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The British Bloke, Decoded: From Banter to Man-Flu. Everything finally explained.
by Geoff Norcott'I laughed a lot and now understand blokes a lot more than I ever wanted to' - Katherine Ryan'Geoff is one of the funniest intelligent thinkers in comedy and this book reflects that perfectly' - Romesh Ranganathan'Geoff's examination of blokeness is Geoff all over - funny and insightful, making serious points without committing the cardinal sin of taking itself too seriously. Top bloke.' - Adrian Chiles'Highly informative. Geoff will make a proper bloke out of me yet.' - Hugo Rifkind'A brilliant and hilarious book which defends blokes without denigrating women' - Konstantin Kisin If you see a man drinking a pint in an airport pub alone, that's a bloke. If you see a man driving to the tip on a Saturday morning with a smile on his face, that's a bloke. And if you see a man heading back from the tip and on the way to the pub, that's a very happy bloke.The British Bloke appears simple and straightforward. He loves football, cricket, beer, sheds, wearing socks and books about the SAS.But beneath that simple exterior lies a mysterious and complex being.In The British Bloke Decoded, writer, comedian and regular bloke, Geoff Norcott peels back the layers of blokedom, revealing the truth behind the sometimes inexplicable behaviour of Britain's husbands, dads and brothers.Based on 46 years of field research and almost scientific insights, Geoff digs deep into subjects as wide as: the value of Banter, the surprising roots of Mansplaining, the near impossibility of getting blokes to send birthday cards, and whether there could be a medal system for Hoovering.And ultimately, he concludes that whilst the toxic men have been grabbing all the publicity - perhaps now's the time to celebrate the simple British bloke in all his eccentric splendour.
The British Constitution: First Draft
by Guy BrowningExactly 800 years ago, Magna Carta established the right not to be thrown in the Tower of London for being slightly irritating, which is the closest the Brits have ever got to a written constitution. But come on! Things have moved on since King John. Isn't it time they had another bash at setting down a few laws and principles for everyone to live by? Isn't it time they knew how to queue properly, how to banter within the limits of decency, how to handshake in a regal fashion, how to appropriately and committedly observe the weather, and how to competitively own pets? It will no doubt confuse the Taliban, perplex Americans, and move the French to shrug their shoulders and say nothing, but for the good people of the UK, this first draft of the British Constitution sets out and celebrates the very best bits of being British.
The British Sitcom Spinoff Film
by Stephen GlynnThis book constitutes the first full volume dedicated to an academic analysis of theatrically-released spinoff films derived from British radio and television sitcoms. Regularly maligned as the nadir of British film production and marginalised as a last resort for the financially-bereft industry during the 1970s, this study demonstrates that the sitcom spinoff film has instead been a persistent and important presence in British cinema from the 1940s to the present day, and includes (occasional) works with distinct artistic merit. Alongside an investigation of the economic imperative underpinning these productions, i.e. the exploitation of proven product with a ready-made audience, it is argued that, with a longevity stretching from Arthur Askey and his wartime Band Waggon (1940) to the crew of Kurupt FM and their recent People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan (2021), the British sitcom spinoff can be interpreted as following a full generic ‘life cycle’. Starting with the ‘formative’ stage where works from Hi Gang! (1941) to I Only Arsked! (1958) establish the genre’s characteristics, the spinoff genre moves to its ‘classic’ stage where, secure for form and content, it enjoys considerable popular success with films like Till Death Us Do Part (1969), On the Buses (1971), The Likely Lads (1976) and Rising Damp (1980); the genre’s revival since the late-1990s reveals a more ‘parodic’ final stage, with films like The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse (2005) adopting a consciously self-reflective mode. It is also posited that the sitcom spinoff film is a viable source for social history, with the often-stereotypical re-presentations of characters and events an (often blatant) ideological metonym for the concerns of wider British society, notably in issues of class, race, gender and sexuality.
