Parody Books

The words rang true, and my laughter rang loud. This book was enjoyable throughout. As a new father, this was a gift from my co-workers. It helped me keep a little perspective on the otherwise overwhelmingness of it all. Getting ready for fatherhood was a busy time, so one good thing is I was able to read it in small doses when I found time. My wife enjoyed it too. It's good to know others are going through the same emotions and craziness as you!

I gave it to my husband to read and he said everything in it is true, but would have enjoyed it better before the baby was born.

I got this for my husband, but I read it straight through first and loved it. The author has a knack for intelligent humor that shines right through to the truth. Easy to read in short spurts during the first year.

If you are single or married, female or male, childless or have a dozen kids to your credit (poor credit rating no doubt!), you will love this book. Like all great humorists, Jeff Yoder keeps his tongue implanted in his cheek by making you laugh at the awful truth. Through hilarious examples of what men and women go through in having children, the beauty of the book lies in Yoder's recognition and understanding that few things in life could possibly surpass the benefits of fatherhood. Everyone needs to read this book to better appreciate your children, your parents and the real meaning of life. Enjoy!!

Jeff Yoder has managed to create a testament to fatherhood that straddles the macho male, the enlightened male, the besotted father, the exhausted and cranky father, the wry dad, and the political satirist all at once.

If you know anyone who ever was a father, had a father, or will be one-or is thinking of teaming up with one-you will be doing them a favor by giving them this book. It will let them know that thinking they'll lose their mind as well as their sleep and their sex life doesn't mean they will or that they are crazy. This book will let them know they are not alone and that crises and insanity are temporary and, eventually, grist for hilarious reminiscence.

It also gives us women some insight into what a stretch fatherhood is for men these days-just as it is for most of us! Women too will love this book as I did.

I bought a dozen of the books for father's day.

If this is what Yoder can do with raising babies, I can't wait to see what he'll write about raising teenagers.

hilarious book, a great break from the serious parenting books. we laugh so hard we were crying.

I just read this book at a friend's house and ordered several copies to give as gifts for new parents. I laughed to the point of crying, just the thing new parents need to lighten the load of a new baby.

This would be a great baby gift for new parents-to-be, especially dads-to-be. It really is cute, and occasionally caused me to laugh out loud. I bought it for myself and will pass it on happily to the next set of friends who are expecting, but I wouldn't buy it for myself again.

This has got to be the all time funniest thing I have EVER read! And I'm an English/Poetry grad student, I read a LOT!

Besides the humerous stuff worth its weight in gold, it doesn't have to be read straight through, you can just open it to any random page and read something - a little or a lot, it's all good!!

Being a new parent is tough, and a lot of times depressing and demoralizing. This is the PERFECT pick-me-up. It's even more funny-cuz-it's-true when you have more kids!

This book is highly recommended, for you or for anyone you know with babies.

I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard! Wasson's parody of parenting strikes at the truth so many times -- I saw reality written all through this satire. Plus, a thought I will often ponder: My parents could have spared me the problem of encountering multiple other Carlies in school by naming me Carlee or, for that matter, Carleeeee. I mean, seriously. Why didn't they think of it? =) Read this book, you just might laugh so hard that people will think you're sobbing.

I just hate bogus reviews (rounded up by the author -- author's friends, etc.) These are 1 time reviewers, no other reviews in their history on Amazon and from what I can see in LA. So I won't buy this book.

This book is hysterical, & by hysterical, I mean brutally honest and insightful. True, I'm not a woman, but as a gay man I think Wendy's advice translates perfectly. If you read only one book this year, read this one, then smack yourself in the head, you should read more. You're probably not going to meet Mr. Right anyway and at least you'll have read a book.

Brilliant!! This is the perfect gift for a woman with a real sense of humor.
Any harsh critic would love this book! I did, and then got one for all
my friends. If you like the Daily Show, Sedaris, or laughing...this is it!

