Humor Books

Our unit in Iraq recently received this hilariously funny book in a "Care" package. How wonderful to be reminded of home! The dumb blonde jokes, children's funny stories, church stories hit close to home and our laughter over these little moments taken for granted in our lives makes our homesickness all the more apparent for our beloved United Staes. Each chapter represents a freedom that is lacking overseas here in this country. Chapter VII was especially enjoyed by the troops here. Thanks, Dr. Powell for this gift of home. Holidays are lonesome here, but this book let us laugh and forget our troubles for a little while.

There is nothing to compare this to on the bookshelves in the bookstores. It's definitely worth the wait ordering this book online. Thank you, doctor, for making me laugh today. I love every section, it's the best book ever. Cannot possibly wait for volume two to become available!

"Quite funny."

"Dr. Powell is blessed to be with fine folks who take the time to let others know about his good deeds and this very fine book."

Books About the South editor
Southern Living Magazine

I am a staff member for a major southern magazine. We get a mountain of mail every day... manuscripts, books for placement in our magazine. Most of what we receive as far as humor goes is not what our staff and colleagues would buy. A reader sent in this book for possible review by our magazine here in Alabama and I just had to order more copies for my friends! This is really an outstanding humorous book. I recommend it highly to everyone! The staff in our office passed this book around for days. It brightened our day, the humor we had to share in this book. Every page lead to a story that we all had to tell and laugh over. All us of definitely "needed a copy of that!" Thanks to the person who sent it in. Guaranteed to be a bestseller.

a book obviously by a great and wise man who knows the world needs more prescriptions for laughter... so do as the doctor ordered and get lots of refills-- for all your friends and family today!!!

I loved The Rock Orchard and had to read something else by P.S. (Paula) Wall. If I Were a Man, I'd Marry Me is a collection of short stories taken from a column she used to write (or still writes, not sure) that center on quirky southern characters and situations. She does the same here as she did in The Rock Orchard -- write some quirky, surrealistic takes of ordinary, every day people. Her wit is priceless in this collection and I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed her novel. My favorite stories are "Maxine's Diet," "Faithful," "The Mortician," "Harley," "Warming the Bench," "Topless," "The Ghost of Elvis," "Chivalry," and "Fruitcake." I guess the one disappointing thing about this collection is that the stories are very short -- about three or four pages each. Other than that, I loved If I Were a Man, I'd Marry Me and I hope to read more stuff by this talented writer.

After a tough day I can count on P.S. Wall to lift my spirits. Wall has a gift for putting everyday occurances into a humerous perspective. Reading her stories makes you feel like you are a part of her group. And what a fun loving group it is! You go girl... and take me with you.

P.S. Wall is just as funny in person as she is in print. She's the kind of storyteller that you want to take home, sat her on the hearth and let her entertain you for the rest of your life. This writer is a well kept secret who is destined to become one of the great Southern humorists of all time.

The other day, my husband and I got a crazy waitress at a Shoneys. As we walked outside after lunch, we burst into laughter and agreed that we'd just had a Wall Moment. I could almost read the article she would have written about the incident. Buy this book, and soon you'll be having Wall Moments too.

If I Were A Man, I'd Marry Me draws you into P. S. Wall's slightly skewed universe. The same things happen to her that happen to all of us -- she finds and writes about the absurdity, the humor and the craziness of ordinary life. I'll never look at a dipstick or chocolate brown shoes the same way again.

Wall's book is filled with friends and family you want to be part of. You follow Rosie and Maxine and even Cat from adventrue to mis-adventure with constant chuckling, but also a growing sense of familiarity. These are your people. I met Sweetie once at a conference -- believe me, he lives up to his hype.

Though consistently out there, Wall's universe remains grounded in reality. She doesn't avoid tough questions -- "If you dream about another man," one character asks, "is that being unfaithful?" Of course, the man they all dream about turns out to be Al Gore -- go figure. Wall tackles emotional insecurity, the tribulations of being single, the difficulties as well as the rewards of marriage. Perhaps that's what makes these essays more than just fun to read once. Like Mark Twain or Erma Bombeck, P. S. Wall writes about our real lives, and we want to return to her again and again.

