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Humour

  • Author:
    Poundstone, Paula
    Summary:

    Is there a secret to happiness' Beloved comedian Paula Poundstone conducts a series of "thoroughly scientific" experiments to find out, offering herself up as a guinea pig and recording her data for the benefit of all humankind. Armed with her unique brand of self-deprecating wit and the scientific method, in each chapter Paula tries out a different get-happy hypothesis. She gets in shape with taekwondo. She drives fast behind the wheel of a Lamborghini. She communes with nature while camping with her daughter. Swing dancing? Meditation? Volunteering? Does any of it bring her happiness? And more important, can the happiness last when she returns to the daily demands of her chaotic life? The results are irreverent, laugh-out-loud funny, and pointedly relevant to our times. The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness is both a hilarious story of jumping into new experiences with both feet and a surprisingly poignant tale of a working mother raising three kids. Paula is a master of her craft. Her comedic brilliance, served up in abundance in this book, has been compared to that of George Carlin, Tina Fey, Lily Tomlin, and David Sedaris.

  • Author:
    Gayle, Mike
    Summary:

    Gayle humorously recounts his real-life reluctance to "grow up." Like most people, Mike has a lot to do. But when he reaches his mid-30s and realizes he's still not a proper adult, he decides it's time to get serious. So he compiles a list of everything he still needs to accomplish.

  • Author:
    Adams, Robert J.
    Summary:

    The Stump Farm, by Robert J. Adams, follows the trials of Bobby during the time Canada brought its soldiers back from the Second World War. The hardships of the time go unnoticed by a young boy more concerned with genuine moose hide moccasins, his grandfather's .22 and a Marilyn Monroe pin-up on the outhouse wall. Through this naïve youth we see a world without cynicism and harsh realities – a time when our needs were simple and laughter came easily.

  • Author:
    Gudgeon, Christopher, Gudgeon, Tavish, Mauro, Joey, Saadi, Yusuf
    Summary:

    A hilarious self-help book for recovering Leafs fans everywhere. We’ve all heard it. The sound of one team sucking. Our team. The Leafs. It starts as an almost imperceptible hum, a month or so after the home opener, once the shine of the new season wears off, building in intensity with each defeat until the sound explodes like the noise a star might make if you ripped its heart out. Fact is, being a Maple Leafs fan is a kind of addiction: irrational, compulsive, dependent. You can’t just quit cold turkey. You need help … And that’s where The Sound of One Team Sucking comes in. Think of it as your own portable support group, designed to accompany you through another disappointing season (plus draft day!), and guide your recovery as you strive to live a more emotionally and spiritually balanced life. Written by Leafs addicts, The Sound of One Team Sucking is a hilarious meditation on the futility of Leafs fandom.

  • Author:
    Summary:

    Hello, grown-ups of all ages! Eclectic, bite-sized bursts of advice meet quirky illustrations in this playful guide to feeling like the grown-up we all wanted to be as a kid. From thoughts on the best way to open a champagne bottle to a short list of the kitchen tools you actually need, these tips and tricks reveal secrets that are attainable, not intimidating. Anyone can make a life upgrade using these insights alongside the traits they already have-their wits, creativity, and enthusiasm. This engaging guide is the perfect gift for recent grads, first-apartment dwellers, and anyone who's ready to grow up, one step at a time.

  • Author:
    Keen, Helen
    Summary:

    A myth-busting, jaw-dropping, fun-filled tour through the science of your favorite fantastical world. Award-winning comedian and popular-science writer Helen Keen uncovers the astounding science behind the mystical, blood-soaked world of Game of Thrones, answering questions like: Is it possible to crush a person's head with your bare hands' What really happens when royal families interbreed' Does Cersei have Borderline Personality Disorder' What curious medical disorder does Hodor suffer from' And more. Join Keen as she investigates wildfire, ice walls, face transplants, and every wild feature of Westeros and beyond, revealing a magical world that may be closer to our own than we think. The Science of Game of Thrones is the ultimate guide to the epic series as well as the perfect gift for science-lovers and fans. So pour yourself a bowl of brown, climb on your beast of burden, and prepare yourself to see the Seven Kingdoms as you have never seen them before.

  • Author:
    Jasheway, Leigh Anne
    Summary:

    A book parodying the bestselling book The Rules offers advice to dogs on how "to make your person as obsessed with you as you are with your hindquarters."

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  • Author:
    Pope, Richard
    Summary:

    The human side of birding comes to the fore in The Reluctant Twitcher, a serious yet humorous account of birds and birding and the art of chasing rarities. Richard Pope, a lifelong birder, had successfully avoided this latter pursuit for many years but capitulated in 2007 when he embarked on his "Big Year," the object being to record at least three hundred birds in Ontario within that calendar period. Almost instantly, a relatively normal birdwatcher morphed into a "twitcher," albeit reluctantly, pursuing rare species of birds from Rainy River to the Ottawa and well beyond his wildest expectations. Though it was a challenge that was not without trials and disappointments, Pope describes all his adventures with self-deprecating humour. Not just another book on birding, Pope's unique approach is supported by an array of exceptional colour photographs.

