Changes

[[Category:New Reviews|Humour]] __NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{newreview|class-"wikitable" cellpadding="15" <!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE--><!-- Hogan -->|author=Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees-|titlestyle='Twas the Fight Before Christmas"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: A Parodycenter;"|[[image:1473669065.jpg|ratinglink=3http://www.amazon.co.5uk/dp/1473669065/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] |genre=Humour|summarystyle=It's Christmas Eve and Mum has arranged everything"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan]]=== [[image:5star. All she now has to do is await jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]], [[:Category:Paranormal|Paranormal]] Tilda returns to Brighton, to tidy away the arrival remains of the relatives and the food shopping deliveryher mother's life after her death. Little does Mum know that those two elements alone have Whilst there, she returns to the potential to ruin everythingParadise hotel, a haven for eccentrics and misfits.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1472125118</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Ryan North|title=Romeo A place where people can be themselves, and/or Juliet|rating=3let go of thoughts that torment them elsewhere.5|genre=Humour|summary=For all those who think tragedy plots are too restricted and prescribedLittle wonder that Tilda cannot forgive her mother for banishing her as a child, read onfrom this place of wonder. In these pages you too will see that Romeo had lots of options en route to hitting With the bottle. Likewisehelp of Queenie Malone, she could have turned away from her predestined path at no end of junctures. And to what result? Wellcaring, happy marriage and a kid called Bengregarious, because Tilda begins to pick apart the leads have just banged peopletricky and uncertain relationship she had with her sometimes cruel and distant mother. [[Queenie Malone's heads together and stopped the quarrelling, or Death by Tybalt (him) or a long life running an establishment curing murderous women, such as a Lady M (her). Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0356508536</amazonuk!-- van LENTE -->}}|-{{newreview|author| style= Gervase Phinn"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|title= The Virgin Mary's Got Nits[[image:1683690346.jpg|ratinglink= 4http://www.amazon.co.5|genreuk/dp/1683690346/ref= Humournosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  |summarystyle="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|= Christmas in our house is the time we tend to get on a plane and head to either sun or snow==[[The Con Artist by Fred Van Lente]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]], anywhere that is far, far away from the madness [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] Comic-Cons are a place of wonder and sanctuary for many people, and when Comic book artist Mike Mason arrives at home, last minute dashes to the shops on Christmas EveSan Diego Comic-Con, he's looking for both that and food cupboard stockpiles that would imply supermarkets are shutting for a monthsanctuary with other fans and creators, nor a mere 36 hours. But I do remember plus the feeling chance of Christmas when I was youngermaybe, just maybe reuniting with his ex. However, back when it was magicalhis rival is found dead, and back when you knew exactly what Mike is forced to navigate every dark corner of the season would bring with carol concerts con in order to clear his name – from cosplay flash mobs and school nativities intrusive fans to zombie obstacle courses – Mike must prove his innocence and Christmas parties. This book is an anthology of those moments, and it took me right back to the wonder of Christmas as in doing so, may just unravel a dark secret behind a childlegendary industry creator.[[The Con Artist by Fred Van Lente|Full Review]]  |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444779400</amazonuk!-- Coulton -->}}{{newreview|author= Kieran Crowley-|titlestyle= Shoot"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|rating= 4[[image:1473669588.jpg|genrelink= Crime|summary= I make something of a habit of being late to discover good writers, in this case getting to Crowley after he is no longer with ushttp://www. The result is that what is billed as ''an Famazon.Xco. Shepherd mystery'' with all the optimism of there being more to come has the poignancy of being, if not the last of a short line, certainly one of a fewuk/dp/1473669588/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Falling Short by Lex Coulton]]=== [[image:4star. F.X. Shepherd – he doesn't like his first name and prefers just "Shepherd" is, technicallyjpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:General