Our world is full of people and products that are not what they seem. We noTrade Review‘I loved this book. Fast, funny start, and absolutely fizzing with interesting ideas from art, science, history, commerce, fashion and beyond … Most of the stories here were quite new to me, and all of them were fun and thought-provoking … Strongly recommended’Tim Harford, Timharford.com ‘A sweeping and persuasive manifesto … Sherwood’s study takes in an astonishing range of subject matters … This is a profoundly academic book, but … the research is worn so lightly that it reads as easily as a work of popular science … A witty and wide-ranging call to arms that … turns out to be a pleasure’ Literary Review ‘All credit to Alice Sherwood for her courage, resourcefulness and sheer imagination … What makes Authenticity so terrific is that she is in no way bound by the intellectual paradigms, scholarly maps or political assumptions of her predecessors. Indeed, the sheer breadth of her subject matter is extraordinary: from the lessons of evolution and the art world to … the growing industry of fact-checking’Matthew d’Ancona, Tortoisemedia.com ‘Both thought-provoking and highly entertaining, with extraordinary and intriguing anecdotes’ Royal Society of Literature, Giles St. Aubyn Awards ‘Alice Sherwood is the real deal when it comes to exploring authenticity … she takes the reader on a wonderful rollercoaster of a ride to prepare them to recognise what’s real and what’s illusion’ Marcus du Sautoy ‘Beautifully written, hugely readable and completely fascinating– a book for smart thinkers everywhere’ Mary Ann Sieghart, author of The Authority Gap ‘Authenticity demonstrates that although those who wish to deceive us sometimes seem to have the upper hand, it’s down to the individual to fight for authenticity’ Elliot Higgins, author of We Are Bellingcat ‘This is a trailblazing book’ Rory Sutherland

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Book SynopsisA refreshed and covetable new edition of a timeless text.Trade Review'gorgeously reimagined ... helps modern readers process this current moment of upheaval with much-needed Emersonian grace' - FortuneTable of ContentsThe Waldo Emerson Essay 1. The Value of Barriers to Self-Reliance 2. Self-Reliance and the Individual 3. Self-Reliance and Society Twelve essays by Jessica Helfand On Learning On Gravity On Closure On Loneliness On Character On Uncertainty On Magnanimity On Love On Alchemy On Chance On Authenticity On Individualism On Narrative

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERNew York Times bestselling author Alan Paul''s in-depth narrative look at the Allman Brothers'' most successful album, and a portrait of an era in rock and roll and American history.The Allman Brothers Band's Brothers and Sisters was not only the band's bestselling album, at over seven million copies sold, but it was also a powerfully influential release, both musically and culturally, one whose influence continues to be profoundly felt.Celebrating the album's fiftieth anniversary, Brothers and Sisters the book delves into the making of the album, while also presenting a broader cultural history of the era, based on first-person interviews, historical documents, and in-depth research.Brothers and Sisters traces the making of the template-shaping record alongside the stories of how the Allman Brothers came to the rescue of a flailing Jimmy Carter presidential campaign

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for fans of classic novels, crafting and puns.There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my glue gun.'This crafting celebration of literary classics will transport you and your scissors far from your kitchen table: allow your Mod Podge to smooth your way into the Gilded Age with The Decoupage of Innocence', or your craft knife to help you conceal an illicit eBook with Lady Chatterley's Kindle Cover'. Or simply create the perfect picnic accessory, to be enjoyed alongside some ginger beer with Five Go to Smuggler's Cake Topper'.From a shelf made of books to paper flowers, Christmas wreaths to table decorations,A Loom of One's Ownis a pun-filled celebration of crafting and writing that will appeal to book lovers or anyone who owns a glue gun.

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Book SynopsisThe international bestselling Freakquel to Levitt and Dubner''s Freakonomics, this book sees them looking deeper, questioning harder and uncovering even more hidden truths about our world, from global cooling to patriotic prostitutes, drunk walking to why suicide bombers should buy life insurance.''Mind-blowing'' Wall Street Journal''Page-turning, politically incorrect and ever-so-slightly intoxicating, like a large swig of tequila'' The Times''Like Freakonomics but better ... you are guaranteed a good time'' Financial Times''Great fun ... Levitt is a master at drawing counter-intuitive conclusions'' Sunday Times''Studded with intriguing examples'' Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewLike Freakonomics, but better ... thrilling ... you are guaranteed a good time ... underneath the dazzle, there is substance too -- Tim Harford Financial Times Levitt is a master at drawing counter-intuitive conclusions ... great fun ... Superfreakonomics travels further than its predecessor -- Tom Standage Sunday Times A humdinger ... Page-turning, politically incorrect and ever-so-slightly intoxicating, like a large swig of tequila The Times

