Shannon's Review - Harold Heard Butt Cake by B.Z. Humdrum

Title: Harold Heard Butt Cake
Series: Not At Moment
Author: B.Z. Humdrum
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unsure
Genre: Children, Picturebook, Fiction, Humor,
Publisher: Humdrum Industries
Received: Free For Honest Review
Release Date: Dec 2023
Pages: 31
Rating:



Author B.Z. Humdrum’s Official Websites:





Website:
https://www.bzhumdrum.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter/X:
None Found

Instagram:
None Found

TikTok:
None Found

YouTube:
None Found


Shannon’s Thoughts:

A young boy named Harold does not hear so well. The book follows him through a school day to home as he humorously mishears everything.

Harold hears so many funny things, including what he thinks is the type of cake his mother has made. The ending made me laugh out loud.

This book isn’t a series, but it really could be. I would love to see Harold mishear more things while going to a zoo or a museum.

Young children from toddlers to elementary school will enjoy this story and get a kick out of this book. They may even want to help mom or dad make a butt cake with the recipe at the end.

Shannon's Review - Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch by Richard Hine

Title: Russell Wiley Is Out To Lunch
Series: Not At Moment
Author: Richard Hine
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Humor
Publisher: Amazon Encore
Received: Free for Review
Release Date: October 2010
Pages: 300
Rating:



Author Richard Hine’s Official Websites:




Website:
https://www.richardhine.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RichardHineAuthor/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/richardhine

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/richardhine/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Russell Wiley’s path is hitting a sharp turn on the rollercoaster of life. His wife is less interested in him and his job is failing.

The writing flows well enough and Russell’s problems were interesting at first.

As the story goes on all I kept thinking is “Okay where is this going? Where is the plot?” Unfortunately, I never found one, or I did not get what it was. The book was pretty boring. In the beginning, I felt bad for Russell, but then somewhere near the middle, I stopped caring. I read other reviews that this was humorous. I did not laugh once.

Maybe if you have worked in an office with a job like Russell you would like this more than I did and find it funny. Sadly, I did not like this book.

Shannon's Review - Dear Luke, We Need To Talk. by John Moe

Title: Dear Luke, We Need To Talk.
Series: No At Moment
Author: John Moe
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Maria Elias
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Pop Culture
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Received: Bought
Release Date: April 2017
Pages: 304
Rating:



Author John Moe’s Official Websites:



(taken from Official website)


Website:
https://www.johnmoe.website/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/johnmoeforreal/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/johnmoe

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/johnmoe/



Shannon’s Thoughts:


Author John Moe comes up with some uniquely humorous journals, lists, reviews, and more from some of pop culture’s favorite characters over the years.

Some of my favorites were the continuing ideas for halftime shows for all of the Superbowls. The Goofy and Pluto conundrum is something I even wondered about. Fonzie’s letter to the Cunninghams probably got the biggest laugh from me. The interview with Popeye and Olive Oil was messed up.

I thought I would laugh a lot more than I did. There were clever ideas but not all funny. I got all the references (because I am old) but I think some younger people will not have any idea who some of the characters are.

I was a little disappointed in this one. While I think John Moe is a talented writer and has imaginative ideas, I just wanted more of the funny.

Celebrate Everyday With Books - APRIL 19TH 2020 - Humorous Day

Celebrate Every Day With Books 

It seems like everyday has some new theme to celebrate so I thought it might be fun to see what kind of interesting books I can find (new, old, or coming soon) for an everyday holiday. In fact, most days have more than one holiday!

TODAY 

IS 

SUNDAY 

APRIL 19TH 2020

HUMOROUS DAY

“Humorous Day is being observed today! It has always been observed annually on April 19th.” (from checkiday.com)

Just so you know I have not read most of these but the ones I pick seem the most interesting. You can probably find tons more books for each holiday but I am only going to pick two books for one holiday a day. 

Let me know what you think. Do any of them seem interesting to you? Is there another book you think would be a better choice?