You can catch P. S. Wall at uexpress.com, and I'd travel 1000 miles to her her speak in person -- she's that good. But right now, for a good healthy dose of vintage Wall, buy If I Were A Man, I'd Marry Me. I guarantee you'll laugh on every page, and pretty soon you'll be having Wall Moments too.

Walls takes life and makes it into stories you can laugh about. The hooker story is the first and it is hillarious as the others. They are cleverly written. Read all of her works with girl friends.

this is a great book for any female! it puts mom/daughter relationships in a new perspective while offering some fun/practical advice! i LOVED it and have given it as a gift many times!

Anita really hits the nail on the head so many times. I could not stop myself from laughing at her humorous way of sharing special times about her relationship with her mother and her daughter. She had some really insightful advice, that is biblically directed.

It made me think about my relationship with my mother and my two daughters.

It was a truly great read and hard to put down.

If you want that question answered, then read this book. Among other things, Anita encourages us to find humor and acceptance in things we cannot change... especially with our mothers and/or daughters!

Even if you have a great relationship with your mother, this is a great book that refuses to let you put it down!

Anita once again has hit home with another great read. Not only is this book funny but it is true and filled with great insights and helps in understanding your own family dynamics. Having lost my mother just before purchasing this book, it was refreshing and a treasure to see how her life is still revealed through her daughters and grand-daughters. I pray I leave a leagacy to my girls that is just as wonderful. You have to read this book! Laugh and cry, or, laugh until you cry, either way you will enjoy Anita Renfroe's take on life.

Excellent title. It grabbed my attention right away and made me want to find out more about this book. The title also held promises of a touch of humour and real insight into the nature of mothers and daughters. Even with these extremely high expectations, I was not disappointed. I laughed, I cried, I remembered, and then I handed the book to my daughter to read.

If It's Not One Thing, It's Your Mother is a collection of memories and tips about being a first time parent. All those little things that took us completely off guard and that we wish our mother, our sister, or a really good girlfriend would have told us. Many of these situations made us cry at the time but are now our most cherished memories.

The book also tells the other side of the story, as well. Many Baby Boomers are part of that Oreo lifestyle: raising children and taking care of elderly parents at the same time. The author has some experience in that aspect. Her household contains three generations. In fact, much of the author's life has been spend living in multigenerational homes, often by choice. There are a lot of benefits, but like any family, it takes a little work to keep chaos from ruling.

I literally just put down this book!!! If you are living with an ostomy, cancer or other health issue and could use a good laugh...this is your book.

Be ready to laugh and cry as Brenda takes you along on her journey through colorectal cancer. Be ready to read some of your own thoughts and experiences in this book. Reading this book is like talking to a good friend.

I genuinely appreciate how Brenda can share with us her thoughts and experiences with amazing openness and candor.

As the voice of experience...Laughter truly is the best medicine!!! Try it!!

Brenda's communication skills make her the perfect messenger to deliver a touching, humorous yet medically accurate tale of her own experience with cancer, surgery and healing - both physically and emotionally.

Her story was especially touching since we went through similar experiences two years ago. Her story and ours had many parallels, with nearly the same characters in each part of the story - the accuracy of her account is amazing and truthful.

A "must read" for anyone living with an ostomy or colorectal cancer as a patient, family member or friend.

Insightful, accurate, touching, and funny!

Humor is where you find it. Brenda Elsagher has the amazing ability to find humor in a most difficult journey through colorectal cancer. She encourages the reader to use humor as a survival tactic to combat cancer. This book presents a sensitive portrayal of the immense challenge to the human spirit posed by cancer diagnosis and treatment. It also contains a powerful message of hope for life after diagnosis as readers follow Brenda's transformation from hair stylist to comedian. Brenda's description of her treatment for cancer "back there" under the capable hands of her surgeon "the rear admiral" is incredibly funny. It is likely to cause the reader to laugh out loud. For cancer patients that is a very good thing as laughter is good medicine!!!

Although I have known Brenda for 25 years and know what she has been through, the book was very hard to put down. It is an inspiration to survivors and caregivers alike. I am a caregiver myself and she really touched home on many points. It is a must read, especially if cancer has touched your life in any way, shape or form. A definate must for your bookshelf!

