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The Unbearable Lightness Of Scones (44 Scotland Street #5)
by Alexander McCall SmithTo the casual observer, the great enlightened city of Edinburgh, home of no-nonsense sermons and cream teas, might appear immune to the rollercoaster of strong emotions. But at 44 Scotland Street, as Matthew and Elspeth embark on the risky enterprise of married love, the raffish portrait painter Angus Lordie has a premonition of disaster. Soon enough Irene Pollock is shocked to learn that her small son Bertie harbours a highly unsuitable ambition; and Angus finds himself facing a large Glaswegian gangster bearing gifts . . .
The Unbearable Lightness of Scones: 44 Scotland Street Series (5) (44 Scotland Street Series #5)
by Alexander Mccall SmithThe witty and utterly delightful new novel in the national bestselling 44 Scotland Street series. Featuring all the quirky characters we have come to know and love,The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, finds Bertie, the precocious six-year-old, still troubled by his rather overbearing mother, Irene, but seeking his escape in the Cub Scouts. Matthew is rising to the challenge of married life with newfound strength and resolve, while Domenica epitomizes the loneliness of the long-distance intellectual. Cyril, the gold-toothed star of the whole show, succumbs to the kind of romantic temptation that no dog can resist and creates a small problem, or rather six of them, for his friend and owner Angus Lordie. With his customary deftness, Alexander McCall Smith once again brings us an absorbing and entertaining tale of some of Scotland's most quirky and beloved characters--all set in the beautiful, stoic city of Edinburgh.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl:: 2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious (A Squirrel Girl Novel)
by Shannon HaleDoreen Green, age fourteen, is a little too busy wiping out crime in her suburban New Jersey neighborhood to focus on her overdue homework. That's because she also happens to be Squirrel Girl, a bushy-tailed, squirrel-powered Super Hero! After foiling the nefarious plot of an amateur Super Villain, Squirrel Girl is finally finding her groove--and group texting with the Avengers, like, all the time. Doreen, on the other hand, is still trying to navigate friendships, evil teachers, and all the pitfalls that come with middle school. (Seriously, it's complicated.) An announcement goes out that sends waves of excitement through the community: There's a new mall opening on the border of Shady Oaks and neighboring town Listless Pines, and they all get to vote on the mall's mascot! Everyone goes wild over the election . . . a little too wild, if you ask Squirrel Girl and her BHFF (Best Human Friend Forever), Ana Sofia. Soon the two towns are at war--even the trusty Squirrel Scouts are going berserk. Is there something sinister at work in Shady Oaks? Something that has less to do with quality shopping choices and more to do with world domination? And will Squirrel Girl be able to unleash the furry paws of justice in time to save the day?
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl:: Squirrel Meets World (A Squirrel Girl Novel)
by Shannon HaleWHO RUNS THE WORLD? SQUIRRELS! Fourteen-year-old Doreen Green moved from sunny California to the suburbs of New Jersey. She must start at a new school, make new friends, and continue to hide her tail. Yep, Doreen has the powers of...a squirrel! After failing at several attempts to find her new BFF, Doreen feels lonely and trapped, liked a caged animal. Then one day Doreen uses her extraordinary powers to stop a group of troublemakers from causing mischief in the neighborhood, and her whole life changes. Everyone at school is talking about it! Doreen contemplates becoming a full-fledged Super Hero. And thus, Squirrel Girl is born! She saves cats from trees, keeps the sidewalks clean, and dissuades vandalism. All is well until a real-life Super Villain steps out of the shadows and declares Squirrel Girl his archenemy. Can Doreen balance being a teenager and a Super Hero? Or will she go...NUTS?
