Satire & Humour Books

Book Synopsis**Evie Woods'' stunning new novel The Story Collector is available now**The Echo of Old Books meets The Lost Apothecary in this evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets.The thing about books,' she said is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.'On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be foundFor too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder where nothing is as it seems.Readers have fallen in love with The Lost Bookshop:Beautifully written and captures the wonder and awe that a story can bring to its readera delightful story for any book loveran ode to storytelling and the connections that books can make!' ?????Wowwww!! It's been awhile since I read something so fascinating, captivating and special all in oneIt takes you on a journey like most books do, but this one, I just want to inscribe on my back and hope that it becomes a part of me so that I can carry it with me always' ?????A must read for readers that love books' ?????A beautiful story that begs to be read in one sittinga magical story filled with beautiful prose and many surprises that readers will not soon forget' ?????This spellbinding book hooked me from the very beginning and I couldn''t put it down til the end' ?????A love story, one with books and booklovers at its heart. A warm, wonderful novel that sweeps up the reader into an absorbing, magical tale' ?????If you enjoy books by the Brontë sisters then I would fully recommend you read this book' ?????This novel has it all: wit, a dash of magic, and a large heart. A fantastic read'?????Trade Review‘The characters are so very well developed that it makes you feel that you are there with them sharing their stories too… kept me turning the pages’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A truly joyful, magical book…this story will capture your heart’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Couldn’t put it down!…a magical, enthralling read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘One book that I liked so much and would gladly pay more for… one of those books that you constantly ask yourself “how did the author come up with this great story?”’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Utterly magical and absorbing…the mysterious bookshop and the promise of finding a long lost manuscript haunts the pages’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An enchanting plot, fabulous characters, and some good historical fiction… I found myself imagining it as a Netflix series’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely adored this book! A touch of magic, a love of books, pure escapism, perfect!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book Synopsis“One of my favorite authors.”—Colleen HooverAn insightful, delightful, instant #1 New York Times bestseller from the author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation. Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Oprah Daily ∙ Today ∙ Parade ∙ Marie Claire ∙ Bustle ∙ PopSugar ∙ Katie Couric Media ∙ Book Bub ∙ SheReads ∙ Medium ∙ The Washington Post ∙ and more!One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn''t see coming... Nora Stephens'' life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby. Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

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Book Synopsis''A formidably intelligent, gentle, comic genius'' A.N. Wilson''Gardam is a brilliantly subtle comedian who can keep the reader enraptured until the last page'' The TimesSet during the post-war summer of 1946, The Flight of the Maidens follows the growing-up of three young women in the months between leaving school and taking up their scholarships at university. Una Vane, whose widowed mother runs a hairdressing salon in her front room (''Maison Vane Glory - Where Permanent Waves are Permanent''), goes bicycling with Ray, the boy who delivers the fish and milk. Hetty Fallowes struggles to become independent of her possessive, loving, tactless mother. And Lieselotte Klein, who had arrived in 1939 on a train from Hamburg, uncovers tragedy in the past and magic in the present.Rooted in the north of England, The Flight of the Maidens is peopled with extraordinary characters, who are evoked with all the humour, compassion and eye for detail that marked Jane Gardam as one of Britain''s most gifted and original novelists.Trade ReviewA formidably intelligent, gentle, comic genius ... In a hundred years she will be read as Mrs Gaskell is read * A. N. Wilson SPECTATOR *Gardam ... has written another jewel. This tale of the three young women is made with a concentrate of humour and compassion. Gardam is a brilliantly subtle comedian who can keep the reader enraptured until the last page * THE TIMES *Jane Gardam has captured the burgeoning renaissance of post-war Britain in her novel THE FLIGHT OF THE MAIDENS. Writing with her usual deft and sensitive touch... Gardam paints scenes like a watercolour and every stroke adds depth and subtlety. The characters are rounded and appealing and humour often bubbles beneath the surface. * Christina McLoughlin, AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW *Gardam has a pleasant, accessible style well-suited to a reassuring tale of regeneration and optimism after adversity. * OBSERVER *As a celebration of the rites of passage it rings diamond true. It is light, witty, sharp, yet understanding and sympathetic. It is also thoroughly enjoyable * SCOTSMAN *Gardam blends memory and imagination, intellect and humour, to evoke unsentimentally a vanished England, setting it in the context of the wider world and capturing the bittersweet excitement of leaving childhood behind * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Jane Gardam, as ever, shapes her narrative with wit and aplomb ... intelligent, inspiriting and entertaining * INDEPENDENT *She does fiction as it should be done, with confidence and insight -- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie * Observer *

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Book SynopsisThe savvy, sharp and steamy rom-com inspired by Pretty Woman from bestselling author Meghan Quinn that you won''t want to miss!''PERFECT ROMCOM'' 5* Reader Review''THE BOOK THAT MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH READING'' 5* Reader Review''ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS'' 5* Reader Review''Don''t let that cute cover fool you- this is SMOKIN'' HOT, with sexual tension dripping from every page. I was HOOKED from the start, and I devoured it at an alarming rate'' Jeeves Reads Romance''I loved this book. It was without a doubt, the funniest book I''ve ever read'' TaylorsReadThat''The sexual tension between Hux and Lottie was fan-my-face fantastic'' LA. Readsromance_______''How did you two meet?''It''s the question I dread.Because my (not so) meet cute was unexpected to say the least. I was in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me on as their bride, you know, as you dTrade ReviewDon't let that cute cover fool you- this is SMOKIN' HOT, with sexual tension dripping from every page. I was HOOKED from the start, and I devoured it at an alarming rate, even for one of Quinn's rom cons. And this IS a rom com, albeit a very tense and steamy one -- Jeeves Reads RomanceTop freaking notch!! I totally have a new favorite MQ book. This story was so laugh out loud hilarious, my kids kept asking what was so funny! The sexual tension between Hux and Lottie was fan my face fantastic. These two take the saying there's a thin line between love and hate to the max. I cannot recommend this book enough -- LA. ReadsromanceI loved this book. It was without a doubt, the funniest book I've ever read -- TaylorsReadThat

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Book SynopsisThe steamy and addictive workplace-enemies-to-lovers, When-Harry-Met-Sally-inspired romance from bestselling author Meghan Quinn''JP IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE'' 5***** Reader Review''OBSESSED'' 5***** Reader Review''A HOT, SWEET AND HILARIOUS ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE'' 5***** Reader Review_______Am I in love with JP Cane?Ha! He certainly thinks so . . .He''s annoyingly loud, obnoxiously handsome, and having watched When Harry Met Sally is convinced that men and women can''t just be friends.So when we have to fly to San Francisco for work and stay in the same penthouse, I''m happy to prove him wrong.Yet with his continuous flirting and his polished good looks, I''m soon finding it hard to sleep at night.But guess who can control herself? This girl.Because if there is one thing I know for certain, it''s that JP Cane is wrong.Men and women CAN just be friTrade ReviewIn true Meghan Quinn style, this story was an easy read with steamy scenes. Steamy is not even a strong enough word. These scenes were panty-melting hot and I love each one of them...So Not Meant to Be made me blush, smile, laugh, and lose myself in the story -- A Soccer Mom's Book BlogOnce again, I was laughing out loud through this entire book! Meghan is an absolute QUEEN when it comes to writing stories that are not only funny but have a lot of heart in them too -- Elle's Book BlogSo Not Meant To Be can be read as a standalone, but if you haven't read A Not So Meet Cute I highly recommend binging the two books. You won't regret it -- A Novel Glimpse

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Book SynopsisA deep and meaningful masterpiece of science fiction, full of heart and mind-bending ideas. A true classic, Vonnegut will make you laugh and have you contemplating the meaning of lifeWhen Winston Niles Rumfoord flies his spaceship into a chrono-synclastic infundibulum he is converted into pure energy and only materializes when his waveforms intercept Earth or some other planet. As a result, he only gets home to Newport, Rhode Island, once every fifty-nine days and then only for an hour.But at least, as a consolation, he now knows everything that has ever happened and everything that ever will be. He knows, for instance, that his wife is going to Mars to mate with Malachi Constant, the richest man in the world. He also knows that on Titan - one of Saturn's moons - is an alien from the planet Tralfamadore, who has been waiting 200,000 years for a spare part for his grounded spacecraft . . .Readers love The Sirens of Titan:'A truly exceptional work by a truly exceptional author expressing some exceptionally powerful ideas' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Vonnegut uses the absurd to explore what makes us human . . . I recommend this book for any fan of Vonnegut or [Douglas] Adams' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'The Sirens of Titan is primarily a parody of trashy pulp science fiction novels, a boisterous, chucklesome book . . . In this sense, The Sirens of Titan, twenty years early, precedes and foreshadows (and, I would say, is superior to) Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'There are plenty of space travels in The Sirens of Titan but it isn't a space opera . . . It is a spaced out satire, a cosmic comedy of manners' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I went into this expecting a science fiction/satire but instead I got an emotionally moving story about the meaning of life by none other than one of the greatest writers that ever lived. Period' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Funny until it suddenly becomes creepy, to tell you why would be a spoiler though . . . Vonnegut is only using sci-fi as a platform to tell an allegorical story about life, together with an anti-war and anti-religion themes' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This is not just one of Vonnegut's best books. It's one of the best books I've ever read' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Trade ReviewThe Sirens of Titan is a tour-de-force of sci-fi literature * Empire *