  • Author:
    O'Connell, Brian
    Summary:

    The Personals reveals how classified ads are not just a few commercial lines of text in print or online - they can be a treasure trove of fascinating human stories; stories of love, loss, loneliness, redemption and hope. Some people do Sudoku, others watch Netflix. Brian O'Connell loves the classified ads. In an era of spin doctors and press releases, celebrities and social influencers, the classified ads can open a door into the lives of ordinary people with extraordinary stories. What draws Brian to the classified ads are the intriguing human stories he finds there, the unexpected twists and turns, the personalities, the curious objects and the range of human experience waiting to be discovered. The Personals is a diverse collection of compelling stories about the people and the lives behind the small ads.

  • Author:
    Fischer, Jenna
    Summary:

    An intimate, behind-the-scenes celebration of beloved The Office co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey's friendship, and an insiders' view of the unforgettable cast of the hit series' iconic characters.

  • Author:
    Birbiglia, Mike
    Summary:

    With laugh-out-loud observations on the rollercoaster ride that is being a new parent, New York Times bestselling author and award-winning comedian Mike Birbiglia delivers a book that is perfect for anyone who has ever raised a child, been a child, or refuses to stop acting like a child. In 2016 comedian Mike Birbiglia and poet Jennifer Hope Stein took their fourteen-month-old daughter Oona to the Nantucket Film Festival. When the festival director picked them up at the airport she asked Mike if he would perform at the storytelling night. She said, "The theme of the stories is jealousy." Jen quipped, "You're jealous of Oona. You should talk about that." And so Mike began sharing some of his darkest and funniest thoughts about the decision to have a child. Jen and Mike revealed to each other their sides of what had gone down during Jen's pregnancy and that first year with their child. Over the next couple years, these stories evolved into a Broadway show, and the more Mike performed it the more he heard how it resonated--not just with parents but also people who resist all kinds of change. So he pored over his journals, dug deeper, and created this book: The New One: Painfully True Stories From a Reluctant Dad. Along with hilarious and poignant stories he has never shared before, these pages are sprinkled with poetry Jen wrote as she navigated the same rocky shores of new parenthood. So here it is. This book is an experiment. Sort of like a family.

  • Author:
    Charleston, L. J.
    Summary:

    The Mommy Mafia is the Urban Dictionary of Mothers – think of it as Mommy profiling. The politics of motherhood is complicated, yet also highly amusing. If motherhood is akin to the Mafia, which “family” do you belong to? Are you the Olympic Mom (“Your kid isn’t walking yet? Wow, he’s so slow! My Thomas walked at nine months!”), so competitive she grills other Moms as to the duration of her labor or her child’s milestones? Or are you the ER Mom, who takes her offspring to the hospital at the first sign of a sniffle? Maybe you’re Organic Mom (“Don’t you realize cow’s milk is filled with cancer-causing chemicals?”) or Horny Mom (“Isn’t motherhood the best time to start sleeping around?”) or Boot Camp Mom, who runs her kids’ lives to a strict routine. The Mommy Mafia features more than seventy types of Moms, and whether you are one of these Moms, are related to one, or are friends with one… it’s time mothers laughed at themselves!

  • Author:
    Rae, Issa
    Summary:

    In the bestselling tradition of Sloane Crosley's I Was Told There'd Be Cake and Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me', a collection of humorous essays on what it's like to be unabashedly awkward in a world that regards introverts as hapless misfits, and black as cool. My name is "J" and I'm awkward'and black. Someone once told me those were the two worst things anyone could be. That someone was right. Where do I start' Being an introvert in a world that glorifies cool isn't easy. But when Issa Rae, the creator of the Shorty Award'winning hit series "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl," is that introvert'whether she's navigating love, work, friendships, or "rapping"'it sure is entertaining. Now, in this debut collection of essays written in her witty and self-deprecating voice, Rae covers everything from cybersexing in the early days of the Internet to deflecting unsolicited comments on weight gain, from navigating the perils of eating out alone and public displays of affection to learning to accept yourself'natural hair and all. A reflection on her own unique experiences as a cyber pioneer yet universally appealing, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl is a book no one'awkward or cool, black, white, or other'will want to miss.

  • Author:
    Torontonian, Unknown
    Summary:

    Watch out, Sarah Palin -- here comes Rob Ford! Love him or hate him, Rob Ford and his public (mis)statements are endlessly entertaining, often antagonizing, and always outrageous. For the first time ever, here are more than 100 of the best quips, quotes, jabs, and gaffes from one of Canada's most colourful and controversial politicians. Whether he infuriates you or fascinates you, The Little Book of Rob Ford is a must-have for fans and foes alike!