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Book SynopsisHunter S. Thompson's research on the Hell's Angels involved more than a year of close association with the outlaws - riding, loafing, plotting and eventually being stomped. A native of Kentucky, he began writing as a sports columnist in Florida. He has worked on newspapers and magazines, becoming South American correspondent for the National Observer. His novels include: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, 1972 and The Great Shark Hunt.

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Book Synopsis''A feel-good extravaganza, nourishing both heart and mind ... What unites the stories are the twin ideas that an advantage can sometimes be a disadvantage and that a disadvantage can sometimes be an advantage. Yet there is something more powerful and more uplifting that links them'' Kate Kellaway, Financial Times''I devoured in a single reading'' Richard E. Grant''When you read it, you feel like you can topple giants'' Jon Ronson''An energetic, counterintuitive exploration of why (and how) underdogs succeed'' Lisa Appignanesi, Guardian, Books of the Year''Breathtaking'' The New York Times''Truly intriguing and inspiring'' Los Angeles TimesTrade ReviewBreath-taking and thought-provoking * The New York Times *Truly intriguing and inspiring * Los Angeles Times *Gladwell's most enjoyable book so far. It is a feel-good extravaganza, nourishing both heart and mind. Each of its stories ... has an ending that is both happy and surprising. What ostensibly unites the stories are the twin ideas that an advantage can sometimes be a disadvantage and that a disadvantage can sometimes be an advantage. Yet there is something more powerful and more uplifting that also links them. It is that good beats bad - just when you least expected it * Financial Times *When you read it, you feel like you can topple giants -- Jon Ronson

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Book SynopsisWith an exhaustive knowledge of popular culture and an effortless ability to spin brilliant prose out of unlikely subject matter, Klosterman attacks the entire spectrum of postmodern America: reality TV, Internet porn, breakfast cereal, serial killers, Pamela Anderson, literary Jesus freaks, and the real difference between apples and oranges (of which there is none). Sex, Drugs and Coca Puffs is ostensibly about movies, sport, television, music, books, video games and kittens, but really it''s about us. All of us.

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Book SynopsisThe hugely popular global phenomenon and star of Sanrio makes her way to the RP Studio list with this DIY fill-in-the-blank book celebrating Hello Kitty and Friends and focusing on friendship-perfect for the passionate fanbase, both old and new.

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Book Synopsis* Specifications: Includes 10 illustrated ugly Christmas sweater magnets* Book Included: Mini book explains what your favourite ugly Christmas sweater says about you* Perfect Gift: Bring humour and holiday joy to your home, office, or dorm room* A Fun Stocking Stuffer: Small size allows for a dose of festive fun for Pollyannas, white elephant parties, and holiday stockings

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Book SynopsisIn this provocative book, Thomas Chatterton Williams, one of the most revered and reviled social commentators of our time, paints a clear and detailed picture of the ideas and events that have paved the way for the dramatic paradigm shift in social justice that has taken place over the past few years. Taking aim at the ideology of critical race theory, the rise of an oppressive social media, the fall from Obama to Trump, and the twinned crises of COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd, Williams documents the extent to which this transition has altered media, artistic creativity, education, employment, policing, and, most profoundly, the ambient language and culture we use to make sense of our lives.Williams also decries how liberalism - the very foundation of an open and vibrant society - is in existential crisis, under assault from both the right and the left, especially in our predominantly networked, Internet-driven monoculture.Sure to be highly controversial, Summer of Our Discontent is a compelling look at our place in a radically changing world.

