By Topic Books

This book did indeed look good -- so good that I bought it, along with "I'm OK - You're Not" by the same author.

I've now finished most of it... up to the last chapter -- which I don't think I'm going to bother reading.

It's an excellent literary idea -- write from the view of God "using" the human author to write it... engaging and creative concept.

Now, I'm ALL about irreverent humor, however, I got the uncomfortable feeling that the author was trying too hard to be hip, or shocking, or to somehow sneak past the defenses of "seekers" or even atheists, as if they wouldn't notice, to land a punch.

Sure, there were plenty of times I guffawed.

At times, I rolled my eyes.

At other times, I groaned.

And, there were times I cringed.

Such as having "God" make an Austin Powers joke about how He mimicked Austin Powers for a while, and the angels tried to sing praise songs using the word "shagalicious".

Such as God saying, "you can do any Me-damned thing you want."

Such as God saying (in talking about the crucifixion):

"It was a Friday. I really didn't have all that much to do but hang around anyway.
For three days.
I was just killing time.
Oh, don't I just slay you?
Cuz I sure do me."

{Never mind that He didn't "hang around" for three days - He was only on the cross on Friday.)

There ARE times when it's both humorous and insightful -- but those particular passages strike me as somewhat degrading.

What REALLY got me cringing was the response to this question:

"Even if I do believe in Christ, do I really have to go to church every Sunday? Yuck."

Here's part of the "answer" from "God":

"No - of course you don't have to go to church. No one has to do much of anything. But the reason so many people keep choosing to go to church is as simple a it gets: They know that they can't have a relationship with me if they don't ever come over to my house. It's just that simple. Church is my home, you know; that really is where I hang out. You get hints and intimations of me in your everyday life, for sure - but at church you get a huge honkin' helping of me. Maximum exposure. Major bang for your buck.

I go where people pray, see? And a lot of people do a lot of praying at church.

I'm in the wood at church. I'm in the carpet. I'm in the pews. I'm in the air there. Care Bear.

Got to go where the action is, right?...

You know what church does? It turns people from pessimists to optimists. Because at church, everyone you see -- from the greeter at the door to the person up front leading the whole thing -- is your partner. Your friend.

People go to church because they, like everyone else in the world, are naturally drawn to go wherever they can find the most love."


Hmmm...

"His house" (I thought we were His Temple in the New Covenant)? IN the carpet? Pessimists to optimists (I've seen the opposite happen all too often)? "Person leading the whole thing" (isn't that supposed to be the Holy Spirit)? Where we "find the most love" (I found a whole lotta fear)? I guess this author's' not yet come to the place where he realizes that the system of institutional Christianity is not the organic Church-Family that Jesus established. It was never about religion, but about relationship - with Him and with each other.

~BRB~

Ok - something odd just happened to me. God just got me. Only I didn't know it was God 'til just a second ago. As I said in the beginning of this post, I hadn't read the last chapter, or the end notes by the author.

But, as I wrote that last statement, I suddenly got an URGE to read the last chapter, just to "be fair" y'know. So, I just read the rest.

Oh, dear God... the entire last chapter is about how the Christian life is about God eradicating fear out of us... oh, wow. As I read it, the truth of it filled me. (There are a couple of minor disagreements -- like, I do not believe that God designed us to feel fear, but that it's our reality in the absence of His love.)

And then -- I read the author's afterword -- and it was like sitting here, listening to him bare his heart. He shared how God got his attention, when he, a confirmed God-ridiculer, was at work... and God started filling him with Himself, and the guy ran off to a broom closet, saw himaself as he is, hit his knees, and just KNEW Jesus was true. And that was that.

And, now, I must repent... now I see the rest of the book through new eyes, his eyes. It's like his Jesus-following self is talking to his former Jesus-ridiculing self, in a way that a Jesus-riduling person could relate...

And, except for the traditional view of "going to church" rather than BEING the Church, I like it, because of how it's summed up. And because of the effect it's obviously had on some of the folks who've reviewed it (even folks who aren't believers). It seems to have gotten them thinking... and so, bravo John Shore, for following Him in this way. And, of course, I'm hoping that God gives you a busted-out-of-the-building-and-the-manmade-system view of Church, but that's really His business, no?

