Comedy Books

The Far Side Gallery is the first collection of Gary Larson's crazy comic strips featuring hordes of talking anthropomorphised fauna and fowl of all shapes and sizes.

These are generally very amusing, and generally very witty, and you are bound to get some fridge or door material out of one of these.

Gary is sorely missed. Almost no one saw it the way he did. I hope another comes along.

Okay, it's a collection of Far Side comics, which is what I want, so it's awesome for that reason. BUT, the actual final product in book form is a little disappointing. First, all the comics are black and white. Yeah, it's not about the art and you don't miss much without color, but come on, would a little color kill anyone (especially ones that were originally color)? Second, it's pretty thin on strips, with 4 to a page most of the time (a good amount) sometimes 2 on a page, and even occassionally one comic on a single page! It looks pretty silly with just one giant comic on a page.

Larson's original gallery has so many classic Far Side cartoons that you can not justify not owning this sensational collection of his work. Larson may well have retired a while ago but the power of these works of brilliance to make the reader laugh will never fade. There have been many who have copied Larson's style but I have never come across anyone else who has even come close to achieving the quality of The Far Side.

Buy The Far Side Gallery along with its sequels, the original smaller books that make up these galleries are also great buys, along with the calendars and other merchandise. Larson's 2007 calendar gives all the proceeds to wildlife conservation (which obviously inspired a lot of his work) so get that too. You can never own enough of The Far Side.

In this volume (originally released in 1984) of the Gallery collections you will find such classic Far Sides as on Noah's Ark "Well that's it for the unicorns, from now on all the carnivores are confined to C Deck", the father being held up by his shirt collar by an invisible man with his son saying "BigBob is tired of you saying he doesn' exist, the smashed bottle falling from the clouds with humans running away with the word Uh-Oh! from the sky. The bears riding in the circus car saying "Looks Like a trap I said, nonsense no one would set a trap way out here in the woods you said...." The crocodiles on the river bank saying "That was incredible, no fur, claws, horns, antlers or nothing, just soft and pink" and of course the classic picture of dinosaurs smoking with the caption beneath "The Real Reason Dinosaurs Became Extinct" are just a small sample of the classic laughs within this sensational masterpiece.

Some of my earliest memories are filled with reading The Far Side on my father's lap after the evening meal. Whenever I asked my parents for a one of the standard collections, they told me to wait, one day they would all be in one book. Then, for Christmas one year, I got this book.

What can I say, but thank you Mom and Dad and thank you Mr. Larson! The Far Side was, and still is, funny, original, and timeless. This collection gives you some of the best of the original strips and lends itself well to watching the progression of humor up and through until the end.

If you have a colleague who's just starting out, this book is a great way to break the tension that's sure to fill a first year of teaching. John Pearson does a wonderful job of taking us through the ups and downs! Very fun read.

Mr. Woodson: Drew, how did you like my book?
Drew: I liked it.
Mr. Woodson: Really?
Drew: I really liked it?
Mr. Woodson: Really?
Drew: I loved it?
Mr. Woodson: Really?
Drew: I really loved it?
Mr. Woodson: Really?
Drew: Yes, REALLY!!!

What an entertainly addictive read. We teachers hear so much everyday, and it's a joy to see someone share our reality.

Drew in Floresville

This book is a sort of "Sideway Stories from Wayside School" for teachers.
Keep a copy in the teacher's lounge for some needed comic relief.
It's a good 'read-a-loud' book for those stressful days.

What a fantastic and funny look at what it's like to teach these days. John really captures the humor and the heartache that comes with teaching these days. This is a good book for anyone who teaches or has kids...and better yet, for any politician hoping to make laws about education! I think a day or two with Lucifer might make them reevaluate things!

I taught in DISD for 14 years. I left the district 3 years ago and currently teach in Anchorage, Alaska. I missed DISD so much and all that I went through there. When I found John's "Learn me Good" blog through the Dallas Morning News website I was so excited to see that I could follow DISD teachers all the way from Alaska. Well it got to the point that I couldn't wait to get my daily emails from his blog and laugh.