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Book SynopsisBeautiful watercolor portraits and illuminating essays from bestselling author and illustrator Ann Shen bring 100 legendary women to life in this powerful collection that celebrates the influential trailblazers who changed the rules for all who followed.Bad Girls Throughout History is an empowering book for girls and women of all ages. From Maya Angelou to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this gorgeously illustrated book celebrates 100 influential women who made history and made their mark on the world by being bad in the best sense of the word: they challenged the status quo and changed the rules. From pirates to artists, warriors, daredevils, scientists, activists, and spies, the accomplishments of these badass women who dared to push boundaries vary as much as the eras and places in which they effected change. A distinctive, gift-worthy tribute to rebel girls everywhere, this bestselling book is one you can be proud to display in your home. ICON

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Book Synopsis''A wonderfully accessible exploration of one of the most complex problems of our age'' TELEGRAPH''Magic Pill will help you think more clearly about eating, dieting, health and mental health, even if you never touch Ozempic'' JONATHAN HAIDTThe bestselling author of Lost Connections and Stolen Focus takes a revelatory look at the new drugs transforming weight loss as we know it sharing his personal experience on Ozempic and examining our ability to heal society's dysfunctional relationship with food, weight and our bodies. In January 2023, Johann Hari started to inject himself once a week with Ozempic, one of the new drugs that produces significant weight loss. He wasn't alone some predictions suggest that in a few years, one in four of the British population will be taking these drugs. While around 80 per cent of diets fail, someone taking one of the new drugs is likely to lose up to a quarter of their body weight in six months. To the drugs' defenders, this is a moment of liberation from a condition that massively increases your chances of diabetes, cancer and an early death. Still, Hari was wildly conflicted. Can these drugs really be as good as they sound? Are they a magic solution or a magical illusion? Finding the answer to this high-stakes question led him on a journey from Iceland to Minneapolis to Tokyo, and to interview the leading experts in the world on these issues. He found that along with the drugs'' massive benefits come twelve significant potential risks. He also learned that these drugs radically challenge what we think we know about shame, willpower and healing. These drugs are about to change our world, for better and for worse. Everybody needs to understand how they work scientifically, emotionally and culturally. Magic Pill is an essential guide to the revolution that has already begun and which one leading expert argues could be as transformative as the invention of the smartphone.''A brilliant synthesis of so much important information. Really important, and very necessary'' STEPHEN FRY''Compassionate, wise and mind-expanding . . . A must read'' PHILIPPA PERRY

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive account of the meteoric rise of The Simpsons combines incisive pop culture criticism and interviews with the show''s creative team that take readers inside the making of an American phenomenon during its most influential decade, the 1990s.The Simpsons is an American institution. But its status as an occasionally sharp yet ultimately safe sitcom that''s still going after 33 years on the air undercuts its revolutionary origins. The early years of the animated series didn''t just impact Hollywood, they changed popular culture. It wasn''t a watercooler show; it was a show that altered the way we talked around the watercooler, in school hallways, and on the campaign trail, by bridging generations with its comedic sensibility and prescient cultural commentary.In STUPID TV, BE MORE FUNNY, writer Alan Siegel reveals how the first decade of the show laid the groundwork for the series'' true influence. He explores how the show''s rise from 1990 to 1998 intertwined with the supposedly ascendent post-Cold War America, turning Fox into the juggernaut we know today, simultaneously shaking its head at America''s culture wars while finding itself in the middle of them. By packing the book with anecdotes from icons like Conan O''Brien and Yeardley Smith, Siegel also provides readers with an unparalleled look inside the making of the show.Through interviews with the show''s legendary staff and whip-smart analysis, Siegel charts how The Simpsons developed its singular sensibility throughout the ''90s, one that was at once groundbreakingly subversive for a primetime cartoon and shocking wholesome. The result is a definitive history of The Simpsons'' most essential decade.

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Book SynopsisWe now live in two Americas. One,now the minority,functions in a print-based, literate world that can cope with complexity and can separate illusion from truth. The other,the majority,is retreating from a reality-based world into one of false certainty and magic. To this majority,which crosses social class lines, though the poor are overwhelmingly affected,presidential debate and political rhetoric is pitched at a sixth-grade reading level. In this other America," serious film and theatre, as well as newspapers and books, are being pushed to the margins of society. In the tradition of Christopher Lasch's The Culture of Narcissism and Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death , Pulitzer Prize-winner Chris Hedges navigates this culture,attending WWF contests, the Adult Video News Awards in Las Vegas, and Ivy League graduation ceremonies,to expose an age of terrifying decline and heightened self-delusion.