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR TV SERIES starring Samantha Bond, Jo Martin, and Cara Horgan. Season 3 coming in 2026!I was hooked from the first page, wonderful' Reader review, ?????Brilliant, brilliant book this was one of the best books I've read in a long time' Reader review, ?????Entertaining, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable . . Wonderful escapism' Reader review, ?????Never a dull moment, lots of red herrings, plenty of humour and a plot worthy of Agatha!!!' Reader review, ?????* * *It's been an enjoyable and murder-free time for Judith, Suzie and Becks AKA the Marlow Murder Club since the events of last year. The most exciting thing on the horizon is the upcoming wedding of Marlow grandee, Sir Peter Bailey, to his nurse, Jenny Page. Sir Peter is having a party at his grand mansion on the river Thames the day before the wedding, and Judith and Co. are looking forward to a bit of free champagne.But during the soiree, there's a crash from inside the house, and when the Marlow Murder Club rush to investigate, they are shocked to find the groom-to-be crushed to death in his study.The study was locked from the inside, so the police don't consider the death suspicious. But Judith disagrees. As far as she''s concerned, Peter was murdered! And it's up to the Marlow Murder Club to find the killer before he or she strikes again* * *Praise for Robert ThorogoodKeeps you guessing right to the end' Good HousekeepingI love Robert Thorogood's writing' Peter JamesLots of laughs, a quick pace and an easy read to escape into' GlamourA perfect locked room mystery' My WeeklyCosy crime at its best' Crime MonthlySatisfying locked-room mystery' SagaThe perfect cosy crime to curl up with' HeatTrade Review Praise for Death Comes to Marlow ‘Lots of laughs, a quick pace and an easy read to escape into’ GLAMOUR ‘Cleverly plotted and laugh-out-loud funny’ YOURS MAGAZINE ‘Satisfying locked-room mystery’ SAGA ‘Cosy crime at its best’ CRIME MONTHLY ‘The perfect cosy crime to curl up with’ HEAT Praise for The Marlow Murder Club series ‘An Agatha Christie-inspired puzzle of a novel … beautifully crafted … a criminal success’ MY WEEKLY ‘I really enjoyed it. A great escapist yarn from start to finish and a real tonic’ SIMON KERNICK ‘An absolute joy to read. Funny, entertaining and beautifully written’ B. A. PARIS ‘Laugh-out-loud humour, superb plotting and a full-throttle finale … entertaining and enjoyable … the perfect read to fill the long, lockdown nights of winter’ LANCASHIRE POST ‘Thrilling and heartfelt, gripping and wonderfully humorous, The Marlow Murder Club is an absolute joy from first page to last’ CHRIS WHITAKER ‘This is just the kind of book I love to read – a proper whodunit with clues, suspects, and engaging leading characters. Great location too, and lots of charm and humour. I loved it’ FAITH MARTIN ‘Assured cosy crime from an ingenious author … An affectionate look at older lives and the energy they can still provide the world, and damn right funny and heartwarming at times, this is great fun indeed’ MAXIM JAKUBOWSKI, CRIME TIME ‘The Marlow Murder Club is a hugely entertaining mystery, and Judith Potts, the Marple of Marlow, is a wonderful new detective character’ MARTIN EDWARDS ‘One of the most original and beguiling characters I have read about for a long time … a delight from start to finish. Robert Thorogood has brought the fun back into crime fiction’ SIMON BRETT

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Book SynopsisYet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants.Trade Review“A romantic comedy delight. If you loved Schitt’s Creek, It Happened One Summer will be your absolute jam.” — Christina Lauren "I put my entire life on hold the moment I opened IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER. I read it in one long, luxurious sitting, reading each page twice, not wanting to miss a moment, and dreading The End. I knew I was reading one of my new favorite books, and I will reread it for years to come, whenever I need a dose of small-town coziness and hard-bodied sea captains. Tessa disarms you with a laugh, heats things up past boiling, and then puts a squeeze inside your heart. The tenderness, vulnerability and heat I am always guaranteed with a Tessa Bailey book are the reasons she is one of my all-time favorite authors." — Sally Thorne "Tessa Bailey writes pure magic! It Happened One Summer has everything you could want in a rom-com—heartwarming romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and scorching hot chemistry between the lovable socialite and sexy ship captain. I absolutely loved it!" — Alexis Daria, bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola "With her singular talent for writing romantic chemistry that is both sparkling sweet and explosively sexy, Tessa Bailey once again delivers—It Happened One Summer is everything I want in a modern romance, with two complicated, appealing leads, a setting that feels lived-in and also fresh, and storytelling you want to sink into even as you can’t stop turning pages. The total package from one of the genre’s very best." — Kate Clayborn, author of Love at First "Fans of 'Schitt’s Creek' will love the premise of Bailey’s latest work... [a] sexy, drama-filled love story. 'It Happened One Summer' is another great beach read. Plus, laying out in the sun is a perfect excuse for the blush-inducing scenes scattered throughout." — USA Today "Schitt's Creek fans, this is the romance read for you." — PopSugar (Best Books of July) "Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com... Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory." — Entertainment Weekly "Bailey strikes rom-com gold in this outstanding tale... [She] is bound to earn new followers with love scenes hot enough to boil water and a hilariously naïve Schitt’s Creek-inspired protagonist who is clearly out of her depth." — Booklist (starred review) "Bailey delivers on her usual trifecta of sharp banter, instant chemistry, and high-heat sex scenes, but they are coupled with intense soul-searching for both Piper and Brendan... Another winning romance from an author at the top of her game." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “When you read a book by Bailey, there are two things you can always count on: sexy, rapid-fire dialogue and scorching love scenes...” — BookPage.com "This fish-out-of-water story features quirky characters in a charming working-class small town and a steamy, feel-good romance between opposites. Schitt’s Creek fans who just wanted to see Alexis get her happy ending will flock to this title." — Library Journal "Steamy, sexy and fun, you’ll want to soar through these pages." — New York Post

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Book SynopsisThe special Collector''s Edition of Casey McQuiston''s beloved New York Times bestselling novel, featuring illustrated endpapers, an all new Henry-POV chapter, and more!What happens when America''s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, geniushis image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There''s only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds him

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Book Synopsis''At turns hilarious and wise, another knockout from the champ'' Taylor Jenkins Reid, DAISY JONES AND THE SIX''One of my favourite authors'' Colleen Hoover, IT ENDS WITH US''Smart, sunny, sexy and also a gorgeous story of female friendship'' Beth O''Leary, THE FLATSHARE-----Two exes. One pact.Could this holiday change everything?Harriet and Wyn are the perfect couple - they go together like bread and butter, gin and tonic, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.Every year, they take a holiday from their lives to drink far too much wine with their favourite people in the world.Except this year, they are lying through their teeth, because Harriet and Wyn broke up six months ago. And they still haven''t told anyone.But the cottage is for sale so this is the last time they''ll all be here together. They can''t bear to break their best friends'' hearts so they''ll fake it for one more week.But how can you pretend to be in love - and get away with it - in front of the people who know you best?Brimming with characters you can''t help but fall for and off-the-charts chemistry, HAPPY PLACE is Emily Henry doing what she does best! -----''The master of witty repartee'' Daily Mail''A heart-tugging tale that captures the importance of found family, the pain of growing apart from those we love, and the triumph of finding them-and ourselves-once again'' Ali Hazelwood, THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS''One of the current stars of romantic fiction'' Independent''Heartfelt and hilarious. This book is my happy place!'' Lucy Score, THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER''Sizzling ... delicious screwball scene-setting and zingy dialogue'' Sunday Times''Another Emily Henry masterpiece'' Hannah Grace, ICEBREAKER''If I could climb inside any book it would be this one'' Culturefly''Emily Henry''s books should be prescribed. Not only will they make you happy, her latest may just make you fall in love with falling in love again. Absolutely dreamy'' Woman''s Weekly''The closest thing to going on holiday without leaving your sofa'' Beth O''Leary, THE FLATSHARE''Everything I love in a book. From witty banter to charming characters, Emily Henry gripped me from the very first page'' Lauren Asher, THE FINE PRINT''Tender and sexy, bittersweet with Henry''s trademark warmth, this is a book that sweeps you off your feet and envelopes you with love in its many facets - it feels like hanging out with your best friends'' Bolu Babalola, HONEY & SPICE''Emily Henry tenderly portrays the importance of finding the places and people you call home'' Taylor Jenkins Reid, DAISY JONES AND THE SIXEmily Henry, Sunday Times bestseller, May 2024Trade ReviewEmily Henry's books are a gift, the perfect balance between steamy and sweet -- V. E Schwab, GALLANTNobody does it quite like Emily Henry -- Casey McQuiston, RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUEOur generation's answer to Nora Ephron -- Sophie Cousens, THIS TIME NEXT YEARMy newest automatic-buy author -- Jodi Picoult, WISH YOU WERE HERE