I finally decided to get the book LEARN ME GOOD and see what it was all about. Well, from beginning to the very end he had me cracking up. He brought me back to my days in the classroom in Dallas. I could relive some of the stuff I had to go through. If you plan on becoming a teacher at all in a urban setting, this is the book to read. Keep it also after you finish reading it so as you are dealing with the stresses of teaching you can open it up and see that someone else went and is going through some of the insanity of everyday teaching. This is a book for every teacher. I am still smiling from reading it-Great Job John!!! :)

This is such a great book! It's well written and witty - and completely hilarious! I actually enjoyed this book and found myself laughing out loud a lot more than I did when I read the new David Sedaris (which I also loved and don't tell him I'm saying this). Totally recommended. Go read this book immediately.

This book was great. It is nice to know that there is someone out there as crazy as me and enjoys every minute of it! I'm going out to start a finger puppet collection today!

one of the funniest books i've ever read. very witty. laugh out loud funny.

Wow. What a total and utter surprise.

After reading the rave reviews on Amazon I figured I would get the book and it would be a letdown. Good, but not 5-star good. Well, I was wrong -- and the reviews were right. Do yourself a favor and get this book.

You probably won't learn any life lessons that you can teach your children, but you'll close the book with an understanding of life in another person's shoes. There were lots of things I was shocked about (people live like that?!) and just as many things I identified with (oh my gosh, me too!!). As soon as I finished this book I forced my roomate to read it -- every 5 minutes there was a roar of laughter from the next room for the next few nights.

Its honest. Its funny. You'll want to read it all, and you'll be sad when it is over. I recommend it.

I do not read much non-fiction. I live real life. I read to escape it. But the bright neon yellow cover of this book was eye-catching. So, against my will, my feet walked up to it, my hand picked it up, and my eyes began reading. Before I knew it, hours had gone by and I had read the whole thing.

In this book, Wendy "Wendaay" Spero tells readers true stories about her life in a way that only she can do. From her childhood, to her awkward years, and on up to the present day. Being raised by a mother like Wendy's makes for some interesting memories. (I will think of Wendy and her mother every time I go to a fair from now on.)

***** Engrossing, packed with humor, and just all around fun, this is one book you will never forget. Very highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This is the second book in Camy Tang's "Sushi Series." It continues with the four Christian cousins of the Sakai family. While the first book centered on Lex, this one focuses on Trish, the next in line for OSFC.

Trish has recently discovered that her boy-crazy behavior and less-than-consistent faith is alienating her from her best friends, her cousins. She pulls an all-nighter in the New Testament and emerges with three sure-to-win rules based on the Corinthian letters. She's determined to stick with them toward the end of a closer relationship with God and a renewed trust from her cousins. She wants to prove to them and herself that she can be a "good girl." The only problems are the super hottie she's working with and her totally sexy ex-boyfriend whom Grandma persistently pushes toward her. Okay, so those aren't the only problems, but they're enough to start a snowball of drama.

The characters are well developed, authentic and disgustingly likeable. While reading this book I confessed to my husband that I probably wouldn't befriend these women -- at first glance they seem false, pretentious and totally self-absorbed -- but I found myself LOVING them! It makes me wonder how many ladies I've falsely judged in real life. How many Trishes have I ignored just because I prejudged not to like them?

Final Thoughts: Camy Tang has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Some sequels aren't worth the time it takes to read them, much less the money and energy spent to produce them. This one is fabulous. I liked it better than the first. It was funny, fast-paced, and spiritually challenging. Definitely one I'll read again.

I don't always like series fiction but Camy Tang has done a fabulous job with her second installment in the Sushi Series. The first book was great and this second one was just as great! Camy did a fantastic job in portraying Trish without watering down the storyline from the characters and plot from the first book. A definite must read! I'm off to buy the third book!

As much as I loved Camy Tang's first book, I loved this one even better! Only Uni was the perfect summer vacation beach read--fun, sweet, laugh-out-loud funny, and emotional (pulling at the ol' heartstrings). Tang has a real knack for making each of the cousin's voices distinct. I'll be re-reading her books to try to figure out how she does it!