OK, this is the oddest book review I've ever written ... but perhaps one of the most impacting ones for me, personally.

Make of it what you will...

Shalom, Dena

"The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the unquestioned answers."


P.S. Three other excellent books that engage the heart are:

The Shack (Special Hardcover Edition)

He Loves Me! Learning to Live In the Father's Affection

So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore

John Shore has knocked the walls down between here and There. A soliloquy by, ahem, GOD? It's crazy, it's totally pretentious, it's dangerous. It's wonderful! With his quirky humor and an uncommon sensitivity to both human need and theological sacred cows, Shore has bent the rules of spiritual writing until they . . . no, they don't break, they vibrate-like a tuning fork. In the hands of the One Who made the rules. Get a copy, and prepare to enjoy a rollicking good time-and, almost without realizing it, a Feast.

Thank GOD for this book! I laughed until I cried. This book was so fun to read. Pure genious. You have very carefully understood GOD'S word and helped to drive home some very important points in a memorable way. It is a book that I will read again.

I enjoyed this book. It was refreshing to read a book with a spiritual message that was not "preachy" but down-to-earth. Often times, when I am done reading a book with a christian message, I feel like a child that has just been given a lecture. This was nothing like that. It was thought provoking and intelligent. It was also funny. It was nice to know there are fellow christians out there that remember that God gave us a sense of humor and it is nothing to be ashamed of. I recommend this book for both believers and non-believers of any age, but I especially think that generation X needed something like this.

This wonderful little book gives you God's perspective on all those questions that believers, non-believers, and pre-believers ask. This is the book you want to give that non-believing friend, not so much in an effort to convert them, but to at least help them understand why it is you believe. Not for the easily offended, but written with just the right amount of humor and tact. If you can only read one book this summer, this is it.

Thoroughly enjoyable! The daily grind and politics of work-life are portrayed here in a very well-written and fun fashion.

Management By Vice is full of razor-sharp, satiric humor. You'll find no boring, longwinded analyses of the characters and the fictitious Company's history, though there is enough exposure of human nature to fill a work psychology manual! I like the way the book stays focused on a series of sprightly, humorous episodes, which show various aspects of interactions between managers and technical staff. I have seen and experienced them in the workplace for many years, so I fully agree that Management By Vice is in every way a true-to-life rendition of what takes place in many companies. The writing style is appealing too with witty, short verses that relect the content of each episode. Management By Vice is head and shoulders above the 1st grade reading primer level of many unrealistic, silly humor books about management and the workplace. The repartee between the characters, such as the managers and technical staff, is also very real and entertaining. What can be done about the less-than-satisfactory management described in The Company? Any bright reader will see this type of management must be replaced for the sake of The Company's survival. In fact, the

Most of the satiritical episodes in CB Don's book entitled " Management by Vice" are quite familiar scenes in both commercial and government settings. "Gettting ahead" at the expense of one's integrity as well as colleagues' future is the only means for some people. Greed often blinds ambitious management. A quick promotion and fat bonouses are the driving forces for these managers. Hence, short-term goals, say 3 to 5 years, are all thay care about at present, regardless of the future of the organization. Cooperation mergers are too common a way to survive and getting ahead than collisons on the highway, and lay-off is only a part of the evolutionary process, in the commercial world, where survival of those who are most vocal, but are deficient in both technical skills and vision, seems to be the rule. I thoroughly enjoyed reading CB Don's book. It is humorous, yet candid. I highly recommend it to the current managers and those who are old enough to drink....

Mr. R. K. MSc., Supervisory Civil Engineer, from Michigan, USA.
I find this to be a most delightful book. If you have ever worked in an office, design or R&D outfit, you can really relate to the adventures portrayed therein. I spent 35 years in the egg-laying part of the duck and found the barbed lampoons a titillating reflection of my own adventures. There's also a pleasant sprinkling of cartoons and verse the summarize each fo the 11 episodes. The heroine survives a cliffhanger for those of you that relish a bit of adventure. It's one of those "once you pick it up, you can't put it down" pieces that are a fast read and leave you satisfied like a good pastrami sandwich. For you managers, the Scots have an appropriate saying, "would some power the great giver give us to see ourselves as others see us". Give it a go!!

