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Shut Up He Explained
by John MetcalfJohn Metcalf's Shut Up He Explained defies expectations and strict definition. Part memoir, part travelogue, part criticism -- wholly Metcalf -- it is thoughtful, engaged, contentious and often very funny. It offers a full does of Metcalfian wisdom and wit, and provides ample evidence that neither age nor indifference nor attack have withered him: he remains as sharp, critical, constructive and insightful as ever. Indeed, this may just be his most important and engaged book. Certainly it will be among his most controversial. What his critics will refuse to see, of course, is that it is also among his most positive, that it is a celebration of the best literature Canada has to offer, the birth of which Metcalf himself both witnesses and actively encouraged. Shut Up He Explained is magisterial, a virtuoso performance melding several seemingly different strands into one coherent narrative, which should delight and entertain as it serves to argue, elucidate and celebrate.
Shut Up and Kiss Me (Stallion Pass: Texas Knights #1)
by Sara OrwigA MAN, A WOMAN…A BABY?Colonel Mike Remington wasn'ta man who backed away froma challenge. But the tough,combat-hardened Special Forcesofficer knew he was way out of his league when hecradled an adorable baby in his arms—and an elegant,enticing lady lawyer told him he was the little girl'sbrand-new “daddy”….The only solution to his sudden baby problem wasmarriage—in name only—to the lady lawyer herself. Butthe more time he spent on a secluded Texas ranch withthe beautiful, sensual Savannah Clay—and the more“innocent” kisses they shared—the more he ached to seethis make-believe marriage turn into the real deal….
Shut Up, I’m Talking: And Other Diplomacy Lessons I Learned in the Israeli Government--a Memoir
by Gregory LeveyShut Up, I'm Talking is a smart, hilarious insider take on Israeli politics that reads like the bastard child of Thomas Friedman and David Sedaris. Now a political writer for Salon, Gregory Levey stumbled into a job as speechwriter for the Israeli delegation to the United Nations at age twenty-five and suddenly found himself, like a latter-day Zelig, in the company of foreign ministers, U.S. senators, and heads of state. Much to his surprise, he was soon attending U.N. sessions and drafting official government statements. The situation got stranger still when he was transferred to Jerusalem to write speeches for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Shut Up, I'm Talking is a startling account of Levey's journey into the nerve center of Middle Eastern politics at one of the most turbulent times in Israeli history. During his three years in the Israeli government, the Second Intifada continued on in fits and starts, Yasser Arafat died, Hamas came to power, and Ariel Sharon fell into a coma. Levey was repeatedly thrust into highly improbable situations -- from being the sole "Israeli" delegate (even though he's Canadian) at the U.N. General Assembly, with no idea how "his" country wanted to vote; to nearly inciting an international incident with his high school French translation of an Arab diplomat's anti-Israel remarks; to communicating with Israeli intelligence about the suspected perpetrators of suicide bombings; to being offered leftover salami from Ariel Sharon's lunch. As Levey got better acquainted with the personalities in the government's inner sanctum, he witnessed firsthand the improvisational and ridiculously casual nature of the country's behind-the-scenes leadership -- and realized that he wasn't the only one faking his way through politics. With sharp insight and great appreciation for the absurd, Levey offers the first-ever look inside Israel's politics from the perspective of a complete outsider, ultimately concluding that the Israeli government is no place for a nice Jewish boy.
Shut Up, You're Welcome
by Annie ChoiFrom the author of Happy Birthday or Whatever, an outright hilarious and heartfelt collection of personal essays about everything from underwear to musical theater.Annie Choi wants to tell you a few things: She hates musical theater. She thinks sandwiches are boring. She likes camping, except for the outdoors part. She daydreams about cannibalism. At fifteen, her father made her read the entire car manual before allowing her to sit in the driver's seat. And she once chased down a man who stole her handbag. All this is to say that Choi is one part badass and one part curmudgeon, with a soft spot for savage bears. But mostly she wants to ask the world: WTF?! Written in Choi's strikingly original and indignant voice, Shut Up You're Welcome paints a revealing portrait of Annie and her family in all their quirky, compelling, riotous glory. Each of Choi's personal essays begins with an open letter to someone (her naked neighbor) or something (the San Fernando Valley), that she has a beef with. From the time her family ditched her on Christmas to her father's attachment to an ugly table, Choi weaves together deeply personal experiences with laugh-out-loud observations, all of which will charm you, entertain you, and leave you wanting more.