You don't want to miss this series! I can't wait to get a copy of the 3rd book, Single Sashimi.

I read "Sushi For One" about three weeks ago and couldn't wait to get "Only Uni" - but a part of me kept thinking that it wasn't going to be as good as the first book - WRONG! In fact, I truly loved this book more than the first one.

I would love to see the series continue and to include that little snot of a cousin "Mimi" - maybe if I knew why she was such a brat, I could at least like her! Who's with me? =)

Again, Camy surprised me. This book was spiritually challenging for myself, but was daring in the twist it took towards the end. It was realistic and teaches even the reader about God's grace and love as we watch Trish as she grows in her trust of God. I can't wait to read number three, and although I borrowed these books, I want to own them for myself!

Fun & hysterical.....as soon as I finished it I went straight to my local BN to buy Family Jewels which is proving to be even better. Bobbie Faye will make you laugh out loud so anyone around will think you are nuts...or want to steal your book so they can have fun!

I rarely find books that not only make me laugh, but make me truly laugh out loud, many, many times. BOBBIE FAYE is one of the funniest books I've read in years. It's a fabulous Southern caper comedy, filled with action, adventure, mystery, and romance. Truly something for everyone! Read, and enjoy! (And you absolutely should check out the book trailer!)

This book is a hoot and a holller, a helluva good time, and pitch-perfect for pure delight. Causey serves up a sumptuous offering of rich Southern trailer-park cuisine in the name of Bobby Faye, sexy and sassy high-heeled trouble, so spicey-good you'll want seconds and thirds.

Keep it coming, writer-girl. Feed your addiction by feeding us these crazy, saucy Cajun tales that we'll feast on like underfed beasts, forgetting manners and morals.

Dear reader, if you want unbridled rollercoaster entertainment that careens and shrieks along a curvaceous hellbent track, then this is the book for you -- 4 1/2 stars for unrestrained and sinfully satisfying action.

Look out Stephanie Plum here comes Bobbie Faye Sumrall! Bobbie Faye is one of the best characters to come along in a while and in this debut novel, you quickly become a fan. Bobbie Faye will have you laughing from the beginning of this book to the end. Her adventure will leave you breathless and begging for more.

I am very anxious to see what Bobbie Faye will be getting into in her next adventure.

Having read the Stephanie Plum books, this seemed like a rewrite with different names. And it wasn't nearly as funny. I had a hard time getting to the end...

Out of print book came quickly and condition was very good, service was quick. I will be back.

I loved this book! The entire time I listed to this book on cassette I felt I was hearing privileged information...yet Jess Oppenheimer shared his intellectual jewels freely as if they were common everyday thoughts. Well, for him, they were. What a genius. And what a witty, creative, generous, and responsible man! If he were alive I'd write him a fan letter.

This is an excellent informative book about the "I Love Lucy" show and a must have for any Lucy fan! The cd that is included is worth the price of the whole set alone. In the cd it includes hours of hilarious episodes from I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband starring Lucille Ball, you will also receive lost scenes from the shows on the cd. I am not much of a reader but this book you just can't put down because it is so good and of course I love Lucy! The book doesn't look thick on the picture shown on Amazon but it is a nice thick paperback book and includes lots of wonderful pictures of the cast of I Love Lucy and fun information that you may have not of known about I love Lucy and how it became to be produced.

I THOUGHT THE BOOK WAS VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMTIVE! IT WAS HILARIOUS AND I JUST COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. IT ONLY TOOK ME THREE DAYS TO READ IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING HOW IT TOLD ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESS OPPENHEIMER AS WELL AS THE LIFE OF LUCILLE BALL AND OTHER CAST MEMBERS FROM THE SHOW I LOVE LUCY. I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK AND I THINK EVERY I LOVE LUCY FAN SHOULD READ IT!!!

I'd like to start with a clarification: this book is not a biography of Lucy, it is the creator's (Jess Oppenheimer) memoir. As such, there are many parts of the book that have nothing to do with Lucy, including episodes from Oppenheimer's childhood and young adult life.

