Parody Books

Having encountered Mr. Blehert's writings serveral times past in smaller scale situations, I was not sure what to expect from this extensive and even "Fat" compendium of his labors. So I looked inside....THEN I started laughing. Still laughing, I read more....and more..... and then I began to be REALLY impressed. Mr. Blehert has done ALL his homework, and even iinvented lots of extra-credit assignments. A Doctorate of Letters ultimately inevitable, once a few scholastics with a combination of humor and intelligence get to know this most Wonderfully and Creatively written thesis on "Everything you wanted to know about Poetry...... I hope that it becomes a standard text, a sort of very intelligent sweet and sour sauce to go with a survey of historical poetry, a masterful display of chameleon Style facility. Read it and laugh! Read it and be impressed! Buy it and Read it.

If you've been out of school for a while you might be a little rusty on all the literary references that populate this book. Chock full o' parodies, Dean Blehert has more than a way with words -- he has a way with other people's words.

An entire chapter of Please Lord is devoted to how famous poets -- living and dead -- would write "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." These writers include Sylvia Plath, Lyn Lifshin, Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats and Blake.

Tongue-in-cheek, the book intersperses Blehert's own poetry with instructive "how-to" advice-poems on such topics as "how poetry is done" and "How To Be A Prestigious Mainstream Twentieth-Century Academic Poet." For example, in the chapter on the first subject, Blehert writes:

You can make any sentence poetical
by mentioning blood or bone.
For example, instead of "Yesterday
I went to the store," say "Yesterday
I went to the blood and bone store."
Instead of "The moon rose," say
"The blood moon rose" or "A bone
of moon rose" or, best, "A bone
of blood moon rose."

There is so much in this book, it will take many many readings to catch just half of its humor. Brush up on your "dead white male" poets if you want to get the rest of it.

Fireworks, Roman candles, fizzgigs...they're always going off in Dean Blehert's mind, all the time. When you pick up a copy of Please, Lord, Make Me a Famous Poet or At Least Less Fat, you get 402 pages of peerless wit and erudition. Blehert knows just about everything there is to know about poetry in the English language, and nearly all of his knowledge is displayed in this book, in his characteristic melange of parody, punning and reasoned discourse. Some people may dismiss Blehert as a show-off, or as merely clever. But most, I think, will respond to his expansive good humor, and to the book's undercurrent of serious, even moral, commentary on what poetry should be and do.

Picked up "Please, Lord..." and am reading fervently. I think I'm learning more about literature by laughing at it than I did in those vacuuous, slumber-inducing lectures in college. So I am appreciative of the fresh look at this thing called poetry which ranks up there with ice cream in my list of favorite things in the world.

Next time you want entertainment, forget the movies and TV. Get thee to a bookstore or Amazon. Skip past the so-called humor books, and go directly to the...gasp...poetry section. Don't be afraid. You may have a difficult time finding it, but once there, the name Dean Blehert will be prominently displayed on the bindings of several unique and hilarious books. Pick any one(s) you want, but be certain to include his latest in your trove. "Please, Lord,et.al." is not only a poet's primer, but very tasty brain candy for those who simply like to laugh. But please have a care: Blehert's books can be addicting, with no known antidote! Consider yourself warned!!!

This book is hilarious. I laughed out loud several times and shared it with at least three other people. I bought it because I am a new mom and I relate to it. I read it, laughed, and now I am going to give it as a gift for a pregnant friend. Yes it's as funny as it looks.

I bought one copy for myself and several copies to give as gifts at baby showers. This book is so funny, I don't know when something made me laugh this hard. I can't wait to share it with all of my fellow mom friends.

Seriously, I'm going to stock up on this book to give to any friends of mine that are new moms! HYSTERICAL and TRUE!!!

This is a cute and fun book that any new mom will enjoy. As a new grandma, I appreciated this little gem and recommend it highly. It's a great book that provides excellent suggestions for new dads!