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Book SynopsisRingolevio is a classic American story of self-invention by one of the more mysterious and alluring figures to emerge in the 1960s. Emmett Grogan grew up on New York City’s mean streets, getting hooked on heroin before he was in his teens, kicking the habit and winning a scholarship to a swanky Manhattan private school, pursuing a highly profitable sideline as a Park Avenue burglar, then skipping town to enjoy the dolce vita in Italy. It’s a hard-boiled, sometimes hard-to-believe, wildly entertaining tale that takes a totally unexpected turn when Grogan washes up in sixties San Francisco and becomes a leader of the anarchist group known as the Diggers. The Diggers, devoted to street theater, direct action, and distributing free food, were in the thick of the legendary Summer of Love, and soon Grogan is struggling with the naive narcissism of the hippies, the marketing of revolution as a brand, dogmatic radicals, and false prophets like tripster Timothy Leary. Above all, however, he struggles with himself.Ringolevio is an enigmatic portrait of a man and his times to set beside Hunter S. Thompson’s stories of fear and loathing, Norman Mailer’s The Armies of the Night, or the recent Chronicles of Bob Dylan, who dedicated his 1978 album Street Legal to the memory of Emmett Grogan.

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Book SynopsisExplore our fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence through exclusive interviews, archival photos, and strange but true stories from history. Do you want to believe? After decades of cover-ups and denials, in a June 2021 report, the US government finally admitted what many people already knew: yes, UFOs are real, and no, we don t know what (or who) they are. Writer and historian Marc Hartzman separates fact from fiction and provides a comprehensive tour through the skies, including: UFO sightings, from the famous (including the Phoenix Lights and the Ariel School Incident) to the obscure Alien abductions, including the Betty and Barney Hill abduction and the Pascagoula abduction Ancient aliens, from Biblical astronauts to the alien architects behind the pyramids Scientific evidence, including the Wow! radio signal and the interstellar Oumuamua object Cover-ups and conspiracies, including the Roswell Incident and Area 51 Governmental and military reports, from Project Blue Book to reports of UFOs at nuclear weapons sites. Deeply researched and highly entertaining, We Are Not Alone will inform and enchant anyone who s ever doubted we re really alone in the universe.Trade Review“We Are Not Alone is a highly informative new book by Marc Hartzman that covers the UFO/UAP topic from ancient times to the present. It manages to be highly entertaining and easy to read, yet fair, balanced and thorough. Because it manages to be so enjoyable and engaging, while still doing justice to the complex history of the issue, it provides an ideal introduction to the UFO/UAP topic.” —Christopher Mellon, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence “Whether you’re a newcomer to the topic or a seasoned investigator/researcher, everyone will find something of interest in this enjoyable read that serves as an out-of-this-world journey.”—David Marler, Executive Director, National UFO Historical Records Center"Marc Hartzman's We Are Not Alone is the best book I've seen in decades for a single source account of the entire UFO phenomenon… It's perfect for the UFO curious, but also still valuable for grizzled veterans.”—Paul Hynek, son of Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Miriam Hynek and an entrepreneur, professor, and futurist “I recommend this book to anyone interested in our human experience with UFOs, UAPs, aliens, and SETI. It's thoroughly researched, brilliant, and so much fun! A perfectly lighthearted serious book.”—Dr. Pascal Lee, co-founder and chairman of the Mars Institute and planetary scientist at the SETI Institute"Now that UFO news pervades the media, I'm often asked by friends: How do I make sense of it all? They want to know how to get up to speed. Now I can finally say, ‘Just read this book.’ We Are Not Alone is the perfect summary of the most prolific UFO events and key themes of related phenomena. A fun read packed with illustrations and photos that will strike up an existential conversation anywhere on planet Earth!"—Ben Hansen, UFO researcher and host of UFO Witness “An entertaining, informative and even-handed overview of UFOs, alien abductions and the scientific search for extraterrestrial life, that places our fascination with aliens in its social, cultural and historical context.”—Nick Pope, UK Ministry of Defence ‘UFO Desk’ (1991-1994)“Marc Hartzman did it again—summing up expansive lore in a comprehensive and entertaining way, with loads of anecdotes and illustrations. The truth is in here!”—Axelle Carolyn, filmmaker (American Horror Story, Haunting of Bly Manor)“If you’re looking for the truth about UFOs and aliens, don’t look to the government, don’t look to the skies, look to the pages of We Are Not Alone. Hartzman’s thoroughly researched and thoroughly enjoyable book should be an essential part of any weird library.”—J.W. Ocker, author of The United States Of Cryptids“Deeply researched and highly entertaining, We Are Not Alone will inform and enchant anyone who's ever doubted that we are really alone in the universe.”—John Burroughs, Midwest Book Review “We Are Not Alone is a terrific overview of the UFO mystery, ETs, how they’ve affected us in the past and maybe in the future.”—George Knapp, investigative journalist and host of Coast to Coast AM“An absolutely astounding read in every possible way. Bottomline, this book you must read in your lifetime."—Daniel Breuer & Jennifer Gregerson, Night Talks Radio

