Humor Books - Page 14

Breakfast of Champions

Kurt Vonnegut

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Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( V ) -> Vonnegut Jr., Kurt

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 253 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

You must read this 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is Vonnegut's famous "50th birthday present to himself", and if you ask me, he spoiled himself with it. Out of the few Vonnegut books I've read, this is the funniest, and probably the best. Basically, Kurt here dismisses the entire American nation as racist, materialist, and obsessed with sex, class, alcohol, conformity, and whatever else you could trot out. It would be considered a pessimistic, nihilistic viewpoint if it wasn't a sadly accurate look at the way America worked, and still works today. And for a little note to those who think the book is racist, keep in mind that the black characters are actually portrayed as being, in a way, a lot more intelligent and less misanthropic than the white ones.
This isn't an easy book to describe. There's a plot, but Kurt veers away from it on several occasions, offering a wide variety of satiric tangents that make for some of the most hilarious parts of his writing. There are illustrations, crude, simple, and absolutely hilarious. Kurt even sticks himself in the book, makes himself a character, and has discussions with other characters. Choice segments include the scene at the Holiday Inn cocktail lounge, where Kurt has a discussion with himself; every discussion of Kilgore Trout's misadventures with getting his books published by his sleazy publishing house; the uproarious prologue; every illustration; every tangent; and... well, pretty much everything. It's not a book for everyone, but if you're looking for a whole ton of laughs in one place, and some of the best satire known to mankind... whoa. This is it.
Oh yeah, the book's about what happens when car dealer Wayne Hoover decides everyone on Earth but him is a robot. But, as I said before, the plot is secondary here.

Editorial Review:

Breakfast Of Champions is vintage Vonnegut. One of his favorite characters, aging writer Kilgore Trout, finds to his horror that a Midwest car dealer is taking his fiction as truth. The result is murderously funny satire as Vonnegut looks at war, sex, racism, success, politics, and pollution in America and reminds us how to see the truth.

Ask a Ninja Presents The Ninja Handbook: This Book Looks Forward to Killing You Soon

Douglas Sarine, Kent Nichols

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Three Rivers Press Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $8.43

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

DEADLY NINJA WISDOM FOR THE NON-NINJA

Carefully consider the joy of your soft-headed ignorance before you begin to run, flip, and jump along the Ninja Path.
  
After much debate and in a spirit of morbid amusement, the International Order of Ninjas has chosen to produce The Ninja Handbook, the first-ever secret ninja training guide specifically designed for the non-ninja.
Most non-ninjas who handle these delicate, deadly pages will die–probably in an elaborately horrific and painful manner. But whether your journey lasts five seconds or five days or (rather inconceivably) five years, all those who bravely take up this text and follow the tenets and trials laid out within will die knowing they were as ninja as they possibly could’ve been.

For the true of heart or the extremely lucky, this powerful and honorable manuscript contains such phenomenal ninja wisdom as:

•How to create and name your very own lethal ninja clan
•The proper weapon to use when fighting a vampire pumpkin
•Why clowns and robots are so dangerous on the Internet
•Easy-to-follow charts showing when to slice and when to stab
•How to execute such ultradeadly kicks as the Driving Miss Daisy
•Why pretty much every ninja movie ever made sucks
•How to make a shoggoth explode using well-placed foliage
•What the heck a shoggoth is and why you’ll need to make it explode
•Death Aide certification
•And much more ninjafied enlightenment on every shuriken-sharp page!

Remember: People do not take the Path, the Path takes people.

OPUS: 25 Years of His Sunday Best

Berkeley Breathed

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A walk down memory lane . . . 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I was a huge fan of Bloom County back during it's first run way back when. I looked forward to turning to the comics page for my daily laugh. Opus was one of many great characters in that strip, but he stood out because he was the only penguin.

Reading these strips covering not only the original run, but also the resurrected strip, brought back a lot of good laughs and provided some new ones.

May Opus live forever.

Editorial Review:

One of America's most beloved comic geniuses is back, with this collectible 25th anniversary compendium of the best of Opus, joined by his hilarious supporting cast, including Binkley, Milo, Bill the Cat, Steve Dallas, Ronald Ann, and the rest of residents of Bloom County and Outland. From Antarctica to Omaha, Opus has cavorted with space creatures, impersonated rock stars, fended off accusations of penguin lust, and even campaigned for office. Now, in addition to the classic strips, Berkeley Breathed also brings us original all-new material from his new OPUS comic. Brace yourself for the sidesplitting, table-pounding, milk- through-the-nose-spewing laughter that only Opus and his outlandish friends can generate. The perfect collection for both die-hard fans and those discovering the matchless humor of Berkeley Breathed for the first time.