However, this is still a GREAT book! It is well-written and full of entertaining annecdotes. "Laughs, Luck, and Lucy" follows Oppenheimer's slow rise to the top in the Hollywood radio industry. He describes Lucille Ball's program, "My Favorite Husband," which became the basis for "I Love Lucy." The book also includes some behind the scenes information about the making of "I Love Lucy."

The included audio cd is fun because it has clips from both "I Love Lucy" and "My Favorite Husband."

If you are only interested in information specifically about Lucille Ball, this might not be the book for you (try her autobiography, "Love, Lucy"). However, if you (like me) are fascinated with everything surrounding "I Love Lucy" and the Hollywood entertainment industry of the 1940s and 1950s, this is a great read!

Fox captures a time and place that is so hard to replicate, Hollywood circa 2007. Buzzkill is a winner, I couldn't put it down. The characters are all people you know, even though you're not willing to admit it. The only thing better than who actually done it is how Fox gets there.

I've read tons of books in my day, so when a friend recommended Rob Fox's "Buzzkill" I felt obligated to at least skim through it. Well, I'm glad I did! This truly is a book I couldn't put down! As I entered the world Mr. Fox created...right here in my hometown...I couldn't stand to leave! I kept trying to figure out how this was going to turn out, and I was constantly wrong!
A real updated Hollywood Film Noir, with characters that jump off the page and a lead character you just cheer for the whole way. You might not want to live next door to these guys, but you'll be glad they do!
Thanks Mr. Fox for a terrific ride! I look forward to reading more of your work.

Buzzkill is an entertaining read, filled with bizarre characters and plot twists that are still somehow believable. Rob Fox's sharp wit and ironic observations of the Hollywood industry hit spot on. I especially enjoyed the hilarious and mocking physical descriptions of the characters.

Buzzkill by Rob Fox is smart, sexy, and funny. Fox's insider view of Hollywood is spot on. His characters are wonderful. Buzzkill is an entertaining book that makes you think!

Clever & enjoyable read; Mr. Fox makes our sad but hopeful hero loveable and sympathetic. Can't wait for another book....

I just finished reading My name is Russell Fink and I have to tell you this is one of the more bizarre novels I have read this year and Micheal Snyder has to be an amazingly interesting person to have written such a fun novel his first time out. I found this book refreshing and fun. The novel is packed with quirky characters and crazy twist. It is a little edgy at times for the Christian market but I truly enjoyed this Lad Lit and eagerly look forward for more wacky tales from this new author.

For a real treat be sure to read the Q&A with Micheal Snyder and the deleated scenes in the bonus section of the book.

Michael Snyder's novel "My Name Is Russell Fink" is an eclectic mix of humor, mystery, pop-culture, suspense and God - not necessarily in that order. Russell Fink is a rather inept, but incredibly artistic, salesman and practiced hypochondriac with a really obnoxious girlfriend who refuses to let Russell break up with her, a crazy family and a completely wonderful, and supposedly clairvoyant, dog! When Sonny, his dog, is murdered, Russell must find Sonny's killer.

This incredibly witty novel is "The Office" meets Rene Gutteridge. I love the details put into this publication: from the rave reviews for the novel on the back cover written by several of the characters, to the page flip cartoon in the lower right corner of the text. The sense of humor of those responsible for putting this book together is evident - literally - from cover to cover. I am also a sucker for discussion questions, and these are incredibly fun. They almost make me want to start a discussion group!

I really enjoyed the book. It is rare to find a book in the "Christian" genre that doesn't have an agenda, other than to be entertaining. I was so happy to read a very funny, witty, sarcastic book about a truly squirly guy. If there was an agenda, it might have been to show that life is messy, but they Gospel is real. But it did so in a non-preachy way, that just seemed a little quirky like Northern Exposure or Pushing Daisies. Infinitely better than that silly little book on Amazon's top 10 - "The Shack"... You won't leave this book needing a detox.