Shut Up, You're Welcome: Thoughts on Life, Death, and Other Inconveniences
by Annie ChoiFrom the author of Happy Birthday or Whatever, an outright hilarious and heartfelt collection of personal essays about everything from underwear to musical theater.ANNIE CHOI HATES MUSICAL THEATER. SHE THINKS SANDWICHES ARE BORING. She likes camping, except for the outdoors part. At fifteen, her father made her read the entire car manual before allowing her to sit in the driver's seat. Her neighbor, who has no curtains, is always naked. And she once chased down a man who stole her handbag. All this is to say that Choi is one part badass and one part curmudgeon, with a soft spot for savage bears. Mostly she wants to ask the world: WTF?! Written in Choi's strikingly original and indignant voice, Shut Up, You're Welcome paints a revealing portrait of Annie in all her quirky, compelling, riotous glory. Each of Choi's personal essays begins with an open letter to someone (babies) or something (the San Fernando Valley) she has a beef with. From the time her family ditched her on Christmas to her father's attachment to the World's Ugliest Table, Choi weaves together deeply personal experiences with laugh-out-loud observations, all of which will delight and entertain you.
Shut Up, Your Kid Isn't That Great
by Jason ColeAre you a self-proclaimed "momager" or "dadager?" Do you think your kid the ultimate best? This is the book for you!Dear parents everywhere, We get it, you love your kid. But, let's face it: no matter how much you praise them, your kid is most likely not the next child prodigy. Be that as it may, we are pretty sure the neighbors are tired of hearing about how the fruit of your loins got the lead in the school play or scored the most points in the last game when they are just trying to grab a burger at the barbecue. Shut Up, Your Kid's Not That Great is the book for every parent who has ever tried to live vicariously through their child, or claim the title of "momager/dadager" at every possible extracurricular activity. We are also looking at you serial social media boasters. - Your kid can carry a tune? Shut up, they are not the next Whitney Houston. - Your kid scored the most goals out of anyone on the soccer team? Shut up, they are not the next Cristiano Ronaldo. - You didn't get straight As but your kid does? Shut up, they are not the next Elon Musk. . . although they might be one of his kids. - Your kid spends 24/7 on their phone and has a TikTok account? Shut up, they are not the next big online influencer or YouTuber. Filled with brief banter and an inspiring introduction with Tom Brady Sr., this book is sure to add a much needed laugh or two to every parent's day!
Shut the Door! (Beginner Books(R))
by Robert LopshireUnavailable for almost 20 years, a funny easy-reader about responsibility gets a fresh new look!When a little bear forgets to close the door to his house, he encounters a series of unwelcome (and untidy) visitors--including a swarm of flies, an egg-loving skunk, and a moose in search of a bath! This rhymed easy-reader by Robert Lopshire--author of Put Me in the Zoo and I Want to Be Somebody New!--is perfect for beginning readers, and its surprise ending (in which the little bear's mom forgets to shut the door herself--oops!) will leave kids giggling with glee while reinforcing the message that we ALL need to be responsible for our actions. With charming new illustrations by Maria Karipidou, this is the kind of classic, funny Beginner Book with a message that kids, parents, and educators will adore!Originally created by Dr. Seuss, Beginner Books encourage children to read all by themselves, with simple words and illustrations that give clues to their meaning.
Shy
by John InmanDating is hard enough. Throw in an incontinent Chihuahua, an unrequited love affair, a severe case of social anxiety disorder, a dying father, and a man-eating hog and it becomes darned near impossible. Still, it takes two to tango--and when Tom Morgan, a mild-mannered assistant bank manager with a debilitating case of shyness, meets Frank Wells, who is straight off the farm and even shyer than he is, sparks start flying. Just when Tom and Frank's burgeoning love affair is rolling along nicely, Frank must return to Indiana to oversee the farm while his father battles cancer. Tom tags along to help Frank out and finds himself slopping hogs and milking cows and wondering what the hell happened to his orderly citified existence. And what's with all the chickens? Tom hates chickens! With Frank's help, Tom grits his teeth and muddles through. Funny what a couple of guys can accomplish when they're crazy about each other. Not even nine hundred chickens can stand in the way of true love.
