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Penguins Stopped Play: Eleven village cricketers take on the world (Isis (cds) Ser.)
by Harry Thompson'Completely brilliant' Ian HislopIt seemed a simple enough idea at the outset: to assemble a team of eleven men to play cricket on each of the seven continents of the globe. Except - hold on a minute - that's not a simple idea at all. And when you throw in incompetent airline officials, amorous Argentine Colonels' wives, cunning Bajan drug dealers, gay Australian waiters, overzealous American anti-terrorist police, idiot Welshmen dressed as Santa Claus, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and whole armies of pitch-invading Antarctic penguins, you quickly arrive at a whole lot more than you bargained for. Harry Thompson's hilarious book tells the story of one of those great idiotic enterprises that only an Englishman could have dreamed up, and only a bunch of Englishmen could possibly have wished to carry out.
A Piano In The Pyrenees: The Ups and Downs of an Englishman in the French Mountains (Isis Series)
by Tony Hawks'If you had to pick two things you wanted - if you had to - what would you pick?'I hesitated. This was a bigger question than usually got asked at these post-match debriefs. 'I suppose the honest answer would be,' I said, still accessing the last pieces of required data from a jumbled mind, 'meeting my soul mate, and finding an idyllic house abroad somewhere.'Inspired by breathtaking views and romantic dreams of finding love in the mountains, Tony Hawks impulsively buys a house in the French Pyrenees. Here, he plans to finally fulfil his childhood fantasy of mastering the piano, untroubled by the problems of the world. In reality, the chaotic story of Tony's hopelessly ill-conceived house purchase reads like the definitive guide to how not to buy a house in France. It finds him flirting with the removal business in a disastrous attempt to transport his piano to France in a dodgy white van; foolishly electing to build a swimming pool himself; and expanding his relationship repertoire when he starts co-habiting, not with an exquisite French beauty, but with a middle-aged builder from West London.As Tony and his friends haplessly attempt to fit into village life, they learn more about themselves and each other than they ever imagined.
The Pleasure Trip (Mills And Boon M&b Ser.)
by Joanne RockShe may be on a cruise liner, but lately, Rita Frazer's life looks more like a shabby dinghy.
Possible Side Effects
by Augusten BurroughsFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Running with Scissors comes Augusten Burroughs's most provocative collection of true stories yet. From nicotine gum addiction to lesbian personal ads to incontinent dogs, Possible Side Effects mines Burroughs's life in a series of uproariously funny essays. These are stories that are uniquely Augusten, with all the over-the-top hilarity of Running with Scissors,the erudition of Dry, and the breadth of Magical Thinking. A collection that is universal in its appeal and unabashedly intimate, Possible Side Effects continues to explore that which is most personal, mirthful, disturbing, and cherished, with unmatched audacity. A cautionary tale in essay form. Be forewarned--hilarious, troubling, and shocking results might occur.
Pretty Little Mistakes: A Do-over Novel (A\do-over Novel Ser. #1)
by Heather McelhattonIt all begins after high school. Nothing's simple anymore. Should you do the right thing and go to college? Or why not walk on the wild side and travel? Whatever you decide, just remember, PRETTY LITTLE MISTAKES isn't like life: when you screw up, you can go back and start all over again... With more than 150 possible endings sewn into this startlingly fresh and original debut, you can experience lives taken to the depths of misery, or the heights of happiness and fulfilment. Because doesn't everyone wonder What if...?
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse (Princess Mirror-Belle #6)
by Julia DonaldsonFrom Julia Donaldson, the bestselling author of The Gruffalo, comes Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse, the exciting adventures of a princess with a difference. Full of black-and-white illustrations by Lydia Monks, Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse is perfect for fans of this bestselling picture-book team who are beginning to read on their own.Ellen gets a big shock when her double appears out of the bathroom mirror. But Mirror-Belle is a double with a difference! She is a princess, and a very mischievous one at that. Join magically mischievous Mirror-Belle as she comes popping out of Ellen's mirror to sweep her into a variety of hilarious escapades - from exploring a hospital after Ellen falls off her bike to chasing after Mirror-Belle's Magic Ball. You can always guarantee that wherever Mirror-Belle goes, trouble will follow.Beautifully illustrated by Lydia Monks - Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse is perfect for more confident readers.