The Brittanys: A Novel
by Brittany AckermanBursting with bittersweet nostalgia, a funny, poignant, perfectly voiced debut that captures what it's like to be a teenage girl—&“full of brilliantly-rendered awkwardness and the hilarious minor horrors of a privileged adolescence, The Brittanys shimmers with the everyday incandescence of youth&” (Kimberly King Parsons, author of Black Light). They're not the most popular freshmen at their Florida prep school, but at least everyone knows their name(s). The Brittanys.Brittany Rosenberg: drives her golf cart around her subdivision to meet boys.Brittany Gottlieb: insists you can't lose your virginity if you haven't gotten your period. (She heard it somewhere!)Brittany Tomassi: is from New York.Brittany Jensen: once threw her tampon into a stranger's swimming pool. A brash, bold, unapologetic tomboy. And the greatest person in the whole wide world.At least as far as the fifth Brittany--our narrator--is concerned. Even within their friend group, she and Jensen are a duo: with their matching JanSport backpacks, Tiffany chokers, and Victoria's Secret push-up bras, they are unstoppable. And now that they're finally growing up, they're going to do everything: dye their hair, attend no-parent parties, try pot . . . maybe even lose their virginities. 2004 is totally going to be their year!Except Jensen's interests may be diverging from her friends'. And within our narrator's own family--in the lives of her exhausted mother and beloved, genius older brother--life-changing events may be taking shape. Events that only years later, looking back, she has the perspective to see. A VINTAGE ORIGINAL
The Bro Code
by Barney Stinson Matt KuhnTHE BRO CODE provides men with all the rules they need to know in order to become a "bro" and behave properly among other bros. THE BRO CODE has never been published before. Few know of its existence, and the code, until now, has been verbally communicated between those in the 'bro'. Containing approximately 150 "unspoken" rules, this code of conduct ranges from the simple (bros before hos) to the complex (the hot-to-crazy ratio, complete with bar graphs and charts). With helpful sidebros THE BRO CODE will help any ordinary guy become the best bro he can be. Let ultimate bro and co-author Barney Stinson and his book, THE BRO CODE share their wisdom, lest you be caught making eye contact in a devil's three-way (two dudes, duh.) Sample Articles from THE BRO CODE: Article 1: Regardless of veracity, a Bro never admits familiarity with a Broadway show or musical. Article 53: A Bro will, whenever possible, provide his Bro with prophylactic protection.Article 57: A Bro may not speculate on the expected Bro / chick ratio of a party or venue without first disclosing the present-time observed ratio.
The Bro Code
by Barney StinsonDo your buddies know "The Code"? in a hilarious guide inspired by a memorable episode of the hit CBSv television show How I Met Your Mother, ultimate bro Barney Stinson outlines how a bro should behave in any situation. The Bro Code is a living document, like the Constitution. Although it dates back to the American Revolution, The Bro Code has never been published before. Few know of its existence, and the code has only been verbally communicated between those "in the bro." Until now. Regardless of veracity, a Bro never admits familiarity with a Broadway show or musical. When attending a strip club, a Bro never wears jeans. These are only two of the truths in an epic code of conduct for dudes, essential for ensuring a man's success in daily life and garnering him respect from his buddies. If a dude breaks the code, he risks losing face, friends, and most importantly-- women. For the first time ever, The Bro Code spells out 150 rules men need to know in order to behave properly among other bros. This code of conduct for bros can range from the simple (bros before hos) to the complex (the hot-to-crazy ratio, complete with bar graphs and charts). With helpful sidebros and illustrations, The Bro Code will help any ordinary guy become the best bro he can be.