Shylock Is My Name
by Howard JacobsonThe second book in the Hogarth Shakespeare series heralds the full-on 2016 anniversary celebration of Shakespeare: Man Booker Prize winner and our great chronicler of Jewish life retells the powerful, controversial story of Shylock.In The Merchant of Venice, the merchant Antonio borrows from the Jewish moneylender Shylock, whom he openly despises, to help fund his friend Bassanio's wooing of the beautiful, prized Portia. Shylock agrees--but on the condition that Antonio promise in return a pound of flesh should he be unable to repay the debt. When Antonio's ships are lost at sea and it becomes clear he cannot, the case goes to court: Antonio must honour his promise--until an unknown lawyer (Portia herself, dressed as a man) arrives and brilliantly picks the case apart. Jacobson takes the great tale of vengeance and cruelty and propels it through space and time to the shiny modern world of Cheshire's Golden Triangle, where we meet a funny, love-driven, vindictive cast of characters very much from our world, confronting Shakespeare's timelessly urgent questions in the 21st century.From the Hardcover edition.
Shylock Is My Name: William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice Retold: A Novel (Hogarth Shakespeare #2)
by Howard JacobsonMan Booker Prize-winner Howard Jacobson brings his singular brilliance to this modern re-imagining of one of Shakespeare's most unforgettable characters: Shylock Winter, a cemetery, Shylock. In this provocative and profound interpretation of "The Merchant of Venice," Shylock is juxtaposed against his present-day counterpart in the character of art dealer and conflicted father Simon Strulovitch. With characteristic irony, Jacobson presents Shylock as a man of incisive wit and passion, concerned still with questions of identity, parenthood, anti-Semitism and revenge. While Strulovich struggles to reconcile himself to his daughter Beatrice's "betrayal" of her family and heritage - as she is carried away by the excitement of Manchester high society, and into the arms of a footballer notorious for giving a Nazi salute on the field - Shylock alternates grief for his beloved wife with rage against his own daughter's rejection of her Jewish upbringing. Culminating in a shocking twist on Shylock's demand for the infamous pound of flesh, Jacobson's insightful retelling examines contemporary, acutely relevant questions of Jewish identity while maintaining a poignant sympathy for its characters and a genuine spiritual kinship with its antecedent--a drama which Jacobson himself considers to be "the most troubling of Shakespeare's plays for anyone, but, for an English novelist who happens to be Jewish, also the most challenging."
Si Eva hubiera sido Adán
by Daniel Samper PizanoLa biblia y sus historias vistas desde el punto de vista irreverente y lleno de humor de Daniel Samper Pizano. <P><P>De la mano de Daniel, el único personaje bíblico capaz de reír a carcajadas, este libro, como todo libro verdaderamente serio, dice muchas cosas insensatas desde el punto de vista epistemológico, metodológico, historiográfico y gramatical. <P>Por ejemplo: que si Eva hubiera sido Adán y Adán hubiera sido Dios, otro gallo cantaría en el gallinero del Antiguo Testamento; que por culpa de las borracheras de Noé la naturaleza perdió animales tan valiosos como el loropel, el cacadrilo, la gagalina y la culembra; que armado de un cuchillo de piedra, ¡Dios inventó la circuncisión!; que el primer gran centro delantero de la historia fue José, que Salomón sostenía 700 esposas y 300 concubinas, a pesar de lo cual lo llamaban "El Sabio".