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse: Princess Mirror-Belle Bind Up 3 (Princess Mirror-Belle #6)
by Julia DonaldsonFrom Julia Donaldson, the bestselling author of The Gruffalo, comes Princess Mirror-Belle and The Flying Horse, the exciting adventures of a mischievous princess. Full of black-and-white illustrations by Lydia Monks, Princess Mirror-Belle is perfect for fans of this bestselling picture book team who are beginning to read on their own. This bind-up of two fantastic books, Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse and Princess Mirror-Belle and the Sea Monster's Cave, contains four delightful stories that children will come back to again and again.Ellen's life is turned upside down by the hilarious Mirror-Belle, a spirited princess who claims to be from somewhere mysterious and far away. She appears out of mirrors to tell Ellen magical stories and take her on exciting escapades. From exploring a hospital after Ellen falls off her bike to chasing after Mirror-Belle's magic ball, going to the seaside and joining the unusual pets club, you can always guarantee that wherever Mirror-Belle goes, trouble will follow.
The Proposal
by Owen SlotThen:Back at university Dominic makes a drunken pact with Lucy: if neither of us are married by 35, let's marry each other.Now:They are 35. And they are condering if it could actually work. Dominic's quit life as a brilliant New York ad exec and moved back to London to find out. Lucy is a single mother and doesn't know whether to take him seriously.The proposal would be ideal - if only he wasn't already married, she hadn't tried marriage once before, and their sex wasn't quite so bad...Can friendship be redesigned to make a marriage?Or is there too much excess baggage?
QI: Everything You Think You Know Is Wrong (Quite Interesting Ser.)
by John Lloyd John MitchinsonAn indispensable compendium of popular misconceptions, misunderstandings and common mistakes culled from the hit BBC show, QI. From the bestselling authors of The Book of General Ignorance comes a noticeably stouter edition, with 26% extra facts and figures perfect for trivia, pub quiz and general knowledge enthusiasts. The QI team sets out again to show you that a lot of what you think you know is wrong. If, like Alan Davies, you still think the Henry VIII had six wives, the earth has only one moon, that George Washington was the first president of the USA, that Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, that the largest living thing is a blue whale, that Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, that whisky and bagpipes come from Scotland or that Mount Everest is the world's tallest mountain, then there are at least 200 reasons why this is the book for you. The researchers at QI have written many bestselling books including such titles as The QI Book of General Ignorance and 1,277 Facts To Blow Your Socks Off. They now present a noticeably stouter edition, an indispensable handbook for trivia lovers, pub quiz enthusiasts and general knowledge experts alike. And remember - everything you think you know is still wrong.
A Question of Love
by Isabel WolffThe sparkling new romantic comedy from the bestselling author of Behaving Badly. Perfect for fans of Jane Green.
The Quotable Oscar Wilde: A Collection of Wit and Wisdom (RP Minis)
by Sheridan Morley"I must die as I lived, beyond my means." Arguably the most quoted man in history, and certainly in his day, this enormous miniature collection is filled with Oscar Wildes' most notorious and witty sayings. Organized into five neat sections useful for any situation, this book is perfect for either enjoying in small bites or devouring in one sitting. Featuring a biography, quotes, a poem and short story, it is a must have for Wilde lovers and novices alike.
The Real Animal House: The Awesomely Depraved Saga of the Fraternity That Inspired the Movie
by Chris MillerThe creator of Animal House at last tells the real story of the fraternity that inspired the iconic film -- a story far more outrageous and funny than any movie could ever capture.
A Red State of Mind: How a Catfish Queen Reject Became a Liberty Belle
by Nancy FrenchA columnist for the "Philadelphia Daily News," Nancy French blends her hilarious fish-out-of-water tale with humorous observations about the South's obsession with everything from church attendance to the blue-state notion that red staters think as slowly as they speak.
Relax Max (Max #3)
by Sally GrindleyD.J. is fresh from her triumph with the film of My Teacher's a Nutcase, but she's having trouble. It seems that she has got writer's block! Through his letters and cards, and also his new discovery - email - Max tries to help her, but he has problems of his own. He's not only changing schools but also trying to become accustomed to his Mum's boyfriend James. Will D.J. and Max be able to help each other to resolve their problems? This is another wonderful and compelling Max story that's filled with humour, excitement and emotion.