Fiction|General Fiction]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]], a columnist. He[[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women's Fiction]] Lex Coulton's been sacked by one New York newspaper and debut novel is writing a weekly column for anotherstory about mistakes, failures, and relationships. I don't know much about journalismThe main protagonist, Frances Pilgrim, but I'm guessing one column is a week doesn't pay much as sixth form English teacher who has recently fallen out with her best friend Jackson, a rule…which explains why Shepherd's soap-washed-foul-mouthed editor (read work colleague, and is grappling with the book, you'll see what I mean) expects him to turn in some genuine journalism as well: front page, seat increasingly eccentric behaviour of your pants stuffher mother. This relationship is complicated by the fact that Frances's father disappeared at sea when she was five years old. [[Falling Short by Lex Coulton|Full Review]]|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1783296518</amazonuk>}}{{newreview<!-- van LENTE -->|author=Gray Jolliffe-|titlestyle=The First Ever Christmas"width: 10%; vertical-align: And Who to Blametop; text-align: center;"|rating=5[[image:1683690346.jpg|genrelink=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1683690346/ref=Humournosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  |summarystyle=If I tell you a secret, will you promise not to tell anyone? Well, I really don't like Christmas"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Con Artist by Fred Van Lente]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category: it's my least favourite time {{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] Comic-Cons are a place of year wonder and whilst some sanctuary for many people count down to the day itself, I look forward to that point and when I can say that itComic book artist Mike Mason arrives at San Diego Comic-Con, he's all over looking for another year. It's all too commercialised for meboth that and sanctuary with other fans and creators, plus the chance of maybe, just maybe reuniting with a coating of faux religionhis ex. I've never found it in the least funny - that However, when his rival is, until I found Gray Jolliffe's ''The First Ever Christmas: And Who's to Blame''. Amazinglydead, I'd never encountered Gray Jolliffe either, but I'm a convert Mike is forced to his skills as a cartoonist (if not navigate every dark corner of the con in order to the idea of Christmas) after reading this collection of Christmas-themed cartoons clear his name – from cosplay flash mobs and intrusive fans to zombie obstacle courses – Mike must prove his archiveinnocence and, in doing so, may just unravel a dark secret behind a legendary industry creator.[[The Con Artist by Fred Van Lente|amazonuk=Full Review]] <amazonuk>1445663503</amazonuk!-- Curran -->}}{{newreview|-|authorstyle=Jonathan Pugh"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1683690133.jpg|titlelink=Pugh's New Year's Resolutionshttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1683690133/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  |ratingstyle=4.5"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"||genre=Humour|summary=If there=[[My Lady's one thing that's for certain, it's that the world is changingChoosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris]]=== [[image:4star. We're dating onlinejpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]], we're communicating in ways that make email seem redundant[[:Category:Historical Fiction|Historical Fiction]] You are a lass of twenty eight. Plucky, penniless and when we're shopping we just tell in Regency era London the race is on to find a website where and when it can suitable suitor - or else doom yourself to life as an eternal spinster. Along your journey you'll be deliveredaccompanied by Lady Evangeline Youngblood - a fiesty noble eager to save you from a life alone, and how much leeway they have to swap our wishes fired by a rogueish sense for whatever adventure. When it is they do bring us. But those changes are also supposed to be affecting us – wecomes to suitors though, you're supposed to use a smart watch to tell us if we're moving or not, we ll have to keep up with make the latest fads, ultimate decision between witty, pretty and wealthy Sir Benedict Granville, wholesome, rugged and caring Captain Angus MacTaggart, or the mad, bad and we're supposed to prick our ears up terrifyingly sexy Lord Garraway Craven. With orphans, werewolves, long lost lovers and take note when ancient Egyptian artifcats along the proverbial way, it'theys clear this isn' change their minds about what wet going to be an easy decision... [[My Lady're supposed to eat.s Choosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780722885</amazonuk!