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Book SynopsisTHE NO. 2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERThe Times Popular Fiction Book of the YearA heartbreaker of a book' THE TIMES''Alarmingly relatable'' MARIAN KEYESHilarious and profound' DOLLY ALDERTONThe hottest debut novel of 2023 from Schitt's Creek and Smothered screenwriter and an Observer debut author of the year, Monica Heisey.Maggie's marriage has ended just 608 days after it started, but she's fine she's doing really good, actually. Sure, she's alone for the first time and can't afford her rent and her obscure PhD is going nowhere but at the age of twenty-nine, Maggie is determined to embrace her new status as a Surprisingly Young Divorcée.As Maggie throws herself headlong into the chaos of her first year of divorce, she soon finds herself questioning everything, including: Why do we still get married? Did I fail before I even got started? And how many 4am delivery burgers do I need to eat until I am happy?Really Good, Actually is an irresistible debut novel about the uncertainties of modernTrade Review‘Heisey’s adroit control of her narrative and wickedly funny turns of phrase mean Maggie can become monstrous as she flails from one disastrous choice to the next, but remains heartbreakingly relatable’ The Times ‘A smart and funny coming-of-divorce novel … with a likeable heroine to root for… full of millennial witticisms and reliably regular deadpan turns’ Guardian ‘Wise and funny … Heisey … announces herself not only as a comic literary voice who articulates the absurdity of finding yourself alone, again, but also as a deft satirist of the many ridiculous trappings of modern life’ Dazed ‘The book’s insistence on friendship being just as, if not more, important than romantic love is itself beautifully rendered… this book will be a balm’ i Newspaper ‘Wry, modern, self-deprecating’ Independent ‘Sharp and fast, the funniest book I’ve read in a long time’ Raven Leilani, author of Luster ‘You will fall in love with this protagonist and you will fall in love with Monica Heisey's writing. I couldn't put it down’ Dolly Alderton, author of All I Know About Love ‘An absolute effing delight … wildly funny and almost alarmingly relatable’ Marian Keyes, author of Again, Rachel ‘I absolutely loved it … Hilarious, heartwarming, wise’ Paula Hawkins, author of Slow Fire Burning 'A rare and delicious treat. Monica Heisey is a genius' Nina Stibbe, author of Reasons to be Cheerful ‘Monica Heisey is one of the most exciting new voices in fiction’ Kirsty Capes, author of Careless ‘Heisey makes me laugh hard and often’ Rob Delaney ‘A smart, funny and warm debut with such a strong voice’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of Everyone Is Still Alive

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Book SynopsisThe author of the “swoon-worthy debut” (Harper’s Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister. One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money. Finding work at a local coffee shop, she’s just getting through the days—until Andrew, the shop’s landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack—the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real. Perfect for fans of Written in the Stars and One Day in December, Kiss Her Once for Me is the queer holiday rom-com that you’ll want to cozy up with next to the fire.Trade Review“Cue snowbound high jinks, four-way romantic entanglements, a hilarious set of relatives and enough musical earworms to last you till January. That’s right, this is the queer women’s “While You Were Sleeping” you didn’t know you needed this Christmas season.” —The New York Times “Fans of Alison Cochrun’s debut, The Charm Offensive, will love her new queer romance . . . . Read this sexy, insightful, and utterly charming book.” —Buzzfeed“Cochrun’s cozy second novel is chock full of holiday cheer, pop music, and queer happy endings… Ellie and Jack’s love story is gentle, and readers will appreciate every grand gesture, whether it takes place on a snowy bridge, a ski lift, or even a dingy dive-bar bathroom. A heartwarming queer romance reminiscent of Wham!’s ‘Last Christmas.’” —Kirkus Reviews“[T]his holiday-themed romance is sure to warm even the coldest reader’s heart.”—Library Journal“A sparkling winter wonderland, quirky family traditions, and a messy ‘love trapezoid’ make the yuletide gay in this earnest queer rom-com… it’s delightful to watch this clever spin on the fake dating trope unfold. This is a winner.” —Publishers Weekly "Dizzyingly adorable and brimming with laugh-out loud humor, Kiss Her Once for Me is the new rom-com gold standard. Alison Cochrun writes with palpable compassion, tenderness, and heart that makes every page a memorable one. I swooned, squealed, and shrieked my way through this absolute masterpiece." —Mazey Eddings, author of Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake“Beautifully tender and delightfully sexy, Kiss Her Once for Me is the holiday romance of my dreams. A cozy, cinnamon-scented hug of a book.” —Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care"Kiss Her Once for Me is a gift of a story. Capturing the festive charm and nostalgia of the season, the fresh-fallen-snow wonder of falling head over heels, this holiday romance also reminds us that giving and receiving love can be as tangled as a knot of Christmas lights, yet with patience and perseverance, finally unwound, no less beautiful, the glowing joy we all deserve." —Chloe Liese, author of Two Wrongs Make a Right"Big-hearted, affirming, and dreamy—Kiss Her Once For Me is an ode to those in search of love, family, and a new lease on life." —Timothy Janovsky, author of Never Been Kissed"Cochrun’s writing is by turns whip-smart, hilarious, and deeply vulnerable. Kiss Her Once For Me is both a queer celebration and subversion of romance tropes, along with being a love letter to Portland and an incisive exploration of family, art, and failure. Jack and Elle’s swooningly romantic love story will make even the most cynical among us believe in the magic of snow days." —Anita Kelly, author of Love and Other Disasters

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Book Synopsis"There was a time when no one burned hotter than Eve Babitz. Possessing skin that radiated "its own kind of moral laws," spectacular teeth, and a figure that was the stuff of legend, she seduced seemingly everyone who was anyone in Los Angeles for a longstretch of the 1960s and ''70s. But there was one man who proved elusive, and so Babitz did what she did best, she wrote him a book. She also pulled off a remarkable sleight of hand: Slow Days, Fast Company far exceeds its mash-note premise. It is a full-fledged and full-bodied evocation of a bygone Southern California. In ten sun-baked, Santa Ana wind-swept sketches, Babitz re-creates a Los Angeles of movie stars distraught over their success; socialites on three-day drug binges, evading their East Coastbanking husbands; soap-opera actors worried that tomorrow''s script will kill them off; Italian femme fatales even more fatal than she is. And she even leaves L.A. sometimes, spending an afternoon at the house of flawless Orange County suburbanites, a dayamong the grape pickers of the Central Valley, a weekend in Palm Springs where her dreams of romance fizzle and her only solace is Virginia Woolf. In the end it doesn''t matter if Babitz ever gets the guy--she seduces us"--

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Book SynopsisThe second book in the multi-million copy bestselling No.1 Ladies'' Detective Agency seriesThe one where Precious gains a new familyMma Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies'' Detective Agency is hoping to set up home with Mr J.L.B. Maketoni. But first she must deal with his scheming, misbehaving maid. She also has to confront the most difficult case of her career so far: that of an American who went missing ten years ago, and about whom all leads have long since dried up. Then there are not one, but two sudden additions to Mma''s family . . .''One of the most memorable heroines in any modern fiction'' Newsweek''Soothing, full of hope'' Sunday Telegraph''Delightful'' Evening Standard''Enthralling... Mma Ramotswe is someone readers can''t help but love'' USA TodayTrade ReviewOne of the most memorable heroines in any modern fiction * Newsweek *Soothing, full of hope * Sunday Telegraph *Delightful * Evening Standard *Enthralling... Mma Ramotswe is someone readers can't help but love * USA Today *The Miss Marple of Botswana * New York Times Book Review *Among the greatest comfort-reads of all time * Sunday Times *McCall Smith's satire is as gentle as a warm bath * Sydney Morning Herald *Smart and sassy... Precious' progress is charted in passages that have the power to amuse or shock or touch the heart, sometimes all at once * Los Angeles Times *