The Bro Code For Parents
by Barney Stinson Matt KuhnSo you’re going to be a parent. You might be asking yourself a series of important questions: Will I be a good parent? • Will I be able to afford this? • Can I ever have sex again? Well, the answer to all these questions is a rock-solid no. But just because your existence is now a petrifying turd on the canvas of life doesn’t mean your kid has to be as lame as you’re about to become. That’s why I’ve written this book—to teach you how to be an awesomommy or legendaddy. The Bro Code for Parents will help you: Choose a baby name that won’t get your kid stuffed into a junior high locker • Interview and hire a smokin’ hot nanny • Teach your child instant classics like “The Boobs on the Bus” and “Bro, Bro, Bro Your Boat” With full-color illustrations, interactive work sheets, and even suggestions for how to turn a stroller into a broller, The Bro Code for Parents gives you all the tools you’ll need to raise your child to be almost as awesome as I am. Almost.
The Bro-Magnet: A Johnny Smith Novel (The Johnny Smith Novels #1)
by Lauren Baratz-LogstedHas the world’s nicest dude bro found happiness at last? Poor Johnny Smith. At age thirty-three, the house painter has been a best man a whopping eight times, when all he’s ever really wanted is to be a groom. But despite being everyone’s favorite dude, Johnny has yet to find The One. Or even anyone. So when he meets high-powered District Attorney Helen Troy, and falls for her hard, he follows the advice of family and friends. Since Helen seems to hate sports, Johnny pretends he does too. No more Jets. No more Mets. At least not in public. He redecorates his condo. He gets a cat. He takes up watching soap operas. Anything he thinks will earn him Helen, Johnny is willing to do. There’s just one hitch: If he does finally win her heart, who will he be? “There are so many memorable moments in this book that I could spend page after page quoting them.” —USA Today
The Broadbelters: Can an Ex-Hollywood Starlet Find Happiness Writing a Dirty Book
by Maxine SchnallBonnie Ehrlich was tired of Dior suits and diamond necklaces and being told by her press agent, &“You&’re just not newsworthy.&” She had made headlines once before when she sued world famous filmmaker Hercules Fokis for running her over in a drive-in brothel. And she would, at any cost, make headlines again. She would, at any cost, make headlines again. She would write a book.&“I&’ll write about the broads I used to know in Hollywood,&” she explained to her husband Manny.&“No good,&” he said. &“Polly Adler done that bit years ago.&”&“Not those broads, stupid. I mean actresses I knew when they were starting out. The ones who made it big. Of it&’s dirty enough it can&’t miss.&”The Broadbelters is the story of what happened when Bonnie Ehrlich signed a contract with Dave Shmeer, publisher of bestsellers, and made use of his formula: Chapter = 2 Bedroom Scenes + Narrative. It&’s a very funny story. In fact The Broadbelters is probably the funniest book since Candy, or Candide, or Candle in the Night, or Valley of the Dolls, or Up the Down Staircase, or Jean Christophe, or Auntie Mame.
The Bromance Book Club (Bromance Book Club #1)
by Lyssa Kay AdamsThe first rule of book club: You don't talk about book club. <p><p>Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott's marriage is in major league trouble. He&’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it&’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he&’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. Welcome to the Bromance Book Club. <p><p>Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville's top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. <p><p>But it'll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.