Title: Constant Comedy by Art Bell

Genre: Non-Fiction, Performing Arts, Film, Genre, Comedy

What It Is About?: “...Constant Comedy takes readers behind the scenes into the comedy startup on its way to becoming one of the most successful and creative purveyors of popular culture in the United States. From disastrous pitch meetings with comedians to the discovery of talents like Bill Maher and Jon Stewart, this intimate biography peers behind the curtain and reveals what it’s really like to work, struggle, and ultimately succeed at the cutting edge of show business. ” ( From Goodreads.com)

Available To Buy: SEPTEMBER 15TH 2020

Available To Swap: 0 Available on PBS

Title: Courage For The Chicken Hearted by Becky Freeman and others

Genre: Non-Fiction, Humour, Spirituality, 

What It Is About?: “...You'll laugh aloud and sometimes shed a tear over these engaging stories-Grade A guaranteed to touch your heart. When life seems scrambled, spread your wings and fly to a higher roost. You'll find yourself nestling with these former chicken-hearted gals who have discovered God's grace is stronger than their worst fears…” (from Goodreads.com)

Available To Buy: Where books are sold. 

Available To Swap: 5 Available on PBS

Shannon's Review - Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Title: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened

Series: N/A

Author: Jenny Lawson

Genre: Memoir, Biography

Publisher: Putnam

Received: Bought

Release Date: April 2012

Pages: 318

Rating:

Author Jenny Lawson’s Official Websites:

Main Website

http://thebloggess.com

Blog

http://thebloggess.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/jennythebloggess

Twitter

https://twitter.com/TheBloggess

Shannon’s Thoughts:

After having successful blog, author Jenny Lawson, wrote this memoir from parts of her already written blog and her humor filled life...or imagination.  

As a blogger myself I had heard about this book through other bloggers.  I had never been to the bloggess aka Jenny Lawson blog before but now that I have read Let’s Pretend This Never Happened I am addicted to checking Jenny’s blog.  Her humor is just plain awesome.  She seems like someone I could be friends and we would laugh all day.  I that is probably romanticizing a friendship but I am trying to explain how much I love her sense of humor.

I have seen many reviews saying the book is not funny and whiney, or not like David Sedaris, or has to much potty mouth.   Ok first thing it is funny...so funny if have a sense of humor and do take things lightly. Secondly the book is not like David Sedaris but to me that is a blessing.  I find Sedaris unfunny and kinda mean.  As for the potty mouth, there is some but that does not bother me.  Cursing and words that make people uncomfortable for others is just part of life.  

I loved Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and I am now a fan of TheBloggess blog. She has a second book Furiously Happy which is added to my TBR pile.  It was actually a book that brought me out of a really bad reading slump.  I needed the humor to flood away the depression I have had recently and maybe if you are feeling the same I would say read this if it fits your humor.  

Shannon's Review - The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell

Title: The Wordy Shipmates
Series: N/A
Author: Sarah Vowell
Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Humor
Publisher: Riverhead Trade
Received: Purchased
Release Date: October 2009
Pages: 254
Rating:


Shannon’s Thoughts:

In The Wordy Shipmates we are shown that the Puritan’s life was not Thanksgiving every day.  They fought with the Indians,they fought the British and they fought with each other.

I found I liked The Wordy Shipmates near the end where she describes a trip with her niece and nephew to Boston.  During a reenactment of the Puritans war against the Indians, author Sarah Vowell’s nephew, who is wincing through violent scenes,  asks when do they have Thanksgiving. Vowell’s answer is 16 years earlier.  I like that because I related with the boy as he learned about the history but that was only one sentence or more.

I found this a very hard read.  I picked it up because I had seen Vowell on The Daily Show and I liked her sense of humor.  I found myself trying to read and not understanding what I read.  From other reviews it seems I picked the wrong Sarah Vowell book to start with.  The fact that it had no chapters was not a good thing.  It needed something to breakup what was being learned.

I wish I could have connected with the book and understood better to especially catch the humor.
As for now I will be on the lookout for Vowell’s early books.  This one is going to the exchange pile.



Website:

N/A

Something Missing by Matthew Dicks

Title: Something Missing
Series: None
Author: Matthew Dicks
Genre: General Fiction, Mystery, Humor
Publisher: Broadway
Received: From Library
Release Date: July 2009
Pages: 304
Rating:


What is it About?

A regular thief, Martin, steal not so regular things.  Stuff you won’t miss like one roll of toilet paper and okay maybe once and while you might be missing one diamond earring.  He is very careful thief and cares so much about his “clients” that starts to get too involved.

My Thoughts:

I thought the main character Martin was very thought out just like the items he steals from his “clients” a boxes of extra snacks here, a bar of soap there.  Very funny to read and scary in some ways to think that someone could actually do this to me and I would not know.   

So the burglars life is romanticized to the point that there is romance and a very sweet one at that.   The chemistry between Martin and one of his client’s friends is nice and leaves you with enough mystery throughout the book that you don’t know what is going to happen or if Martin is going to get caught.