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Book Synopsis Your pasta sucks, but it doesn't have to. Let celebrated comedian and totally legit author Matteo Lane show you how through 30 delicious recipes and laugh-out-loud stories.Organized by the most important places and people in his life—from Chicago and New York to Rome and Sicily—comedian, actor, and YouTube sensation Matteo Lane’s first cookbook features recipes rooted in serious pasta knowledge but presented with his signature snarky and sassy wit. Turn these pages to find: A conversational recipe (definitely not an argument) with his bestie Nick Smith on their versions of Mac and Cheese. A short rant over the validity of “alfredo” that turns into a delicious recipe for Penna alla Vodka. Matteo’s foolproof Homemade Pasta recipe. Lots of hardworking, handy tips—like a treatise on how to not f*ck up your pasta—so you can learn while you laugh. For fans of Matteo Lane, readers looking for a humorous take on Italian culture, or anyone who simply wants to learn “how to cook pasta like an Italian, Irish, Mexican homosexual,” Your Pasta Sucks will satisfy all.Perfect for: Fans of Matteo Lane and his standup comedy People looking for books that celebrate Italian and Italian American culture Supporters of LGBTQIA+ content creators Fans of Italian cooking and food-centric entertainers like The Pasta Queen  Foodies looking for a unique present for a housewarming, birthday, holiday, or host/hostess gift