Okay, first let me say that my wife bought this book. Not me. But after suffering through the platitudes of all her self-help twaddle that has pushed my Tom Clancy novels off the bookcase, I thought I'd give this thing a chance. And it is actually hilarious.


Imagine my embarrassment when she caught my laughing out loud at one of her dumb "women's books". Now I'm terrified that she's going to draft me for her book club and make me read Oprah's latest selection (What? Toni Morrison has ANOTHER book?).

No, I'm ashamed to say that this pretty sharp satire, and you don't have to be a lady to get it. Good stuff.

I usually hate laughing, but this book made me laugh and cry at the same time. There is truth everywhere and when it's the funny kind of truth, it's the best kind of truth. Read it-- unless you're too scared in which case you should have someone else read it to you. Also I am a boy, so many parts of this book both confused and frightened me.

This is a good book to get.You'll see the following:

more of Garfield's dog put-downs! more gluttony more adventures and of course: more lasagna

So if you're a true Garfield fan like me get this book

Garfield is one of my favorite comic book characters. I highly reccomend this one!!!

Garfield Forever!!!

This was the funniest collection I have read yet! Poor Odie

Garfield Eats His Heart Out (#6) contains all daily comics from June 8, 1981 through January 10, 1982. The Second Garfield Tresury contains all of #6's sunday strips in color.

There is nothing funnier than an fat, orange tabby cat with black stripes sleeping thirteen hours a day (or more), stuffing his face fat full of food, and getting stuck in a tree. When I read my morning paper, the first thing I go to is the comic section and read my daily Garfield strip. I own all 40 books of collections of Garfield strips from the last twenty five years. The animation in Garfield's first few years is a bit on the crude side but he was still funny nevertheless. It is weird seeing Garfield physically evolve until "Garfield Takes the Cake" and "Garfield Eats His Heart Out". I think Jim Davis really defined Garfield's appearance in the 5th and 6th books. Jim has yet to fail me with Garfield's antics. I love it when Jon puts Garfield on a diet or tries to go on a vacation without his lazy cat. Of course what is Garfield without a visit from Nermal, the world's cutest kitten? One of my personal favorite moments in the book is when Jon wakes up and is startled to see Garfield wearing his reading glasses. Another great moment is when Jon and Garfield visits Jon's parents on the farm, and Garfield falls into a pig waller and gets covered in mud. Garfield is hilarious when he makes some snide remark about his girlfriend Arlene's gap between her teeth. There is never a shortage of laughs in any Garfield book. Jim Davis never seems to fail me with his abilities to make me laugh through his famous fat cat.

I enjoyed and recommend this book because Merriam writes from the point of veiw of a person living in the situation, not of one looking down on it. She portrayed things the way they were then, and sadly, the way they are now.

This book powerfully and accurately portrays the struggles of the inner city and the attitudes of those who have not experience or turn away from the very real problems. This is a wonderfully written and illustrated book, revealing the many truths behind the apparent innocence of nursery rhymes that originated from rich white societies.

While the language of Eve Merriam's Inner City Mother Goose seems shocking at first glace, it is a very accurate depiction of the happenings in the inner city. As a future educator, I firmly believe that the words in this book can be used to reach these less fortunate children far better than the book's counterpart. Not only did Merriam's book create contoversy, but it created a bridge for those who live in that world to those who have not experienced it. The language is depictive of the society, and Diaz's illustrations and use of color illuminate the child's eye view of their world. This book is a required reading for any person who deals with children from this background in order to not only gain a better understanding of the child, but of your own world.

Dubbed a "powder keg" by LIBRARY JOURNAL when it was first published in 1969, THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE is probably Eve Merriam's most influential, provocative, and controversial book. It was the source of two musical plays, INNER CITY, which opened on Broadway in 1971, and STREET DREAMS, which opened in 1982, the same year a new edition of the book was released. A third edition, with an introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, was published in 1996.