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR TV SERIES on Drama and UKTV PlayI want to be Judith Potts when I grow up' Reader review ?????Read the whole thing in one day . . . I was hooked. It had me laughing to myself all day. Would recommend'' Reader review ?????Comedy, thrilling, suspenseful. It was a brilliant read' Reader review ?????A deftly plotted, funny and unexpected murder mystery . . . Highly recommended!' Reader review ?????* * *To solve an impossible murder, you need an impossible heroSeventy-seven-year-old Judith Potts is blissfully happy. She lives alone in a faded mansion in Marlow, sets crosswords for The Times, and there's no man in her life to tell her what to do or how much whisky to drink.One evening, while out swimming in the Thames, Judith witnesses a brutal murder. When the local police don't believe her story, Judith and two unlikely friends decide to investigate for themselves. Together, they are the Marlow Murder Club.But soon another body turns up, and it seems they have a real-life serialTrade Review‘A hugely enjoyable murder mystery written with wonderful verve, humour and compassion. Utterly delightful’ ROBERT WEBB ‘I love Robert Thorogood’s writing’ PETER JAMES ‘A great read’ YOURS ‘Has the feel of an Agatha Christie with a modern twist’ SUN ‘An Agatha Christie-inspired puzzle of a novel … beautifully crafted … a criminal success’ MY WEEKLY ‘I really enjoyed it. A great escapist yarn from start to finish’ SIMON KERNICK ‘Murder and mayhem in the sleepy Home Counties, done with style, panache and just the right amount of humour’ PAUL FINCH ‘Light relief’ SAGA ‘Witty and charming, and filled with a cast of winning characters and fiendish puzzles. Guaranteed to entertain!’ CHRIS EWAN ‘An absolute joy to read. Funny, entertaining and beautifully written’ B. A. PARIS ‘Laugh-out-loud humour, superb plotting and a full-throttle finale … entertaining and enjoyable … the perfect read to fill the long, lockdown nights of winter’ LANCASHIRE POST ‘A delightful read – Judith is the hero that everyone needs’ LOUISE JENSEN ‘‘Thrilling and heartfelt, gripping and wonderfully humorous, The Marlow Murder Club is an absolute joy from first page to last’ CHRIS WHITAKER ‘This is just the kind of book I love to read – a proper whodunit with clues, suspects, and engaging characters. Great location too, and lots of charm and humour. I loved it’ FAITH MARTIN ‘'The perfect book for these troubled times – fiendishly clever and funny, with delightful and original characters. I loved it!' ROZ WATKINS ‘Assured cosy crime from an ingenious author … Damn right funny and heartwarming at times, this is great fun indeed’ CRIME TIME ‘Beautifully crafted, funny and thrilling, Thorogood has created a delightful read’ DEON MEYER ‘A hugely entertaining mystery’ MARK EDWARDS ‘One of the most original and beguiling characters I have read about for a long time … a delight from start to finish. Robert Thorogood has brought the fun back into crime fiction’ SIMON BRETT

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Book SynopsisHelen Fielding was born in Yorkshire. She worked for many years in London as a newspaper and TV journalist, travelling as wildly and as often as possible to Africa, India and Central America. She is the author of Cause Celeb, Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. She also co-wrote the screenplays for the movies of Bridget Jones's Diary, The Edge of Reason and Bridget Jones's Baby. She now works full-time as a novelist and screenwriter and lives in London and Los Angeles.Trade ReviewA glorious read . . . there is a laugh on every page. * Sunday Times *The best, the original, the seminal. * Mail on Sunday *Devastatingly funny. * Daily Telegraph *Could The Edge of Reason really be as funny as its predecessor? The answer is yes . . . Bridget, the original Singleton, is on ripping form. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisA spicy, hilarious HGTV-inspired romantic comedy trilogy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker!Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?) Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite?Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there''s Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...“Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com.” —Entertainment Weekly“Fix Her Up ticks all my romance boxes. Not only is it hilarious, it’s sweet, endearing, heartwarming and downright sexy. It’s a recipe for the perfect love story.” - Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author of Meet CuteTrade Review“Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory... Bailey ties all of these elements—the perfectly calibrated tropes, sizzling dirty talk, and envy-inducing ladies’ nights—together with a super-charged ribbon of emotion... a swoon-inducing ending any reader will fall head over heels for.” — Entertainment Weekly “I could not stop smiling. Romantic comedy perfection.” — Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author “Fix Her Up was a complete, utter, unrelenting delight.” — Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author “Tessa does it again. I laughed, swooned and had to look over my shoulder to make sure no one was reading the sexy scenes with me. Well-written, with great pacing and lovable characters, I absolutely loved everything about Fix Her Up.” — Mariana Zapata, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author “Small-town atmosphere permeates bestseller Bailey’s comedic contemporary... Delightfully intense and creative sex scenes and potent emotions will reward both fans and new readers alike.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “a lovable cast of meddling secondary characters... a charming subplot... The sexual relationship between Travis and Georgie is sizzling, but the emotional journey from fake relationship to true love is just as compelling. Don’t let the cover fool you: This romance is as steamy as it self-empowering.” — Kirkus Reviews “A super delightful rom com that has the heat turned up to 11...I LOVED IT!” — Lauren Morrill, author of Meant to Be “A lovely book... I’m here for ALL OF IT. Books by Tessa Bailey are an insta-buy for me.” — Sally Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine “FIX HER UP ticks all my romance boxes. Not only is it hilarious, it’s sweet, endearing, heartwarming and downright sexy. It’s a recipe for the perfect love story.” — Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author of Meet Cute “Funny, and SUPER hot, and also full of sooooo much heart... I AM SO EXCITED there will be more books in the series!” — Rachel Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author “Bailey creates fireworks in this steamy novel as Georgie and Travis quickly break their own rules about their fake relationship. The story moves fluidly from one situation to the next, with lots of hot sex in between, and Bailey will keep readers on their toes as the “couple” starts to realize this might be the real thing. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Helena Hunting.” — Booklist “Fix Her Up is (so far) my favorite romance of 2019. The novel features well-drawn protagonists, who are as incredibly likable as they are lovable, and endearing secondary characters that jump off the page and into your heart... an authentic romance with humor, heart, incredible sex, and a refreshing depiction of female friendship. This is a must-read for all romance fans.” — All About Romance (Desert Isle Keeper) “I love Tessa Bailey’s contemporary romances... the books are super sexy, but also deliver on an emotional level, and provide a lot of re-read romantic moments.” — Lucy Parker, author of Act Like It and The Austen Playbook “It had the perfect amount of quirky humor with steamy romance. Bailey hits so many of my favorite romance tropes with the book and she executes them all so well... If you need a fun rom-com to take the beach this summer, then Fix Her Up is a great choice.” — Bookish “If you adore romance and HGTV, this is just the book for you.” — Oprahmag.com

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Comedy Women In Print Prize 2021Whip-smart, original and so funny. I found it impossible to put down and lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud' Beth O'Leary, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Road TripYour family would kill to see you happyARE YOUDEAD?'OH MY GOD. I THINK HE IS.When Meddy Chan accidentally kills her blind date, she turns to her aunties for help. Their meddling set her up on the date so they kind of owe her.WELL, THAT DIDN'T QUITE GO TO PLAN.Although hiding this goddamn dead body is going to be harder than they thought especially when her family's wedding business has THE biggest wedding of the year happening right now.IT'S PRETTY BAD TIMING REALLY.It turns out the wedding venue just happens to be managed by Meddy's ex, aka the one who got away. It's the worst time to see him again, oris it? Can Meddy finally find love and make her overbearing family happy?Readers LOVE Dial A For Aunties!Its dark humour and hilarious family dynamics had Trade Review‘A deliciously frantic comedy caper, filled with absurd situations, hilarious dialogue, wonderful family dynamics and crackling with comic energy’ Joanne Harris, CWIP Prize ‘Had me laughing aloud within its first five pages. Charming, hilarious and heartfelt’ Emily Henry, Beach Read ‘A dazzling debut full of humour and love. A comedy caper, doused in black humour, comical references, mixed with romance – fans of Crazy Rich Asians will love it’ My Weekly ‘Brilliant, wicked and dead, dead funny’ Andi Osho, Asking For A Friend ‘A gloriously screwball crime caper (with a dusting of romance) which will have you snort-laughing’ Red ‘Dial A For Aunties is one of the funniest, smartest, most compelling books I’ve read in a long time and I couldn’t put it down’ Lucy Vine, Hot Mess ‘Rejoice over Dial A For Aunties’ Elle ‘This smart, funny charming novel has all the right ingredients to make you laugh out loud… A heartfelt rom-com’ Platinum ‘A tightly-plotted, highly comic romp, Dial A For Aunties keeps you guessing till the very last twist’ Lauren Ho, Last Tang Standing ‘Has redefined what “page-turner” means with laugh-out-loud humour and delightful twists and turns at every corner’ Buzzfeed ‘A rip-roaring treat! Dark comedy at its finest and a set of catastrophes that had me roaring’ Abigail Mann, The Lonely Fajita ‘This laugh-out-loud read is a real breath of fresh air’ Fabulous ‘Dark humour at its best. We had such a laugh reading through’ Magic Radio Bookclub ‘The comedy jackpot! Fresh, funny and fabulous’ Kirsty Eyre, Cow Girl ‘A laugh-out-loud read’ Bella ‘Genuine laugh-out-loud funny’ Frost ’A comedy of errors, by turns macabre and romantic, hilarious and affectionate’ Saga