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Book Synopsis'Enormously enjoyable' Sunday Times 'Genial and entertaining' Daily Telegraph 'A joyous celebration of the founding fathers of British youth culture' Alwyn Turner, author of All in it Together and Little Englanders With their draped suits, suede creepers and immaculately greased hair, the Teddy Boys defined a new era for a generation of teenagers raised on a diet of drab clothes, Blitz playgrounds and tinned dinners. From the Edwardian origins of their fashion to the tabloid fears of delinquency, drunkenness and disorder, the story of the Teds throws a fascinating light on a British society that was still reeling from the Second World War. In the 1950s, working-class teenagers found a way of asserting themselves in how they dressed, spoke and socialised on the street. When people saw Teds, they stepped aside. Musician and author Max Décharné traces the rise of the Teds and the shockwave they sent through post-war Britain, from the rise of rock 'n' roll to the Notting Hill race riots. Full of fascinating insight, deftly sketching the milieu of Elvis Presley and Derek Bentley, Billy Fury and Oswald Mosley, Teddy Boys is the story of Britain's first youth counterculture.Trade Review[An] enormously enjoyable history of the Teddy boys ... plenty of historians have mentioned them in passing, but none has ever investigated them with Décharné's enthusiasm and attention to detail -- Dominic Sandbrook, 'Book of the Week' * Sunday Times *In his genial and entertaining Teddy Boys, rock journalist Max Décharné takes a calm look at the phenomenon and strips away the myths that coloured it * Daily Telegraph *Excellent ... Décharné's book is a loving reclamation of an important youth type ... Most of all, in focusing on the late Forties and early Fifties, Teddy Boys illuminates a fascinating and still under-explored period in British youth culture and social history. -- Jon Savage, 'Book of the Day' * New Statesman *Max Décharné's book delves into the vanished world of the 1950s Ted just before it slips from living memory, presenting contemporaneous reports and eyewitness accounts with empathy and enthusiasm * Financial Times *Taking in everything from the birth of rock 'n' roll to the Notting Hill riots, [Teddy Boys] takes us back to an era when working-class teenagers first began to assert themselves in the UK ... Décharné's cultural history offers a fresh take on one of the most maligned youth cultures in 20th-century British history * Herald ***** [A] rise-and-fall chronicle of the New Edwardians, from the early-'50s cosh boys to the Notting Hill Riots of 1958 ... offers repeated riches in its lovingly curated assemblage of news articles and interviews that reveal how this working-class cultural revolution was reinterpreted, co-opted and demonised * Mojo *A joyous celebration of the founding fathers of British youth culture, and a great slice of social and cultural history -- Alwyn TurnerReclaiming a youth cult that from the very outset was besmirched by the gutter press of Fleet Street and continues to be associated more with thuggish behaviour than peacockish dandyism, Max Decharne traces the rise and fall of a peculiarly English street-wise style that found a soundtrack in American rock 'n' roll and that lit up the grey, bomb damaged streets and sedate dance halls of post-war Britain in truly glorious fashion -- Travis ElboroughPraise for Max Décharné -- :Décharné writes attentively and with authority about the ping-ponging of scenester phrases between genres, and from closed circles of cognoscenti to the wider world * TLS *Décharné, a musician and songwriter, has written extensively on music, crime and noir, and his great gift is to connect his encyclopaedic knowledge of more recent slang to that of the past. His mind is a trivia-trap of the first order * New York Times *The strength of Mr. Décharné's account is its zest ... he has an infectious enthusiasm for the peculiarities of English vocabulary * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisA unique collective portrait of the United Kingdom during the national lockdown of 2020. Introduction by The Duchess of Cambridge. Text by Lemn Sissay MBE. Sunday Times Bestseller. ‘Every bookcase should have this book’ ‘Beautifully heart-warming’ and ‘a keepsake for years to come’. Focused on three key themes – Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal and Acts of Kindness, this book presents a unique portrait of the UK during the 2020 lockdown, through 100 community photographs. The net proceeds from the sale of the book will be equally split to support the work of the National Portrait Gallery and Mind, the mental health charity (registered 219830) Spearheaded by The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, Hold Still was an ambitious community project to create a unique collective portrait of the UK during lockdown. People of all ages were invited to submit a photographic portrait, taken in a six-week period during May and June 2020, focussed on three core themes – Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal and Acts of Kindness. From these, a panel of judges selected 100 portraits, assessing the images on the emotions and experiences they conveyed. Featured here in this publication, the final 100 images present a unique and highly personal record of this extraordinary period in our history of people of all ages from across the nation. From virtual birthday parties, handmade rainbows and community clapping to brave NHS staff, resilient keyworkers and people dealing with illness, isolation and loss. The images convey humour and grief, creativity and kindness, tragedy and hope – expressing and exploring both our shared and individual experiences. Presenting a true portrait of our nation in 2020, this publication includes a foreword by The Duchess of Cambridge, each image is accompanied by the story behind the picture told through the words of the entrants, and further works show the nationwide outdoor exhibition of Hold Still.