Being a new mom must be tough. I don't have kids but I have several friends who do and they all go through the same stage after birth. The look tired, have messy hair, no makeup, and are a little spaced-out (part bliss, part exhaustion) so I can see why this book resonates with new and experienced moms. The scenarios address all those things that would bug a new mom; not enough sleep, no time to take proper care of ones self, a need to be pampered, and the need for a partner who cares. Not to say that men don't care or help, but this is PORN after all and the situations are the best case scenarios. Cute guys doing altruistic paternal things is hot.
The book is a cute item to tuck into a baby shower bag, or as a pick-me-up during the first few weeks. Experienced moms will think it is a hoot, too since they know how hard good help is to find. :)

When I get finished laughing, I intend to write a review for this book. Hahhahahahah. It may be awhile. Hohohohaha. I've been laughing for 18 straight days. Hee heee ha...The tears are streaming down my face...harhar har...the best humor book I have ever read....and it's funny, too. I've even made my wife laugh and a few of our friends. This is genuinely funny stuff. My sides hurt.

I read "That Reminds Me," in a couple of sittings this past weekend and had a lot of laughs from it.

While growing up, my younger brother and I would often tell jokes at the dinner table, with the objective of making our father laugh. (Mom never did have much of a sense of humor.) Our quest for new material was constant. I've read lots of joke books and many of the jokes here were not new to me... but so many had been completely forgotten until Michael Close's carefully constructed versions brought them back to mind. Unlike many joke books, his selections are impeccable... there are no duds! And, yes, there were quite a few that I hadn't heard before.

I also appreciated the magical anecdotes. Magicdom is populated with colorful characters and it would be a shame for future generations not to know of them.

The final chapter, entitled Last Laugh, rang very true. When all's said and done, we have only our memories to accompany us through life and this book certainly brought back many memories.

Although I laughed when I read the book, the best part is being reminded of so many forgotten jokes that I can start telling again!

If you're looking for material to add to an act -- there's certainly material here that you can directly steal (as Michael invites you to!), however... The best part is that he comes up with really great structures that you can borrow from to come up with new material.

His physical humor is awesome, and he comes up with some interesting ideas with physical humor that as a magician you could use to segue between routines (and maybe even misdirect your audience to get in some secret preparation!).

I really have found it inspirational -- he's since gotten me to watch "The Aristocrats" and read Legman's "Rationale of the Dirty Joke", too.

That Reminds Me is arguably the best collection of jokes under one cover ever assembled.

I've had the pleasure of hearing many of these jokes first hand and have seen Michael bring an audience to tears (with laughter). Michael has the ability to find the perfect joke for any situation. I guarantee you that you will find jokes in this book that you've never heard and a couple that that you may have heard before, but are presented here with a new twist or wrinkle that brings it to a new gut busting level.

In addition to the jokes, Michael also profiles some of his very funny friends in the magic world including Jay Marshall, Bob Read, Aldo Colombini and others.

If you're a joke lover as I am, you'll do yourself a favor and order this amazing collection. I'm already anxiously awaiting part two.

It's not often that you come across guys that do more than one thing well. Most of us are not really good at anything. Mike Close is the exception. He is a terrific musician, author, teller of jokes, and he doesn't suck at magic. (Just kidding Mike. You're a great magician too) Why should you care about this book? Because it's fun to read, well written, and if you're a working entertainer you can steal lots of good material from it. You truly will laugh out loud many times while reading it.

Darren Hart

I love this little compendium. It gives a taste of Dribbleglass' quirky-yet-so-clever humor. I love the way Scott Roeben, the author, manages to translate his singular perspective on life into witty humor. The fact that billboards are his medium makes the whole package and the website even more unique. Bravo!

This package of comedy is such a treat! Scott Roeben is not only witty, but has an unbelievably clever imagination. wonderfully funny website, packed with an awesome collection of billboards, jokes, pictures, and quirky things (e.g., ugly toes contest). I hope that he compiles a second edition of magnets to clutter up my refrigerator even more!! Great work, Scott! bs

I bought this as a gift for a friend and they loved it.
The presentation of this book is very unique and creative and the billboards are very funny.

If you buy this for someone they will love you a little more for it.

I was in a big fight with one of my friends and I bought this book for them as a peace offering and now we are back to being friends and all prior wounds have been healed. Who knew that a little refrigerator shaped box of magnets could have worked such magic. Thanks Scott this book is a gosh darn miracle.