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Book SynopsisSOON TO BE A MAJOR TV SERIES Discover Joseph Heller's hilarious and tragic satire on military madness, and the tale of one man's efforts to survive it. It’s the closing months of World War II and Yossarian has never been closer to death.Trade ReviewIt is a rare book in that it has the ability to make you laugh out loud and be deeply moved within a few pages. -- Adam Staten * British Journal of General Practice *Wildly original, brutally gruesome, a dazzling performance that will outrage as many readers as it delights. Vulgarly, bitterly funny, it will not be forgotten by those who can take it * New York Times *Blessedly, monstrously, bloatedly, cynically funny and fantastically unique. No one has ever written a book like this * Financial Times *Blessedly, monstrously, bloatedly, cynically funny, and fantastically unique. No one has ever written a book like this * Financial Times *An apocalyptic masterpiece * Chicago Times *

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Book SynopsisThe brand-new, hilarious, feel-good adventure from the internationally bestselling author of The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and DisappearedSweden, late summer of 2011. Self-taught astrophysicist Petra has calculated that the atmosphere will collapse on the 21st of September that year, around 21.20 to be more precise, bringing about the end of times.Armed with this terrible knowledge, Petra meets Johan, a domesday prophet, and Agnes, a widow of 75 who has made bank living a double life on social media as a young influencer. Together, the trio race through Europe as they plan to make the most out of the time they have left, in more ways than one.But of course, things rarely go to plan, even the end of the world

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Book SynopsisPreorder Mhairi''s new novel YOU BELONG WITH ME coming soon!Two best friends.One missed chance.And a night that changes everything.Eve, Justin, Susie and Ed have been friends since they were eighteen. Now in their 30s, the four are still as close as ever, Thursday pub quiz night is still sacred, and Eve is still secretly in love with Ed.Maybe Eve should have moved on by now, but she can't stop thinking about what could have been. And she knows Ed sometimes thinks about it too.Then one night, in an instant, all their lives change forever. And, as Eve learns she didn't know her friends as well as she thought, she also discovers she isn't the only person keeping secrets''Brilliant on relationships, friendships and emotions I loved, loved, loved this book' MARIAN KEYESGorgeously romantic, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end' BETH O'LEARYA luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship' JOSIE SILVERDon't miss this hilarious and heaTrade Review‘LAST NIGHT manages to be both genuinely heartbreaking and hilarious – that's how good Mhairi McFarlane is. It's a gorgeously romantic novel, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end’ Beth O’Leary, #1 bestselling author of The Flat Share 'It's a long time since I loved any book as much. She's so BRILLIANT on relationships, friendships and emotions. Her characters are nuanced, convincing and loveable…she deserves massive praise and recognition. I loved, loved, loved this book’ Marian Keyes, #1 bestselling author of Grown-Ups ‘I cannot remember the last book I loved as much! It reminded me of Ralph’s Party, and also felt reminiscent of the friendship group in Bridget Jones. What a luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship’ Josie Silver, #1 bestselling author of One Day in December ‘Mhairi writes absolutely brilliant romantic comedies, I just love her’ Jenny Colgan 'A glorious, heartwrenching story and a beautiful love letter to female friendship' bestselling author Laura Kemp ‘This mixes the author’s trademark humour with gut-punching emotion to create her best book yet’ Fabulous ‘Deliciously barbed banter is what we’ve come to expect from Mhairi McFarlane, but this story also centres on grief and loss with a thoughtful and deceptively light touch’ Red ‘Mhairi McFarlane’s whip-smart romantic comedy is a compelling tale with real emotional depth, moving seamlessly from witty one-liners to serious issues’ Sunday Express ‘An emotional character driven novel that will take you to places you never expected – McFarlane has done it again!’ Woman ‘A real page-turner’ Bella ‘Really rather brilliant’ Best ‘Perfect weekend reading’ New

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Book SynopsisSweetpea TV series starring Ella Purnell now on Sky Atlantic!Everyone's favourite serial killer is back, and she's more unpredictable than everReaders LOVE Thorn in My SidePerfect for fans of a snarky narrative' NetGalley reviewer ?????I absolutely loved it' NetGalley reviewer ?????Sometimes, you can be your own worst enemyRhiannon Lewis thought she finally had it all: thanks to the pandemic she's had to keep a much lower profile but has found happiness with her fiancé Rafael and his family. For once, she is surrounded by people who love her for who she is (or who they think she is).After over 800 days without murdering anyone, the woman formerly known as the Sweetpea Killer thinks she might have finally turned over a new leaf. That is until her soon-to-be sister-in-law has a run in with her abusive ex, and Rhiannon rediscovers her taste for revenge. This time, with a loving family in tow, the stakes are much higher. Wedded bliss and life as a normal person are finally within Rhiannon''s reach, but you can never keep a good serial killer down.Can you?Praise for CJ Skuse:This darkly comic novelhas the potential to become a cult classic' Daily MailDark, depraved and devilishly delicious. A full throttle savage and satirical thriller' John MarrsTrade Review'Another twisty, turny page-turner with a fantastically dark main character and a corker of an ending. Loved it.' Suzy K. Quinn Praise for C.J. Skuse ‘This darkly comic novel…has the potential to become a cult classic.’ Daily Mail ‘Filthy and funny… a compulsive read’ Sunday Times ‘This isn’t a book for the squeamish or the faint-hearted … think Bridget Jones meets American Psycho’ Red ‘Dark, depraved and devilishly delicious. A full throttle savage and satirical thriller’ John Marrs ‘Hilarious, refreshing, dark and memorable. It doesn’t disappoint, I loved it’ Phoebe Morgan ‘You MUST read this book especially if you like your (anti) heroes dirty-mouthed, deadly and dark, dark dark. ADORED IT' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle ‘Pitch dark, laugh-out-loud hilarious – the Sweetpea series is pure genius escapism’ Susi Holliday ‘Fascinating, intriguing and twist after twist in the tale’ Suzy K Quinn ‘Dark and wickedly funny, and as dry and acerbic as Fleabag, it’s hard not to love Rhiannon Lewis’ Claire Allan ‘Sweetpea hits all the right buttons. A dark, twisted read about a female serial killer with dollops of humour, sarcasm and a lightweight approach…keeping you gripped and on the hook, both smiling and squirming.’ Maxim Jakubowski, Lovereading ‘Witty, vulgar, sweary, darkly funny, but enthralling – a must-read for thriller fans’ My Weekly ‘This book is OUTRAGEOUS’ Compulsive Readers ‘This anti-hero is psychotic without doubt, sexually voracious and incredibly funny’ Shots magazine

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Book SynopsisBoth cutting and laugh-out-loud, this is Sir Terry Pratchett at his best, shining a light upon the real world through a pageturning adventure across the streets of Ankh-Morpork''This book has so much more than most. Excellent read, absolutely worth your time'' Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind''Funny in a clever, scholarly, satire sort of way, with an occasional bad pun or lowbrow shot to keep you on your toes . . . If you, like me, have been living in a hole and ignoring Pratchett, then this is a good one with which to start'' Brandon Sanderson, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Stormlight Archive''Be a MAN in the City Watch! The City Watch needs MEN!''But what it''s got includes Corporal Carrot (technically a dwarf), Lance-constable Cuddy (really a dwarf), Lance-constable Detritus (a troll), Lance-constable Angua (a woman... most of the time) and Corpor

