Release Date: 03/10/13
Publisher: Preface Publishing
SYNOPSIS:
My wife is a magician, yesterday she turned our car into a tree. A big white horse walks into a pub. The barman says, 'we have a drink named after you.' The horse says, 'what? Eric?' I said, 'waiter, what's that in my soup?' he said, 'I'd better call the boss, I can't tell one insect from another.' I'm reading a book called 'Sex Before 20'. Personally I don't like audiences. I said, 'it's serious, doctor, I've broken my arm in 20 places'. He said, 'well stop going to those places.' I call my car flattery. It gets me know where.
REVIEW:
Ah classic comedy from the unique magician/slapstick comedian Tommy Cooper who is sadly missed. Within this title is a whole host of classic Cooper humour and liners that will have many a fan chuckling along as they remember the unique voice weaving the story. It’s great fun and whilst it might not be for some younger readers, those of an age to remember him will love it. All round a great compendium and obviously something lovingly researched by John Fisher. Great stuff.
Release Date: 17/10/12
Publisher: Adams Media
SYNOPSIS:
C***! C***! C***! Whether you spend hours daydreaming about c***, or can't stand looking at the c*** next door, The C-Word is a thought-provoking look at all different types of c***. Captured in a variety of situations, you'll find page after page of all different types of c***-hairy and trimmed, fat and skinny, playful and mean. It's c*** galore with more c*** than you could ever imagine! One thing is for certain: You will not be able to put down this photo-celebration of everyone's favorite c-word-cats.
REVIEW:
OK, worry not, the C Word mentioned in the title here isn’t a bad word (unless of course you are fans of “man’s best friend.)
Here within the pages of this title are wall to wall images of our feline master’s, the furry ones who must be obeyed, worshipped and adored who rule our homes with their iron paws.
It’s fun, it’s a book that contains some little sweeties as well as some whose ire is all too clear. My only problem with this book is that it wasn’t “cat”agorised or accompanied with witty comments. Don’t get me wrong, it was fun to go through but all round, it needed a little something extra to make it “purr”fect.
Release Date: 15/11/12
SYNOPSIS:
An epic in four movements, this is the third book in Robert Rankin's highly acclaimed meta-Victorian series. Comparable to Pratchett or Douglas Adams, the Father of Far Fetched Fiction has pulled out all of the stops with this riotous tale of wicked women, a dangerous detective and Darwin the educated ape. Lord Brentford has a dream. To create a Grand Exposition that will showcase The Wonders of the Worlds and encourage peace between the inhabited planets of Venus, Jupiter and Earth. Ernest Rutherford has a dream. To construct a time ship, powered by the large hadron collider he has built beneath the streets of London . Cameron Bell is England's greatest detective and he, too, has a dream. To solve the crime of the century before it takes place, without blowing up any more of London's landmarks. Darwin is a monkey butler and he also has a dream. To end Man's inhumanity to Monkey and bring a little joy into the world. Lavinia Dharkstorrm has a dream of her own. Although hers is more of a nightmare. To erase Man and Monkey alike from the face of the Earth and to hasten in the End of Days. Then there is the crime-fighting superlady, all those chickens from the past and the unwelcome arrival of The Antichrist. Things are looking rather grim on planet Earth.
REVIEW:
If you’re looking for a book that is different to any other out there then Rankin could well be the man for you, he has a touch of the mad scientist hidden within his mind that also brings the wonders of a possible Victorian age to the readers imagination. He’s quirky, he has quite a twisted imagination and when added to the wonders of what he decides to expose the reader to makes this something that you’ll either love or hate.
Personally I had a good bit of fun taking the scenic tour through this outing and when added to some wonderfully inventive concepts, solid prose and some more than interesting characters really makes this a book that I was pleased I spent the time with.