-- Jester -->}}{{newreview|author= Luke Rhinehart-|titlestyle= Invasion"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Jester_Forever.jpg|ratingleft|link= 4https://www.amazon.co.5uk/gp/product/1510704361?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1510704361]] |genre= Humour |summarystyle=Super"vertical-intelligent furry aliens suddenly appear from another universealign: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Forever After: a dark comedy by David Jester]]=== [[image:4star. And they've come to earth to have fun. Alien Louie follows fisherman Billy Morton home one dayjpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Paranormal|Paranormal]], [[:Category:Horror|Horror]], [[:Category:Fantasy|Fasntasy]] Michael Holland is a cocky and he brash young man who dies and gets made the offer of his family quickly come to love the playful alienlifetime; immortality. But when Louie starts using their computer to hack into government and corporate networksWe follow Michael, stealing millions from banks to give to others, they realise that Louie a grim reaper and his friends mean trouble. As Billy Chip (a stoner tooth fairy) and his family begin Naff (a roller coaster ride of fame stoner in the records department) as they grapple with their long lives and fortune, as well as finding a ranking high clean surface to sit on the FBI's most wanted list, the Government soon decides that these aliens are terrorists, and must be eliminated. Whilst the aliens are playing games they hope will help humans to see the insanity of the American political, economic and military systems, they soon come to realise that the Powers that Be don't play gamesin their flat. [[Forever After: they make war. a dark comedy by David Jester|amazonuk=Full Review]] <amazonuk>1785651757</amazonuk!-- Stibbe -->}}{{newreview|-|authorstyle=Rod Green"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Stibbe_Xmas.jpg|left|titlelink=Only Fools and Horseshttps: The Peckham Archives//www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0241309824?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0241309824]]  |ratingstyle=4"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"||genre=Entertainment |summary=We are in =[[An Almost Perfect Christmas by Nina Stibbe]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]], [[:Category:Short Stories|Short Stories]] Christmas – the world of one time of traditional trauma. You only have to think about the country's most famous and well-loved sitcoms turkey for that – even if once upon a time it was sort-of killed off for Christmas 2003. Yes, there have been specials sinceleaving it sat on the downstairs loo to defrost overnight, and more repeats to clog up if that failed the BBC schedules than is really pukka, but very few people failed to succumb to its charms at one time or anotherhair-dryer shoved inside it treatment was your next best bet. INowadays it'm s all having to make sure there have been books before now celebrating the stonyit's suitably free-faced reception of ''range and organic – but not too organic that'' drop through the open bar hatchyou can go and visit it, and ''that'' chandelier sceneget too friendly with it to want to eat it. Christmas, though, but this is much more meatyof course also a time of great boons. Purporting to be the family archives, found dumped It's cash in Nelson Mandela Househand for a lot of plump people who can hire red suits and beards, it was always a godsend for postmen with all the documents here were passed from pillar thank-you letters to post, from one council worker aunties you saw twice a decade that your parents made you write out in long-hand as a department with a clumsy acronym to anotherchild, from them to the police – and now here they are being published as for their social history worth. Will enough readers find them the makers of worthMeltis Newberry Fruits – well, as did they even try and sell them any other time of the series quietly celebrates its 35th birthdayyear?[[An Almost Perfect Christmas by Nina Stibbe|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849909245</amazonuk!-- Doescher -->}}{{newreview|author= Mara Wilson-|titlestyle= Where Am I Now?"width: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Doescher_Will.jpg|left|ratinglink=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/159474985X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN= 5159474985X]] |genre= Autobiography|summarystyle= Mara Wilson has always felt a little young and a little out of place"vertical-align: top; text-align: as left;"|===[[William Shakespeare's the only child on a film set full of adults, Force Doth Awaken: Star Wars Part the first daughter in a house full of boysSeventh by Ian Doescher]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Science Fiction|Science Fiction]], the sole clinically depressed member