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Book SynopsisPreorder Mhairi''s new novel YOU BELONG WITH ME coming soon!Two strangers.One big coincidence.Driving each other crazy is just the beginningHarriet Hatley is running away from everything.Getting married.Her boyfriend's family.Her past.A dream house-share seems like the perfect place to hide, but her unlikely housemate Cal is no stranger to running away himself. And he''s also hiding secrets of his own . . .Can these two take a crazy risk, face the past and finally find a reason to stay?____________________I love, love, love Mhairi . . . I read this with delight and envy' MARIAN KEYESGorgeous, funny, life-affirming' JENNY COLGANFunny, poignant, full of insight . . . a triumph' KATIE FFORDE'Mhairi's writing is always just super witty with layered, emotional depth . . . Loved. Adored. All-star.' LIZZY DENTA compelling, clever story, while still being so ridiculously funny and heartwarming' LUCY VINEA plot that gets under your skin, and one scene in particular that will have women everywhTrade Review'My heart always soars at a new Mhairi novel, I love love love her. She's so great at treading the narrow line between humour and loss. I read this with delight and envy' Marian Keyes, Again, Rachel ‘I ADORED IT! So funny, so sad in parts, and just so sharp and heartwarming. Mhairi at her absolute finest with an exquisite balance of light and shade’ Lia Louis, Eight Perfect Hours ‘It's so funny, so moving, so perfectly paced, so everything. She is absolutely brilliant, the kind of writer you feel lucky to be around … I'm in awe of her talent’ Emma Hughes, No Such Thing As Perfect ‘Mhairi McFarlane just gets better and better. Mad About You was such a joy to read – it’s laugh out loud funny, devastatingly moving, and delightfully swoony, all at once. McFarlane is in a league of her own’ Louise O’Neill, Idol ‘I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much. A hero and heroine to root for, a plot that races along with the pace of a thriller and the heart of a romance, and an ending I will never forget’ Gillian McAllister, That Night ‘What a gorgeous, funny, life-affirming writer Mhairi is. She just makes me laugh’ Jenny Colgan, The Christmas Bookshop Praise for Mhairi McFarlane 'Brilliant on relationships, friendships and emotions… I loved, loved, loved this book’ Marian Keyes, #1 bestselling author of Grown-Ups ‘Gorgeously romantic, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end’ Beth O’Leary, #1 bestselling author of The Flatshare ‘A luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship’ Josie Silver, #1 bestselling author of One Day in December ‘An effortlessly brilliant read – will have you laughing when you shouldn’t and sobbing when you least expect it’ Giovanna Fletcher

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Book SynopsisThe multi-million copy number one bestsellerOne of The Sunday Times's top 100 bestselling books of the past 50 yearsWelcome to Bridget's first diary: mercilessly funny, endlessly touching and utterly addictive.A dazzlingly urban satire on modern relationships?An ironic, tragic insight into the demise of the nuclear family?Or the confused ramblings of a pissed thirty-something?As Bridget documents her struggles through the social minefield of her thirties and tries to weigh up the eternal question (Daniel Cleaver or Mark Darcy?), she turns for support to four indispensable friends: Shazzer, Jude, Tom and a bottle of chardonnay.Helen Fielding's first Bridget Jones novel, Bridget Jones's Diary, sparked a phenomenon that has seen four books, newspaper columns and the smash-hit film series Bridget Jones's Diary, The Edge of Reason, Bridget Jones's Baby and Mad About the BoyTrade ReviewI cannot recommend a book more joyfully . . . Hilariously funny, miraculously observed, endlessly touching. -- Jilly Cooper * Daily Telegraph *Brilliant . . . any woman who has ever had a job, a relationship or indeed a mother will read it and roar. -- Gill Hornby * The Times *Effortlessly addictive . . . presents a perfect zeitgeist of single female woes. * Sunday Express *A brilliant comic creation . . . even men will laugh. -- Salman RushdieA gloriously funny book. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisDream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. A year in a gorgeous Italian castleWhen Anna Roberts' life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can't do it aloneWith the last man on earth she'd choose!The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake's had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn't exist is quickly proving impossible!Readers are loving Anna and Jake's romance:I see fake dating, I see Italy, I readIt felt like the author had gone into my brain and pretty much wrote the romantic comedy of my dreams' Trade Review Readers can’t get enough of The New Guy: ‘Seriously love this twist on an office romance’ Christina Parker, Netgalley ‘Their chemistry was off the charts’Mad Mom Life ‘Better than most rom coms I’ve watched and read!’ Jennifer Arnold, Netgalley ‘Reads like the perfect rom-com movie’ Sinead, Librarian ‘Very sexy and very sweet’ Morgan Shulman, Goodreads ‘Warmed my heart and read like a movie…What a beautiful sweet surprise this was’ Kelsey Peterson, Goodreads ‘You have yourself a page turning, don’t want it to end story, in essence an absolutely cracking read!’ Margaret Harris, Netgalley ‘A gorgeously sweet romance!’ From Rachael Claire ‘It's got laugh out loud moments, heart wrenching moments but most important that feel good factor’ Chantiece Bates, Goodreads

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Book SynopsisA MUST-READ FOR FANS OLD AND NEW, THIS STUNNING 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION IS THE PERFECT WAY TO REDISCOVER THE 1.5 MILLION COPY, NO. 1 BESTSELLING PHENOMENON''Fleet-footed, bracingly honest, funny, sexy, heart-breaking'' JOJO MOYES''A huge international phenomenon'' BBC RADIO 4 BOOKCLUB''Irresistible. Pitch-perfect, bitingly funny'' DAISY BUCHANAN''The voice of a generation'' DAILY MIRROR''Extraordinary'' IAN RANKIN''A true modern classic'' NINA STIBBEFEATURING INTRODUCTIONS FROM LISA TADDEO, DAVID NICHOLLS, NINA STIBBE AND MORE___________Meet Rachel Walsh.She''s been living it up in New York City, spending her nights talking her way into glamorous parties before heading home in the early hours to her adoring boyfriend, Luke.But her sensible older sister showing up and sending her off to actual rehab wasn''t quite part of her plan.She''s only aTrade ReviewKeyes has given us another rollicking good read, guarantee to make you snort into your cocktail * Mumsnet, Best Summer Reads *One of the funniest novels I've ever read -- Jill Mansell * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisCollects Right Ho, Jeeves; Joy in the Morning; and Carry on, Jeeves''If you haven''t read PG Wodehouse in a hot bath with a snifter of whiskey and ideally a rubber duck for company, you haven''t lived [...] A book that''s a sheer joy to read.'' INDEPENDENT''To dive into a Wodehouse novel is to swim in some of the most elegantly turned phrases in the English language.'' BEN SCHOTT______________________Jeeves may not always see eye to eye with Bertie Wooster on ties and fancy waistcoats, but he can always be relied on to whisk his young master spotlessly out of the soup (even if, for tactical reasons, he did drop him in it in the first place).The paragon of Gentlemen''s Personal Gentlemen shimmers through the pages in much the same way he did through the first Jeeves Omnibus. This volume contains one brilliant collection of short stories and two hilarious novels: Right Ho, Jeeves, Joy in Trade ReviewThe greatest comic writer ever * Douglas Adams *The funniest writer ever to put words to paper -- Hugh LaurieP.G. Wodehouse wrote the best English comic novels of the century -- Sebastian FaulksSublime comic genius -- Ben Elton

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Book SynopsisNothing has happened. Not yet, anyway. This is how all things begin.Welcome to Apex City, formerly Bangalore, where everything is decided by the mathematically perfect Bell Curve.With the right image, values and opinions, you can ascend to the glittering heights of the Twenty Percent – the Virtual elite – and have the world at your feet. Otherwise you risk falling to the precarious Ten Percent, and deportation to the ranks of the Analogs, with no access to electricity, running water or even humanity.The system has no flaws. Until the elusive “Ten Percent Thief” steals a single jacaranda seed from the Virtual city and plants a revolution in the barren soil of the Analog world.Previously published in South Asia only as Analog/Virtual, The Ten Percent Thief is a striking debut by a ferocious new talent.Trade Review“In the best tradition of dystopian fiction, Analog/Virtual explores issues about class, society, power structures and values. Lavanya Lakshminarayan has skilfully crafted a series of interwoven stories about a frighteningly plausible near future scenario, rooted in the extrapolation of today’s worship of technology and productivity. Spanning multiple points of view, writing styles and character voices, this masterful work of science fiction weaves its individual stories into a complex and engaging whole.” – S.B. Divya, Nebula Award finalist and author of Runtime“Lavanya Lakshminarayan’s debut drops us headfirst into a future Bangalore where a corporation rules the world and humanity seeks security and fulfilment in a thought-policed virtuality. I loved the razor-sharp writing and vivid detailing of her unfolding of the human situations and dilemmas of the Analog–Virtual divide in society. This is fiction playing for the highest stakes – and winning.” – Chandrahas Choudhury, author of Clouds“Productivity is power. The monster under your bed corrects your social opinions. And if you slip too far you might just end up living in the real world… by turns horror, cyberpunk, and biting social satire, Analog/Virtual is a high velocity anthem sung through the shape of things to come.” – Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, Nebula Award finalist and author of The Inhuman Race“Lakshminarayan is a favourite... The Ten Percent Thief is an ambitious novel.” -- The Washington Post“If you ever wondered how Huxley’s Brave New World would look when social media metrics take charge, Lakshminarayan’s Ten Percent Thief gets all the likes and thumbs up for showing us a world no sane person would want to live in. It’s deeply disturbing, but you can’t look away.” -- Wayne Santos“An astonishing, kaleidoscopic journey through the fractured landscape of a future India where cyber-power has created a new system of oppression, this beautifully written novel of imaginative literature serves both as a warning and a source of resurgent hope. Grim, unrelenting, polyphonic and exhilarating.” -- Vandana Singh“The Ten Percent Thief delivers hope, wonder, bleakness, humour and wisdom in equal measure, with unforgettable characters telling a multifaceted story of a future revolution. A complex, dazzling debut.” -- Samit Basu“Immersive and skillfully wrought; a fascinating kaleidoscope of near-future dystopian fiction” -- Stark Holborn“Lakshminarayan’s nuanced dystopian future will leave readers questioning their own relationship with technology and social media as they follow the cookie crumb trail of conformity and dissent through multiple character perspectives. The result is as satisfying as it is clever.” -- Publishers Weekly“A series of taut, Dickian cyberpunk vignettes, always introducing fascinating new protagonists to its intertwining cast of dozens; at its best when lampooning the contemporary worlds of social media, e-sports, app-obsession and the hyper-gamification of everything from art to economic standing. A sparkling debut.” -- Aubrey Wood, author of Bang Bang Bodhisattva“Playful and crushing in equal measure.” -- FanFiAddict“A new masterpiece” -- SciFiNow“Lakshminarayan uses her novel to flawlessly confront constructed binaries built into the very fabric of contemporary society” -- The Fantasy Hive“The Ten Percent Thief is bold and creative, and Lakshminarayan expertly packages a warning that will only get more relevant with time” -- STARBURST Magazine“There are wonders and gizmos within Apex City, but these are stories about people’s lives. This is, punk-like, a collection of rebellions against, and reconsiderations of, the status quo. One of my favourite books of recent years.” -- Jared Shurin, Raptor Velocity“Impressive” -- SFX“Stunning and thought-provoking” -- The British Fantasy Society“Smart, vivid, engaging” -- The Guardian“Lavanya Lakshminarayan breathes new life into dystopia” -- The Washington Post“Deeply thought-provoking and timely” - Grimdark Magazine“The Ten Percent Thief is really terrific; I loved it.” – Dave Hutchinson