Brenda Elsagher is living proof that if you're determined (a feisty attitude is a bonus) and armed with a brutal sense of humor, the spirit of a fighter won't be defeated. And Brenda is a fighter. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 1995, she shares in If The Battle Is Over Why Am I Still In Uniform? her private war with a deadly enemy; one she was determined to beat.

After reading this book I will never think about my colon, or any other body part for that matter, in the same way again. I learned that screening for colorectal cancer is important, because if caught early enough, it can be cured.

If The Battle Is Over Why Am I Still In Uniform? is filled with wit, wisdom, and the stark realities of cancer. I laughed often and my eyes misted more than once. It is a well-written book of one woman's cancer reality. It is also the story of that woman's determination to grow old with her husband and meet her grandchildren.

This book will provide you with information that might just save your life. If you know someone with colorectal cancer, sharing this book with them will let them know that they're not fighting the battle alone.

Also, if you know someone (maybe you) who is long overdue for their colon screening, this book will encourage them with reality. Get your doctor's number handy and call now!

Just read what everyone else has written...

She needs to climb out from those piles of ramie/cotton blends and update her book for us!

"If You Ask Me" collects 61 of Libby Gelman-Waxner's (aka Paul Rudnick) comedic movie columns from Premiere Magazine's first 5 years, 1988 until her 5th Anniversary column in 1993. Balancing roles as Assistant buyer in Junior's Activewear, East Side yenta, and "American's most beloved and irresponsible film critic", Libby lambasts movie cliches, aging movie stars, and directors who suffer from Auteur's Syndrome. She swoons over hunky actors and fixates on actresses' coiffures. She keeps us current on the movie-going adventures of her orthodontist husband Josh, perfect daughter Jennifer, tragically single friend Stacey Schiff, and cousin Andrew. Libby is laugh-out-loud funny.

Those who followed Libby's career until the demise of Premiere Magazine in spring 2007 can see how she became the critic we know and love and revisit some long-retired features like "The Libby Awards" and "Letters to Libby". It is amazing and hilarious how seriously some readers took her. Libby's first five years were more manic and plagued with run-on sentences than her later years. This book witnesses the point at which she hit her stride as a critic, about 2 ½ years in, with an article entitled "The Entertainment Factor". Before that, Libby was scattershot and not quite a reviewer.

Of course, Libby's foremost intention was always to entertain. But in those cases when more serious reviewers all got it wrong, which occur like clockwork twice a year, Libby set us straight. Those columns are among her best, and they earned her my respect as a critic. Libby's gossipy wit was also on hand to observe the cinematic transition from the 1980s to 1990s in her column "Making Nice". Her scrutiny of '80s Greed versus "'90s New Niceness", i.e. hypocrisy, is another example of incisive commentary in a deceptively shallow package.

"If You Ask Me" is a wonderfully entertaining volume that no movie buff should be without. Libby could get away with saying what other critics couldn't, because her comments were shrouded in humor. She got even better than this, so it's unfortunate that the other 14 years of Libby are not available as a book. The Introduction refers to this as "Volume 1", so I hope that Paul Rudnick has not completely forgotten about that implication and we can expect the rest of Libby soon. Although the movies are listed under the article titles in the table of contents, an index of movies would have been helpful, as would dates on the articles.

With the demise of Premiere magazine, the time has come to update this hysterical tome and bring every last one of Libby's incisive, razor-sharp observations together into one volume. Surely her devoted fanbase deserves that much...

If you ask me, Libby is the best thing - and sadly often the only thing - worth reading in Premiere. This book is a collection of some of her earlier columns.

I remember picking it up in a bookstore, and reading the part about "Rain Man" and laughing so much I was helplessly bent over and terrified that I would be thrown out or carted away by men in white coats. Luckily, I wasn't.

Hollywood badly needs someone to prick its enormous bubble of egotism, and Libby is always up to the job. Many movie stars are in desperate need of a reality check, a reminder that their hangnails aren't on the same level as say, world peace.

In addition to Libby, we meet her adorable children, Mitchell-Shawn and Jennifer, her friend the terminally single Stacy Schiff, her husband Josh (like Bill Clinton he can balance a budget, then jog over to pick up a bag of donuts), her mother, and her shrink - all of whom contribute columns.