Forever Odd (Odd Thomas Novels)

Dean Koontz

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 237 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Every so often a character so captures the hearts and imaginations of readers that he seems to take on a life of his own long after the final page is turned. For such a character, one book is not enough—readers must know what happens next. Now Dean Koontz returns with the novel his fans have been demanding. With the emotional power and sheer storytelling artistry that are his trademarks, Koontz takes up once more the story of a unique young hero and an eccentric little town in a tale that is equal parts suspense and terror, adventure and mystery—and altogether irresistibly odd.

We’re all a little odd beneath the surface. He’s the most unlikely hero you’ll ever meet—an ordinary guy with a modest job you might never look at twice. But there’s so much more to any of us than meets the eye—and that goes triple for Odd Thomas. For Odd lives always between two worlds in the small desert town of Pico Mundo, where the heroic and the harrowing are everyday events. Odd never asked to communicate with the dead—it’s something that just happened. But as the unofficial goodwill ambassador between our world and theirs, he’s got a duty to do the right thing. That’s the way Odd sees it and that’s why he’s won hearts on both sides of the divide between life and death.

A childhood friend of Odd’s has disappeared. The worst is feared. But as Odd applies his unique talents to the task of finding the missing person, he discovers something worse than a dead body, encounters an enemy of exceptional cunning, and spirals into a vortex of terror. Once again Odd will stand against our worst fears. Around him will gather new allies and old, some living and some not. For in the battle to come, there can be no innocent bystanders, and every sacrifice can tip the balance between despair and hope. Whether you’re meeting Odd Thomas for the first time or he’s already an old friend, you’ll be led on an unforgettable journey through a world of terror, wonder and delight—to a revelation that can change your life. And you can have no better guide than Odd Thomas.


From the Hardcover edition.

Serenity: Those Left Behind (HC) (Serenity)

Joss Whedon

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Dark Horse Comics Amazon Marketplace: 45 new & used starting at $9.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 95 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Joss Whedon, the pop-culture mastermind behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer, bridged the gap between his cult-hit Firefly TV series and his Serenity motion picture with this three-issue miniseries. Penned by Whedon and Brett Matthews, a Firefly show writer, the ragtag crew takes on a scavenger mission with the promise of a big payoff. Only too late do they realize the gig is orchestrated by an old enemy eager to remake their acquaintance... with the help of operatives wearing bright blue gloves.
This new oversized hardcover has a new cover by Adam Hughes and shows off the work of penciller Will Conrad and colorist Laura Martin, and the array of pinups by phenomenal guest artists including:
John Cassaday,
Jo Chen,
Joe Quesada,
Sean Phillips,
Adam Hughes,
JG Jones,
Brian Hitch,
Josh Middleton,
Leinil Yu and
Tim Bradstreet

Also includes more than a dozen new pages with a behind-the-scenes section featuring concept and production art from the film, by Josh Middleton & Leinil Yu and a pre-production memo to the film by Whedon called A Brief History of the Universe, Circa 2516 A.D.

Macho Macho Animals: A Pearls Before Swine Collection

Stephan Pastis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

In the Pearls Navy 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Crocs and more crocs. This is a collection, which means it will eventually find its way into a treasury. Still, I cannot wait to buy the latest Pearls. The comics covered are from April 7, 2006 to May 13,2007. This included the touching Daddy Croc moments. The interactions between the Dad and Son croc are some of my favorite in the series, including when Son starts dating the zebra next door. For some reason, a croc also goes to college. For me, this was a must have, but I am a Pearls fan. If your favorite cartoon is the Family Circus, then you can marvel over the grown up versions.

Editorial Review:

The original bad boys of the comics page are back in this wildly entertaining seventh collection of Pearls Before Swine comic strips by Stephan Pastis.

You know the lineup: Mucho macho Rat, who's ready to get down with anyone he can; sensitive Pig, who can't give up his disco dreams; Zebra, who will survive; and Goat, the brains of the outfit. Violent, unstable Guard Duck and the Crocs next door round out this fabulous cast. The dark, twisted adventures continue as these characters dance the night away.

The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts

Shinta Cho

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 83 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Don't you pass on this gas of a book!! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

We love this book!!! After my daughter-in-law got over the initial shock of the books' title, my son read it to our 17-month old granddaughter--and we all enjoyed the book tremendously!! Right now, our grandbaby thinks it is hilarious to fart, and "The Gas We Pass..." teaches that every living thing passes gas. I enjoyed the addition of the scientific-fart-trivia, as well--That was an excellent idea to explain why the body passes gas, and what happens when we eat various foods. Our little sweetie is just now getting familiar with the potty chair,and this book will certainly be a "must read" as she gets more involved with training.