Si el amor fuera un daiquiri de fresa, me lo tomaría en serio
by Vanessa LorrenzCócteles de todos los sabores, viajes inesperados, cambios de planes, algún que otro accidente, enredos, risas y mucho amor son los ingredientes de esta divertida comedia romántica de Vanessa Lorrenz. ¡No te la puedes perder! Sabía que no existía la receta exacta para la felicidad, pero estaba segura de que, de existir, llevaría alcohol. Peyton quería tener, al menos, el mejor puesto en su trabajo, ya que para el amor era un desastre... Estaba empeñada en demostrar que era válida para muchas cosas, pero acababa de cumplir treinta cuatro años y no se sentía plena en ningún aspecto de su vida, además, con la llegada de su nuevo jefe, su cotidianidad se estaba desestabilizando por momentos, ¡él estaba poniendo su vida patas arriba! Sin embargo, está segura de que por que ese hombre le altere la sangre, nunca sucumbirá a sus encantos...
Si no te ríes, es mucho peor. El gran libro de los chistes
by Rob ElliotSi no te ríes, es mucho peor es la segunda parte de El gran libro de chistes, un volumen desternillante que contiene bromas, juegos de palabras, trabalenguas y chistes, muchos chistes, que interesarán y proporcionarán horas de diversión incluso a niños que nunca leen. -Sara, ¿me prestas tu champú?-Pero si tú tienes uno...-Es que este dice «para cabello seco», pero ya me lo he mojado. Si te has reído, este libro debe ser tuyo, y si no, también. Lee hasta que se te salten las lágrimas porque en el interior encontrarás cientos de chistes y seguro que muchos hacen que te partas de risa. ¡Conviértete en la alegría de la huerta con el libro de chistes que ha conquistado a los lectores del mundo entero! -¡Toc, toc!-¿Quién es?-Talanda-¿Qué Talanda?-Bien, ¿y usted?
Si no te ríes, es peor. El gran libro de los chistes
by Rob ElliotSi no te ríes, es peor. El gran libro de los chistes es un libro desternillante para llevar a todas partes y compartir con tus amigos. Diviértete con sus chistes, bromas y juegos de palabras que harán reír a quienquiera que se los cuentes. ¿Sabes por qué viene del mar el marisco?¡Porque si viniera de Francia sería el Francisco! Si te has reído, este libro debe ser tuyo. Lee hasta que te duela la tripa de tanto reír con el libro de chistes que arrasa en el mundo ¡y conviértete en el mejor contando los chistes más graciosos! ¿A que no sabes cuál es el bastón más vago?El que no da palo al agua.
Si yo fuera el director del circo (Classic Seuss)
by Dr. Seuss¡El clásico de Dr. Seuss que rinde homenaje a la imaginación ahora disponible en español y rimado! ¡El circo Guirko! - ¡El mejor espectáculo del mundo sobre la faz de la tierra o donde quiera que vayas! El joven Morris Guirko tiene una GRAN imaginación. Quiere transformar el terreno baldío que hay detrás de la tienda de Sneelock en el Circo Guirko, el más colosal, estupendo, fenomenal espectáculo del mundo. Insólitas criaturas y fantásticos actos circenses, llevados a cabo por Sneelock, un soñoliento tendero a quien Morris imagina como ¡la estrella temeraria de su gran espectáculo!, entusiasmarán a todos los espectadores. Dr. Seuss nos brinda lo mejor de su repertorio: un homenaje a la imaginación y un mundo de fantasía que cautivará a los lectores de todas las edades.Las ediciones rimadas y en español de los clásicos de Dr. Seuss publicadas por Random House brindan la maravillosa oportunidad de disfrutar de sus historias a más de treinta y ocho millones de personas hispanohablantes en Estados Unidos. Los lectores podrán divertirse con las ediciones en español de The Cat in the Hat (El Gato Ensombrerado); Green Eggs and Ham (Huevos verdes con jamón); One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (Un pez, dos peces, pez rojo, pez azul); The Lorax (El Lórax); Oh, the Places You'll Go! (¡Oh, cuán lejos llegarás!); How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (¡Cómo el Grinch robó la Navidad!), y Horton Hears a Who! (¡Horton escucha a Quién!). Ideal tanto para leer en casa como en la escuela, estos libros han sido meticulosamente traducidos, respetando la rima, por autores y traductores latinoamericanos, y supervisados por Teresa Mlawer, reconocida y galardonada traductora durante más de cincuenta años. ¡Y no te pierdas las nuevas ediciones en español que se publicarán todos los años!Dr. Seuss's classic celebration of youthful imagination—now available in a rhymed Spanish edition!The Circus McGurkus! The World's Greatest ShowOn the face of the earth, or wherever you go!Young Morris McGurk's has a BIG imagination. He wants to turn the