of a cheerleading squad[[:Category:Humour|Humour]] A long time ago, a valley girl in New York and a neurotic in Californiagalaxy far away, and an adult the world still remembers as there was a little girl. Tackling everything from how she first learned about sex on the set of ''Melrose Placeman called William Shakespeare,'' who was able to losing her mother at create a young ageseries of dramatic histories full of machinations most foul, to getting her first kiss (rulers most evil and rebellious heroes and heroines most sturdy. You may or was it kisses?) on a celebrity canoe trip, to may not being cute enough to make it in Hollywood, these essays tell have noticed the story cinematic version of one young womanhis original stage play for ''The Force Doth Awaken''s journey from accidental fame to relative obscurity, but also illuminate a universal struggle: learning here at last we get the actual script, complete with annoying-in-different-ways-to accept yourself-before droids anew, returning heroes from elsewhere in his oeuvre, and figuring out who you are and where people keeping it in the family til it hurts. And if you belong. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0143128221</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author= Tony Stuartneed further encouragement, don't forget his audience only demanded three parts of Henry VI – here the series is so popular we're on to part seven – surely making this over twice as good… [[William Shakespeare's the Force Doth Awaken: Star Wars Part the Seventh by Ian Doescher|Full Review]]|title= Writing Lines|rating= 4.5<!-- Goss -->|genre=Humour-|summarystyle= George Gordon Wentworth (1946"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-2011) lived a humdrum lifealign: center;"|[[image:Goss_600.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon. He was a barely adequate teacher in a fairly world renowned independent school in Kent and kept a copious diary of his quotidian existenceco. Most of what he recorded was dross. However, amongst all the utterly uninteresting tailings of his life there were some nuggets and grains to catch the attention. Author Tony Stuart has created these amusing anecdotes, panning them out over twenty six episodes which give us the best of Wentworth – comedy gold. From losing all the pupils in his charge on a school trip to being arrested on suspicion of terrorismuk/gp/product/1785942719?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1785942719]]  | style="vertical-align: top; from waking up in bed between the married couple the morning after their wedding, to destroying a ski runtext-align: left; from appearing full-frontal naked in a sheep-farmers' gazette to triggering an air-sea rescue; Wentworth was, blinkered and befuddled, the subject – of these and so many more unlikely but highly amusing events."||amazonuk=<amazonuk>1524634441</amazonuk>==[[Doctor Who: Now We Are Six Hundred: A Collection of Time Lord Verse (Dr Who) by James Goss and Russell T Davies]]===}}[[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{newreview|author=Graham Fulbright|title=Driving Mad{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category: Maniacs, Morons Children's Rhymes and the Advanced MotoristVerse|Children's ClubRhymes and Verse]], [[:Category:Science Fiction|rating=3.5Science Fiction]], [[:Category:Humour|genre=Humour]]|summary=I passed my driving test when John F Kennedy was in Consider the White House Doctor. Just how many birthday and I've recently had Christmas gifts must he have to reapply for my driving licence having achieved a venerable age. When I started driving the roads were kinder, more forgiving places - or put another wayhand out each year, the idiots were fewer and further between. I don't know how long Graham Fulbright has been driving, but he to keep in touch with even half of his companions? He would certainly knows his motoring morons and in ''Driving Mad'' he brings us need a fictional sample few novelty gifts for some of their eccentricities. Wellthem, say, for example, I'm pretty certain whimsical books of verse that they're fictional - but these days you never knowpithily encapsulate the life of a Time Lord and that of some of his friends and enemies...