Its a sarcastic view of management from the point of R&D scientists. From the point of view of the R&D scientists you get to see some of the underhanded and self serving behavior of incompetent management at the fictional company and how it is tolerated by senior members of management. Unfortunately the book does not explore how "The Company" which was once an R&D powerhouse, got to be in this dysfunctional state. Also the book offers very little hope for dealing with a company in this type of state, short of the company being acquired or getting lucky and having unintended benefits during a passive/aggressive power struggle amongst management. If you were attracted to reading this book by the title "Management by Vice" I would recommend skipping this one and instead read The Below-the-Belt Manager by Eric Broder which I found to be more Humorous than this book.

Great book. Good intro for those city dwellers among us thinking about farm life.

The worst part of this book is that it ends. I'm not a farmer, nor will I ever be interested in becoming one, but this book is about far more than farming.

Friend manages to convey the lessons of relationship--with her partner, with their animals, with their property, and most importantly, with herself--in a way that is at once humorous and insightful. Nothing gets tied up with a neat little bow, but the book also manages to neglect the angst-filled memoir genre. She combines the humor of David Sedaris and Bill Bryson with the poignancy of Mitch Ablom, while skipping sentimentality and predictability along the way.

Hit By A Farm manages to weave her thematic concern--boundaries and how they can be formed in the context of partnership and self fulfillment--throughout the book without clobbering the reader with her message. Best of all, this book is shake-the-bed-and-wake-up-your-partner funny. It's hard to make a reader cry--but it's a gift to make a reader laugh.

I'm recommending this book to everyone I know, and now, through the magic of the world wide interweb, I can recommend it to people I don't know. After you've finished reading it, don't forget to tell Oprah. She'll thank you for it.

Writer/bookworm Catherine Friend takes us along as she transforms into a REAL farmer (and still keeps writing and reading). Her writing style is engaging and easy to read, pulling you along for the ride from start to finish. I couldn't put it down.

Real humor, real struggles, real "back to the land" mentality without the moral pontificating of some authors. The dream of farming wasn't hers to begin with (it was her partner's), but she has made peace with it and maintained her sense of self while maintaining a long term relationship. Farming is a stressful business, and she addresses this aspect of it very well while sharing how she managed to work through her concerns and evolve into a better person.

The author's sense of humor was my favorite part. I will never look at soft serve the same way again after reading about the peacocks leaving "grayish swirls of poop the size of a Dairy Queen ice cream cone" which, well, you'll have to read the book to find out what happened, but the result had me rolling with laughter. Definitely a five star read.

No one was more surprised than Catherine Friend when her long-time partner informed her that she'd always dreamed of being a farmer. Early on in this hilarious memoir, the author writes, "Farming had never been my dream. My dream was to grow my writing career into something I could call 'successful,' whatever that was. I'd already sold two children's books and a handful of magazine stories. I was hungry for more" (p. 6).

But Melissa's dream had merit, and Catherine believed she could help the dream come true. And so, "The classic face of farming in Grant Wood's American Gothic was about to get a facelift: two thirty-something women in bib overalls holding pitchforks" (p. 6).

Devoting a great deal of time, energy, and work to their project, the two women researched farming, bought land in southern Minnesota, built a house, and settled in to raise sheep, chickens, and grapes for wine. Apparently that was the easy part. From auspicious beginnings, the road they embark upon is filled with a learning curve so steep that shoveling manure and mucking horse stalls might have been easier. While Melissa's dream ascended, the livestock, crops, and natural disasters seem to conspire to make Catherine's life miserable. Living off the land wasn't at all the romantic idyll so often put forth.

By turns hilarious and sobering, touching and surprising, Catherine Friend's memoir tells the tale of two thirty-somethings who not only have to learn to love the barn, but also to find their way back to one another after such a huge life-change nearly sideswipes them for good. It's a terrific story, very well-told, and is cram-packed full of humor, insight, and a zest for life that can't be vanquished. If you only read one memoir this year, make this be the one. I give it my highest recommendation.