In an interview the author stated: "What interests me most is what's happening around us right now, the wealth of humanity and unique predicaments in the house across the street. Almost anyone you meet is all at once funny, interesting, unique, and filled with love and fear and hate and peculiar notions about how life is supposed to work." This is exactly what he writes. This book is a humorous, contemporary not-quite mystery with a romantic thread, faith veins and lots of ... neurotica. The result is touching and hysterical.

This debut novel details about five weeks in the life of Russell Fink. He's a broke hypochondriac, who may or may not have cancerous moles, stuck in a job he hates and still living with his parents, whom he doesn't trust. During the course of the book he investigates the murder of his dog, gets kicked out of parents' house, tries not to get fired (without actually doing any work), discovers he's in love with someone who isn't his fiancé (a wanna-be actress) and somehow stumbles upon faith.

The character development is fantastic, some of the best I've read. At first I felt the story was just about a lovable loser, but it's much more than that. It's hysterically funny and touching. These kooky characters, simultaneously wild and believable, brought me to embarrassing out-loud laughter and even tears.

And if that's not enough, you'll find a cool flip-book at the bottom of the pages. Nothing like watching a cartoon dog run to make you love a book.

I use a different star rating system then Amazon does. To me 5 stars is life changing (except on no-book items, da). I rarely give five stars. Great Christian Fiction should be well written, have a good storyline but most of all have a message that is spiritually challenging. "My Name is Russell Fink" fits all three categories.

At first I thought this book was going nowhere, not much of a plot and frankly not my kind of story, although it was very funny, cleverly sarcastic and very well written. After a while though I was hooked and found myself being drawn to the characters in a way that's rare in books today. Matched only by W. Dale Cramer. Michael Snyder has a great gift for creating real human thought from pen and paper. The story became more interesting and compelling about half way through after Sonny departed (not a spoiler, it's in the book description). Although not theologically heavy by any standards there are many lessons to be learned and would be an excellent story for a book club to read and discuss. It begs the question: Where does my trust in Christ come from...Man or God? It's also a great book to give someone who doesn't believe. I laughed, I choked up and I was moved. I'll be reading his next book for sure. Highly Recommended.


1 Star = Pathetic
2 Stars = Fair
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

I am not your typical book reader ,but after finding a book about your favorite comedian I could not resist.This was litterally the first book I read in over 20 years.I loved the book and was well entertained.I now have a more insight on how Robert's last decade really was.

It's always encouraging when someone beats cancer. And non-Hodgkins lymphoma is especially tough to overcome. Robert Schimmel had the advantage of age, good health, and caring support in his battle. And no doubt his determined sense of humor helped a lot too, besides bringing a welcome uplift to his fellow chemo patients. His book demonstrates that humor grows out of even the direst situation and that horniness survives all assaults.

There are no profound lessons in this volume beyond illustrating that mental attitude can make a bad time a little better. And whether attitude influences healing or not, it usually just feels better to be positive than negative.

I started reading after lunch today, and couldn't put it down. The writing is compelling and real, and inspiring in so many ways.
I am grateful that Mr. Schimmel lived through it all, and even more grateful that his book enriches our lives by reminding us about what really matters. As a survivor myself, and having lost many relatives to cancer, the book had my emotions all over the place...but through it all, the humor prevails. I can't remember ever reading a book that had me laughing and crying at the same time.

This book is in my collection after seeing him on Conan, and it's going to get a lot more readings from here on out. It's a keeper.

Robert has been one of my favorite comedians since the mid 80s. This is a very touching book. It sounds cliche, but it'll make you laugh and it'll make you cry. Being one of the worlds top comedians he is really able to tackle such heavy topics in a amusing way.

Definitely a must read for anyone experiencing something similar or for any of his fans.

Humor is a gift, and Robert Schimmel has the gift.

While some readers might think: "Cancer is no laughing matter", Schimmel's story shows how the use of laughter can lead a patient through the terror of cancer diagnosis and the devastating effects of treatment.

If you or someone you know has heard the dreaded words: "You have cancer", get this book. It's absolutely inspiring, and will help you to laugh through your tears.

