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Seriously Funny: The Endlessly Quotable Terry Pratchett
by Terry Pratchett‘I’ll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there’s evidence of any thinking going on inside it.’The most quotable writer of our time, Terry Pratchett’s unique brand of wit made him both a bestseller and an enduring, endearing source of modern wisdom. This collection is filled with his funniest and most memorable words about life, the universe and snoring.
Shakespeare's Comedies: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
by Bart van EsFrom The Two Gentlemen of Verona in the early 1590s to The Two Noble Kinsmen at the end of his career around 1614, Shakespeare wrote at least eighteen plays that can be called 'comedies': a far higher number than that for any other genre in which he wrote. So what is a Shakespearean comedy? We associate these plays with such themes as mistaken identities, happy marriages, and exuberant cross dressing, but how representative are these of the oeuvre as a whole? In this Very Short Introduction, Bart van Es explores the full range of the playwright's comic writing, from the neat classical plotting of early works like The Comedy of Errors to the corrupt world of the so-called problem plays, written in the middle years of Shakespeare's life. Examining Shakespeare's influences and sources, van Es compares his plays to those of his rivals, and looks at the history of the plays in performance, from the biographies of Shakespeare's original actors to the plays' endless reinvention in modern stage productions and in films. Identifying the key qualities that make Shakespearean comedy distinctive, van Es traces the changing nature of Shakespeare's comic writing over the course of a career that spanned nearly a quarter century of theatrical change. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Shakespeare's Guide to Parenting
by James AndrewsWilliam Shakespeare, dad of three, knew a few things about parenting. The ideal Christmas gift for new parents, grandparents, parents-to-be... Shakespeare's Guide to Parenting is the perfect pick-me-up for every parent or parent to be, helping mums and dads know exactly what to say, in every parenting eventuality.Sometimes, being a parent can leave you lost for words. So, who other to turn to than father of three William Shakespeare for the perfect response to all these parenting dilemmas, and more. This witty and erudite guide is a handy collection of wisdom, cunningly extracted from Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, and hilariously illustrated by James Andrews. From King Lear to Cleopatra, from Lady Macbeth to Juliet: Shakespeare proves, once again, that he is (as he said himself!) the font of all wisdom, including raising children.
Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf
by Greg Wolfe Howard McWilliamIn this delightfully inventive holiday tale, an elf named Shmelf takes a journey from the North Pole . . . and discovers all the joys of Hanukkah.Shmelf is one of Santa's most important elves. He's part of the List Checking department, and he makes sure all the good boys and girls get their presents! But when Shmelf finds out that some children are missing from Santa's list, he goes to investigate.What Shmelf uncovers is Hanukkah, a wondrous and joyful holiday that Jewish families celebrate each year. As Shmelf observes a family lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and hearing the Hanukkah story, he sees how special the traditions of the holiday truly are--and he wants to be a part of it! Luckily, Santa just might have a special role in mind for Shmelf . . .The rich traditions of Hanukkah come to life in this whimsical and magical story that's perfect for the holiday season.