Release Date: 08/11/12
SYNOPSIS:
"T-Rex Trying: The Unfortunate Trials of the Tyrant Lizard King" - the hilarious internet phenomenon, now a wickedly funny book. Perfect for fans of "Simon's Cat" and "The Book of Bunny Suicides", the collected struggles of Hugh Murphy's ill-adapted predator is the perfect stocking filler or gift for this Christmas. He might be top predator in the Jurassic kingdom, but in modern life, T-Rex's comically short arms doom him to hilarious failure. T-Rex has teeth the size of bananas and eats Triceratops for breakfast, but when it's time to brush his teeth ...T-Rex is 12 metres long and 4 metres tall, but somehow he just can't change that light bulb ...And you can just forget about the vending machine. Containing dozens of never before seen illustrations, "T-Rex Trying: The Unfortunate Trials of the Tyrant Lizard King" is the cute, quirky and laugh-out-loud funny collection of cartoons that will have across the board appeal this Christmas. Hugh Murphy is a 28 year old student at the University of Southern California, Ostrow School of Dentistry. Hugh began his career as an artist selling watercolour paintings of fish in order to pay for his applications to dental school, but has always enjoyed drawing and painting in his free time. He loves science, nature films, his wife, Sarah, and shark week. "T-Rex Trying" began as a joke between Hugh and his brother, and is his first book. Hugh and Sarah moved to Los Angeles from Boston in August, 2010.
REVIEW:
I love a bit of comedy and whilst this originally started out as a humorous blog, the book of Hugh’s takes on a new light as we all laugh at the unfortunate condition of T-Rex and his short arms. What occurs within this book is a huge selection of every day tasks that most of us take for granted that poor ol’ T-Rex struggles to manage.
Add to the fun drawings that have a wonderful childishness about them that brings the humour across wonderfully and all round, with just a slight amount of colour, it really gives the reader a good chuckle. The only thing that I’d also have liked to have seen is how the author came up with each of the idea’s within, it would have broken the illustrations up a little and of course given the reader the chance to appreciate each cartoon fully.
Release Date: 10/08/12
SYNOPSIS:
In this darkly humorous book, discover the inner musings of a deliciously demented doll, once loved and now abandoned.
Peek inside her secret diary of twisted thoughts and odd scribbles, hinting at her evil and madness. But beware.
She rules her attic kingdom with a porcelain fist and has minions who carry out fiendish plots against those who dare offend. So play nice. Or else.
REVIEW:
I’m always on the lookout for the quirky and when two of my interests, in this case, horror with a touch of humour collide, then I really can’t wait to get my hands on it.
What this pocket sized book brings to the table is a dark story of a doll who slowly descends into madness after being exiled to the attic. It has quirky humorous lines backed up with some wonderfully constructed photos and to be honest it’s a book that a lot of people will like even though it’s short. Add to this the fact that it’s a great talking point or as a coffee table book and you’ll find that it’s a title that you’ll love flicking through time and again or even just to give as a gift. Cracking stuff.
Release Date: 12/04/12
SYNOPSIS:
Remember when you were a kid, and you used to go round to a friend's house to see if they were playing? Well, as adults we're not supposed to do that. Which is a shame...because Dave Gorman likes playing. He really likes games. So he knocked on the biggest door you could ever imagine - the internet - and asked 76,000 people if they fancied a game. This is the story of what happened next. Dave was up for anything and gamely played them at whatever they chose. He played some classics - Monopoly, Scrabble, dominoes and cribbage. He played many games he'd never heard of before - Khet, Kubb, Tikal or Smite anyone? He played board games and physical games. He's thrown sticks, balls, frisbees and darts. He's rolled dice and he's drawn cards. From Liverpool to Hampstead and from Croydon to Nottingham, Dave travelled the length and breadth of Britain meeting strangers in strange places - their homes, at work, in the back rooms of pubs - and getting some hardcore game action. From casual players to serious game geeks, from the rank amateur to the world champion, he discovered a nation of gamers more than happy to welcome him into their midst. He's travelled all around the country and met all sorts of people - and it turns out us Brits are a competitive bunch! And it seems that playing games can teach you a lot about what makes the British tick. Of course, Dave hasn't been keeping score. Much.
REVIEW:
Game playing in any other format other than the electronic media seems to be a dying art form and for those who are of a certain age, you’ll remember the fun of hoping to the god of board games that you had all the pieces together so that you could play or even just games of fun like darts, snooker etc.