(HUNGRY) is a humorous and motivating book about living life in the fat lane. Allen Zadoff's fast-paced, witty, yet poignant writing style gives any overweight person an honest look into themselves. It's a diet tool that will inspire the reader to reach the same success level that Zadoff did in learning to control the urge to eat, compulsively! Every overweight person should read this book!

As the author says more than once, not everyone will relate to his particular story with food. I think anyone with eating issues would find something in this book to be of help. I could relate all too well, and appreciate the author's candor at revealing things about himself, and his thoughts, that were of help to my own situation.

How is everyone doing in conquering this:
~*weight loss battle*~?
It really is a WAR against those excess pounds, isn't it?

After reading HUNGRY by Allen Zadoff, I decided not to call it a 'diet' because it is not suppose to be a reducing diet but a healthy way of eating.

This book gives you some ammunition to WIN that war!
(Although you will always have to be 'on guard' for the rest of your life!)

It was a worthwhile book to read...It had short one or two pages chapters. None of that recipe filler pages.

One of our 'assignments' was to try and figure out WHY
we over-eat and make ourselves over-weight.
There is a reason. He suggested maybe it is an addiction
or a disease we need to treat not just cover up with a 'diet'?

He lost 150 lbs...The way he did it was to analyze his feelings and
then to not eat foods that are trigger foods. He had us make a list
of red, yellow and green foods....red meaning those
that we just can't stop eating once we start (like sweets)
yellow meaning those that sometimes cause over-eating problems, and
green are those that are OK and good for us; never lead
to a binge. (Like a traffic light, red STOP, yellow CAUTION and green GO.

He didn't tell us what to eat because everyone's list would be
different.
Allen reminded me of my nephew that also lost a great deal of weight.

For instance, how when Allen was at a normal weight, after weighing 360 lbs. (And having only one pair of pants that fit that were worn out in the crouch.)
It was difficult to think like a normal weight person. (Like how to react when a pretty girl flirted with him.)

This is the suggestion that I am going to have to do since I am
an evening nibbler. Only eat 3 meals each day...(From the green list.)
"Three delicious, abundant meals made up of foods I can handle."Zadoff.

It sounds so sensible yet I haven't done that in a long long time.
I need to stop this mindless evening snacking...that mouth hungry not
stomach hungry HABIT! It is very very hard to break these bad eating habits!

If you can get the book, I highly recommend it.

Allen's final statement:
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can
start from now and make a brand new ending." Carl Bard

I really enjoyed this book. In clear, no nonsense language Allen Zadoff managed to convey to the reader the pain of being very over weight with no self pity, no real excuses. He ate too much at one time. Period. Then, somehow after reaching 300+ pounds, he looked inside of himself and accepted a truth. He needed to eat less. So - no more dieting for him. He decided to establish a traffic light of an idea. Red light for dangerous food, yellow light for foods that need to be approached with caution and green food - the kind one can eat lots of and manage to stay slim. I loved this idea. I don't have a huge weight problem, but I do eat too much at times for a variety of reasons. I swear - as soon as I did what Zadoff said, wrote down my red, yellow and green foods, I began to eat less. And I began to lose weight. Wow. Thanks, Mr. Zadoff. You did a great job. I hope everyone who has ever struggled with weight reads this book. It's short but the message is clear. Look at what you eat. Identify problem foods. Approach them with caution. I guess he said it all.

I can't believe such a terrible book can be reviewed so highly. I think he didn't say anything everyone who has a problem with food doesn't know. IN fact he doesn't really reveal himself at all. He uses thumor to hide behind rather than tell the truth. How does such a skimpy book get published?. He hints O.A is the only answer to overeating. He never explains what home problems kept his addiction active. I find it cruel to give hope to others with one method while telling us nothing else works. Everyone is differet and what works is different. This book is not quite a memoir, not quite a self help book,not quite a book. It is said to be a non diet book but I felt like I had been put on a skimpy diet with this badly written book. sorry. but I could write a more truthful book in my sleep and I have kept off sixty pounds. Hey, let me write a book. Save your money and time on this one. I felt cheated.