Humor Nonfiction

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills 3,000 years of the history of power into 48 well-explicated laws. This bold volume outlines the laws of power in their unvarnished essence, synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other infamous strategists. The 48 Laws of Power will fascinate any listener interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.

Did you know that a measles outbreak led to the assigning of phone numbers? How about the fact that pirates are the reason we don’t use the metric system in the United States? Or that there’s actually a reason why stepping on a Lego hurts so damn much? Now I Know: The Soviets Invaded Wisconsin?! is the ultimate challenge for even the biggest trivia buff. Based on the very popular newsletter, you are guaranteed to learn something new despite how much you already think you know.

Fair warning: Raised in Captivity does not slot into a smooth preexisting groove. If Saul Steinberg and Italo Calvino had adopted a child from a Romanian orphanage and raised him on Gary Larsen and Thomas Bernhard, he would still be nothing like Chuck Klosterman. They might be good company, though. Funny, wise and weird in equal measure, Raised in Captivity bids fair to be one of the most original and exciting story collections in recent memory, a fever graph of our deepest unvoiced hopes, fears and preoccupations.

Jen Lancaster is here to take a hard look at our elevating anxieties, and with self-deprecating wit and levelheaded wisdom, she charts a path out of the quagmire that keeps us frightened of the future and ashamed of our imperfectly perfect human lives. Take a deep breath, and her advice, and you just might get through a holiday dinner without wanting to disown your uncle.

Flula Borg's fascination with America and its "peoples" have warmed hearts nationwide. A frequent guest of Conan O’Brien, the German-born actor and multi-talented entertainer (think Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat crossed with Billy Eichner) fell in love with the United States upon his first visit as a young boy. Throughout his career, he has succeeded in regaling audiences with stories from his outlandish travel exploits while paying homage to his German upbringing, culminating in a personality that is supercharged and charmingly wholesome.

You're not just imagining it: People are getting more and more rude - from cutting in line, gabbing on their phones and clipping their nails on public transportation, to hurling epithets on Twitter and in real life (including a certain President who does both). And the worst part is that it's contagious, leading reasonably courteous people to stoop to new lows in order to respond to the ever-coarsening encounters we face every day.

In a typical school year, every kid has one or two things go wrong. But for Jordan, there’s a lot going wrong all the time. By keeping his cool (some of the time), banging on the drums (a lot), and keeping his sense of humor (all the time), Jordan’s going to try to make it through the year...and grow up to write a book about it!

Come with Kaz on a laugh-out-loud frolic through centuries of terrible advice, from 14th-century clergy to the Kardashians (wear a dress made of arsenic, do some day-drinking, have sex with a billionaire biker, worry about your vagina wrinkles). It's also a roar against injustice, a rallying cry for sisterhood and a way to free ourselves from ludicrous expectations and imposed perfectionism.

Will Kimberly the Cat discover the difference between being spoiled and being loved? Kimberly the Cat had it all—caviar, a mansion, diamonds—until it was all ripped away. If that wasn’t humbling enough, it was Signey, a freckled girl, 12 years old, that whisked her away. Will Kimberly and Signey ever get along, or will Kimberly finally escape with a new madam?

In What Just Happened?! Marina Hyde slashes her way through the hellscape of post-referendum politics, where the chaos never stops. Clamber aboard as we relive every inspirational moment of magic, from David Cameron to Theresa May to Boris Johnson.

“Do you accept this my child?” God said to me, while sitting on the edge of my bed and watching me intently with those heavenly blue eyes. I looked at my husband, Ian, hoping for some guidance. If I said yes, it would change Ian’s entire existence, just as it would mine. I did not know the "chatting with God while he sat on the edge of your bed" etiquette. We didn’t cover that in Sunday School, I’m sure of it. That would be beneficial knowledge to have today.

Well hello to you dear audiobook browser. Now I have your attention it would be rude if I didn't tell you a little about my literary feast. So, here is the thing: is it just me or does anyone else find that adulthood offers no refuge from the unexpected horrors, peculiar lack of physical coordination and sometimes unexplained nudity, that accompanied childhood and adolescence? I am proud to say I have a wealth of awkward experiences - from school days to life as an office temp - and here I offer my 18-year-old self (and I hope you, too, dear listener) some much needed caution and guidance on how to navigate life's rocky path.

Meet a thieving emu, a devious cat, and a pesky pup in these hilarious tales about animals who love to play tricks, create chaos, and run a bit wild.

Who would have thought the turn of the last Century would one day be ancient history? In "More Slightly Off the Mark, Why I Hate Cats, and Other Lies", former newspaper columnist Mark R. Hunter went back to collect his humor pieces from 2000 and 2001—the earliest ones to be put on a computer. In DOS format, on a floppy disk. The amount of change in just twenty years resulted in Hunter completely rewriting the columns, and inserting his present self (and his dog, Beowulf, through pictures) into the work—mostly to make fun of his older self. Along the way Mark riffs on everything from ...

Pedro Martin has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn't mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache.

Fun Halloween Jokes and Riddles for Kids and Family is a collection of spooky jokes and fun riddles and brain teasers of easy to hard difficulty! It’s perfect for families, parties, or even youth group events! These jokes and brain teasers are suitable for children of different age groups and we promise that adults will enjoy them as much as their kids will! A friendly warning for the parents to keep in mind: Don’t be surprised if your kid giggles or laughs too much!

The stories about everyday situations by award winning author, Sheli Ellsworth, target women, ages 35-80. Sheli Ellsworth has a master’s degree in psychology she uses mainly to annoy family and friends. After many years traveling the world as a Navy wife, she lives with her husband and children in Southern California where she hikes, writes articles, short stories and professional book reviews. More of Sheli’s sardonic wit can be seen on her blog, Dear Miss Betty—advice for those who need to be slapped. Go to dearmissbetty.com. Some of the 24 Chapters: Plump Shiny Lips Anyone? Have ...

Taylor is a fine turkey, except for one small problem: She has gas. She can't help it. It's just the way she is. She explains that it's so common that there are different kinds of names for each toot.

Fun Thanksgiving Jokes and Riddles for Kids and Family! is a collection of turkey stuffing jokes, fun riddles, and brain teasers of easy-to-hard difficulty! It's perfect for families, parties, or even youth group events! These jokes and brain teasers are suitable for children of different age groups, and we promise that adults will enjoy them as much as their kids will! A friendly warning for the parents to keep in mind; don't be surprised if your kids giggle or laugh too much!

Meet Marley, a yellow furball of a puppy who quickly grows into a large, rowdy Labrador retriever. With an appetite for nearly anything he can get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry, Marley is always getting into trouble. Some may say he's the world's worst dog.