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Book SynopsisP. G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) is widely regarded as the greatest comic writer of the 20th century. Wodehouse wrote more than 70 novels and 200 short stories, creating numerous much-loved characters - the inimitable Jeeves and Wooster, Lord Emsworth and his beloved Empress of Blandings, Mr Mulliner, Ukridge, and Psmith. His humorous articles were published in more than 80 magazines, including Punch, over six decades. He was also a highly successful music lyricist, once with over five musicals running on Broadway simultaneously. P.G. Wodehouse was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for 'an outstanding and lasting contribution to the happiness of the world'.

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Book SynopsisNamed a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Time, NPR, Amazon,Vice, Bustle, The New York Times, The Guardian, Kirkus Reviews, Entertainment Weekly, The AV Club, & AudibleA New York Times Bestseller“One of the most compelling protagonists modern fiction has offered in years: a loopy, quietly furious pillhead whose Ambien ramblings and Xanaxed b*tcheries somehow wend their way through sad and funny and strange toward something genuinely profound.” — Entertainment Weekly “Darkly hilarious . . . [Moshfegh’s] the kind of provocateur who makes you laugh out loud while drawing blood.” —VogueFrom one of our boldest, most celebrated new literary voices, a novel about a young woman''s efforts to duck the ills of the world by embarking on an extended hibernation with the help of one of the worst psychiatrists in the annals of literature and the battery of medicines she prescribes.Our narrator should be happy, shouldn''t she? She''s young, thin, pretty, a recent Columbia graduate, works an easy job at a hip art gallery, lives in an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan paid for, like the rest of her needs, by her inheritance. But there is a dark and vacuous hole in her heart, and it isn''t just the loss of her parents, or the way her Wall Street boyfriend treats her, or her sadomasochistic relationship with her best friend, Reva. It''s the year 2000 in a city aglitter with wealth and possibility; what could be so terribly wrong?My Year of Rest and Relaxation is a powerful answer to that question. Through the story of a year spent under the influence of a truly mad combination of drugs designed to heal our heroine from her alienation from this world, Moshfegh shows us how reasonable, even necessary, alienation can be. Both tender and blackly funny, merciless and compassionate, it is a showcase for the gifts of one of our major writers working at the height of her powers.

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ? A small-town sweetheart and an emotionally unavailable bad boy try to find some common ground in this chemistry-filled romance from the author of The Cheat Sheet and When in Rome.A POPSUGAR AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEARAnnie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match?someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. But finding her dream man may be harder than Annie imagined. Everyone knows everyone in her hometown, and the dating prospects are getting fewer by the day. After she overhears her latest date say she is ?so unbelievably boring,? Annie starts to think the problem might be her. Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice . . . and Annie has the perfect person in mind to be her tutor: Will Griffin.Will?the sexy , tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard?is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement builds for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker, Annie?s brother. He has one personal objective while on the job: stay away from Annie Walker and any other possible attachments to this sleepy town. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will finds himself tasked with helping Annie find the love of her life by becoming the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky. Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie. He knows for a fact that some stuffy, straitlaced guy won?t make her happy, but he doesn?t have the heart to say no.Amid steamy practice dates and strictly ?educational? tutoring lessons, Annie discovers there are more layers to Will?s usual stoic attitude. As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. Maybe her love life doesn?t need to be perfect?it just needs to be real.Look for all of Sarah Adams?s When in Rome books:WHEN IN ROME ?PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT ?BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL (Coming Soon!)

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Book SynopsisThe audacity of this magical author duo to sneak in and steal Christmas in the sexiest way possible the charming holiday romp you absolutely need in your life!' TESSA BAILEYThe holiday romcom of my dreams! Sexy, progressive, hilarious, and full of good cheer' HELEN HOANGWhen Bee Hobbes takes the lead in a squeaky-clean romantic Christmas movie, there are only three rules:1. Don't get involved with anyone on set.2. Don't tell anyone what you do for a living.3. Definitely don't get involved with anyone on set.3b. Seriously.Now, she's filming in Christmas Notch, a small town with Christmas trees and festive tunes all year round.But Bee's got a secret identity to hide, and it's not family-friendly. And her co-star, Nolan Shaw, an ex-boyband member infamous for his own x-rated antics, not only knows it, but is secretly her biggest fan.When things start to heat up on set, Bee and Nolan must keep this steamy affair under wraps, or risk ruining everything . . ._________________'Funny and saucy, this certainly puts the X-rated into Xmas'Heat'A merry little masterpiece . . . this is a read for those who want a winter romcom but with some X-rated antics'MetroThe holiday rom-com of your dreams!'CosmopolitanLooking for a little bit of spice from your Christmas romance? . . . A refreshingly entertaining and sexy read, which also features some great plus-size representation' PopsugarFor something a little spicy this Christmas, try this holiday romcom' YoursWith plenty of cheeky charm and a cast of superbly nuanced characters, this brilliantly executed rom-com both cleverly skewers and unabashedly celebrates the appeal of squeaky-clean holiday romances, while also championing body positivity in life and love'BooklistTrade Review‘Witty and entertaining from first page to last, A Merry Little Meet Cute will delight readers looking for a fresh, funny, fat- and sex-positive romcom . . . This book is a joy to read’ OLIVIA DADE, bestselling author of Ship Wrecked ‘A diamond-tier rom-com filled with laugh-out-loud hilarity, and sizzling spice . . . This is what a holiday romance should be!’ NISHA SHARMA, author of Dating Dr. Dil