Return Of The Timewaster Letters (Tom Thorne Novels #124)
by Robin Cooper'Even funnier than the funniest book I've read' - Matt Lucas In his 2004 bestseller The Timewaster Letters, Robin Cooper plagued everyone from the Campaign for Courtesy to the British Halibut Association with his bizarre and surreal written requests. In Return of the Timewaster Letters, he delivers another wonderful collection of his polite, persistent and peculiar correspondence. Whether he is raising money for his nationwide hair-drying tour, booking a hotel room for his robot calf, or just trying to get rid of half a ton of unwanted herring, Robin's imagination, as ever, knows no bounds . . .
Revel with a Cause: Liberal Satire in Postwar America
by Stephen E. KercherWe live in a time much like the postwar era. A time of arch political conservatism and vast social conformity. A time in which our nation’s leaders question and challenge the patriotism of those who oppose their policies. But before there was Jon Stewart, Al Franken, or Bill Maher, there were Mort Sahl, Stan Freberg, and Lenny Bruce—liberal satirists who, through their wry and scabrous comedic routines, waged war against the political ironies, contradictions, and hypocrisies of their times. Revel with a Cause is their story. Stephen Kercher here provides the first comprehensive look at the satiric humor that flourished in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. Focusing on an impressive range of comedy—not just standup comedians of the day but also satirical publications like MAD magazine, improvisational theater groups such asSecond City, the motion picture Dr. Strangelove, and TV shows like That Was the Week That Was—Kercher reminds us that the postwar era saw varieties of comic expression that were more challenging and nonconformist than we commonly remember. His history of these comedic luminaries shows that for a sizeable audience of educated, middle-class Americans who shared such liberal views, the period’s satire was a crucial mode of cultural dissent. For such individuals, satire was a vehicle through which concerns over the suppression of civil liberties, Cold War foreign policies, blind social conformity, and our heated racial crisis could be productively addressed. A vibrant and probing look at some of the most influential comedy of mid-twentieth-century America, Revel with a Cause belongs on the short list of essential books for anyone interested in the relationship between American politics and popular culture.
Revel with a Cause: Liberal Satire in Postwar America
by Stephen E. KercherWe live in a time much like the postwar era. A time of arch political conservatism and vast social conformity. A time in which our nation’s leaders question and challenge the patriotism of those who oppose their policies. But before there was Jon Stewart, Al Franken, or Bill Maher, there were Mort Sahl, Stan Freberg, and Lenny Bruce—liberal satirists who, through their wry and scabrous comedic routines, waged war against the political ironies, contradictions, and hypocrisies of their times. Revel with a Cause is their story. Stephen Kercher here provides the first comprehensive look at the satiric humor that flourished in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. Focusing on an impressive range of comedy—not just standup comedians of the day but also satirical publications like MAD magazine, improvisational theater groups such asSecond City, the motion picture Dr. Strangelove, and TV shows like That Was the Week That Was—Kercher reminds us that the postwar era saw varieties of comic expression that were more challenging and nonconformist than we commonly remember. His history of these comedic luminaries shows that for a sizeable audience of educated, middle-class Americans who shared such liberal views, the period’s satire was a crucial mode of cultural dissent. For such individuals, satire was a vehicle through which concerns over the suppression of civil liberties, Cold War foreign policies, blind social conformity, and our heated racial crisis could be productively addressed. A vibrant and probing look at some of the most influential comedy of mid-twentieth-century America, Revel with a Cause belongs on the short list of essential books for anyone interested in the relationship between American politics and popular culture.
The Rise And Fall Of A Yummy Mummy
by Polly WilliamsFor every mum who has trodden on one plastic brick too many, or looked at her phone instead of lovingly recording her little one's every moment, or poured a large wine because it's four o'clock on Friday. If you've ever shared a post from the Unmumsy Mum or giggled at Hurrah for Gin, this book is for you. Amy Crane is in crisis. Six months after the birth of her baby, Amy still looks pregnant and can't remember the last time she had a wax, or an orgasm. Motherhood is stirring up disturbing questions about her own childhood. And she suspects her boyfriend is cheating. Enter Alice, yummy mummy superior, on a mission to transform Amy's body, and love life. As Amy swaps breast pads for Botox and climbs out of a vortex of self-doubt, her libido awakens from its long nap and things get rather more complicated ...A wonderfully well-written, funny and sharp novel about the trials of playing hip happy families and the contradictions at the heart of modern motherhood.
The Rise and Fall of the Queen of Suburbia: A Black-hearted Soap Opera
by Sarah MayDo you know what your neighbours get up to behind closed doors? And more to the point, do you want to know? ‘The Rise and Fall of the Queen of Suburbia is a darkly comic portrayal of marriage, relationships, neighbours and suburbia.