vacant lot behind Sneelock's Store into the Circus McGurkus—the most colossal, stupendous, tremendous show in the world! Here you'll be entertained by bizarre creatures and fantastic circus acts performed by Sneelock—a sleepy shop keeper whom Morris images as the daredevil star of his big top! This is Dr. Seuss at his best, celebrating youthful imagination and creating a fantasy world that will delight and transport readers of all ages.Random House's rhymed Spanish-language editions of classic Dr. Seuss books make the joyful experience of reading Dr. Seuss books available for the more than 38 million people in the United States who speak Spanish. Readers can enjoy over 30 different classic Dr. Seuss titles including The Cat in the Hat (El Gato Ensombrerado); Green Eggs and Ham (Huevos verdes con jamón); One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (Un pez dos peces pez rojo pez azul); The Lorax (El Lórax); Oh, the Places You'll Go! (¡Oh, cuán lejos llegarás!); How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (¡Cómo el Grinch robó la Navidad!); and Horton Hears a Who! (¡Horton escucha a Quién!). Perfect for home and classroom use, they are meticulously translated in rhyme by native Latin American Spanish speakers overseen by award-winning translator Teresa Mlawer. Look for new translations to be made available every year!
Si-cology 1
by Mark Schlabach Si RobertsonYou know him from the hit A&E show Duck Dynasty--now you can enjoy Uncle Si's tall tales, crazy exploits, and quirky one-liners in one raucous collection!"These hands are so fast, I can get your wallet before you know it. In a minute, you'll be standing there buck naked and won't know what hit you!" "Look here--if it wasn't for my tripped knee, I'd be playing in the NBA today." "Hey, Jack!" Any of these sound familiar? If they do--or even if they don't--you're in for a good laugh. The brother of patriarch Phil Robertson, Uncle Si has a limitless supply of stories about his childhood, duck hunting adventures, his days in Vietnam, and everything in between. Now the best of those tales are gathered into this roaring book. Si shares stories of the more than twenty-five marriage proposals he's received in the mail (some with photos!), how he came to use a green Tupperware cup for his ever-present sweet tea, and how his cigarette smoke made a deer cough (he's since quit smoking). And in many of these never-before-heard tales, Si openly talks about his wife and two children--who are never seen and rarely mentioned on the show. Sure to please die-hard fans and curious newbies alike, Si's one-liners are presented alongside fun, expressive photographs. In no time, this smattering of zany stories will have you falling over with laughter and retelling them to all your friends.
Si-renity: How I Stay Calm and Keep the Faith
by Si RobertsonAmerica's favorite uncle and bestselling author of Si-cology 1, Duck Dynasty's Si Robertson, opens up about how his faith has brought him peace and serenity throughout his many not-so-peaceful adventures.Si Robertson has gone from chief duck call maker to beloved star of A&E's Duck Dynasty. Through his transition, he has remained untainted by the popularity and money, and is the same man he was before stardom--generous, kind, compassionate, and a little bit crazy. Beginning where Si-cology 1 ended, Uncle Si gets much more personal as he talks about his life on the road as one of the show's favorites, and how he feels about life after the show. Si-renity will be full of Si-style, hilarious stories, as well as an up-close look inside the heart and faith of this loveable fan favorite. This new book shines a light on the kindness and compassion Si has for children, the military, and the less fortunate. Full of zany, yet honest stories about his day-to-day life on the road, Si narrates the lessons he's learned about living life courageously and joyfully, and shares his personal source of peace and love for others--both originating directly from his faith in God.
Sicilian Millionaire, Bought Bride (The Italian's Bride)
by Catherine SpencerCorinne Mallory knows little of Raffaello Orsini, other than that he's super-rich and darkly handsome. When Raffaello offers marriage for the sake of his children, Corinne rejects his outrageous proposal...until a financial crisis drives her to the altar with the fiery Sicilian.Once in Sicily, Raffaello makes it quite clear he doesn't expect a marriage in name only. He wants her body and soul, and when she comes to his bed she must be hot, willing and ready for his love....