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1783062584</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Mario Giordano|title=Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions|rating=4|genre=Crime|summary=Poldi had not long been widowed when she decided As luck would have it, he has the space in his TARDIS to move from Bavaria stock up in advance, so my advice to Sicily with the intention of drinking herself him – sorry, her – would be to pop along to deathhis local Earth-based book emporium and get himself ready. She couldAnd if you're working on a shorter timescale, of coursewith a shorter lifespan, have done this in Germanyand thinking perhaps just one gift season ahead, but she felt that a sea view was essentialwell my advice is pretty much the same. Once there, new friends, family already resident on the island and the corpse [[Doctor Who: Now We Are Six Hundred: A Collection of a young man, his face blown off Time Lord Verse (Dr Who) by a shotgun, whom she found on the local beach, intervened to give her life some meaning. For a while she was a suspect, but that (and her wig) were no obstacle to her falling for Commissario Vito Montana who was assigned to investigate the caseJames Goss and Russell T Davies|Full Review]] <!-- Ingram -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Ingram_Kammie. Assisting him (or having him assist her) came naturally to Poldi and before long there was an investigative and personal partnershipjpg|left|link=https://www.amazon. At least so far as Poldi was concernedco.uk/gp/product/1785451995?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1785451995]]  |amazonukstyle=<amazonuk>1908524693</amazonuk>"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|}}{{newreview|author= Grady Hendrix|title= My Best Friend's Exorcism|rating= 5[[Conversations with Kammie by Annie Ingram]]===|genre= Horror[[image:4star.jpg|summarylink=1988, Charleston, South Carolina. High school sophomores Abby Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Pets|Pets]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] It was something of a relief when I encountered Annie Ingram and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth gradeher cocker spaniel Kammie. But after an evening You see, Annie knows something which has been self-evident to me for a long time: dogs are perfectly capable of communicating with humans and not just on a level of skinny-dipping goes disatrously wrongfood!, Gretchen begins walk! or play!. You do require extensive training to act...different. She's moody. She's irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she's nearby. Abby's investigation leads her become fluent, but most dogs will be perfectly willing to some startling discoveries - and by the give their time their story reaches its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby to teach you and Gretchen will be determined by a single questionall you have to do is listen. Annie has studied hard: Is Kammie has trained her well and the pair have allowed us to share some of their friendship enough to beat the devil?conversations. [[Conversations with Kammie by Annie Ingram|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1594748624</amazonuk!-- Harris -->}}{{newreview|-|authorstyle= Kevin MacNeil"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|title=The Brilliant and Forever[[image:Harris_Glass.jpg|ratinglink= 3http://www.amazon.co.5|genreuk/dp/1908943823/ref= Humour|summary= You know sometimes when someone tells a joke, everyone else laughs, and you're sat there wondering what was so funnynosim?|amazonuktag=<amazonuk>1846973376</amazonuk>thebookbag-21]]}}{{newreview|authorstyle= Christopher Fowler|title= Bryant and May"vertical-align: top; text-align: Strange Tideleft;"||rating= 3==[[The Breaking of Liam Glass by Charles Harris]]=== [[image:3star.5jpg|genrelink= Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|summary= The thirteenth outing for Bryant Crime]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] Teenager Liam Glass is mugged and May is looking very much like it will be their last. Arthur Bryant is on compassionate leave whilst tests are continuing, which are likely to confirm that he is suffering stabbed yards from Alzheimer'shis Camden flat. His condition is worsening almost by As the dayboy lies comatose, memory lapses are morphing into fulldesperate journalist Jason Worthington scrabbles for the inside scoop, tired police officer Andy Rockham searches for a missing tape, harried politician Jamila Hasan fights for re-election, distraught mother Katrina Glass waits by her son, and gym-scale hallucinationsowner Royland simply finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857523422We follow this host of ensemble characters in a bleak, kaleidoscopic satire of modern media. [[The Breaking of Liam Glass by Charles Harris|Full Review]] </amazonuk!