The Bromance Book Club: The utterly charming new rom-com that readers are raving about! (Bromance Book Club #1)
by Lyssa Kay AdamsAmazon Book Review's No. 1 Best Romance of 2019 and one of Bustle's '21 New Rom-Coms Out In Fall 2019 To Give You Warm And Fuzzy Feelings All Season Long'!If you love Jasmine Guillory, Sally Thorne and Helen Hoang, you'll LOVE Lyssa Kay Adams!Readers can't stop raving about The Bromance Book Club!'Romantic comedy at its finest''Completely lived up to the hype''The perfect blend of funny, wacky moments and also sexy and angsty moments''I didn't expect to read a new favourite but The Bromance Book Club has gone and done it!''I would recommend this to anyone who wants to escape into a book for a few hours and come out with a smile''This book made me feel warm and fuzzy. It was like being hugged, but in a sexy way - what more could you want?''I loved the emotional range it took me through, from laugh-out-loud moments to real tear-jerking scenes'The first rule of book club: You don't talk about book club.Gavin Scott's marriage is trouble. The Nashville Legends baseball star has recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. His reaction to the revelation is the final straw for their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he's let his pride and fear get the better of him. Welcome to the Bromance Book Club. Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville's top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency called Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it'll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his beloved wife.Praise for The Bromance Book Club:'A you're-gonna-burn-dinner book because you will not want to put it down. Laugh out loud with tons of heart, this is an absolutely adorable must read' Avery Flynn, USA Today bestselling author 'A delight!...I raced to finish this book, but still never wanted it to end!' Alexa Martin, author of Intercepted'A delightful, fast-paced read with the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud and swoony moments - every town should have a Bromance Book Club' Evie Dunmore, author of Bringing Down the Duke'It is the reading aloud in this story that ultimately wins my heart, and shows that everything worth knowing can be learned from romance' kc dyer, author of Finding FraserDon't miss the next Bromance Book Club reads! Undercover Bromance is out now and Crazy Stupid Bromance is available to preorder! 9781472271686
The Bronze Pen
by Zilpha Keatley SnyderTwelve-year-old Audrey Abbott dreams of becoming a writer, but with her father's failing health and the family's shaky finances, it seems there is no room for what her overworked mother would surely call a childish fantasy. So Audrey keeps her writing a secret. That is, until she meets a mysterious old woman who seems able to read her mind. Audrey is surprised at how readily she reveals her secret to the woman.
The Brooke Miller Series
by Brenda JanowitzFor the first time together in one fantastic volume - three sexy and sassy volumes featuring Brenda Janowitz's beloved Manhattan lawyer Brooke Miller! This box set contains both of Brooke's novels--SCOT ON THE ROCKS and JACK WITH A TWIST, plus HOLLYWOOD PUNCH, a Brooke novella you won't want to miss!Praise for Brenda Janowitz's Brooke Miller novels:For SCOT ON THE ROCKS"(A) rollicking debut novel...A breezy romantic comedy with plenty of laughs." --Booklist"A quick and entertaining read. The main character's theatrical, high-energy personality comes through loud and clear, but it is Janowitz's secondary characters that develop and grow smoothly, rounding out the plot. Readers will enjoy the scheming, shopping and well-used irony that make up this New York tale." --RT Book Reviews"Winner, Most Humorous Novel" --Chick Lit Club.com"[A] laugh-out-loud debut novel" --Kristin Harmel, author of The Sweetness of ForgettingFor JACK WITH A TWIST"A funny, sweet romance." --Marian Keyes"Anotherfun-filled page-turner from Brenda. Every bit as sparkling as the champagne that the bride-to-be's mother is so fond of..." --Carole Matthews"Nothing less than stellar...What else can I say? Get this book, read it, and love it!" --Fresh Fiction
The Broom Of The System
by David Foster WallaceA visionary, a craftsman, a comedian and as serious as it is possible to be without accidentally writing a religious text. He can do anything with a piece of prose, and it is a humbling experience to see him go to work on what has passed up till now as "modern fiction". He's so modern he's in a different time-space continuum from the rest of us. Goddamn him' Zadie SmithThe mysterious disappearance of her great- grandmother and twenty-five other elderly inmates from a Shaker Heights nursing home has left Lenore Stonecipher Beadsman emotionally stranded on the edge of the Great Ohio Desert. But that is simply one problem of many for the hapless switchboard operator, seriously compounded by her ongoing affair with boss Rick Vigorous; the TV stardom of her talking cockatiel, Vlad the Impaler; and other minor catastrophes that threaten to elevate Lenore's search for love and self-detemination to new heights of spasmodic weirdness.
The Broom of the System
by David Foster WallacePublished when Wallace was just twenty-four years old, The Broom of the System stunned critics and marked the emergence of an extraordinary new talent. At the center of this outlandishly funny, fiercely intelligent novel is the bewitching heroine, Lenore Stonecipher Beadsman. The year is 1990 and the place is a slightly altered Cleveland, Ohio. Lenore's great-grandmother has disappeared with twenty-five other inmates of the Shaker Heights Nursing Home. Her beau, and boss, Rick Vigorous, is insanely jealous, and her cockatiel, Vlad the Impaler, has suddenly started spouting a mixture of psycho-babble, Auden, and the King James Bible. Ingenious and entertaining, this debut from one of the most innovative writers of his generation brilliantly explores the paradoxes of language, storytelling, and reality.