Equally funny if not funnier than Dave Barry at his best, this book is a worthy addition to anyone with a slightly warped sense of humor's shelf.

You'll come for the hysterical observations, but you'll stay for the depth of thought. In reviewing Field of Dreams, for example, in between tart and hysterical observations about Kevin Costner's ambit, we get the incredible telling and onpoint observation that James Earl Jones' character seems oblivious to the fact that baseball was segregated in 1919. Whoa, Libby, you snuck that one in on us. Libby's humor is premised in her unabashed shallowness in movie tastes--she doesn't want to see Calcutta, she wants to see a cut up Patrick Swayze (one of the studs of her era)--and in her understanding of the Hollywood culture that movies reflect. In noting that the jobs women have in movies shift from art gallery director to caterers, she observes that these are great things for Hollywood wives of movie executives to do for "fulfillment" for a month or two, but not the way that the average woman in the real world will be pulling in the bread. Well, she makes that observation in a less heavy handed and much more hilarious way. Libby, forgive me, I lack your craft.

The most important thing about this book is that it is always fun and never self-important. Paul Rudnick, the man behind Libby, had fun with it, and so will you. In Libby fashion, I should note that my adorable mother, Mary Christine Motes, recommended this book to me. Thanks, Mum.

I stumbled onto this book and it sounded interesting. There are quite a few short stories with references amongst each other. I didn't find it to be laugh-out-loud funny, but the "geek humor" did get me to crack a smile every now and then.

Note for parents: On the back cover it points out "Scattered Profanity" - and for a reason. If you are offended by profanity - or are buying this for a young teen you might want to consider that. The f-bomb is dropped at least once that I remember - you have been warned. Perhaps your local library might have a copy for you to look over before gifting?

Lucy Snyder has one of the most unique voices in speculative fiction, and this book is an example of her at her best.

What Terry Prachett does for fantasy, what Douglas Adams did for S/F, what Christopher Moore does for horror, Lucy Snyder does for technogeekism. She twists it, she warps it, and she makes it side-splittingly funny. She is well on her way to creating a lexicon of humor that will have the whole Gen X and Y community feeling even more smug and geekier-than-thou.

The title piece in this collection is a beloved classic to the online crowd; anyone who's ever suffered through a technical manual will be at home with the zombie badgers.

This book also contains one of my favorite stories of all time, "In The Shadow of the Fryolator". Chick lit meets Cthulu via the brain of Lucy Snyder.

I highly recommend owning this book if you want to be cool.

Well, being a fan of every zombie based litature and or media that has come out...pretty much since i can remeber this book takes the cake. Not only does it contain zombies, but it shows how to make them and the nessary tools and items needed to do so. I should have guessed that Linux would have been involved i just dident realize it would be so easy. Now i barely ever have to do any work my self, except for matience on my zombies of course. Iv even taught one to take dictation, although they cant spell worth a D#@N. Over all i loved this book, from obscure hacking references to common problems we could all have with the "living impared" this is a A-1 book in my opinion.

This handbook is priceless. Sure, Linux is free, but learning how to use it properly, a necessity when installed on a dead badger (something I'd been meaning to try) can be tricky (especially for those of us who were trained on Windows machines).

I'd been wanting to explore Linux use and the wider applications of the life-challenged to handle my small business's basic chores--mailing, filing, tax preparation, security--but until I read this book I had no idea I'd need to know which aethernet company would require the least amount of holy water. The need for a priest on speed dial or a martyr-minded virgin had also never occurred to me.

I especially liked the down-to-earth language of the book. Sure, there are some shoutouts to people I've never heard of, and some references to computer skills I haven't mastered yet, but I found it written in a fun, easily-accessible way that made it possible for even my (Windows) challenged brain to keep up.

Installing Linux on a Dead Badger is one of those books that begins with a small chuckle, quickly advances to a chortle and then moves you directly to 'Laughing out loud'. Really quickly. With dry humor and clear prose Lucy Snyder deconstructs hackers, corporate culture and megalomanic alien squids in short order, and with a side of fries.