Shtum: A funny and uplifting story of families and love
by Jem Lester'An unforgettable first novel' The Times * * * * *THE EBOOK BESTSELLER ABOUT FATHERS, SONS AND LOVETen-year-old Jonah lives in a world of his own.He likes colours and feathers and the feel of fresh air on his skin.He dislikes sudden loud noises and any change to his daily routine.Jonah has never spoken, yet somehow he communicates better than all of the adults in his life.Inspired by the author's experiences with his own son, SHTUM is a novel about three generations of a family learning to get along.* * * * *'A book with true heart and soul' Joanna Cannon'Whether you think Shtum is a novel about autism or about marriage (it's both, by the way), you will agree that it is, in the end, a love story infused with wit, charm, and a deep appreciation for the complex beauty of damaged souls.' Jonathan Tropper
Shylock is My Name: The Merchant of Venice Retold (Hogarth Shakespeare) (Hogarth Shakespeare #2)
by Howard JacobsonA re-envisaging of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, from the Man Booker Prize-winner and our great chronicler of Jewish life. ‘Who is this guy, Dad? What is he doing here?’ With an absent wife and a daughter going off the rails, wealthy art collector and philanthropist Simon Strulovitch is in need of someone to talk to. So when he meets Shylock at a cemetery in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle, he invites him back to his house. It’s the beginning of a remarkable friendship ...‘Jacobson is quite simply a master of comic precision. He writes like a dream’ Evening Standard'The funniest British novelist since Kingsley Amis or Tom Sharpe' Mail on Sunday
Sidemen: The book you've been waiting for
by The SidemenBillions of you have watched their videos and millions of you have followed them on social media.So here we go; it's time to back up because YouTube superstars, The Sidemen, are finally here in book form and they're dishing the dirt on each other as well as the YouTube universe. There's nowhere to hide as KSI, Miniminter, Behzinga, Zerkaa,Vikkstar123, Wroetoshaw and Tobjizzle go in hard on their living habits, their football ability, and their dodgy clobber, while also talking Fifa, Vegas and superheroes. They'll also give you their grand house tour, letting you in on a few secrets, before showing you their hall of fame, as well as revealing some of their greatest shames.Along the way you'll learn how seven of the world's biggest YouTube stars started off with nothing more than a computer console, a PC and a bad haircut before joining forces to crush the internet. And they'll tell you just how they did it (because they're nice like that) with their ultimate guide to YouTube while also sharing their memories of recording their favourite videos as well as a typical day in the life of The Sidemen.You'll feel like you're with them every step of the way, smelling the 'sweet' aroma of the boys' favourite dishes in the kitchen, stamping your passport as you follow them on their trips around the world and kicking every ball as the boys gear up for the biggest football match of their lives. It's going to get personal. It's going to get intense, and JJ is going to have lots of tantrums, so take a moment to prepare yourself, because this is The Sidemen book you've been waiting for!
The Silver Bells Christmas Pantomime (A Luna Bay novel)
by Lynsey James‘Lynsey James has written a lovely feelgood Christmas romance… As warming as a hot chocolate with extra cream and marshmallows. Loved it.’ – My Chestnut Reading Tree This Christmas pantomime is about to be the talk of the town!
The Singalong Society for Singletons
by Katey Lovell‘A joyful, funny, feel-good story, packed with showtunes, romance and a wonderfully warm cast’ – Sunday Times Bestselling author, Miranda Dickinson A charming, feel good novel about the healing powers of friendship…and Frozen!
Single, Carefree, Mellow: Stories (Vintage Contemporaries Ser.)
by Katherine HeinyThe wonderful story collection from the author of Standard Deviation ‘Heiny's work does something magical: gives women's interior lives the gravity they so richly deserve and makes you laugh along the way’ Lena Dunham ‘Like Cheever mixed with Ephron’ New York Times ‘Simply wonderful, I savoured every page’ Guardian
The Singles Game
by Lauren WeisbergerNew from the global bestselling author of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: it’s a match made in hell.
Size Matters: a BBW romantic comedy (A Perfect Fit #1)
by Alison BlissThe rules of (fake) engagement . . .Leah Martin has spent her life trying to avoid temptation. But she's sick of low-fat snacks, counting calories, and her hyper-critical mom. Fortunately, her popular new bakery keeps her good and distracted. But there aren't enough éclairs in the world to distract Leah from the hotness that is Sam Cooper - or the fact that he just told her mother that they're engaged . . . which is a big, fat lie.Sam sometime speaks before he thinks. So what started out as defending Leah's date-ability to her judgmental mother soon turned into having a fiancee! Now the plan is to keep up the fake engagement, stay "just friends," and make Leah's family loathe him enough to just call the whole thing off . But Sam has an insatiable sweet tooth, not only for Leah's decadent desserts but her decadent curves. Her full lips. Her bright green eyes. Yep, things aren't going quite according to plan. Now Sam has to convince Leah that he's for real . . . before their little lie turns into one big, sweet disaster.