The Unbelievable Biscuit Factory
by James HarrisThe biscuit factory in Haddie's hometown is absolutely 100% NOT a Super-Secret Science Lab. Or a portal to another dimension. With orange fluffy monsters. OH NO. DEFINITELY NOT. Or ... is it? A laugh-out-loud biscuit-bonkers adventure for fans of My Brother is a Superhero and Kid Normal. *Winner of the Northern Writers' Award*I live near a biscuit factory. Sounds like a dream come true, right? But it's not all fun and jammie dodgers. You see, the biscuit factory is really a Super-Secret Science Lab. Everyone pretends it makes biscuits. It just makes life easier. Until today. Because the biscuit factory tore a hole through dimensions, and now HUGE ORANGE MONSTERS are climbing through.Oh, and if we don't do something, the world is going to go KABLOOEY in the next thirty minutes. NOT ON MY WATCH. You coming? 'So funny you'll snort custard creams out of your nose' Mr J Dodger
The Unbelievable Biscuit Factory
by James HarrisThe biscuit factory in Haddie's hometown is absolutely 100% NOT a Super-Secret Science Lab. Or a portal to another dimension. With orange fluffy monsters. OH NO. DEFINITELY NOT. Or ... is it? A laugh-out-loud biscuit-bonkers adventure for fans of My Brother is a Superhero and Kid Normal. *Winner of the Northern Writers' Award*I live near a biscuit factory. Sounds like a dream come true, right? But it's not all fun and jammie dodgers. You see, the biscuit factory is really a Super-Secret Science Lab. Everyone pretends it makes biscuits. It just makes life easier. Until today. Because the biscuit factory tore a hole through dimensions, and now HUGE ORANGE MONSTERS are climbing through.Oh, and if we don't do something, the world is going to go KABLOOEY in the next thirty minutes. NOT ON MY WATCH. You coming? 'So funny you'll snort custard creams out of your nose' Mr J Dodger(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The Unbelievable Football Trivia Book: Facts, Stats, Jokes, Quizzes and More! (Unbelievable Football #4)
by Matt OldfieldThink you know everything about football? Think again!It's time to put on your favourite kit, take to the pitch and get ready for a whole season's worth of unbelievable facts, superstar stats, laugh-out-loud jokes and quick-fire quizzes.Have you heard of:- The highest-scoring professional football match, which ended a whopping 149-0?- The busy-bee footballer who played for both the Welsh national team and Bayern Munich in the same day?- The joke about the magician who played football? She loved hat-tricks!- The weirdest footballing phrases? From parking the bus to losing the dressing room.- The craziest match stats from the game in which every player got sent off?If not, get ready to encounter the best, the worst, the funniest, the most impressive and the downright strangest goings-on from the wonderful world of football.From Haaland and Henderson to Mbappe and Messi, discover something new on every page.By Matt Oldfield, the bestselling author of the Unbelievable Football and Football Heroes series.
The Unbelievable Oliver and the Four Jokers (The Unbelievable Oliver #1)
by Pseudonymous BoschFrom the author of the bestselling Secret Series comes this funny chapter-book mystery about a third-grade magician and the wisecracking rabbit who is the secret brains behind his act.Eight-year-old Oliver dreams of being a professional magician, even though he has terrible stage fright. And now, his friends Teenie and Bea have gotten him invited to a classmate's birthday party as the paid entertainment! Desperate for help, he visits The Great Zoocheeni's Magic Emporium, but comes away with nothing more than a moth-eaten top hat.Oliver is in for a lucky surprise, though. Inside that top hat hides a wisecracking rabbit named Benny, who agrees to help Oliver with his act. But at the party, Oliver is accused of robbery! He'll need to solve the mystery of the missing robo-cat to clear his name before he and Benny can amaze the crowd with their grand finale.
The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig
by Emer StampThis laugh-out-loud funny debut will please boys, girls, pigs, vegetarian farmers, ducks--everyone save for evil chickens.This is me. I is Pig! If you is reading this, you can read Pig, and you is very clever. Unless you is an Evil Chicken, in which case, don't read this!Pig is troubled. Usually, life on the Farm is pretty good. He has yummy slops, a true friend in Duck, mud to roll in, and Farmer to scratch his back and call him Roast Pig (his special nickname). But the Evil Chickens are up to something evil, involving a tractor-rocket. And Duck has something else to show his porcine friend: a shed where Farmer prepares to eat Pig for dinner!What can Pig do? If he goes in the Chickens' trocket, he might run out of slops. If he stays, he'll become sausages and bacon. But if Pig and Duck can come up with a plan that involves the chicken house, the trocket, some itchy sheep, and an imaginary fox--maybe they can fix the Farm...or maybe they'll land in even more trouble. Don't miss the hysterically funny debut from Emer Stamp and Pig!
The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon
by Matthew BurgessA BANK STREET BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR"For any kid or parent that's having a bit of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, this book is an instant pick me up. Great for siblings, too!" --Red Tricycle "After reading aloud, listeners might discover their own ways to unbudge curmudgeons."--Publishers Weekly"Playful language and a subtly rhyming text create an enjoyable read-aloud about frustrations and bad moods." --Booklist What do you do with a curmudgeon that just won't budge? Why, shake off the grumpy 'tude and embrace the fun!Have you ever seen a curmudgeon that looks like your brother, but is in such a bad mood you hardly recognize him? You can try all the peanut butter sandwiches and brownies you have, but he is not moving.Nothing works, especially nudging, and he just makes you so grumpy that eventually you have no choice but to fight back--and then...Have you ever become a curmudgeon that just won't budge?Matthew Burgess's playful depiction of bad moods and sibling rivalry is matched perfectly by Fiona Woodcock's unique childlike art style.