The Broposal
by Sonora ReyesFrom the author of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, two best bros fake an engagement–but will their friendship survive? It&’s about time roommates Alejandro and Kenny get married. Or at least, that&’s what all their close friends and family think when they announce their engagement. The kicker? The two are faking their whole relationship so Alejandro can get a green card. But if Han was going to marry anyone, it would be his ride or die since second grade. Han has never been able to put down roots, and the only one who truly breaks through his walls is Kenny. Sweet, sensitive Kenny is newly single, and what better distraction from his soul-sucking relationship than proposing marriage to Han? Kenny can&’t think of anything more fun than spending his life with his best friend, even if it&’s just for a piece of paper. But as Kenny keeps up the charade, he&’s soon struggling to resist their sizzling chemistry. The line between fact and fiction begins to blur the closer they get to their wedding date. With all eyes on Han and Kenny—including a meddling ex and immigration officers—will these two bros make it down the altar for real?
The Brother Book
by Todd ParrBestselling and beloved creator Todd Parr brings his trademark wit and wisdom to this celebration of all different kinds of brothers!Some brothers are big. Some brothers are little.Some brothers are quiet. Some brothers are a little wild.All brothers are a special part of your family!Following up on his family classics The Mommy Book, The Daddy Book, The Grandma Book, and The Grandpa Book, Todd Parr turns to siblings! With his trademark childlike art, Todd celebrates all different kinds of brothers. Whether they are older or younger, enjoy playing sports or dancing, or prefer to hang out together or need time to themselves, brothers are always a special part of your family. This sibling celebration is perfect for brothers of all ages, and for older boys and girls who are expecting a new little one.
The Brotherhood of Rotten Babysitters (Sidekicks #5)
by Dan Danko Tom MasonThe latest in this hilarious series throws still more unbelievable challenges at our hero, Speedy. When Pumpkin Pete accidentally blows up the League of Big Justice and the Sidekick Super Clubhouse, Speedy's mom volunteers their house to be the temporary headquarters. But just when the superheroes and sidekicks are starting to make themselves at home, along comes The Brotherhood of Rotten Babysitters to ruin the domestic bliss. Will Speedy be able to save the day? Will Spice Girl find hugs and peace? And where in the world is Earlobe Lad?
The Brotherhood of the Traveling Underpants (Melvin Beederman Superhero #7)
by Greg TrineWhen the three members of the Bad Guy Brotherhood buy a time machine to keep the younger Melvin from gaining his superhero powers, Melvin and his sidekick Candace,disguised as pirates, travel back in time to stop them.