Like the original Mother Goose rhymes, THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE delivers social and political commentary. It is less subtle than Mother Goose rhymes, however. It will take many readers outside their own neighborhoods -- and their own comfort zones -- as it vividly depicts the brutal reality of life in contemporary urban areas: the poverty, the violence, the oppression, the filth, the corruption, the desperation. Still, readers are likely to recognize that they share many dreams with the INNER CITY characters: for love, fairness, education, a decent home, gainful employment.

Many of the rhymes echo the words and/or the rhythm of familiar Mother Goose rhymes, creating the illusion of playfulness and innocence. Often the last line of a poem takes an unexpected twist that ambushes the reader as if he or she were being mugged on a dark street.

Eve Merriam said, "I have been told that THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE was at one time the second most banned book in the country. I didn't write it for children. It was never intended to be a children's book. But it has percolated down, certainly to high school and junior high."

THE INNER CITY MOTHER GOOSE offers much food for thought and discussion -- from the forms it mimics to the social situations it portrays. Teen and pre-teen readers might need guidance to distinguish between a lifestyle described and a lifestyle endorsed.

I first heard Eve Merriam's "The Inner City Mother Goose" in 1971, when it was part of the Oral Interpretation performed by Richard Quezada that won the New Mexico State Speech contest. Rick had a wonderful deep voice, the sort that radio DJs would die for, and he made these poems really come alive. Today people get all excited by politically correct fairy tales, but for our generation it was Merriam turning nursery rhymes on their head to reflect the realities of the urban ghetto that were a sign of the times. These are not parodies, but telling satires that take beloved nursery rhymes as their point of departure. Most of the time her starting points are perfectly clear, as with "Simple Simon, "Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick," and "If." Besides, not all of her reference points are nursery rhymes, because you will also see the echoes of Christmas carols (e.g., "Twelve Rooftops Leaping"). Other poems simply are in the general style of children's rhymes, albeit with more serious intent (but then remember, "Ring Around the Rosie" was about the Black Death).

The language of some of these poems was shocking back in 1969, but, of course, today these words would not cause a ripple on a rap album. However, what is important is that here we are decades later and do any of us doubt that the world of which this poems speak still exists? This volume contains the text of the 1982 expanded edition, with a new introduction by poet Nikki Giovanni, and ten full-color paintings by David Diaz. Final Note: You know, the "real" Mother Goose (Elizabeth Vergoose) is buried in Boston's Old Granary Burial Ground, along with the victims of the Boston Massacre, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. Given her final resting place is amongst the patriots of the American Revolution, no, I do not believe she is spinning in her grave over Merriam's poems.

I wasn't expecting too much from this book, but between the unexpected stress of my simple wedding and my true awe/suspicion of Martha Stewart's abilities, it just struck a chord (particularly the segment about silverware). I would highly recommend this book for any wedding party that is finding stress in the most insignificant aspects of their wedding.

This is one of the most fun books to pass around when your friends are over. It's great for humorus wedding gifts, showers and the like. Martha may not be quite the tower of perfection she once was, but sometimes it's fun to kick at (in this case, a formerly 'hot') dog when she's down. No harm done - lots of fun.

Uhh....it's almost TOO well done!!! The subtlety, the sarcasm. Martha herself would be proud of the ideas and craft concepts presented. You will find yourself laughing out loud. Fits perfectly on my coffee table next to my real "Living" magazines. HAHAHAHAHAHA

A friend bought this book for me as a joke because i like Martha Stewart so much. it is incredibly funny!its just like her magazine and books. id reccomend this book to anyone who either thinks martha is too much or loves her! id rate this book 5 "ha ha's"

This book is hillarious! It isn't written by the REAL Martha Stewart- it's a parody of her work. I loved the part where the bridemaids' dresses are purposely ordered several sizes too small :) Refreshing and a welcome relief from the weight of wedding planning, I think every bride-to-be should have a copy of this to see her through the most difficult stages of pre-wedding chaos. Even if you're not a bride, I'm sure anyone can relate to the comic situations that are so wonderfully illustrated and laughed at. :)

Every dog lover will identify with this book. Dog Codependents is humorous, but full of truisms. Planet Hueneme

Attention all dog lovers: you must get this book just for the illustrations!