Because I've been reading Dribble Glass for at least five years, I was sure these were going to be funny. And they are. I bought some for friends, nieces and nephews, a neighbor, two dogs and a parakeet. I guess I got a little carried away.

As a huge Dave Barry fan, I knew this item would be worth purchasing since a Dave Barry quote is right on the front of the box.

Dave says, "These billboards are sick, perverted, gross, and tasteless. But in a good way."

Folks, that is DAVE BARRY. Enough said. I've always loved the billboards and now 10 of them are on my refrigerator holding up a shopping list from 1998 that I'll get around to sooner or later.

The little book that comes with the magnets is a funny read as well. Kudos to the dribbleglass.com people.

You have to like this stuff. Much like the other titles which preceded, Bigfoot continues to be one suave, sexy bad guy. Quirky humor.

Me think me buy this book. Me read reviews and me impressed. Sound funny.

Me have credit card........not hard to get credit card.....they give credit card to dead people.....me have no problem getting one.
Me name on credit card. Two credit cards. One in name of "Harry Henderson" (Me love that movie.....me have DVD) and other says "Big Foot".

Why people call me bigfoot? Me 8 feet tall, 700 pounds....everything on me big....not just foot. Big hands, big head, big chest, big hiney, big.......me digress.......me no go there.
Me no want to offend prudes.

Me love reading books. Me has me own lie-berry (Me not good at spelling). Me read "Great Expectations"....not all that me hope for.

Me read romance books...me get turned on......me so horny sometimes. Me heard song called "Me So Horny" one day. Hillbilly blast it one day from pick-up truck. Hillbilly wear mullet. Me laugh. Anyway, me hear song as hillbilly drive by my cave on way to his cave......woman in song talk like me. Me in love.

Me digress again.....

Me love adoring fans who read me books. Me no hold autograph signings though, because hillbillies armed.


Me recently subject of hillbilly scam......me supposedly found dead in forest, put into freezer.....hillbillies make fool of themselves. Into hiding they go. Probably into trailer park. He he heehee..... Me make me laugh sometimes.

Fear dont, adoring fans. Me not dead. Me alive and working in restaurant with Elvis. Hehehe. Me just pulling chain. Me dont know Elvis.

Me likes hiding while scientist refuse to believe. Me no believe in them either. Heheheheheheheh.

Me must be going now. Me smell Salmon in hillbilly's barrel. Me go have Supper now.

Me thank you for you support. Me appreciative.

Maybe me meet you in forest someday. Just as long as you no have ammunition, like hillbillies.

Me not fond of hillbillies. Me more evolved than they.

Me better go....me supper's getting cold......well...me supper already cold...but me no want to type no more.....me have dial-up and me computer about to crash.

Someday me upgrade to broadband.


Why me talk like this?

Me talk like Yoda.

Me hope force be with you.

Me love Chewbacca.

Me not love Chewbacca in "that" way.

Me no want you to think of "Brokeback Mountain".


No, no. Me just big fan of Chewie is all.

Me enter Ted Nugent look-alike contest tomorrow.

Me not sure me ugly enough to win. But me give it old college try anyway.

Will keep me fingers crossed.

Me smell better than Nugent.

Me need to digress one last time.

Me go now.

Me say "bye".

Me say "sleep tight, dont let bed bugs bite". Me get bitten by bed bugs...me eat them as revenge. That teach them to bite ME.

Me really go this time. Me not kid anymore.

These books are a kick. They're irreverent, funny, clever. The books arrived in excellent condition and in a timely manner. We were pleased with the service.

You want big laugh- ok guilty laugh sometimes- you buy "I not dead"
Bigfoot misunderstood, plenty violent in cartoon way, and funny as all get out. Recommend!

Can't get too much Bigfoot series. Be sure read aloud. Me gift to friend, they laugh too. Leave on coffee table, amuse company. Enjoy!