The Uncensored Bible: The Bawdy and Naughty Bits of the Good Book
by John Kaltner Steven McKenzieStrange but True Bible FactsDid you know:that King David swore like a sailor?that the Book of Ecclesiastes encourages drinking, especially beer?that mandrakes were the biblical equivalent of Viagra®?that the law of Moses prescribes bikini waxing?that Joseph's "coat of many colors" might have actually been a dress?that Eve might have been created, not from Adam's rib, but from something a little lower down?Discover all this, and more, in The Uncensored Bible.
The Unclaimed Duchess (The Billingham Bastards Series #2)
by Jenna Petersen“For passion, drama and pure escapist fun, read Jenna Petersen!”—Christina Dodd, New York Times bestselling author“Jenna Petersen neatly combines equal measures of dangerous intrigue and sexy romance with exceptionally entertaining results.”—Chicago TribuneThe Unclaimed Duchess is the second in popular author Jenna Petersen’s passionate new series about the illegitimate sons of a notorious duke brought together by love and deception. No one combines desire, adventure, and danger better than Jenna Peterson—and if you’re a fan of the novels of Christina Dodd and Elizabeth Boyle, you will absolutely love The Unclaimed Duchess.
The Uncollected David Rakoff
by David Rakoff Timothy YoungBestselling and Thurber Prize-winning humorist David Rakoff was one of the most original, delightfully acerbic voices of his generation. Here, in one place, is the best of his previously uncollected material--most never before published in book form. David Rakoff's singular personality spills from every page of this witty and entertaining volume, which includes travel features, early fiction works, pop culture criticism, and transcripts of his most memorable appearances on public radio's Fresh Air and This American Life. These writings chart his transformation from fish out of water, meekly arriving for college in 1982, to a proud New Yorker bluntly opining on how to walk properly in the city. They show his unparalleled ability to capture the pleasures of solitary pursuits like cooking and crafting, especially in times of trouble; as well as the ups and downs in the life-span of a friendship, whether it is a real relationship or an imaginary correspondence between Gregor Samsa and Dr. Seuss (co-authored with Jonathan Goldstein). Also included is his novel-in-verse Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish. By turns hilarious, incisive and deeply moving, this collection highlights the many facets of Rakoff's huge talent and shows the arc of his remarkable career.With a foreword by Paul Rudnick.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Uncollected David Rakoff
by David RakoffBestselling and Thurber Prize-winning humorist David Rakoff was one of the most original, delightfully acerbic voices of his generation. Here, in one place, is the best of his previously uncollected material--most never before published in book form. David Rakoff's singular personality spills from every page of this witty and entertaining volume, which includes travel features, early fiction works, pop culture criticism, and transcripts of his most memorable appearances on public radio's Fresh Air and This American Life. These writings chart his transformation from fish out of water, meekly arriving for college in 1982, to a proud New Yorker bluntly opining on how to walk properly in the city. They show his unparalleled ability to capture the pleasures of solitary pursuits like cooking and crafting, especially in times of trouble; as well as the ups and downs in the life-span of a friendship, whether it is a real relationship or an imaginary correspondence between Gregor Samsa and Dr. Seuss (co-authored with Jonathan Goldstein). Also included is his novel-in-verseLove, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish. By turns hilarious, incisive and deeply moving, this collection highlights the many facets of Rakoff's huge talent and shows the arc of his remarkable career.With a foreword by Paul Rudnick.
The Uncomfortable Glass Slippers: The Strange Sagas of Sabrina Summers
by Michele Clark McConnochieThe Uncomfortable Glass Slippers sees a reluctant Sabrina Summers and her friends returning to the strange land of Dralfynia after Witchy Wu follows them to their high school. In the sequel to The Uncooperative Flying Carpet, The Uncomfortable Glass Slippers shows Sabrina Summers as Prince Charming, her brother, Rory, is Baby Bear, and her friends, Persis and Olive, are Sleeping Beauty and Goldilocks. They learn that they need to find the magic glass slippers and take them and Ruggy, the uncooperative flying carpet, to the Island of Merthyr. Before that can happen, the friends encounter more goblins, a very smelly shoe museum, a terrifying were-dragon, and make unlikely friends with a pair of sisters desperate to marry any prince. Once again, they use the skills that are unique to their fairytale characters and Sabrina’s courage and resourcefulness are pushed to the limit. To add to the drama, they discover that the real Cinderella has been imprisoned by the Beast with Eight Fingers in a case of seriously-mistaken identity, so they need to rescue her as well – all within three short days. By the end of The Uncomfortable Glass Slippers, Sabrina knows who she can trust, who has betrayed her, and what she needs to do next.