Sicilian Tragedee: A Novel
by Ottavio CappellaniBalding, forty-something Mister Alfio Turrisi, an up-and-coming mafioso in Catania, has the deep pockets that London's financial world loves. He, in turn, loves Betty, the spoiled young daughter of Turi Pirrotta, a rival Catanian mobster. Alfio and Betty would seem to be the Romeo and Juliet of this poison-pen valentine to Ottavio Cappellani's native Sicily. That is, until we meet another pair of star-crossed lovers: gay theater director Tino Cagnotto and his bored and sexy young amore, Bobo. Because the way Tino sees it, the real heat in Shakespeare's tragedy is between Romeo and Mercutio, not Romeo and Juliet . . . Set in a twenty-first-century Sicily rife with moody aristocrats, vain politicians, inept gangsters, shabby theater actors, and high-tech killers, Cappellani's hilarious second novel—part Tarantino-style operetta, part soap opera—is also a surprising tribute to the Bard.
Sicilian's Bride for a Price: Escape with this Sicilian Marriage of Convenience Romance (Conveniently Wed! #11)
by Tara PammiShe’ll be his wife…But at what cost?Billionaire Dante Vittori spent years building his impeccable reputation—no easy feat following his father’s incarceration. To counter a business threat, ruthless Dante must do the unthinkable—get married! Free-spirited heiress Alisha will do anything to save her mother’s charity—even marry the man she hates. But neither expects the intense heat between them! Suddenly the price of their marriage is more than they bargained for…Get swept away by this intense and emotional marriage of convenience!
Sick City: A Novel
by Tony O'NeillMeet Jeffrey and Randal, two desperate junkies and your guides on this top-to-bottom fun-house tour of Hollywood's underbelly. From infamous crime scenes to celebrity treatment centers, Sick City is an outrageous page-turning adventure set in the sun-bleached wilds of LA.
Sick Day Jitters (The Jitters Series)
by Julie DannebergIn this latest school adventure of the best-selling Jitters series, Mrs. Hartwell is out sick, so who will teach her class?Everyone has the jitters at the thought of a day without their favorite teacher!When the substitute teacher doesn't show up, the other adults in the building pitch in. The art teacher runs a writing workshop, the school nurse teaches science, and the math teacher leads reading! Alternating perspectives show the day from the students' point of view and from Mrs. Hartwell's as the kids keep her informed through a flurry of humorous electronic updates.Modeling the importance of staying home when sick and resting to get better, this is a funny and heartwarming addition to the beloved series reminding readers that everyone gets the jitters.
Sick Puppy (Skink #4)
by Carl HiaasenBrilliantly twisted entertainment wrapped around a powerful ecological plea - from the New York Times bestselling author of Squeeze Me. When Palmer Stoat notices the black pickup truck following him on the highway, he fears his precious Range Rover is about to be carjacked. But Twilly Spree, the man tailing Stoat, has vengeance, not sport-utility vehicles, on his mind. Idealistic, independently wealthy and pathologically short-tempered, Twilly has dedicated himself to saving Florida's wilderness from runaway destruction. He favors unambiguous political statements - such as torching Jet-Skis or blowing up banks - that leave his human targets shaken but re-educated. After watching Stoat blithely dump a trail of fast-food litter out the window, Twilly decides to teach him a lesson. Thus, Stoat's prized Range Rover becomes home to a horde of hungry dung beetles. Which could have been the end to it had Twilly not discovered that Stoat is one of Florida's cockiest and most powerful political fixers, whose latest project is the "malling" of a pristine Gulf Coast island. Now the real Hiaasen-variety fun begins... Dognapping eco-terrorists, bogus big-time hunters, a Republicans-only hooker, an infamous ex-governor who's gone back to nature, thousands of singing toads and a Labrador retriever greater than the sum of his Labrador parts-these are only some of the denizens of Carl Hiaasen's outrageously funny novel.