The cover says it all! Buy only if you are a TRUE DOG CO-DEPENDENT.

Woof.

This book is hysterical. If you are a dog lover and will do almost anything for your pooch this book will make you laugh. It is almost embarrassing to see yourself in many of the pages. I have given this to other dog lovers as a gift and it is always enjoyed. The cartoon illustrations are fantastic.

I thought no one else could describe the way they love their dogs like I do..but I was wrong :-). This book had me laughing cause it reminded me of how bad my husband and I spoil our 'kids'. They have their own 'pup' shower, pillows, you get the idea. For those who love their pups, this book is definitely worthwhile. We give it a two 'paws' up!

This is really happened! Only you love your dog too much and you will do crazy things! U just wanna laugh over the incident because, thing book share the joy and you feel that you are not the only one who do crazy things for dog. It not crazy but certainly NORMAL! Enjoy and be happy to have a dog to lighten up your life!

I love this book. I love it so much that I bring it to uncomfortable social situations and read it instead of interacting with actual people. But not because I'm incapable of interacting with actual people. Oh no. This book has completely eliminated any tendency towards introvertedness I once had and inspired me to greatness. Plus, it made me laugh.

This book satrizes patronizing manuals on interpersonal skills, and pokes fun at the inhibitions and hang-ups those books target in the first place. If you're an introvert, then you know that things like making small talk, correct body language, and nervous chatter are problems. Problems that usually lead to hilariously awkward situations worthy of a television sit-com. But when you get down to it, isn't that just life? And you need a self-help book to tell you that? My advice is abandon the self-help section... for some real perspective read OH THE HUMANITY!

I was bouncing around the Internet, following blog links, when I came across Jason's blog. He's a got a nice mordant sense of humor, with echoes of Benchley, Dave Barry, and National Lampoon humorists like Henry Beard and P.J. O'Rourke. Just for a lark, I ordered this book, hoping for more of the same. That's what I got, and it's pretty good.

Roeder knows how to walk the line between good natured parody, post modern humor and misanthropy. He's also got the conventions and dramatic structure of the modern "How To Win Friends And Influence People" line of business zombie books down cold, and he knows just how far to push his parodies before they become heartless and mean. Some passages are howlingly funny if you are in the right mood for this kind of humor.

I like the book a lot, and I'll certainly stay on the alert for future writings from this author. But I'll be careful of my audience when (and if) I quote passages from the book...the more strait-laced among us aren't going to, um, 'get' it.

Reviewed by Connie Anderson

Okay, truth first. It's been a LONG time since I was a young introvert, but that didn't stop me from enjoying Jason Roeder's effort at telling his story.

The book is filled with lots of tongue-in-cheek (at least I hope so), quirky, edgy, smart-alecky advice.

This book is divided into three parts.

Part I: Essential Qualities You Lack looks at confidence, humor, curiosity and empathy.

Confident people have overcome their fear-or come to terms with it, or do things in spite of it. Drinking for confidence (never drink and drive-unless of course the Red Bull and vodka totally cancel each other out, pg. 13).

Part II: Conversations for People Who'd Rather Be Home Fondling Their Record Collection, Knitting Berets for Pets They May or May Not Actually Have, or Just Sitting in a Dark Room, Dreaming of a Darker Room.

This chapter title, longer than some books, covers small talk/chit chat, working with difficult people and difficult topics, nonverbal communication, like body language, and how to deal with people from different cultures.

Humor can win people over, if you're funny. If not, ouch--unless you learn to laugh at yourself. It's important to "know your audience."

Nonverbal communications--gestures that include smiling, eye contact, nodding, posture, physical contact like shaking hands, touching, hugs and kisses. The author introduces you to the unique ways men and women approach each of these!