The Uncommon Reader
by Alan BennettIn this humorous novella, the Queen becomes an avid reader under the tutoring of palace servant Norman. Routines surrounding the monarchy are jolted by the Queen's changed life style and expanded interests.
The Uncooperative Flying Carpet: The Strange Sagas of Sabrina Summers
by Michele Clark McConnochie“An imaginative and light-hearted fantasy adventure novel that has bags of energy, humor and originality. This is a book to be enjoyed by children” (The Book Reviewers). The first in a trilogy, The Uncooperative Flying Carpet tells the story of Sabrina Summers, her brother, Rory, and her friends, whose lives are turned upside down when Sabrina’s father marries someone she suspects is a witch. Accidentally sent to the strange land of Dralfynia and turned into old-fashioned fairytale characters, Sabrina, Rory, Olive, and Persis must battle bats, witches, and goblins, deal with betrayal and mistrust, and get back home before they’re grounded for life. To do that, they’ll need to work as a team, but with only an uncooperative flying carpet and a unicorn with gas to help them, will they ever get back to Melas? And when they do, what will they find waiting for them? “Clever, witty, imaginative . . . You can pick it up and read for ten minutes and come back but you won’t; it is too exciting for that.” —Bobs Books Blog
The Undateable (Librarians in Love #1)
by Sarah TitleOne San Francisco librarian would rather check out a good romance than dare to experience it herself. Luckily, her own next chapter is full of surprises… Melissa “Bernie” Bernard isn’t familiar with fame. After all, she works at a college library with hardly any visitors. But when a video of a marriage proposal in her stacks goes viral, it’s not the bride and groom who capture the Internet’s attention. It’s Bernie—caught rolling her eyes. Now, just as she’s ready to go into hiding and permanently bury her nose in a book, a handsome reporter appears with a proposal of his own… If Colin Rodriguez doesn’t do something big to attract new readers, his boss will hire someone else to dole out dating advice. Determined to prove he’s an expert at romance—despite his own pitiful track record—he pitches a story: He will find dates for the undateable. Specifically, for the now-infamous, love‑hating librarian at Richmond College. Even though Bernie doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters, she’s not one to resist a good challenge. Yet with one disastrous date after another, she’s ready to give up. Until Colin proves he’ll do anything to find her the perfect match—even if it means putting himself up for the role… Praise for Sarah Title’s Southern Comfort Romance series“Sexy and made me laugh!” —Smexy Books“A fast-paced read that provided just as many smiles from the humor as it did sizzles from the romance.” —The Book Divas Reads“Wild, witty, and wonderful.” --New York Times bestselling author Jo Goodman“Quite a sexy book.” —USAToday.com
The Undead Complex: The Undetectables series (The Undetectables Series #2)
by Courtney SmythA witty, witchy fantasy murder mystery packed with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles. Mallory, Diana, Cornelia and Theodore are hired to solve a murder on a TV shoot by the victim herself. Perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries and cosy crime by authors such as Ben Aaronovitch, Josiah Bancroft and Tammie Painter.Five months after they stopped The Whistler, business is booming for the Undetectables. Just not work that requires magical forensic investigators. So when Diana&’s ex asks them to solve a murder – her own – Diana, Mallory and Cornelia can&’t say no.Going undercover to investigate the set of the TV show, Undead Complex, Diana returns to her life as a propmaker. But even the appearance of a genuine-article Francine Leon dollhouse leaves her feeling pulled down a path of crime-solving she doesn't want to walk forever.Meanwhile, Theodore's coming apart at the seams – literally – and Mallory is running out of ways to help him. Especially as he seems to be keeping secrets from her.As the clues – and the bodies – keep piling up, each one making less and less sense, the Undetectables find themselves in a race against time to find out what, exactly, the killer is up to – before the final cut.
The Undead Gypsy: The darkly funny Own Voices novel
by Kit FieldingNow if you were a poor Gypsy mush, who'd had a run of bad luck and whose ever-loving was done with managing on thin air, and someone was to offer you a lucrative run of work, what would you do? Okay, so it's not legit, but sometimes it's got to be worth the risk. You could buy your lovely Zilla all that her heart desires, you could stand your rounds at the kitchema without counting the money in your pocket, update your van, put a deposit on a bit of ground to call your own.So you do it, you take the work and you take the risk, but then it all blows up in your face and you've pulled your loved ones into danger. Well worse than danger. And now you're going to have to take yourself away, disappear from sight. Be the undead playing at being dead. By the author of Thursday Nights at the Bluebell Inn, this Own Voices novel reveals, with compassion and humour, the precarious lives of its characters in a story where, sometimes, the mystical and the everyday worlds converge.