Dave Gorman, a comedian that I’d heard of but not actually seen, challenged the world to a contest of games and wrote this book based around the events. From the weird and the wonderful Khet (basically Laser Chess) to snooker, Monopoly and Scrabble to Smite it’s a story of one man’s journey into the madness and competitiveness. All in, this book was great fun to read and Dave is a natural storyteller as he brings it all together in this often funny and interesting title as he takes you on perhaps one of the weirdest journeys to date. A must for people of all ages.
Release Date: 29/03/12
SYNOPSIS:
'There was a bloodied knife on Allbran's bed. Lady Gateway Barker knew what she had to do; what all the royals in Summerseve did when somebody tried to kill a member of their family: gather up a bunch of people and horses, and go from one place to another'. In the land of the Eight (or was it Six?) Kingdoms - where seasons can last decades and comparisons to Tolkien a lifetime - trouble is brewing. For the Barkers of Summerseve, times are about to get as tough as the pronunciation of 'Daenerys Targaryen'. From this world of outdoor fornication with horse-people (and indoor fornication with blood relatives) comes an epic story of novella proportions as the Barkers, their BFFs, and their enemies strive to star in that funniest of concepts: a parody of George R. R. Martin's "A Game of Thrones". 'The literary mash-up we're dying to see'.
REVIEW:
With the second season of Game of Thrones about to begin on Sky Atlantic and a mighty set of tomes, it was only going to be a matter of time before a parody made its way onto the bookshelves.
Here, within this book is a whole host of fun with the author taking the mick out of many other franchises that allows the reader to play spot the original as one gag after another reveal themselves. It is quirky, it is fun and all in, this book has humour as well as a cracking concept alongside light and action.
Release Date: 13/10/11
SYNOPSIS:
For a stand-up comedian, a heckler is either a curse or a blessing. On one hand, the drunk at the back of the room yelling incoherent nonsense can ruin the evening for everyone. But on the other, a funny, well-timed heckle can really ramp up the laughter in the room. Either way, all stand-ups know they must be prepared to deal with hecklers by using the most effective weapon at their disposal - the put-down. Whether they are sharp enough to fire them off on the spot or they have a battery of tried-and-tested insults to suit every different occasion, put-downs are an essential part of every comedian's repertoire.
Here Rufus Hound, compère extraordinaire, has compiled 200 of his favourites. Read on, and laugh along at some of the funniest insults in comedy history.
REVIEW:
How many times have you had someone had a go at you and you can’t think of either a decent put down instantly or are just so annoyed that you blow up and make yourself look like an idiot? Well if you’re going to be honest about it, like me, its going to be more than once. So this title by Rufus Hound is an absolute little gem for these as there is pretty much a reply for all situations. Its funny, it has some great put downs, however a lot of them are x rated and may surprise you when you find out which comedian to which they’re attributed.
Add to this some hecklers that have gotten one over them and the whole thing will result in a chuckle or two. Finally if you do some canny online shopping you can get this title for half the cover price which will make it an ideal stocking filler for your other half and a fiver well spent as it’ll keep them cheerful throughout the Christmas stress.
Release Date: 03/02/11
SYNOPSIS:
Abby is dedicated to turning herself into a vampire. Her boyfriend Steve is researching a serum to turn the undead back into mortals. Chet ? an enormous vampire cat ? is busy turning the stray cats of San Francisco into vampiric kitties. And vampire lovers Jody and Tommy are imprisoned in a bronze statue and have to try to escape ...In the unpredictable, blood-sucking, thrillingly paranormal San Francisco Christopher Moore has created, a love story unfolds that has real warmth and bite.
REVIEW:
The third book in Chris’ Vampire Trilogy and of the two that I’ve read the best. Picking up where the previous title pretty much left off (well five weeks later) the key protagonist in this title is Abby Normal (yep Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein joke right there) who as minion and emergency Countess of the City Bay area to the city’s two Bronzed Vampires seeks to survive a humdrum existence as well as battling Vampire Kitties. Its definitely fun and returns to Chris’ earlier humour that I felt was missing from the previous book (You Suck.)
Add to this some great cameo’s from the supporting cast, some wonderful twists backed with some cunningly crafted turns and the reader has a treat in store, especially if you’re seeking something a little different to a lot of the Vamp fiction out there.