Not as expected and not recommended. 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I was dissappointed with this book. While it starts out ok, it quickly deteriates. Imagine, telling children to go ahead, let that fart out. Not that I think a child can't fart, but, what about some common courtesy to those around that may have to smell that fart. This book was also too technical for children or at least not written to a reasonable level. Not Recommended, keep looking, there are better books on the subject, ones that will review the subject in an educational but entertaining manner.

Editorial Review:

A reassuring and humorous addition to the series including Everyone Poops presents curious readers with a straightforward, relatable look at a natural body function, explaining how and why gas is produced and eliminated.

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being a Woman (Vintage)

Nora Ephron

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 340 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

She Needs To Feel Bad About More Than Her Neck! 1 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

She should feel bad about wasting the readers' time with trite drivel. Don't waste your precious time.

I Feel Bad Abput My Neck 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I didn't care for the attitude of book. It was a quick read and I did laugh at some of Ephron's stories but overall it wasn't I book I liked much.

I Feel Bad About My Neck: and other thoughts on being a woman 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Excellent book! I got the book and the audio. I started to read the book and it seemed a little slow in capturing my interest... but I was going to read it any way. Then I had to travel so I took the audio... And let me tell you... it was wondrful. You just have to hear her talking. You have to hear her as she expresses herself on each of the issues she talks about. These are issues I and perhaps other women have forgotten about in years but today laugh or cry about. This book has a mixture of humor, aging, comedy; women's health blended in a memoir about Nora Ephron. You can read the book but you don't really know where she would place the pitch, pace and power of her words until you can hear her. Its like having her talk to you herself. Both book and audio are great. I recommend it... especially if you were born from 1950 on and if you have had a chance to either live in New York or just visit it from time to time... you will enjoy it!

Editorial Review:

With her disarming, intimate, completely accessible voice, and dry sense of humor, Nora Ephron shares with us her ups and downs in I Feel Bad About My Neck, a candid, hilarious look at women who are getting older and dealing with the tribulations of maintenance, menopause, empty nests, and life itself.

Ephron chronicles her life as an obsessed cook, passionate city dweller, and hapless parent. But mostly she speaks frankly and uproariously about life as a woman of a certain age. Utterly courageous, uproariously funny, and unexpectedly moving in its truth telling, I Feel Bad About My Neck is a scrumptious, irresistible treat of a book, full of truths, laugh out loud moments that will appeal to readers of all ages.

The 365 Stupidest Things Ever Said Page-A-Day Calendar 2009 (Original Page a Day Calendars)

Kathryn Petras, Ross Petras

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Editorial Review:

Celebrating 15 years of mind-blowing success—and supreme stupidity! The #1 top-selling black-and-white Page-A-Day is back with a whole new batch of shocking ignorance, malapropisms, foot-in-mouth moments, celebrity airheadedness, and government spin: "Rat complaints have gone up, but we see that as a positive thing, because more people know how to contact us now."—New York City complaints hotline bureaucrat. Plus hopelessly mixed metaphors, odd menu items, dumb tourist questions, and supermodel Naomi Campbell: "I love England, especially the food. There's nothing I like more than a lovely bowl of pasta."

A Walk in the Woods

Bill Bryson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 967 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Stretching from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail offers some of America's most breathtaking scenery. After living for many years in England, Bill Bryson moved back to the United States and decided to reacquaint himself with his country by taking to this uninterrupted "hiker's highway." Before long, Bryson and his infamous walking companion, Stephen Katz, are stocking up on insulated long johns, noodles and manuals for avoiding bear attacks as they prepare to set off on a walk that is both amusingly ill-conceived and surprisingly adventurous. John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, and Peter Jenkins never took a hike like this.

A Walk in the Woods showcases Bryson at the height of his comic powers. Meeting up with characters such as Beulah and her fearsome husband, "Bubba T. Flubba," readers risk snakebite and hantavirus to trudge through swollen rivers, traipse up mountainsteps, and develop a new reverence for cream sodas and hot showers. But Bryson also uses his acute powers of observation to conjure a poignant backdrop of silent forests and sparkling lakes, thereby making a gentle but unforgettable plea for the ecological treasures we are in danger of losing. Fresh, illuminating, and uproariously funny, A Walk in the Woods is travel writing at its very best.