The Brothers' Lot
by Kevin HolohanA &“mordantly funny&” novel set in a Dublin educational institution known as the Brothers of Godly Coercion School for Young Boys of Meager Means (Publishers Weekly). Combining the spirit of Kingsley Amis's Lucky Jim with a bawdy evisceration of hypocrisy in old-school Catholic education, The Brothers' Lot is a comic satire that tells the story of the Brothers of Godly Coercion School for Young Boys of Meager Means, a dilapidated Dickensian institution run by an assemblage of eccentric, insane, and often nasty celibate Brothers. The school is in decline and the Brothers hunger for a miracle to move their founder, the Venerable Saorseach O&’Rahilly, along the path to Sainthood. When a possible miracle presents itself, the Brothers fervently seize on it with the help of the ethically pliant Diocesan Investigator, himself hungry for a miracle to boost his career. But the school simultaneously comes under threat from strange outside forces. The harder the Brothers try to defend the school, the worse things seem to get. It takes an outsider, Finbar Sullivan, a young student newly arrived at the school, to see that the source of the threat may in fact lie inside the school itself. As the miracle unravels, the Brothers&’ efforts to preserve it unleash a disastrous chain of events. Tackling a serious subject through satire, The Brothers' Lot explores the culture that allowed abuses within church-run institutions in Ireland to go unchecked for decades. &“Potently conveys the anarchic spirit of schoolboy warfare.&”—The Irish Times &“A memorable, skillfully wrought, and evocative satire of an Ireland that has collapsed under the weight of its contradictions.&”—Joseph O&’Connor &“Witty, brilliant, devastating.&”—Times Literary Supplement
The Brutal Language of Love: Stories
by Alicia ErianAlicia Erian's characters are brave, disarming, affectionate, and deeply flawed. They inhabit the not-so-very-wide space between a good intention and a bad outcome. In "Alcatraz," we meet a middle-school spelling champion who spends her afternoons taking baths with the boy next door. In "Almonds and Cherries," a young woman turns an unexpectedly arousing bra-shopping experience into a short film, with ramifications for everyone around her. In "On the Occasion of My Ruination," a college-bound student plots to lose her virginity to a pizza parlor waiter. The Brutal Language of Love challenges traditional notions of right and wrong with what has become Erian's signature -- an achingly stylish humor and a deep understanding of the brutal truth about human nature. These surprising, provocative, and deeply resonant stories marked the emergence of a major talent
The Buccaneers' Code
by Caroline CarlsonHumor, magic, and adventure abound in the third--and final--book of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series.Hilary Westfield is now a freelance pirate. After trying to prove herself to the VNHLP, she realized many members of the League weren't all that honorable--not even very nearly. With Captain Blacktooth in cahoots with the Mutineers, the kingdom of Augusta and all its magic are at risk.What the League needs is a very honorable pirate to be their new president. So Hilary--with the help of her friends, including the always spirited gargoyle--challenges Blacktooth to a High Seas battle. Winner takes all. Loser, at best, will be exiled.Caroline Carlson has created a world where magic is currency, pirates are more charming than alarming, and a girl can choose a life as a pirate instead of a life in petticoats. And she once again delivers a story of high stakes, High Seas, and High Society in the hilarious and charming conclusion to the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series.
The Buddha Tree
by Fumio NiwaThe Buddha Tree tells the story of Soshu, and effete and handsome Buddhist priest whose hypocrisy and addiction to sensual pleasures lead him to carry on an affair with his own mother-in-law, even as his offers pious counseling to his parishioners. Ridden with guilt, Soshu tries to reform after his wife leaves him but becomes enmeshed in his own web of deceit. Throughout he Buddha Tree Niwa reveals remarkable insight into human weaknesses, his sensitive sketches of the Japanese countryside, and his revelation of the materialism of the modern Buddhist church in Japan, make this a book of unusual distinction.
The Buddha Tree
by Fumio NiwaThe Buddha Tree tells the story of Soshu, and effete and handsome Buddhist priest whose hypocrisy and addiction to sensual pleasures lead him to carry on an affair with his own mother-in-law, even as his offers pious counseling to his parishioners. Ridden with guilt, Soshu tries to reform after his wife leaves him but becomes enmeshed in his own web of deceit. Throughout he Buddha Tree Niwa reveals remarkable insight into human weaknesses, his sensitive sketches of the Japanese countryside, and his revelation of the materialism of the modern Buddhist church in Japan, make this a book of unusual distinction.
The Buenos Aires Marriage Deal
by Maggie CoxThe Argentinian... Aristocrat, polo-player and owner of a world-renowned business, Pascual Dominguez is a legend in his country.The nanny... Wholesome Briana Douglas was just a nanny when she met Pascual, and couldn't believe her luck when he showed an interest in her. But it didn't last for long......and their secret baby! Now Briana is in England, juggling a demanding job and a little son! She never thought she'd see Pascual again. But suddenly he’s back, demanding she return to Buenos Aires-where an eighteen-carat gold wedding band awaits her!