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Book SynopsisA week after Mary Jane starts, the rock star and his movie star wife move in.Over the course of the summer, Mary Jane introduces her new household to crisply ironed clothes and a family dinner schedule, and has a front-row seat to a liberal world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll (not to mention group therapy).Trade Review"Delightful...Blau is a deft hand with comic juxtaposition and domestic fantasy. She keeps it light, she keeps it moving and she’s got terrific visuals...You can watch the movie in your mind. Lady Gaga as Sheba? I’m already casting it." — New York Times Book Review "I LOVED Jessica Anya Blau’s novel. Mary Jane is about an oppressed teenager being given a jolt of life and joy by an eccentric found family of therapists, a child, a rock star and a movie star in the 1970s....If you have ever sung along to a hit on the radio, in any decade, then you will devour Mary Jane at 45rpm." — Nick Hornby "I dare you to find a more winning novel than Jessica Anya Blau’s Mary Jane. Filled with humor and sharpness and so much light, this book introduces an amazing cast of characters, all so unique and finely observed, held together by the clarity of Mary Jane’s voice. It evokes those rare moments when your world is on the precipice of change, almost a dream, and how thrilling it is to push your way toward something new." — Kevin Wilson "Blau’s intelligent, witty novel captures the essence of the ’70s with humor and immensely appealing characters. Highly recommended." — Library Journal (starred review) "Blau’s coming-of-age charmer will hit all of the nostalgia notes." — Parade "MARY JANE is that rare thing: An utterly charming, absurdly delightful novel that also makes you think deeply about the world around you. Jessica Anya Blau's clear-eyed wit reminded me of Curtis Sittenfeld and Laurie Colwin, and, of course, Jane Austen." — Joanna Rakoff, author of My Salinger Year “The experience of reading Jessica Anya Blau’s Mary Jane is a lot like eating quality candy: super enjoyable, crazy good. I am sad to have finished it.” — Marcy Dermansky "A serious book packed with funny moments and a lot of heart." — Boston Globe "A charming and poignant tale of desire, image, Americana, and chosen family." — Booklist "This novel is a week at the beach with rock stars, it’s a three-part harmony at a kitchen table, it’s finding a family where you fit in. Jessica Anya Blau is a smart, generous, sensitive storyteller, and Mary Jane is a loving, sexy, funny, and beautiful book." — Gabriel Brownstein, author of The Open Heart Club “Jessica Anya Blau is one of the funniest writers--EVER. No one captures the oddities, joys --and yes--the pain--of modern life with such frankness, humor and sly-witted style.” — ZZ Packer, author of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere "Both poignant and tremendously funny...unendingly charming and fun." — Shelf Awareness "Wonderful...A tale of clashing cultures and a slow awakening of ideas, hope and beliefs, this is one of those novels you’ll be so glad to lose yourself to. It’s also perfect for fans of Curtis Sittenfeld's books – and we can give it no higher praise…" — Stylist (UK)

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Book SynopsisDo lobsters feel pain? Did Franz Kafka have a sick sense of humour? What is John Updike''s deal anyway? And who won the Adult Video News'' Female Performer of the Year Award the same year Gwyneth Paltrow won her Oscar? David Foster Wallace answers these questions and more in his new book of hilarious non-fiction. For this collection, David Foster Wallace immerses himself in the three-ring circus that is the presidential race in order to document one of the most vicious campaigns in recent history. Later he strolls from booth to booth at a lobster festival in Maine and risks life and limb to get to the bottom of the lobster question. Then he wheedles his way into an L.A. radio studio, armed with tubs of chicken, to get the behind-the-scenes view of a conservative talkshow featuring a host with an unnatural penchant for clothing that only looks good on the radio. In what is sure to be a much-talked-about exploration of distinctly modern subjects, one of the sharpest minds of oTrade ReviewHe is eloquent, scathing, precise and very funny * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *Wallace's voice comes zinging off the page, reinforcing the school of thought that says he's some type of maybe-genius doing something they haven't invented a word for yet * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *A writer of virtuostic talents who can seemingly do anything * NEW YORK TIMES *Wallace is a superb comedian of culture . . . his exuberance and intellectual impishness are a delight * James Woods, GUARDIAN *

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Book SynopsisThe witches of the Discworld are back! An hysterical exploration of the magical world of the opera, brimming with Sir Terry Pratchett''s stylish wit''Pratchett uses his other world to hold up a distorting mirror to our own'' The Times THE SHOW MUST GO ON, AS MURDER, MUSIC AND MAYHEM RUN RIOT IN THE NIGHT...The Opera House, Ankh-Morpork... A huge, rambling building, where innocent young sopranos are lured to their destiny by a strangely familiar evil mastermind in a hideously deformed evening dress...At least, he hopes so. But Granny Weatherwax, Discworld''s most famous witch, is in the audience. And she doesn''t hold with that sort of thing.So there''s going to be trouble (but nevertheless a good evening''s entertainment with murders you can really hum...)Readers love Maskerade:''This book had me sniggering and even laughing out loud every 20 pages or so, it truly was an Trade ReviewA sequence of unalloyed delight - GUARDIANHe is screamingly funny. He is wise. He has style - DAILY TELEGRAPHHis spectacular inventiveness makes the Discworld series one of the perennial joys of modern fiction - MAIL ON SUNDAYPratchett has a subject and a style that is very much his own - SUNDAY TIMESTo say that Terry Pratchett is popular is a bit like saying the Arctic Circle is a bit nippy - SUNDAY EXPRESS

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate Tolkien Parody. 300,000 copies sold in since 2001!Trade ReviewLurches drunkenly through Tolkien's narrative, scrawling graffiti on noble citadels and firing off gags with such machine-gun speed that something hits the funny bone on almost every page -- David Langford

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Book SynopsisA mysterious stranger named Chichikov arrives in a small provincial Russian town and proceeds to visit a succession of landowners, making each of them an unusual and somewhat macabre proposition. He offers to buy the rights to the dead serfs who are still registered on the landowner's estate, thus reducing their liability for taxes. It is not clear what Chichikov's intentions are with the dead serfs he is purchasing, and despite his attempts to ingratiate himself, his strange behaviour arouses the suspicions of everyone in the town.A biting satire of social pretensions and pomposity, Dead Souls has been revered since its original publication in 1842 as one of the funniest and most brilliant novels of nineteenth-century Russia. Its unflinching and remorseless depiction of venality in Russian society is a lasting tribute to Gogol's comic genius.Trade Review"Gogol was a strange creature, but then genius is always strange." - Vladimir Nabokov

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Book SynopsisA grumpy farmer and a no-nonsense social media influencer have another chance at love in this charming romantic comedy.Evelyn St. James isn?t the kind of woman you forget. Beckett Porter certainly hasn?t. One incredible weekend in Maine, and he?s officially a man distracted. He?s not unfamiliar with hot and heavy flings, but Evie wove some sort of magic over him during their tumble in the sheets. He can?t stop thinking about her laugh. Her hand pressed flat against his chest. Her smiling mouth at his neck.So when she suddenly appears on his farm as part of a social media contest, he is…confused. He had no idea that the sweet and sexy woman he met at a bar is actually a global phenomenon. When Evie disappears again, Beckett resolves to finally move on.But Evie, who has been feeling disconnected from her work and increasingly dissatisfied with life online, is trying to find her way back to something real. She returns to the last place she was happy: Lovelight Farms and the tiny town of Inglewild. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the hot farmer she spent two incredible nights with.

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Book SynopsisShe's got ice in her heart and a kiss on her lips...1939, New York. Private Eye, Melody Malone, is hired to find a stolen ruby, the Eye of Horus. The ruby might hold the secret to the location of Cleopatra's tomb - but everyone who comes into contact with it dies. Can Melody escape the ruby's curse?1939, New York. River Song, author of the Melody Malone Mysteries, is forced to find a reality-altering weapon, the Eye of Horus - but everyone who comes into contact with it dies. River doesn't believe in curses - but is she wrong?From the top-security confines of Stormcage to the barbarism of first-century Egypt, River battles to find the Eye of Horus before its powers are used to transform the universe. To succeed, she must team up with a most unlikely ally - her own fictional alter ego, Melody. And together they must solve another mystery: Is fiction changing into fact - or is fact changing into fiction?

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZEFEATURED ON BBC'S BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUBPenelope Fitzgerald's Booker Prize-winning novel of loneliness and connecting is set among the houseboat community of the Thames, with an introduction from Alan Hollinghurst.On Battersea Reach, a mixed bag of the temporarily lost and the patently eccentric live on houseboats, rising and falling with the tide of the Thames.There is good-natured Maurice, by occupation a male prostitute, by chance a receiver of stolen goods. And Richard, an ex-navy man whose boat, much like its owner, dominates the Reach. Then there is Nenna, an abandoned wife and mother of two young girls running wild on the muddy foreshore, whose domestic predicament, as it deepens, will draw this disparate community together.Trade ReviewPraise for Penelope Fitzgerald and Offshore: ‘An astonishing book. Hardly more than 50,000 words, it is written with a manic economy that makes it seem even shorter, and with a tamped-down force that continually explodes in a series of exactly controlled detonations. Offshore is a marvellous achievement: strong, supple, humane, ripe, generous and graceful.’ Bernard Levin, Sunday Times ‘She writes the kind of fiction in which perfection is almost to be hoped for, unostentatious as true virtuosity can make it, its texture a pure pleasure.’ Frank Kermode, London Review of Books ‘Perfectly balanced…the novelistic equivalent of a Turner watercolour.’ Washington Post ‘Reading a Penelope Fitzgerald novel is like being taken for a ride in a peculiar kind of car. Everything is of top quality – the engine, the coachwork and the interior all fill you with confidence. Then, after a mile or so, someone throws the steering-wheel out of the window.’ Sebastian Faulks ‘This Booker prize winner is a slightly dark, witty novel … The brilliant Fitzgerald takes a subtle squint at thwarted love, loneliness and the human need to be necessary’ Val Hennessy, Daily Mail

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