Part III: Making Friends that Last a Lifetime (Or until they just kind of drift); Friends, who is a friend? and where will I find my friend and will you be my friend.

This talks about FWB (friends with benefits), acquaintances and pals. His "interview with a Pal) Pg. 130 is fun-but also true.

Jason Roeder's humor has been published in many magazines, including Writer's Digest where he wrote a humorous article about how to get out of a book club in a 2007 issue.

Armchair Interviews says: Humor for the young that can be enjoyed by the not-as-young.

Forget social anxiety--if you have any kind of anxiety (claustrophobia, xenophobia, Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia) this book actually achieves what it purports to satirize. Within moments of absorbing Roeder's smart, subtle, self-reflexive wit, you've forgotten your fear of sleep or the way styrofoam sounds when it squeaks. Suddenly, you're above the fray, streamlining through imaginative pages like a dolphin at an NRA meeting [see figure 3.2]. Roeder's book is entertaining, unique, and oddly effective. A must-read for the ineptitudes of Generation Me.

What a clever and entertaining book! Crittenden gets so totally inside the heads of Bush and his cronies (including his super-secret IM buddy President Clinton), that you really feel you've accidentally logged into the White House computer system. She pokes fun at everyone (from Jenna Bush to Pope Benedict to the Emir of Kuwait) and everything (from self-important media types to scheming Washington bureaucrats to American foreign policy) in such a skillful, stylish, and refreshingly non-abusive way that I found myself laughing -- but sympathetically! -- at the foibles of public figures I thought I loathed. A terrific and fun read that people on both sides of the political divide will enjoy.

I was perhaps expecting more humor. It did at times bring a smile to my face..

this book is a hoot! It shows Bush and his cohorts exactly as we assume them to be, warts and all, but does it so amusingly I can't imagine even the subjects themselv es not being tickled by it.
Also a great way for the older generation to learn the arcana of Instant Messaing!

What a fun and witty book this is! For all of you political junkies out there, no matter what side of the aisle, I hope you enjoy reading these IMs as much as I did.

Does the author have a secret inside source inside the White House, or has her teenage son hacked into Kickass 43's laptop? Whatever, this is a must read for those hooked on the vagagres on intentaional diplomacy. Yeah, I know it's computer-talk fiction, but the author has the likes of Tony Blair. Ladeezman Clinton and even Condy cutie-pie down pat. Hyey, Maybe the First Lady is the secret sourcce - remember her refering to her hubby as "Mr. Excitement.?" Whatever, a delicious book without malice but lots of perception. Even the Pope gets a laugh.

Frustrated conservative

I used this book as part of the entertainment program for a ladies tea party. One lady borrowed it from me to use at a Christmas party for her husband's (attorney) practice. It was hilarious and was enjoyed by all.

I was visiting a friend who had this book sitting out on her coffee table along with other Christmas books she was putting out in preparation for the Holiday season. While she recieved a phone call I read this short story and found it so amusing and very cute. Quentin Blake's illustrations and John Julius Norwich's creative insight will make you smile. This story is very enjoyable.

an absolutely charming little treasure. amusing correspondance with the witty and snide illustrations of quentin blake.

This book had me in fits of laughter from the start. I'm not sure why no one thought of this before - what would the recipient do with the partridge in the pear tree by the 12th day? And the question poses itself, would the recipient really be happy with the gift giver by day 6 much less by day 12? This is a fun read! Especially in a time that often lends itself to stress rather than laughter.

What a funny little book. Being a collector of Twelve Days of Christmas books this one really is a little treasure. The story is so funny, showing us the thank you letters from a young lady to her unseen admirer from the 1st till the 12th day of Christmas. First she is so thankful for her gifts she hardly don't know what to say, but as the days passes she gets more and more trouble when her fabulous gifts arrives. It will brighten any cold Christmas day when you sit reading in front of the fire.

And the wonderful illustrations by Quentin Blake makes to book into something very special, a book you can "read" over and over.

Britt Arnhild Lindland