Release Date: 16/08/10
BOOK BLURB:
A compelling ghost story from the internationally bestselling author of WICKED Winifred Rudge, a writer struggling to get beyond the runaway success of her mass-market astrology book, travels to London to start her new novel about the ghost of Jack the Ripper. Upon her arrival, she finds that her step-cousin and old friend John Comestor has disappeared, and a ghostly presence seems to have taken over his home. Is the spirit Winnie's great-great-grandfather, who, family legend claims, was Charles Dickens's childhood inspiration for Ebenezer Scrooge? Could it be the ghostly remains of Jack the Ripper? Or a phantasm derived from a more arcane and insidious origin? Winnie begins to investigate and finds herself the unwilling audience for a drama of specters and shades - some from her family's peculiar history and some from her own unvanquished past.
REVIEW:
What Gregory has always done well in his writing is his character creation, it gives you someone that you can not only empathise with but want to spend time with which, as far as I’m concerned is the cornerstone for any novel.
However whilst the prose and humour was just as sharp as ever what this title lacked was any clear plot outline as it felt like the more idea’s the author had the more he added without any real thought as to cohesion for the project as a whole. This just led to confusion, a great deal of head scratching and to be honest will be something that will leave a lot of people wondering whether he’s all spent up with the previous two offerings.
Release Date: 29/10/10
BOOK BLURB:
Crop Dusting. Premature Evacuation. Prostitot. Rainbow Kiss. Sideways Smile. These words are just a small sample of the enormous world of profanity that you will enter with The Big Black Book of Very Dirty Words . We're talking about over 2,000 of the greatest insults, obscenities, and vulgarities that make you proud to know the English language. We're not cock teasing you when we say you'll discover dirty words that you definitely didn't learn in grammar class. Where else will you learn to swear like a true pimp at any douchebag who crosses your path with an insult like how he's a frakkin' shmonster who isn't batting with a full wicket? So swear as much as you want, and you'll be friggin' sweet. Because with this kickass wordbook, you'll never have as much fun - or be more nasty.
REVIEW:
OK, I’ll admit it, my mind is usually in the gutter and when someone uses an expression for a dirty word that I’ve not heard before I like to know to which it refers. So now I’ve got a great companion to help me steer the streets of slang as well as modern parlance and translation.
Whilst some may say that Alex’s book is a bit childish, its definitely one that is a whole lot of fun (and yes, we did clock you flicking through for your favourite words whilst pretending to fake all innocence. LOL) Good fun and whilst perhaps not to be left within the reach of children it’s a title that is a whole lot of fun for the adult (and a handy gift guide for some of the US television that we’re now that uses expressions that I’ve never heard before) which all in, makes this a great gift for the holiday period.
Release Date: 28/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Who says death is a serious subject? Grave Humor celebrates the lighter side of death through photos capturing the most amusing and ironic monuments to the dearly departed. From amusing epitaphs ('I told you I was sick') to comical burials (the Maxwell-House plot), this irreverent anthology of cemetery humour proves you can laugh to death. It features: photos of more than 100 funny, ironic and ridiculous tombstones; colour illustrations and clever captions; and, DIY epitaphs for anyone who wants to go out with a laugh.
REVIEW:
Theres only two things certain in life, death and taxes. Well taxes really aren’t funny and to be honest with funerals being a sad affair a lot of people like to give friends and family a last laugh to remember them by which is looked at in this title.
There’s grave stone humour that will appeal to a lot of people and whilst some may see it as sacrilegious to do so, I personally love titles like this as believe that many people utilise the line of leave them laughing to the maximum. Definitely a fun quirky offering and one that is in the holiday spirit, Halloween.
Release Date: 25/06/10
BOOK BLURB:
What's more fun than doing it alone? Doing it with a Zombie. Escape routes. Defence plans. Survival kits. Really, isn't it time we put down the pitchforks and learned to live with the undead? Sure, Zombies may be brain-eating virus-plagued monsters, but it doesn't mean you can't also have fun with a Zombie. After all, Zombies have many redeeming qualities. With 501 Things to Do With a Zombie , open-minded readers everywhere will discover what infectious fun awaits when they let the undead into their lives, including: have a pillowfight; decoupage; tell dirty jokes; have a staring contest; and, take up swing dancing. Note: watch out for flying limbs. Finally, with 501 Things to Do With a Zombie , Zombie supporters can come out the closet (without machetes) and prove that we all can learn to love the undead!