-- LENTE -->}}{{newreview|-|authorstyle=Kevin Smith"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Lente_10.jpg|titlelink=The Voyage of the Dolphinhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1683690222/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  |ratingstyle=5"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"||genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Dublin 1916=[[Ten Dead Comedians: Among the unrest and anti-British feeling worsened A Murder Mystery by Fred Van Lente]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] Nine comedians are invited to a remote Caribbean island under the threat guise of conscription into a war seen as nothing to do working with the IrishDustin Walker, Trinity College faculty has other distractionsa comedic legend. They'd like a trophy; the skeleton Each fits neatly into one of an Irish 'giant' to be precise. The only glitch is that the main trophy contenderarchetypal comic stereotypes: Steve, Bernard MacNeill's skeletonthe washed-up has-been who has fallen far from his early days; Zoe, is somewhere difficult to access and all seasoned explorers are otherwise engaged. There may be hope though. They turn to Fitzmauricethe rising female star with a new stand-up special coming soon; Dante, who went from being a student not good enough for anything else. Fitzmaurice agreeskid on the streets to the hardest working road comic in the business; Oliver, picking the child-like prop comic who can't get any respect from his friends Crozier and Rafferty to go with him. peers; Janet, the insult comic who is past her prime; So… ''GentlemenTJ, lace up your strongest boots the nightly variety show host with a reputation for harassing his female colleagues and pack your warmest underwear – weguest acts; Ruby, the ultra-feminist YouTuber and Blogger with a chip on her shoulder; and William, whose redneck character ''re all off to Billy the bloody Arctic!Contractor'' Whether battle is a far cry or epitaph, three men and from his real personality as a dog… and an iguana… are going anywayposh millionaire.|amazonuk=Of course, all nine agree because ''when God almighty walks down on a beam of light and asks for your help, what the hell else are you going to say?'' [[Ten Dead Comedians: A Murder Mystery by Fred Van Lente|Full Review]] <amazonuk>1910124826</amazonuk!-- Scott -->|amazonus=<amazonus>1910124826</amazonus>}}{{newreview-|authorstyle=Tony Hawks"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|title=Once Upon a Time in the West… Country[[image:Scott_Eliz.jpg|ratinglink=3http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1788037006/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  |genrestyle=Travel"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"||summary=I have often complained in a jokey voice to my partner about life in the sticks==[[Elizabeth, William... and the way she moved me from Me by S Lynn Scott]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] Ally is an inner-city flat to slumming it in the suburbs with fewer busses, no takeaways within walking-and-keeping-food-hot distanceordinary woman with teenage children, a husband and no 'Polish' shops for a can job. Then comes the day when ordinariness flies out of beer whenever you fancy onethe window. Things are different with Tony Hawks, as here he has purposefully decided to up sticks from London to Somewhere, Devon – It's not a tiny village where coincidence that it's the people who built their own homes decades ago still live same day she finds Queen Elizabeth I in them, where slugs are a lot more the pantry and the Bard of a problem for the wannabe lettuce-grower than they are for the metropolitan commuterAvon in her bath. What's she going to do? Well, Elizabeth and where village halls Will have the power to turn you into both a Pol Pot dictator if you get on their committee and into a quiveringown ideas about that! [[Elizabeth, bruise-inducing wreck if you're the wrong gender at a Zumba class…William... and Me by S Lynn Scott|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444794809</amazonuk!-- Rodford -->}}{{newreview|author=Marian Keyes-|titlestyle=Making It Up As I Go Along"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Rodford_Surgeon.jpg|ratinglink=4http://www.amazon.co.5uk/dp/178565005X/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] |genre=Entertainment|summarystyle=Oh, how the book reviewing gods like to give, and equally like to take away. Here before me is a brand, spanking new collection of journalism by the wonderful Marian Keyes – but it"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Surgeon's a proof copy, so there's no photo of the authorCase: George Kocharyan Mystery 2 by E G Rodford]]=== [[image:4star. Even if over the years I have stopped reading her novelsjpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Crime|Crime]], I have always turned to [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] In the author picture to remind myself such sights exist in second instalment of this world. Himself is series, Private Investigator George Kocharyan has been hired by a lucky well-known local manto track down some missing valuables. Bill Galbraith, for sure. But beyond sounding like a letch, what can I say about this – the beautyworld-famous surgeon at Cambridge's third large dose of essays, web columns and other journalism? I can start with agreeing that I am not