Robert the Bruce And All That: King Of Scots
by Allan Burnett'Packed with humour - I recommend the whole lot!,' - The School Librarian Robert the Bruce and All That is a real-life adventure packed with historical facts about Scotland's warrior king. Gallop alongside King Robert the Bruce as he takes up the quest to free the Scots from terrifying King Edward and his bumbling son, Edward II. Voyage with Bruce to the mysterious islands of the west, and read about the secret plan to win over his kingdom. Discover what happened to Bruce's queen and sisters when they were seized by the enemy. Learn how to capture a castle as Bruce and his men topple enemy fortresses across the land. Hear skulls crack as Bruce sends Edward II homeward to think again at the Battle of Bannockburn. Follow Bruce's amazing life after death as his heart is taken into battle in Spain - and find out how it was safely returned home. Aimed at children aged 8-12 * Learn about Bruce's dark secrets as well as his heroic deeds. * Discover how well Bruce really got on with William Wallace. * Understand why Bruce's Declaration of Independence is big in America. * Find out how Bruce became the original Spider-Man.
Round Ireland With A Fridge: On-line Retail
by Tony Hawks'I hereby bet Tony Hawks the sum of One Hundred Pounds that he cannot hitchhike round the circumference of Ireland, with a fridge, within one calendar month'A foolhardy attempt to win a drunken bet led to Tony Hawks having one of the most unforgettable experiences of his life. Joined by his trusty travelling-companion-cum-domestic-appliance, he found himself in the midst of a remarkable, inspirational and, at times, downright silly adventure.In their month of madness, Tony and his fridge surfed together; entered a batchelor festival; and one of them had sex without the other knowing. The fridge got christened, and they even met the poorest king on Earth.An absurd story of an extraordinary adventure, Round Ireland with a Fridge follows the fearless pair as they battle towards Dublin and a breathtaking finale that is moving, uplifting, and a fitting conclusion to the whole ridiculous affair.
Ryan's Brain: Ryan's Brain (Jiggy McCue #8)
by Michael LawrenceThis eighth Jiggy McCue story sees Jiggy and his pals, Angie and Pete, as usual, in trouble. This time, they are under threat from the brain of Bryan Ryan, one of their classmates. Bryan's Brain is out of control and threatening to take over the world! And only Jiggy, Pete and Angie, the 'Three Musketeers', can stop it. One for All and All for Lunch!
Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney: 20 Funny Poems Full of Christmas Cheer (Giggle Poetry)
by Kenn Nesbitt Linda KnausKenn Nesbitt and Linda Knaus—two of today&’s fastest-rising poetry stars—will light up your holiday celebration with this book of cheerful Christmas poetry. Nesbitt and Knaus teamed up to create 20 charming poems capturing all the things that could go wrong during the Christmas season, including hunting for a mall parking spot on the day after Thanksgiving, Santa getting stuck in the chimney, eating unusual foods at a potluck Christmas dinner, and more.Laugh your way through the holiday season! Kenn Nesbitt and Linda Knaus will light up your holiday celebration with this book of cheerful Christmas poetry. Nesbitt and Knaus teamed up to create 20 charming poems capturing all the things that could go wrong during the Christmas season, including hunting for a mall parking spot on the day after Thanksgiving, Santa getting stuck in the chimney, eating unusual foods at a potluck Christmas dinner, and more.With delightful illustrations by Mike and Carl Gordon, this collection is sure to bring extra cheer to young and old this holiday season!
Santaland Diaries
by David SedarisA collection of surprising, disarming and 'extremely funny' essays from the internationally bestselling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day (Sunday Times) Santaland Diaries collects six of David Sedaris's most profound Christmas stories into one slender volume perfect for use as a last-minute coaster or ice-scraper. This drinking man's companion can be enjoyed by the warmth of a raging fire, the glow of a brilliantly decorated tree, or even in the back seat of a police car. It should be read with your eyes, felt with your heart, and heard only when spoken to. It should, in short, behave much like a book. And oh, what a book it is!'Sedaris writes with a gentle but unfailing acuity and a keen eye for the ridiculous ... extremely funny' -Sunday Times
Scots Dictionary: Collins Little Books (Collins Little Books)
by Collins DictionariesA highly popular and informative guide to the Scots language in an attractive format. Contains words and phrases from both literary and everyday language, this is the perfect wee dictionary of Scots for native and non-native speakers alike.