The Undead Gypsy: The darkly funny Own Voices novel
by Kit FieldingNow if you were a poor Gypsy mush, who'd had a run of bad luck and whose ever-loving was done with managing on thin air, and someone was to offer you a lucrative run of work, what would you do? Okay, so it's not legit, but sometimes it's got to be worth the risk. You could buy your lovely Zilla all that her heart desires, you could stand your rounds at the kitchema without counting the money in your pocket, update your van, put a deposit on a bit of ground to call your own.So you do it, you take the work and you take the risk, but then it all blows up in your face and you've pulled your loved ones into danger. Well worse than danger. And now you're going to have to take yourself away, disappear from sight. Be the undead playing at being dead. By the author of Thursday Nights at the Bluebell Inn, this Own Voices novel reveals, with compassion and humour, the precarious lives of its characters in a story where, sometimes, the mystical and the everyday worlds converge.
The Underachiever's Manifesto: The Guide to Accomplishing Little and Feeling Great
by Ray BennettThe funny but true wisdom in this helpful little book demonstrates how striving for mediocrity is the key to happiness at work, at home, in love, in your diet, and during exercise - even while stuck in traffic. Embrace the fabulous pleasures of underachievement with these easy strategies and tips for living life to the least and loving it. There, don't you feel better already?
The Underachiever's Manifesto: The Guide to Accomplishing Little and Feeling Great
by Ray BennettLower the bar. Turn it down a notch. Get off the Stairmaster. The Underachiever's Manifesto is the playfully persuasive pocket guide to living life to the least and loving it. With sharp humor and genuine wisdom, this welcome little book extols the fabulous benefits of underachievement in our overextended society. A witty introduction makes the case for the right amount of effort--a lot less than we've been led to believe. Ten principles of underachievement establish the basics (#8: The tallest blade of grass is the surest to be cut); and practical applications show how mediocrity is the key to happiness at work, in relationships, dieting, exercise, investment, and more. Devilishly enlisting examples from philosophy, economics, science, and good common sense, The Underachiever's Manifesto is a lighthearted, life-changing rallying call for those who dare to do less and enjoy more.
The Underachiever's Manifesto: The Guide to Accomplishing Little and Feeling Great
by Ray BennettThe Underachiever's Manifesto is the playfully persuasive pocket guide to living life to the least and loving it. This isn't your average handbook—this is a funny self-help book for our ongoing modern age of overachievement.The book makes the case for just the right amount of effort—a lot less than we've been led to believe—and reveals how mediocrity is the key to happiness at work, in relationships, dieting, exercise, investment, and more.• Contains easy-to-follow advice with gentle humor and genuine wisdom• Addresses issues such as social media stress, FOMO, and the life-draining tragedy of tidying up• Author Ray Bennett is a medical specialist in Seattle and a recovering overachieverThis welcome new edition—revised just enough but not going overboard—brings its needed-now-more-than-ever perspective to our new era of fitness tracking, app overload, and tidying up.Turn it down a notch. Don't you feel better already?• Humorous but actually helpful—a rarity for self-help books• Perfect for overachievers, underachievers, anyone looking for a funny, friendly way to take things down a notch• Great for those who loved The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson, Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop, and How to Be an Imperfectionist: The New Way to Self-Acceptance, Fearless Living, and Freedom from Perfectionism by Stephen Guise
The Underdog: How I Survived the World's Most Outlandish Competitions
by Joshua DavisJoshua Davis had a dream. He dreamt of being the best. It didn't really matter what he was the best at, he just wanted to be number one, the big enchilada, to say that he had made it. This is how it began: Josh was driving through the Mojave Desert one day when he saw a sign for the American arm-wrestling championship - all comers welcome. He decided to enter. He came fourth, out of four, but this was enough to secure him a place on Team USA and the chance of a show-down with the 'Russian Ripper' at the world championships in Poland (that didn't end very well either). But Josh had tasted the dizzy rush of competition and wanted more. And more turned out to be the most outlandish contests in the world - from bull fighting in Spain and backward running in Italy, to sumo wrestling and the World Sauna Championship in Finland. Joshua's quest is by turns hilarious, harrowing and a little insane, but it is also inspiring - because, after all, every underdog deserves his day.