Skeleton Island (An Araminta Spookie Adventure #2)
by Angie SageAraminta and her best friend Wanda are going on a school trip to Skeleton Island, a place rumored to be the site of a scary ghost shipwreck. And when the pair is stranded overnight, they discover that there might be more truth to the island's name than they would have preferred.Now some terrifying pirate skeletons are on the loose, and they want to take the girls down to Davy Jones's locker with them! Will Araminta, Wanda, and an unexpected friend be able to thwart the ghostly crew, avoid a watery fate, and maybe find some lost treasure to boot?Told with her trademark wit and a dash of scary fun, along with black and white illustrations throughout, Angie Sage's latest tale is perfect for fans of Pseudonymous Bosch and Jacqueline West.
Sleepless In Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love #1)
by Sarah Morgan‘The perfect book to curl up with’ - Heat
A Smattering of Latin
by Simon JamesThis fun, absorbing book, packed with quirky bite-sized lists, quizzes and trivia, is an exploration of the Latin language, aiming to prove that it is as vibrant and relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago.
A Smidgen of Shakespeare
by Geoff SpiteriIf the mere mention of Shakespeare fills you with dread, evoking memories of arduous afternoons spent in stuffy classrooms with eccentric English teachers, it is time to reconsider that far from being three-hour marathons of unintelligible boring rubbish, Shakespeare's plays are in fact exciting, tragic, funny and often downright rude – full of memorable plots, great insults, filthy jokes and eccentric characters. A Smidgen of Shakespeare lets you know the essentials, as well as providing you with a wealth of facts and trivia to amuse, impress and entertain (at school, in a seminar or down the pub). Succinct, pithy entries cover everything from Shakespeare’s greatest villains to his most cutting insult (hint: it involves your mum). As a playwright, he is truly a global figure – his work has been translated into more than 70 of the world’s languages, including Latin, ancient Greek and even Klingon. Did you know, however, that Shakespeare's influence even extends into the outer reaches of our solar system? 24 of Uranus's 27 moons are named after Shakespeare characters. The hundreds of entries range from the truly enlightening to the utterly obscure in this comprehensive guide that will re-introduce you to the fascinating world of Shakespeare’s work.
So, Anyway...: The Autobiography
by John CleeseA candid and brilliantly funny memoir......of how a tall, shy youth from Weston-super-Mare went on to become a self-confessed comedy legend.En route, John Cleese describes his nerve-wracking first public appearance at St Peter’s Preparatory School at the age of eight and five-sixths; his endlessly peripatetic home life with parents who seemed incapable of staying in any house for longer than six months; his first experiences in the world of work as a teacher who knew nothing about the subjects he was expected to teach; his hamster-owning days at Cambridge; and his first encounter with the man who would be his writing partner for over two decades, Graham Chapman.And so on to his dizzying ascent via scriptwriting for Peter Sellers, David Frost, Marty Feldman and others to the heights of Monty Python.Punctuated from time to time with John Cleese’s thoughts on topics as diverse as the nature of comedy, the relative merits of cricket and waterskiing, and the importance of knowing the dates of all the kings and queens of England, this is a masterly performance by a former schoolmaster.
So Now You're Back (Mira Ser.)
by Heidi Rice‘Domestic Diva’ Halle Best is world famous as Queen of the Kitchen,and everything in her life is going perfectly. Until her ex comes back into the picture!
Solomon and Mortimer
by Catherine RaynerSolomon Crocodile and his friend Mortimer are bored. They want to find some fun, but what can they do? Tree-climbing is tricky, chasing lizards doesn't end well and flying turns out to be a lot harder than it looks. But then they spot the biggest hippo in the river. Just imagine the splash he'd make if two naughty crocodiles were to surprise him! But Solomon and Mortimer are about to get a whole lot more than they bargained for . . .Sure to delight fans of the original Solomon Crocodile, which has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide, Solomon and Mortimer is a warm, funny and charming tale from the Kate Greenaway Medal winning Catherine Rayner, which young children will ask for again and again.