I read this book to my partner this summer as we took three day trips from the Twin Cities to small towns in Minnesota - first to Buffalo and St. Cloud; second to Mankato; third to Rochester. It was a fitting book to read as we rode through Minnesota farm country - the setting of this story. Every time we saw sheep or llamas, we laughed and contemplated whether the farmers had experienced any of the trials and tribulations in the book.

This is a great memoir from a skillful author. Not only is she committed to her partner, she also has a great sense of humor and knows how to laugh at herself. The book description, itself, is comical. However, nothing prepares the reader for the emotional highs and lows between the front and back covers. Each chapter is a story in itself. From sheep to chickens, goats, llamas, geese, grapes and writer's block, this is certainly a don't-miss book. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention - the book is full of tragedy (i.e., all living things eventually die), childlike elation (i.e., the sheep actually did have sex and we have lambs!), and very elaborate descriptions of some pretty gross stuff (i.e., sheep placenta and things stuck to the bottoms of shoes). If you're soft of heart or stomach, get prepared for a roller-coaster ride.

Extremely well written by a very likable author, I highly recommend this wonderful book to everyone. It's a book that can be enjoyed by all - gay or straight, farmer or not - and should be on every bookshelf.

This book is absolutely hilarious, written from a dog's point of view and is so accurate. This is a must read for dog owners or anyone who loves dogs. I laughed and nodded my head in agreement throughout the entire book. A pure delight and very light-hearted read.

Great gift for dog lovers. I'm waiting for them to write one on cats.

This dog is great for the canine looking to break free of the urban lifestyle and reconnect with his or her roots. Few dogs know of the rich oral traditions and ancient culture of mans best friend. Get this book if you need reassurance that you are a good dog and those feelings you have about the cat are completely natural.

The first dangerous thing about this book is that it WILL make you laugh out loud, which will cause other "humans" to think you might indeed be crazy. But what difference does that really make? Your dog already knows you're crazy. Probably the most dangerous thing about this book is that it's true. Any dog owner will adore this read as they see hints of themselves in the vivid descriptions within its pages. But don't say you haven't been warned. After reading this book you may find yourself watching your best friend just a little bit closer.

This book is an endless source of levity and promotes enough loud laughter to scare your dog out of the room! It's so great I've already gotten 3 other folks hooked on it.

My husband and I were reading one of these stories aloud the other day - the one about "How to Make Your Owner Look Like an Idiot" while Scottie slept at our feet. Or so we thought he was sleeping. The next day on his walk, Scottie executed the instructions from the book to a 'T', thus turning both of us into - well, startled and laughing - but idiots nonetheless! Read page 119 for the full story, but read it silently. They listen to this book and you might be the next victim!!!

Priceless. Don't think twice -- I recommend to buy it now!

I've known the author almost my entire life, and have never met a man with a bigger heart or a bigger set of "ba..lls".. He writes the things that we all think about but never say.. Ed touches on the subjects that rub us the all the wrong way and has the guts to ask why...Reading this hysterical book is like talking to the author in person, no false pretenses here, a real book written for the people by a author who pulls no punches and takes no prisoners...

This books is a great book written by someone that is not afraid to tell it like it is, or give you his opinion on something. Too many people in todays world try to be politically correct, or tell you want you want/need to hear. Ed will tell you the way that it is, without "sugarcoating" it.

Ed takes on many of todays problems of the world, saying how it is. If more people would take the initiative that Ed has, maybe we could change some of the "problems" with America.

Met Ed via my brother and that's how I heard about his book. Because I'm a Social Studies teacher, I figured this would be a "must have" for personal reference. I would categorize this book as a "water cooler ranting" because the questions, concerns, and social mores Ed mentions are exactly what all of us regular folk say at work, home, or in our heads. He's put out a work we can relate to - poor grammar, spelling, and lack of political correctness. Very good that someone is voicing what we're thinking (but too fearful to say).

Kudos, Ed. I want my copy signed! Ha!