This collection of sprightly tales begins with the title piece, a pseudo technical manual that should delight geeks and non-geeks a like, particularly those whove sat on hold waiting for tech support. We then proced to corporate vampirism, psychic stock predictions, zombie employees and haunted networks. Luc's prose is funny, fast moving, absurdist and served with a healthy dose of irony. Two stumps up, and way up.

I loved this book! It made me laugh out loud. I have two kids, ages 6 and 9, and worked full time until I got pregnant with my second. I remember the guilt I felt going to work each (OK, most!) days. Claudine gives an honest look at working and stay at home moms alike.

I need the follow up book now!

What a refreshing and honest view on the challenges of motherhood. Claudine gives you the ability to let go some of the "Mommy Guilt" which we all feel at one time or another. This was an easy read and I enjoyed the sporadic laughs and humor.

I like to be prepared. Although everyone tells me you can't prepare for Motherhood, it has not deterred me from reading every book on the topic I can find. Wolk's book was an easy read with real examples, humorous "it happened to me" tales, and serious advice fused together with wit and obvious love for her husband, children and the job of Motherhood. I have often felt that women hold back and don't tell everything about pregnancy, birth and Motherhood but after reading Wolk's descriptions I feel like I've been given a behind-the-scenes glimpse. There are so many gems of wisdom that I have not found anywhere else that this book of "lies" will be on my nightstand throughout my pregnancy and into the changed life that comes with the new baby. I have already given two of my expecting girlfriends copies and I'm sure it will be a staple gift for years to come. Thank you Claudine for sharing these secrets! It may not get easier, but it sure sounds like fun.

This book is one of the best I've seen on this subject. Part personal chronicle, part self-help, part baby book - it hits every mark. I wish books like this existed when my kids were born. One terrific thing about this book is how Wolk shares details of her own child-bearing and child-rearing experiences throughout, making it very clear that she's not some expert on high. She's in the trenches, engaged in the daily balancing act that being a woman and a mother entails. So she can relate -- and relate she does!

The first part of the book accurately covers the early days of motherhood, from labor to the first weeks at home. I can imagine many new mothers reading the book post-birth will wish they had the book before going into labor, because Wolk's tips on dealing with labor and delivery issues (pain management, breast feeding, nurses) are great.

The book then delves into the early days when mother and child are home, out of the cocoon of the hospital. Wolk's suggestions for getting baby on schedule and getting Mom back on her feet are excellent, but unlike some books of this type, she always digs deeper. She touches on the emotions (exhaustion, isolation and confusion) that women may experience and offers ideas for taking care of oneself physically and mentally. And it's not all sweetness and light. There are discussions on coping with challenging feelings, like being bored at home or wanting back pre-baby freedom and hating housework. I thought her discussions about how a baby can affect marital relationships were particularly insightful. And as she always does, she combines theory with practice. Her suggestions for co-parenting and marital issues (teamwork, scheduling, romance) are useful, witty, and wise.

In the latter parts of the book, when Wolk steps back to deal with the big picture, she really bats the ball out of the park. This section of the book offers the most accessible discussion of the psychological dimensions of motherhood that I have ever read. Wolk very astutely describes the conflicts many women experience when they become mothers. She handles sensitive topics, such as the shifting sense of identity and uncomfortable resentments over money, sex, and housework, with frankness and compassion. I loved it.

This is a great book for anyone interested in child-care, self-help, parenting, and women's issues.

Finally...FINALLY...women are letting down their ponytails and talking OUT LOUD about the reality of new motherhood. It's so refreshing to hear stories that you can actually relate to, and Claudine Wolk takes it one step further, offering advice for surviving those early months. If only she'd been living next door to me when I was going through it all.

This book has wonderful, colorful pictures that captivate my nephew. The story is fun to read and entertaining for him. The characters spark a lot of questions from the little guy which makes it a great book to read to him. He's only 2 and loves reading it daily. My older 6 year old cousin likes reading it himself and it's one of his favorites too. We'd really like to see more stories from the characters at Junkyard Junction.

We thought this book was very good, we all enjoyed reading this and have read it several times since receiving it.
The pictures are very interesting and the characters are so cute. This would be a very helpful book for any child moving to a new home and needing to make new friends. It helps kids learn how to help each other out when you really need it. Really enjoyed it! Wonderfully done!
When is the next book?