Somebody Like You (Maverick Junction #1)
by Lynnette AustinFrom the "talented writer" (Kirkus) of the Must Love Babies and Magnolia Brides series comes a charming, small-town romance between a cowboy and a heiress on the run. Cash Hardeman thinks he'll have all the time in the world to find the right woman . . . until he discovers he might lose the family ranch if he's not married by his thirtieth birthday. So when Boston beauty Annelise blows into town on her Harley, Cash can't help wondering if she's the sexy, leather-clad answer to all his problems.Giving her bodyguards and the paparazzi the slip, heiress Annelise Montjoy comes to Maverick Junction on a mission to help her ailing grandfather. But keeping her identity hidden in the small Texas town is harder than she expected-especially around a tempting cowboy like Cash. He's the kind of man who makes her want to spill all her secrets. Soon Annelise starts to wonder if she's finally found the man who can love her for herself rather than her money. But will the secrets they both keep ruin their plans to ride off into the sunset together?
Someone Like You: A heart-warming story from the author of The Prenup! (Oxford #3)
by Lauren LayneFans of Julie James, Carly Phillips and Chanel Cleeton - meet the men of Oxford magazine! Lauren Layne's bestselling Oxford Series continues with Someone Like You, the poignant, heartwarming story of New York's most eligible bachelor, Lincoln Mathis, a man who's living a lie - until his dream woman takes away the pain.Lincoln Mathis doesn't hide his reputation as Manhattan's ultimate playboy. In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there's a secret that Lincoln's hiding from even his closest friends - a tragedy from his past that holds his heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can't take his eyes off at his best friend's wedding. He also knows that she's everything he can never have.After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn't need anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister's wedding. One look at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he's exactly the type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln's secret, she realizes there's more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey that will either heal their damaged souls...or destroy them forever.Want more fun, fresh, flirty and very sexy rom-com? Check out all the titles in the Oxford series: Irresistibly Yours, I Wish You Were Mine and Someone Like You, and don't miss the warm, witty and sexy Wedding Belles series.Can a guy and a girl really be 'just friends'? You won't want to miss Lauren Layne's sexy take on this timeless question in Blurred Lines.
Something Old, Something New (Hq Digital Ser.)
by Darcie BoleynA heartwarming, giggle-inducing romance from Darcie Boleyn, just in time for the wedding season! Will you marry me…again?
Songs and Verse
by Roald DahlThink of your favourite Roald Dahl moment and surely a song or verse cannot be far away...SONGS AND VERSE has seven sections bursting with rhymes about monsters, magical creatures, gruesome children, ghastly adults as well as a few unusual surprises. From the strange and scrumptious dishes enjoyed by James's Centipede to George and his marvellous medicine, and from greedy Augustus Gloop to the Giraffe and the Pelly and Me there are many classics here together with some previously unpublished treats. With a foreword and opening illustrations by Quentin Blake, and illustrations throughout from other award-winning artists such as Babette Cole, Lauren Child, Chris Riddell, Alel Scheffler and Tony Ross, you will find a touch of magic on every page.
Speaking in Tongues: Curious Expressions from Around the World
by Ella Frances SandersEver feel like you are pedalling in the choucroute? Been caught with your beard in the mailbox again? Or maybe you just wish everyone would stop ironing your head?Speaking in Tongues brings the weird, wonderful and surprising nuanced beauty of language to life with over fifty gorgeous watercolour and ink illustrations.Here you will find the perfect romantic expression, such as the Spanish tu eres mi media naranja, or 'you are the love of my life, my soulmate', and the bizarre, including dancing bears and broken pots, feeding donkeys sponge cake, a head full of crickets, and clouds and radishes. All encourage new ways of thinking about the world around us, and breathe magnificent life into the everyday.These phrases from across the world are ageless and endlessly enchanting, passed down through generations. Now they are yours.
Spinderella (Reading Ladder Level 2 Ser. #25)
by Julia DonaldsonSpiders, football and counting collide with magical results in this bestselling picture book from master picture book creator Julia Donaldson!