Sick Puppy (Skink Series)
by Carl HiaasenWhen eco-enthusiast Twilly Spree spots someone in a Range Rover dumping litter onto the freeway, he decides to teach him a lesson - only to discover that his target is Palmer Stoat, one of Florida's cockiest and most powerful political fixers, whose current project just happens to be the 'malling' of a Gulf Coast Island. A quick spot of dognapping later and the pathologically short-tempered Twilly finds himself embroiled in a murky world of singing toads, bogus big-game hunters, large vet bills and in the company of an infamous ex-governer who's gone back to nature with a vengeance. With SICK PUPPY, Carl Hiaasen unleashes another outrageously funny tale that gleefully lives up to its title and proves yet again that Hiaasen is master of the satirical thriller. 'The funniest crime novelist to put pen to paper' - Evening Standard 'A story that'll make you roar with laughter' - Mirror. 'Arguably his best novel yet' - Heat. 'A refreshing, exhilarating read' - Observer. 'Savage and very funny' - Sunday Telegraph. 'Hiaasen is untouchable' - The Times.
Sick in the Head
by Judd ApatowFrom the writer and director of Knocked Up and the producer of Freaks and Geeks comes a collection of intimate, hilarious conversations with the biggest names in comedy from the past thirty years--including Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Roseanne Barr, Harold Ramis, Louis C.K., Chris Rock, and Lena Dunham. Before becoming one of the most successful filmmakers in Hollywood, Judd Apatow was the original comedy nerd. At fifteen, he took a job washing dishes in a local comedy club--just so he could watch endless stand-up for free. At sixteen, he was hosting a show for his local high school radio station in Syosset, Long Island--a show that consisted of Q&As with his comedy heroes, from Garry Shandling to Jerry Seinfeld. They talked about their careers, the science of a good joke, and their dreams of future glory (turns out, Shandling was interested in having his own TV show one day and Steve Allen had already invented everything).Thirty years later, Apatow is still that same comedy nerd--and he's still interviewing funny people about why they do what they do. Sick in the Head gathers Apatow's most memorable and revealing conversations into one hilarious, wide-ranging, and incredibly candid collection that spans not only his career but his entire adult life. Here are the comedy legends who inspired and shaped him, from Mel Brooks to Steve Martin. Here are the contemporaries he grew up with in Hollywood, from Spike Jonze to Sarah Silverman. And here, finally, are the brightest stars in comedy today, many of whom Apatow has been fortunate to work with, from Seth Rogen to Amy Schumer. And along the way, something kind of magical happens: What started as a lifetime's worth of conversations about comedy becomes something else entirely. It becomes an exploration of creativity, ambition, neediness, generosity, spirituality, and the joy that comes from making people laugh.Loaded with the kind of back-of-the-club stories that comics tell one another when no one else is watching, this fascinating, personal (and borderline-obsessive) book is Judd Apatow's gift to comedy nerds everywhere.Praise for Sick in the Head "Open this book anywhere, and you're bound to find some interesting nugget from someone who has had you in stitches many, many times."--Janet Maslin, The New York Times "Incandescent . . . an irresistible, ultimate-insider's comedy-interview extravaganza . . . Apatow never loses his unabashed fan's enthusiasm even as he asks canny questions that yield superbly illuminating conversations rich in shop talk and musings on the lure, demands, and resonance of comedy."--Booklist (starred review) "If Apatow's gift for comedy is a sickness, may he never be cured."--Playboy "Sprawling and insightful . . . The candidness of the interviews also exposes the peculiar community of comedians with anecdotes and cameos unlikely to be heard elsewhere. A delightful and hilarious read for anyone interested in what makes comedians tick."--Kirkus Reviews"These are wonderful, expansive interviews--at times brutal, at times breathtaking--with artists whose wit, intelligence, gaze, and insights are all sharp enough to draw blood."--Michael Chabon "Anyone even remotely interested in comedy or humanity should own this book. It is hilarious and informative and it contains insightful interviews with the greatest comics, comedians, and comediennes of our time. My representatives assure me I will appear in a future edition."--Will FerrellFrom the Hardcover edition.