This is truly a wonderful book, with a great story and beautiful pictures. I know that my great nieces and nephews will enjoy this (as I will) for many years to come.

This book is such an amazing example of pure creativity that any child would be delighted to read it. Because of the imaginative quality of the entire book I am left to believe that the authors have a deep understanding of the imaginary nature or essence of childhood. This book won't disappoint you.

This is a wonderful book with great illustrations. It is the perfect Christmas gift for any child. This story about a little bug named Squirt finding a new home in the country and making new friends is great for all ages. I hope there will be more stories to come.

If you like cats / Kittens this is for you. Book based upon web site comparing cutest kitten. Mostly a "picture" book :)

I purchased the book on Christmas Eve at my local B&N. My son had to be practically dragged bodily from the book table even though I assured him that I had bought a copy and it was in the bag.

This book was the unexpected hit of Christmas Day. Everyone, regardless of age and whether or not they were "cat people," became engrossed in choosing which kitten was the cutest and booing if their choice was dissed on the next page. I hope they come out with a Kittenwar board game next, or maybe a Kittenwar for the X box crowd?

If you enjoy the "Kittenwar" site, you will love this book! I am giving it to my niece who has a new kitten and she will love it!

I love this little book. I participated in the contest and was pleasantly surprised to see the picture of my kitten in the book. Then I found my name in the credits for the photographs. How cool is that!

If you love kittens this is a wonderful book. My daughter brought it to school and those girls can not get enough of it.

This book is a fabulous collection of Dan Piraro's "Bizarro" Sunday comics. Unlike other cartoonists, Piraro has the incredible ability to portray realistic ideas and situations while still maintaining a "cartoon atmosphere." His ability to create such imaginative cartoons makes him one of the most original and hilariously funny artists out there. These full-color Sunday cartoons will give you an idea of how witty and true-to-life Bizarro can be.

In addition, each cartoon includes a small caption, perhaps explaining the meaning of the joke, or how Piraro came up with the idea for a certain cartoon. These small bits of information even sometimes explain who certain characters represent and their purpose in the cartoon. Also, in the back of the book, there is an in-depth explanation of each of the hidden symbols that Piraro hides in his comics. This is a genuinely funny book and should be read by all comic lovers--Bizarro or not. Such a chance to take a ride inside Dan Piraro's head is one that should not be passed up.

i interviewed dan piraro when this book came out. later i became a fan.

cool book......cool dude.

it makes me go laugh laugh.

it makes me eat more cereal. wear less hairspray.

jack e. jett
the jack e. jett show

I think Dan Piraro is one of the few people who have a handle on what life is all about. His cartoons show an insight into our world that precious few have. This latest of his books exceeds what I expected. The comments on his thinking are an added plus that put him over the top.
I don't know how his next book can be any better, but I'm sure it will be. Why am I sure? because I saw his Bizzaro Bologna Show when it came through town, and he was even funnier than I thought was possible.
I really feel sorry for the people in the towns that don't have him in their daily newspaper!!!

I've been a fan of Mr. Piraro's work for several years, and almost creamed myself when I heard he was coming out with a collection of his greatest Sunday cartoons!! "Life is Strange and So Are You" lived up to my utmost expectations, keeping me in hysterics for hours on end. My husband threatened to call poison control because he thought I must've accidentally eaten hallucinogenic mushrooms on my pizza, I was laughing so hard-but I assured him through my tears of hilarity that it was all Dan Piraro-who's just too freakin' funny!

I love his drawing style, the vibrant colors he uses, the secret symbols he sneaks in the art, and his outlandish sense of humor illustrated in every gag. The personal notes included with each cartoon give new and much-appreciated insight , sharing the author's comments and inspiration on each panel.

BUY THIS BOOK, IT WILL CRACK YOU UP!!

P.S. Thank you, Mr. Piraro, for giving of yourself, and for gracing the world with a heaping dose of laughter--exactly what we need!

Bizarro is by far one of the best cartoons in print today. He is clever, extremely funny and obviously he is a good artist. This book is cleverly done with all the little extra comments on each cartoon. They give a small insite into the mind of this cartoonist. It is truly a Sunday Treasury.