This is a great book..I would suggest that you read this book it will really make you think..An Edward is a GREAT author.He says what were all thinking.I bought 2 copies one for myself and for my girlfreind. And she can't say enough about it We'll be sure to tell everyone we know.....CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK....Will absolutly buy it

This is a really great book. I never read a book like it. I think a lot of people think like Ed but would never have enough nerve to put it down on paper. He has no trouble telling it like it is and at the same time it's funny. Can't wait for the next one. Good job Ed.

Even if you're not single, there is remarkable charm and understanding in this little book about being a woman in what is STILL a remarkably marriage-obsessed society. It is a pleasure and a comfort to take part in poking fun of this reality. As ever, Author Rachel Carpenter's intellectual, dry wit comes through even in the context of the whimsical simplicity of the book. Anyone--male or female--who has ever actively looked for a life partner and consistently failed at doing so (in other words, everyone, right?) will gobble up these modern words of wisdom.

Whether you are happily married (like me) or still looking (like many of my girlfriends), this book is a good way to laugh at yourself. Even if you never looked for a partner you know someone who has offered you the perfect advice for finding a mate. I took the book to work and everyone enjoyed it and subsequently shared stories from their own experiences. Even the men loved it! They said it was fun to see us poke fun at ourselves.

A friend of mine had this book sitting on her coffee table and I opened it up and couldn't put it down. This is one of the funniest parodies I've seen in years. I was laughing out loud from beginning to end. Just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out, Carpenter would come up with another unexpected and delightfully amusing twist. I've bought four and am giving them as Valentine's gifts. Even my mother (married for 50 years!) loves it. Does anyone know who Rachel Carpenter is? Has she written other stuff? I searched her name on amazon and couldn't find other books but I'd sure love to read a novel if she's got one. Wow!

My husband brought this book to work today to show to his coworkers. It is kind of cute that he is responding so well to a pink chick book...So its clearly not just for girls.

Hilarious! A chick looking for her husband, from ballroom dance classes to AA meetings with amusing results. Does she find him? I don't want to ruin the surprise! Suffice to say, along the journey, she realizes that whether or not she finds The Man, she can lead a fulfilling, rich life.

With equal parts Loony Toons, light romance and Pin-Up poster, Frank Cho has created a brilliantly original notion here. "Creature Comforts" is a grand addition to a series that will certainly keep its following happy for years to come.

In "Liberty Meadows", two vets (one: a short, bespeckled, star wars geek. the other: a broad-beamed, voluptuous beauty) take on the dubious honor of caring for and looking over a host of quirky, maniacal anthropomorphic creatures. This includes a midget circus bear who fancies himself an inventor, a lunatic frog, and a sweet, naive duckling. Along the way, there are laughs, blunt trauma humor, and a little romance.

Cho's artistic talent for the toony style of, say, Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck is impressive, but nowhere near as incredible as his style of creating Brandy and other female characters. His ability brings to mind the glorious age of the pin-up girl: artists like Alberto Vargas come to mind. Cho's females are buxom, and beautiful, but also fairly reubenesque- nothing at all like the waifish glamour girls we see in magazines today. This is part of his appeal.

Artists and writers could learn a thing or two from Cho, who has created "Liberty Meadows", a hysterical and beautiful comic so flawless that he makes it look easy.

I have discoved Liberty Meadows by accidentally. Since then I have become a big fan of Brandy and all the animals. Just enjoy the spririt and the drawings of Frank Cho!

Get Volume one and then get this one. Well written, well drawn, great story arcs... the Liberty Meadows series is simply the best.

This hardcover trade paperback is an excellent bargain instead of buying the back issues. Again, one of the few comics I would lend to friends, even girls. ;-)

Being a great fan of Frank's strips, just from seeing an ad for his old strip collection 'University squared,' I am now a big fan of this current incarnation and even have his entire comic book series. So why should I even buy these books? For the extra scenes, redrawn strips and colored versions of Brandy!

With Frank's drawing mastery of beautiful women and hilarious images, plus a great sense of humor and timing, this book is a good place to start if you're looking for a good thing to read if you're having Calvin and Hobbes withdrawals.

Frank Cho's "Liberty Meadows" was one of the most original comic strips in years, with its hard-partying, gun-wielding animals and often insane storylines. And things get even stranger with the second collection of strips, "Creature Comforts."