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Book SynopsisThis is a book about three things: 1. A room called the Comedy Cellar. 2. Who gets to speak in that room. 3. What they get to say. The Comedy Cellar is a tiny basement club in New York’s Greenwich Village. Run according to the principles of its owners, the Dworman family, it became a safe place for stand-ups to take risks and experiment. Superstar comedians such as Amy Schumer, Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart, and Louis CK became regulars, celebrities started to hang out, the club hosted debates, and everyone was encouraged to argue at its back table. Then the Comedy Cellar ended up on the frontline of the global culture war. Andrew Hankinson speaks to the Cellar’s owner, comedians, and audience members, using interviews, emails, podcasts, letters, text messages, and previously private documents to create a conversation about who gets to speak and what they get to say, and why. Moving backwards in time from Louis CK’s downfall to when Manny Dworman used to host folk singers including Bob Dylan, this is about a comedy club, but it’s also about the widening cultural chasm.Trade Review‘For all those interested in comedy, free speech and how they do those things in New York, Andrew Hankinson’s Don’t applaud. Either laugh or don’t is really excellent, and has made me immediately want to read his other book.’ -- Dara Ó Briain‘This book is fucking fantastic … Honestly one that was nearly impossible to stop reading.’ -- Doug Stanhope, comedian‘A fascinating tour through the history of a comedy club in a constant state of flux caused by the political and technological upheavals outside its walls.’ * The Telegraph *‘Cleverly structured ... So smartly done and so unbelievably timely too ... One of the best books I've read this year.’ -- Stuart Heritage, author of Bedtime Stories for Worried Liberals‘Fascinating.’ -- Al Murray‘If you're interested in comedy or free speech or power you MUST read Andrew Hankinson's new book about the Comedy Cellar which is one of those great bits of writing that makes everyone's position feel interesting.’ -- Sarah Ditum‘Credit to Hankinson for tackling these broad, important ideas – what speech is acceptable, what’s forbidden – and trying to understand them through the prism of a specific environment.’ -- NJ McGarrigle * The Irish Times *‘A fascinating read.’ -- Georgina Godwin * Monocle *‘Thought-provoking … the author takes the history of the nearly-forty-year-old club as a microcosm of the comedy industry; Hankinson see its values, its unspoken rules and attitude to acceptable speech, onstage and off, as a useful reflection of American culture as a whole.’ -- Madeleine Brettingham * TLS *‘Compelling … the sacrifice of authorial vanity gives this book warmth, honesty, and a resistance to easy conclusions.’ -- Sarah Ditum * UnHerd *‘This oral history is dominated by discussion of freedom of speech and what should be acceptable within the confines of a comedy club … it captures the intensely combative, competitive, hierarchical and often petty atmosphere of an iconic comedy venue.’ -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *‘Andrew Hankinson is a brilliant writer, and this is a fascinating book. And I say that as someone with zero interest in stand-up comedy.’ -- Melissa Harrison, author of The Stubborn Light of Things‘The best book I've yet read about freedom of expression.’ -- Andy Miller, author of The Year of Reading Dangerously‘The smartest (and funniest) book yet on the culture/free speech wars. Andrew Hankinson does it again with another incredible work of nonfiction.’ -- Will Storr, author of Selfie: How the West Became Self-Obsessed‘A deeply thoughtful and perceptive new book … [A] truly brilliant voice.’ -- Jason Hazeley, writer on Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe and Paddington‘It is brilliant.’ -- Padraig Reidy * Little Atoms *‘A valuable historical document but also a timely and important investigation into morality, masculinity, censorship and freedom of speech in the modern age. It has all the makings of a future cult classic. There’s no book like it.’ -- Benjamin Myers, author of Male Tears‘A demonstration in form and fact of what a less polarised, more humane, discussion about comedy, politics, taste and people looks and feels like, and it's so very necessary.’ -- Mark Blacklock, author of Hinton‘Cannot stop thinking about it. It's the story of an NYC comedy club but it's also about the culture war, even as it rages all around us. What a fantastic book.’ -- Andy Miller, co-host of Backlisted‘Fantastic … The structure is superb.’ -- Adelle Stripe, author of Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile‘A proper creative nonfiction writer who tells true stories with art, in the fine tradition of The New Journalism. A terrific, vital, painful subject.’ -- Richard T Kelly, author of The Knives‘It's incredible.’ -- Bonnie McFarlane, comedian, writer, and co-host of My Wife Hates Me ‘Insightful, and brings back amazing memories of the greatest club in comedy history.’ -- Colin Quinn, comedian, actor, and writer‘Done with such skill that you imbibe stuff by osmosis … Unsettling and understated, this report from the frontline of live comedy is more memorable and thought-provoking than any number of polemics on free speech and offence. Andrew Hankinson is a master of showing, not telling.’ -- Helen Lewis, author of Difficult Women‘An extraordinary insight into the workings of stand-up — the people, the practicalities, the politics, the lines that are crossed … original and affecting.’ -- Dan Davies, author of In Plain Sight‘Plenty of readers will be offended by certain jokes or comments — that’s the nature of the business — but Hankinson ably captures the importance of the Comedy Cellar. A well-crafted tale of comedy stars and thorny social issues that shows just how hard it is to make people laugh.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘What can comedy tell us about the ways the world is changing? This history of storied New York stand-up club The Comedy Cellar offers an in-depth look at the space that helped many a famous comedian break out. But, as befits a venue frequently associated with Louis CK, it also explores the comedy scene’s part in larger cultural controversies, and the Comedy Cellar’s penchant for stoking them.’ -- Tobias Carroll * Inside Hook *‘When someone comes to write the definitive account of Laughter in the Age of Trump — the cruel guffaws, the neutered snickers, the strange inversions whereby the left went into a collective cringe while the authoritarian right waved the flaming brand of free speech — Andrew Hankinson’s superb oral history of a single New York club, the Comedy Cellar, in Greenwich Village, will be heavily featured … Hankinson probes the owners, the comedians, the staff, and the audience.’ * The Atlantic, ‘Summer Reading Guide 2021’ *Praise for You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat]: ‘Immersing the reader in Moat's self-justifications, You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat] is both an experiment in empathy and an exploration of the limits of empathy — holding the reader hostage in the echo chamber of an angry and confused man's head.’ -- Louis TherouxPraise for You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat]: ‘A claustrophobic true-crime account in the tradition of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood … [Hankinson’s] purpose is to show Moat as a product of our culture and society … Moat is presented as an intriguing case study in disintegration, making bad choices then devoting all his intelligence to justifying them in his own head.’ -- Gavin Knight * The Guardian *Praise for You Could Do Something Amazing With Your Life [You Are Raoul Moat]: ‘The second-person voice is a notoriously tricky one to maintain and Hankinson uses it to great effect … Another strength is the overwhelming sense that Moat is not in control of his own narrative.’ * The Saturday Paper *