I enjoyed this one I don’t know if it was laugh out loud funny but it did make me smile a few times.

Website:

http://matthewdicks.com/

Blood Lite by various authors

Title: Blood Lite
Series: None
Editor(s): Kevin J. Anderson
Author(s):Kelley Armstrong, Joe R. Lansdale, Lucien Soulbane, Christopher Welch, Matt Venne, Don D'Ammassa, Mark Onspaugh, J.A. Konrath, F. Paul Wilson, Charlaine Harris, Steven Savile, Will Ludwigsen, Janet Berliner, Eric James Stone, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Mike Resnick, D.L. Snell, Nancy Holder, Nancy Kilpatrick, Jeff Strand, Sharyn McCrumb and Jim Butcher
Genre: Horror/Fantasy/Humor
Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: October 21, 2008
Finished: November 2009
Pages: 379
Challenges: None
Rating:









My Thoughts: 22 authors come together to write some humorous paranormal short stories. For me there weren't many laugh out loud moments, but some disturbing moments, maybe. Some of my favorites were:

THE BEST

KELLEY ARMSTRONG - THE UNGRATEFUL DEAD
This one inspired me to add a character to a book I am writing. I just enjoyed the liteness of it and the mixture of the paranormal.

JOE R. LANSDALE - MR. BEAR
Mr. Bear was one disturbing bear. I don't know if this is really one of the best, but I will never forget it. The beginning was hard to get into, but I kept reading ... and, you know, I don't know if I should have.

JEFF STRAND - THE BELL FROM HELL
This was one of the funniest things I have read in a while. It's about a guy who works in an office building and keeps a bell on his desk. He says if it is rung 666 times, the devil will appear.

JIM BUTCHER - DAY OFF
I had never read anything by Jim Butcher before, but I had seen some of the Dresden Files on TV. So most of the time I was picturing the actor who played Dresden, and I enjoyed it. Most of the reviews say this story was lacking the regular horror of the Dresden stories, but I didn't mind the lack of it.

LUCIEN SOULBAN - HELL IN A HANDBASKET
Also a little disturbing but humorous at the same time. I only remember bits and pieces. I think there was something about a baby sent down to Hell in a handbasket, and the demons were trying to figure out why it was there. The ending ends up being pretty funny.

NANCY KILPATRICK - BITCHES OF THE NIGHT
About a typecast vampire from Transylvania and his three bitches of the night.
A funny story; it won't have you rolling on the floor, but it was decent.


ONLY OKAY

CHARLAINE HARRIS - AN EVENING WITH AL GORE
WILL LUDWIGSEN - A GOOD PSYCHO IS HARD TO FIND
SHARYN MCCRUMB - DEAD HAND
STEVEN SAVILE - DEAR PRUDENCE



UNMEMORABLE

CHRISTOPHER WELCH - THE ELDRITCH PASTICHE
MATT VENNE - ELVIS PRESLEY AND THE BLOODSUCKER BLUES
MARK ONSPAUGH - OLD SCHOOL
J.A. KONRATH & F. PAUL WILSON - THE SOUND OF BLUNDER
D. L. SNELL - LOVE SEAT SOLITAIRE
DON D'AMMASSA - NO PROBLEM
JANET BERLINER - HIGH KICKS AND MISDEMEANOURS
ERIC JAMES STONE - PR PROBLEMS
SHERRILYN KENYON - WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD
MIKE RESNICK - A VERY SPECIAL GIRL
NANCY HOLDER - I KNOW WHO YOU ATE LAST SUMMER


About the Editor: Kevin J. Anderson is better known for his many science fiction books. I have reviewed two of them, The Last Days of Krypton and Enemies & Allies. Visit his website at http://www.wordfire.com/.

Shannon's Review - The Bomb That Followed Me Home by Cevin Soling

Title:: The Bomb That Followed Me Home
Series:: Rumpleville Chronicles
Author(s):: Cevin Soling
Genre:: Humor,

Summary: Like a puppy dog, a bomb follows a young child home. The child hopes to keep it.


Pages: 32
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009(4)
Finished: 01/13/2009
Rating:









My Thoughts: Strange but humorous little book. Written out like a children's picture book, it's pretty absurd. I am not sure how I feel about it really. Yes, it was funny in some places, but also a little frightening to think about in others. I think for fact that a kid could mistake this for a children's book, and that could be confusing.
About the Author: Cevin Soling has written a number of books in the Rumpleville Chronicles, including The Jolly Elf and The Disciples of Trotsky. There will be at least 7 more books in the series.