The animals (and people) of Liberty Meadows are still up to their strange hijinks, including Leslie getting A flea (big one), Frank being set up on a blind date, and Ralpha having some problems with a hair growth formula that includes female hormones ("Gimme a kiss, sweetie." "I'm a man, Dean").

But all those disasters pale when a spark ignites the forest around Liberty Meadows, and the inhabitants have to flee a raging fire. The animals escape in a boat, while Brandy ventures back into the fire to find Frank. And Death himself comes to claim Frank... while a hapless copilot accidently looses the experimental H20 bomb on the sanctuary.

Okay, enough seriousness. In the wake of the fire, Frank and Brandy have to room with the animals, and deal with their craziness. Which means coping with Truman's hatred of Thanksgiving, spiked punch, offended supermodels, poison ivy, Oscar getting "fixed," savage beavers, Dean's pig porn ("Miss Piggy's dungeon of delight? Hold it!"), and a techologically advanced toilet that sucks Ralph in. Literally. And of course, a highly competitive wiener dog race that Oscar is training for.

No, it's not your ordinary comic strip. Not only did "Liberty Meadows" stretch the boundaries of what syndicates would allow, but it also was a lot more self-mocking and intelligent. Even in the most absurd situations, Cho can throw in an artistic namedrop ("We're outta anesthetic, Frank. All we have left is this can of Bud and a copy of "Ulysses" by James Joyce!")

Not that most of the humor isn't pop culture related, like driving out the beavers with Barry Manilow, or physical, like Dean getting thrashed by the attractive women he hits on. Artistically, it's sort of the love child of sophisticated graphic art and Looney Tunes.

And the characters are as lovable as ever -- hypochondriac frogs, midget bears, chauvinist pigs, and timid ducks. Frank and Brandy continue their sweet romantic angst, with the dorky Frank feeling that he has no chance with his gorgeous coworker, especially when her sharp-tongued mother and hunky ex turn up.

"Liberty Meadows" only got funnier with the addition of "Creature Comforts," more hilarious hijinks from the animals (and humans) of Maryland's best animal sanctuary.

The cartoons in this collection are superbly drawn, with excellent detail. Each cartoon combines great artwork with biting comment.

Much of the material covered covers "W", Cheney and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The artist really hits the mark (with "W" there is a lot of scope). It would be hard to pick a favorite from this collection. The drunken America West pilots would have to be my pick from the non "W" material.

Editorial cartoons can have a limited shelf life, by nature they are a snapshot in time, encapsulating humor and comment. Only the very best can outlast the immediacy of their subject matter. There are numerous cartoons in this superb collection that should stand the test of time.

Very highly recommended for browsing, Code Red is an impressive collection of newspaper editorial cartoons written and drawn with a sharp sting by editorial cartoonist Ed Hall. From a motorist shown hooking up an IV from his arm to his gas tank in order successfully fill up his car; to an overeater claiming "Hey, I can quit anytime I want" with regard to french fries that have a health warning printed on them; these cartoons are searing, compelling, and cutting-edge snapshots of cutting-edge social, political, and cultural realities.

Knowing Ed Hall personally for over ten years I have enjoyed his unique point of view into the world of local and national politics. His gift for putting 1,000 words into a single picture is demonstrated with each and every cartoon he draws. He doesn't pull any punches with his work giving each side equal space on his pallet. His first book "Code Red" clearly shows off some of his best work to date. As time goes on and he publishes other books you'll never regret owning his first.

This book is a creative masterpiece. It makes you laugh, think and stay informed on current events. The cartoon art work is unbelievable.

Code Red is a great book of work. Ed Hall creates his cartoons with more than content in mind. His attention to detail is superb. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the subjects. I hope he continues to put out more books in the future.

A lot of the poems in this book are a bit too weird for my tastes, but I'm giving it five stars anyway. Why, you ask? It's because I literally peed my pants laughing over the poems I found very funny. Buy this book for the poems Small Favours and The Fart as these poems alone are worth the price of the book and anything after that that tickles your funny bone is just demented gravy.