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Book SynopsisJulia Murray is an award winning multi-disciplined illustrator with many years' experience in the creative industry. Classically trained in graphic design and illustration, Julia began her career illustrating at Huffer before spending a decade in London working as an art director where she managed the Ink Global creative department, working for publishers such as Harper Collins and Hardie Grant. This experience has given her a versatility of style, a strength in combining typography with illustration, and a designer's eye for composition and detail. Julia's work reflects a love of colour with a touch of femininity.

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Book SynopsisRainbow Moon Tarot is a fantastical tarot deck that breaks out of the traditional gender binary, instead focusing on inclusivity, whimsy and humour. Although the traditional tarot structure has been utilised the images have no gender, which allows the reader to focus on the duality of receptive and outward energy. Created by alternative designer and artist Sam West, the deck offers a unique, hands-on guide to the craft of ritual-making in a secular age. Intended for serious readings, Rainbow Moon Tarot also reminds us it is okay to smile and enjoy the reading.

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Book Synopsis"Can science be funny?" takes a close look at an element of modern science communication that is as innovative as it is promising for the future: comedy!Readers are guided through vividly presented academic theory as well as exciting hands-on and best practice examples from renowned practitioners and cabaret artists:- What do sheep's cheese and car tires have in common?- Can laughter break down walls?- How does "Die Anstalt" work?- How does magic create knowledge?- Is there humor in museums?- When a Dalmatian comes to the cash register- Three steps to humor- Serving suggestion for the Holy Spirit- dictatorship of stupidity- And much more!But it's not all just funny. Comedy can also take away some of the biting sharpness of criticism, making it digestible, even palatable, for the addressees."Can Science Be Funny?" navigates between criticism and cabaret, tackling comedy in various guises from different perspectives.22 contributions show how the results of science, research and technology can be brought to the general public in new ways. In particular, they also demonstrate how humour can be used as a critical and questioning force - valuable for all types of communication and helpful so that they come across more shrewdly in the future.The translation was done with the help of the artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service DeepL.com). The text has subsequently been revised further by the original editors in order to refine the work stylistically. Trade Review“Can Science be Witty? is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in many a moon. Its clichéd lack of academic self-awareness, lamentable English and spindly humour mean that the book inadvertently provides a positive answer to the question of its title. Oscar Wilde must be turning in his grave.” (The Bay Magazine, theswanseabay.co.uk, May, 2023)Table of ContentsForeword.- 1 Getting started.- 2 Science slam about sheep's cheese and car tyres.- 3 Laughter tears down walls.- 4 "Die Anstalt" as an example of criticism, satire and humour in science communication.- 5 A love song.- 6 The paradigm disease: An almost incurable scientific epidemic.7 Scientists, magicians and charlatans - How magic creates knowledge.8 Searching for humour in the Deutsches Museum - An exploration.9 From Big Bang to Big Van.10 If a dalmatian comes to the cash desk.11 Derblecken bei acatech - A humorous joke at acatech. 11 Derblecken bei acatech.- 12 Wit and lightness in science - the international perspective.- 13 "You don't understand science anyway!"- 14 Distance, please!- 15 Serving suggestion for the Holy Spirit.- 16 Dictatorship of stupidity.- 17Anecdotes from my physics lessons.- 18 Humour in knowledge transfer - Academic basics with workshop report.- 19 Georg Christoph Lichtenberg: An early pioneer of funny science.- 20 Can the Anthropocene be funny? A science comic.- 21 Science cabaret: a script.- 22 Done. Now what?!

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Book Synopsis

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