Planet Nine strikes again! Bruno the Bandit is tall, dark, and luckless from a family of bandits. Even though he's in his thirties, Bruno is still living at home with his mother, father, companion/sidekick/will rat him out in 5 seconds micro-dragon Fiona and "Uncle". A firm grasp on pop-culture is necessary to get all the gags, jokes and jabs as Bruno seeks ancient books of forbidden knowledge, endures prison, his world's version of Peoples Court and daytime television and even marriage...to an another man. I'm not going to ruin any plotlines, so you'll just have to pick up a copy to find out the rest!

If you stumbled across Sluggy Freelance and liked it, give Bruno a try.

Bruno is really one of the better strips there is on the net. Its great he got a book out, too.

This is definetly one of the better comic strips out there. Bruno the Bandit is completely original, and fresh, the main character contiues to surprise me. Bruno is not only a dumb crook, murderer etc, but also greedy, selfish, and at times meaner than his enemies. It makes hime very interesting to read about, you'd think he would rather save the world than make a few gold sovergeins, but not Bruno. He kills baby unicorns, and clubs baby seals, all to further his own ends and this makes the book very refreshing from other strips, for he continues to save people, usually out of shear stupidity! I recommend you to purchase this book!!

Like many internet comics, I stumbled on this gem by accident. I read the strips abounding with weird wizards, sassy micro-dragons, clumsy rouges, goat-headed Goddesses, bartending demons, and various other oddities, laughed so hard my sides hurt, and got addicted. Unlike certain other reveiwers who have no basis for their mindless dislike, I think Bruno is one of the best internet comics out there, parodying everything from pop culture to classic fantasy stories. Ian McDonald has terrific insight, and I hope the strip continues to be successful for many years to come.

This is the "typical" story of your rogue that has it all done by brute force and not necessarily the smartest way. That would not have been anything special if we hadn't got Fiona, the always present Micro-dragon sideckick. With her inteligence, sarcasm, and great humour that turns this stupid/smart robbers pair in one of the funniest around.

I have read many many books in the self help/new age category.
I would rate this one in the top 10. Mr. Friedman is a long time student of Gurdjieff. This background undoubtedly helped him to write this wonderful collection of 30 philosophical/psychological rules for non-living to ponder. Wake up and buy this book!

The book is a delightful take on the American way. Written with insight and humour, the author takes you into misery as a way of life and offers clever ways of maintaining your miserable status. I read it in one evening and thoroughly enjoyed the wacky humor and uncanny knowledge of how we make ourselves sick with unecessary worry and self doubt. Read it with a sense of humor and you can't help but love it the way I did.

This is a great book to have on your living room coffee table or bedside, so that you can pick it up often, open to any page, and laugh at how ludicrious we can be on a regular basis. I have taught social dance classes for over 20 years, and my goal is to provide an arena in which people have the freedom to laugh at themselves while learning about something new. Gil's book provides me and others with that freedom. I highly recommend it!

This is a great book to have on your living room coffee table or next to your bed. Pick it up, open to any page, and see how truly ludicrious we are at times, especially about taking life way too seriously. I'm a social dance instructor, and one of my goals in life is to get people to relax, laugh at themselves, and play more. Anyone interested in doing so would enjoy reading Gil's book.

This is a peculiarly funny book. Funny because I found myself laughing at myself; peculiar because, after reading it, a strange awareness settled upon me. Was I, I wondered, an unhappy creationist who saw the world through grumbling eyes? "How to Be Totally Unhappy in a Peaceful World" is a self help book that, in spite of itself, really works!

This book is such a welcome relief from all the scandal that happens in our government. I loved looking into Bush's head, feeling Gore's personality and groping Schwarzenegger. This book has it all, especially a good laugh.

Paul and Judy have grown up. They are now playing politics.

You can do different things to different US politicians.

In this book you can:
see what is inside Bush II's head (nothing), touch Bill Clinton's underpants, pull Barbara Bush's hair, grope Aronld Schwarzenegger, lengthen Nixon's nose, feel Gore's wooden personality, play hide and seek with Cheney, read Bush I's lips (quotes of good things he has said), see what Hillary is REALLY thinking (president in 2008 instead of supporting NY), and TRY to stick a scandal to Reagan's teflon personality.

This is bipartisan humor in times of partisan books.