  • Author:
    Horn, Charles
    Summary:

    Written for the 1.8 million students who will take the S.A.T. this year, this relatable study guide fuses the irreverent humor of The Onion with all the preparation prowess of The Official S.A.T. Study Guide. Every year, almost two million students take the S.A.T. exam, a test that will likely determine their college admissions, scholarship offers and, ultimately, what kind of cars they'll drive and how much money they'll make. To ensure that your child doesn't end up in a rusted-out Gremlin making less than $5.00 an hour, professional comedy writer and savant Charles Horn taps his talents to present an instructive test-taking tool that is as entertaining as it is educational. Using the same types of questions that appear on the actual exam, Horn rewrites his guide to make the questions timely, edgy and fun. Instead of boring, politically correct textbook material, students will be engaged by questions covering stuff they actually might care about, like teen issues, Hollywood and pop culture.

  • Author:
    Parks, Marcus, Zebrowski, Henry, Kissel, Ben
    Summary:

    Since its first show in 2010, The Last Podcast on the Left has barreled headlong into all things horror, as hosts Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel, and Marcus Parks cover subjects spanning Jeffrey Dahmer, werewolves, Jonestown, and supernatural phenomena. Deeply researched but with a morbidly humorous bent, the podcast has earned a dedicated and aptly cultlike following for its unique take on all things macabre. Intheir first book, the guys take a deep dive into history's most infamous serial killers, from Ted Bundy to John Wayne Gacy, exploring their origin stories, haunting habits, and perverse predilections. Featuring newly developed content alongside updated fan favorites, each profile is an exhaustive examination of the darker side of human existence. With appropriately creepy four-color illustrations throughout and a gift-worthy paper over board format, The Last Book on the Left will satisfy the bloodlust of readers everywhere.

  • Author:
    Haddish, Tiffany
    Summary:

    From stand-up comedian, actress, and breakout star of Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish, comes The Last Black Unicorn, a sidesplitting, hysterical, edgy, and unflinching collection of (extremely) personal essays, as fearless as the author herself. Growing up in one of the poorest neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles, Tiffany learned to survive by making people laugh. If she could do that, then her classmates would let her copy their homework, the other foster kids she lived with wouldn't beat her up, and she might even get a boyfriend. Or at least she could make enough money--as the paid school mascot and in-demand Bar Mitzvah hype woman--to get her hair and nails done, so then she might get a boyfriend. None of that worked (and she's still single), but it allowed Tiffany to imagine a place for herself where she could do something she loved for a living: comedy. Tiffany can't avoid being funny--it's just who she is, whether she's plotting shocking, jaw-dropping revenge on an ex-boyfriend or learning how to handle her newfound fame despite still having a broke person's mind-set. Finally poised to become a household name, she recounts with heart and humor how she came from nothing and nowhere to achieve her dreams by owning, sharing, and using her pain to heal others. By turns hilarious, filthy, and brutally honest, The Last Black Unicorn shows the world who Tiffany Haddish really is--humble, grateful, down-to-earth, and funny as hell. And now, she's ready to inspire others through the power of laughter.

  • Author:
    Durante, Jimmy
    Summary:

    He butchered the English language. He sang as if he gargled with gravel. He dropped pearls of wisdom disguised as one-liners. And he had a nose that got everywhere ten minutes before he did. All of this and a genuine love for his craft and the people who enjoyed it made Jimmy Durante a star in the Golden Age of Radio and still keeps him in the minds and hearts of fans today. The Jimmy Durante Show, Volume 3 consists of five hours of what makes Durante a legendary character. The Jimmy Durante Show, Volume 3 is proof that Jimmy Durante can still leave 'em laughing!

  • Author:
    Durante, Jimmy
    Summary:

    Big-nosed, brash, and boisterous, beloved entertainer Jimmy Durante parlayed his experience in vaudeville, nightclubs, and Broadway shows into a radio career highlighted by many successful programs throughout the 1930s and 1940s. After spending the war years paired with crewcutted comic Garry Moore, the Great Schnozzola went solo in 1947 in an hilarious series for Rexall Drugs that also featured "the glamour boy of the girdle set" Victor Moore, multi-voiced character comedians Candy Candido and Elvia Allman, musical numbers by Peggy Lee, and a series of well-known guest stars. The ten shows in this second Radio Archives collection showcase Durante at his bigger than life best, complete with the fractured English, gravel voiced musical numbers, and warmhearted buffoonery that made him a show business legend.

  • Author:
    Durante, Jimmy
    Summary:

    Big-nosed, brash, and boisterous, beloved entertainer Jimmy Durante parlayed a career in vaudeville, nightclubs, and Broadway shows into a radio career highlighted by many successful programs throughout the 1930s and 1940s. After spending the war years paired with crewcutted comic Garry Moore, the Great Schnozzola went solo in 1947 in an hilarious series for Rexall Drugs that also featured Arthur Treacher as his sarcastic British butler, multi-voiced character comedians Candy Candido and Elvia Allman, musical numbers by Peggy Lee, and a raft of well-known guest stars. The twelve shows in this collection showcase Durante at his bigger than life best, complete with the fractured English, gravel voiced musical numbers, and warmhearted buffoonery that made him a show business legend.

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