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental is like nothing I've ever read before. It's a unique experience. As soon as I saw the cover of this book showing a cracked egg with a bum crack, I knew this was going to be one weird and wonderful book, and I was right. Some of the funnier poems had me in tears as I was laughing so hard. Other poems made me think or look at life in a different way. It's a great book.

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental makes fun of mental illness, it's politically incorrect and it's really disturbing when you read it and repeatedly laugh out loud, as I did, in spite of my best efforts to keep a straight face. It's rare that any book of humor makes me do much more than smile, but this one had me laughing so hard it hurt. This is really bent, twisted, off-beat poetry with some really crazy and funny ways of looking at things. I didn't want to like this book, but I love it. Check it out - it's like nothing else you'll ever read.

I still laugh out loud whenever I think of The Favour or The Fart or any of the other hilarious poems in Poetry For The Insane: The Full Mental by Michael B. Davie. This unique book with its offbeat sense of humour is truly one of a kind and well worth a read even if some of these funny poems aren't your cup of tea.

Another book I'd recommend is I feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron and I'd love to see both books paired at a good rate by amazon so my friends will have no more excuses for not buying them both. I really enjoyed I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman for its insightful and humorous approach. I recently read both these terrific books in tandem and agree they make a great pair. I have no hesitation in recommending both great books.

Poetry for the Insane: The Full Mental is truly one of a kind. I especially enjoyed the wickedly funny poems Dirty Cleaning Woman, Small Favours, The Fart and King for a Day.
A very odd but very funny book. More people should discover this book of twisted humor. Some reviewers have suggested amazon should pair Poetry For The Insane: The Full Mental with Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck. I think that's a wonderful idea. Both books deserve all the attention they can get.

We recently chose this great little self published book as our March Selection, It is written in a folksy, charmingly funny style, and contains plenty of wisdom. There are short chapters about all kinds of subjects; relationships with wives, kids, dogs, work, etc. It is great choice for book clubs that want to alternate their deep. dark, reads with something happy that everyone will relate to. We all enjoyed it.

As a Texas now living in North Carolina I had read Dave Lieber's column for years and still do online. In 1996 I had the privelege of meeting both him and Sadie the dog at the walkathon in Bedford, Tx where I took my beloved dog, Jake. (Like Sadie Jake is no longer with me but still in my heart. Last week I was in Texas and saw this book and had to buy it. It is well written and brought back many memories of thing from Dave's columns. My favorites were always when he wrote about Sadie. Great book!

This is a wonderful heartwarming book that I found hard to put down. The story of Dave's dog is especially funny and sad. I wouldn't want to give away any plot secrets but the dog sounds pretty sharp. You will feel like you've been transported to Texas and invited to be part of a special family when you read this book. I hope there is a sequel.

As a longtime reader of Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Dave Lieber's work, I was privileged to purchase an advance copy of his book off his new Internet web site before the actual publication date. It's thrilling to see his best stories from the past decade collected in one attractive volume. Dave writes laughers that remind me of Dave Barry at his best. He also writes stories about people that, well, you better darn well have a box of Kleenex nearby. The one about how Dave brought former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith to the classroom of a teacher who was dying of cancer (true story; it was her dying wish) is unbelievable! The book has almost 90 stories, each of them short and easy to read. They cover every conceivable subject -- from family, kids, love, education (Dave calls it 'Texas Edukation'), nutty politicians, quirky Texans, Sept. 11, a writer's life, becoming a cowboy, etc. There are probably about 50 photographs in the 288-page book, too. I guess what I like about this book is that it's full of surprises. You never know what is going to be on the next page. There's a story about Dave's relationship with a convicted murderer and then what happened when the guy got released from prison. It's surprising as heck. There's a story about Dave's first meeting with the Texas governor and the strange comment made by Gov. Perry. But the signature story of the book is about Dave's beloved Psycho Dog. Dave loved the dog, but the dog hated Dave. This opening chapter is a real tear jerker, reminiscient of My Dog Skip. I think it's wonderful that Dave is giving a portion of the proceeds of this book to the Humane Society in honor of his late dog. I promise you'll love this book. I'm already on my second reading. - M.W.