REVIEW:
I ordered this title as I had fond childhood memories of a book entitled 101 Things to Do with a dead Cat. That said, I expected pretty much the same sort of thing with this title, lots of Larsonesque type humourous images backed up with the occasional witty line. What actually unfurled was a book that was more list than anything else with the odd piece of art added and that was about it. Whilst I can appreciate it for what it is, I’d have preferred a smaller list of things to do but more illustrations that could have left the title open for sequels that could have made this a lot better. All in, it is OK but it could have been improved and whilst it won’t be to everyone’s tastes (for some reason there is a hint of Brain matter within the paper, LOL) if you have a deadhead fan within the family it will certainly make an ideal gift.
Release Date: 27/08/10
BOOK BLURB:
'Our pet sitter smells weird. Is there any way to make her less stinky?'. 'My humans like to sleep when it's obviously the best time to play! Have any ideas for how to wake them up?'. Now cats everywhere can get solutions to their most pressing problems - straight from the mouth of a pointed puss! Featuring 70 Q&As, 'Sparkle Says' sidebars, and full-color photos throughout, "Dear Sparkle" is definitely not your usual human-written cat book. Sparkle the Cat gets what troubles her furry friends and offers insight laced with tough love. Whether it's a confused kitty who doesn't understand why he's supposed to stay off the couch, a cat who's furious because the new puppy ate his catnip stash, or a freaked-out feral who wants to return to the wild, Sparkle has the sage - and often hilarious - answer for their woes.
REVIEW:
If you’re a cat fancier or just a fan of the quirky who finds fun things online, then the odds are you’ve come across Sparkle the Cat, famed advice columist for the Feline World. Brought together for the first time in this title, is a selection of letters where our feline friends find ways to deal with the issues arising from lack of communication or understanding of Catiquette from the human point of view (or rather lack of correct human training as Sparkle herself admits.)
It is humorous and it’s a great format to keep the reader interested addressing many of the issues of Human/Cat conflict. Whilst the odd reply is serious (such as the one that mentions harmful chemicals in cleaner products) the vast majority explain a lot of issues that are easily overlooked. All in, its fun, it has great advice and it isn’t stuffy like a lot of cat expert titles out there. My only real issue is the way that some of the letters are on one page and you have to turn over to view the reply, for me, I’d have preferred them to be on the same page.
BOOK BLURB:
Forget the crystal ball - predicting the future is all about the toilet bowl. 'Arsetrology' is a groundbreaking new book which uncovers the hidden depths of your number twos, using the ancient art of poo-reading. If horoscopes and palm-reading are driving you round the u-bend, then panic no more. Sit down, relax, do your thing - and then proudly gaze upon what you have produced to discover what the future has in store. Examine the shape, look and texture of your crap - and then match it up to one of the 'poo runes' to read the long and short of what your shit means. 'Arsetrology' will be your indispensable guide to dropping the kids off at the pool. Put it by your throne, and refer to it every time you get the call of nature, to stay one step ahead of the game. Understand your life through the lav, and never underestimate the turd's telling powers again.
REVIEW:
As a bit of sceptic when it comes to horoscopes I tend to ignore them, however during my search for an ideal Christmas gift for a parental unit I located this book which not only made me chuckle but is one that I’m 98% sure will hit that funny spot of anyone with toilet humour. Why’s that?
Well if you have the humour of a five year old boy (and lets face it which bloke hasn’t) then this really will appeal as you try to divine your future from your leavings in the toilet bowl. Mystic Meg meets Pisstake Pete in this no holds barred skit which personally I loved. Whilst it won’t appeal to everyone it is going to be that weird sort of Christmas gift that very few will actually think and lets face it, when the dreaded relly’s arrive, you’ll be glad of something to break the ice and give you a good chuckle.