I'm giving this book to all my associates--just in time for the election--this small book will make it all bearable over the coming months with some big laughs!

What a fun book that could not have come at a better time! I recommend this as a gift for all occasions or just a laugh.

If, like me, you are more than a little fed-up with the brutal attacks and partisanship of this year's election, Pat the Politician will provide a welcome relief. A parody of the children's classic, Pat the Bunny, this humorous book pokes (and pulls) fun at folks on both sides of the aisle. Grown-up kids can pull at Barbara Bush's hair, stroke Bill Clinton's underpants, read Bush I's lips, feel Al Gore's wooden personality, and much more. This is great fun in a year that hasn't given us much to laugh about.

"Unleashing Your Inner Dog" is a wonderful blend of prose and illustration. Mari Gayatri-Stein has the rare distinction of being both a literary and a visual artist, and both talents drew me delightfully through the book. The writing is lyrical without being precious, authentic without being confessional. The cartoons are wry and kind - the best combination for such illustrations, and a difficult balance to attain. "Inner Dog" is one of those handy books you can read in manageable bites. I looked forward every evening to sliding into bed and reading for five or ten minutes, then falling asleep in the kind of good mood only a dog can inspire. Whether you want to treat yourself to a little gem or give a welcome gift, I recommend this book unreservedly.

Mari's love for her dogs and her boundless insight into their character illuminates every page of her book. You find yourself immersed in a doggy world that soothes your soul and lifts your heart. Her delightful and amusing drawings enhance every page. This book is a real treat.

Your Best Friend's Guide to Life is the story of how our dogs can rescue us from a life of delusion & instruct us in the art of love & joy. By observing our canine companions, we can learn to be our own top dog.

It always amazes me to watch our Buddy-dog's abandon & joy in each new day, nay every time the front door is opened & he is invited into the outside. I remark at least once a day at how unconditionally I am loved by this four-legged fellow whose needs are so ordinary & attainable.

With whimsical cartoons & pen strokes, this author has composed a lovely, mature, witty & cosmic caper inspired by the furry & tailed angels in our lives.

While you don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this book, it does help! Unleashing Your Inner Dog would be an inspired gift for your dog-loving friends! Something they'll treasure you for giving!

As a meditator striving to live in the moment and appreciate the small miracles of every day life, I was absolutely delighted to discover Mari Stein's "Inner Dog." She describes the challenges of being human with warm, loving humor. And the illustrations are exquisite! This is a book I can pick up over and over, each time discovering some new way to practice "loving kindness" when seeing myself through the eyes of my pet. I might add that I am owned by a cat who continually teaches me to stretch my body and my mind and not get too attached to anything.

I was so caught up in the illustrations, that I didn't want to distract myself with the words, but when I started to read, I didn't want to stop to look over at the illustrations. Profound concepts simply expressed. I found Unleashing Your Inner Dog to be delightful and clever, a treat for the eye, the funny bone, and the soul.

This comic strips from 1993 are in my opinion... really funny! For an example of some strips, Peppermint Patty always taunts Charlie Brown to ask him if he loves her! Another year of Peanuts!

It was exellecent. I loved it. A great all time favorite

Being a dog is a full-time job, indeed...as Snoopy's wacky antics will certainly convince you. Snoopy pulls various pranks on the adorable Peanuts children that will have you laughing until your eyes bleed! Laugh as Schroeder repels Lucy's wanton advances, and Peppermint Patty plays both sides of the ball! Fun for the entire family, even distant cousins!

"Being A Dog Is A Full-Time Job", strips from 1989, was very funny! Join the Peanuts characters on tons of new zany adventures! For, example we met another one of Snoopy's brothers Olaf!!! Lucy enters him in an "ugly dog" contest(Isn't that just like her?). Peppermint Patty goes to summer school!! She's so mad Marcie and Charlie Brown go to camp, she sneaks away to camp!!And plus, an "old friend" of Charlie Brown's calls and wants to meet him at the mall!! Could this girl have really been an "old friend"??!! To reveal more in this delightful book would be crazy!! It's funny, because I was born in 1989!! Have fun with this one!

this book is the best book simply because charles shultz wrote it