the target audience, but itAddenbrooke's easy enough to see from these pages exactly what Hospital who hosts a popular medical television programme, has had his briefcase stolen by his live-in domestic servant, Aurora. According to Galbraith, this briefcase contains confidential notes concerning an important patient of his at the target ishospital. So much like that test you do – you know George agrees to look into the onetheft, that formulates decisions about the age assuming it will be a relatively easy and commonality of all things in space straightforward case – little does he know, he's about to come up with how many billions enter a world of planets are likely to have alien life on – you can narrow things down quite readily here, deceit and still come up with a huge numberdysfunction.[[The Surgeon's Case: George Kocharyan Mystery 2 by E G Rodford|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0718182529</amazonuk!-- Jordan -->}}{{newreview|-|authorstyle= Jean"width: 10%; vertical-Yves Ferrialign: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Jordan_Tiny.jpg|titlelink= Asterix and the Missing Scroll (Album 36)http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1760293814/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]|rating= 5|genre= For Sharing|summarystyle=Asterix is those rarest of book series"vertical-align: top; text-align: left; one designed for kids which is actually even funnier when you are an adult"|===[[Our Tiny, Useless Hearts by Toni Jordan]]=== [[image:5star. I used to love Asterix as a child, but now that I reread them I canjpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Women's Fiction|Women't help but wonder whys Fiction]], because they are so full of hilarious jokes that I definitely wouldn[[:Category:Humour|Humour]] As predicted by Caroline and Janice't have understood when I was younger. I laughed loud s mother on Caroline and Henry's wedding day, their marriage is over, albeit 15 years and hard to myself twice within the first two pages of Asterix and the Missing Scrolldaughters further along than predicted. Indeed, so I'd this is definitely say that this was not a hitgood weekend for Janice to be babysitting at Caroline's house.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1510100458</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Spadge Whittaker|title=Braver Than Britain, Occasionally|rating=4|genre=Humour|summary=In which Spadge researches BritainThere's the split and the awkwardness of the girls' schoolteacher being the other woman for a start. Then there's top ten fears that mistaken identity moment involving the neighbours. At least Janice is well adjusted and faces them all over the course her ex-husband Alec. She still dreams of a year. Wehim, yes, but it's so over! Just as well really… guess who're quite a fearful society, you know. And s at the things we fear most aredoor? [[Our Tiny, in order: heights (acrophobia), snakes (ophidiophobia), public speaking (glossophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), small spaces (claustrophobia), mice (musophobia), needles (trypanophobia), flying (pteromerhanophobia), crowds (agoraphobia) and clowns (coulrophobia).Useless Hearts by Toni Jordan|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0993429904</amazonuk!-- Taylor -->}}{{newreview|author= Mike Bullen-|titlestyle= Trust"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|rating= 4[[image:Taylor_Scilly.jpg|genrelink= General Fiction|summary= Greg and Amanda are happyhttp://www. Unmarried, but together thirteen years and with two young daughters, they are very much in loveamazon. Dan and Sarah aren't so fortunateco. Their marriage is going through the motions, and they're staying together for the sake uk/dp/178475515X/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Life of their troubled teenage son. Following a business conference away from home, one bad decision sends a happy couple into turmoil, and turns an unhappy couple into love's young dreamScilly Sergeant by Colin Taylor]]=== [[image:4.5star. As secrets and betrayals threaten to send both relationships out of control, there's only one thing that can keep everything from falling apart: Trustjpg|amazonuklink=<amazonuk>0751559253</amazonuk>Category:{{{rating}}}Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Travel|Travel]], [[:Category:Humour|Humour]]{{newreview|author=Dan Rhodes|title=When Meet the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow|rating=4Isles of Scilly.5|genre=General Fiction|summary= Two people are on (I know they should be called that – the author provides a train on handy guide to the etiquette of their way toname, of all thingstheir nature and location, a WI meeting where the ladies of All Bottoms will be lectured on the non-existence of God. One etc.) For our more distant readers, they're several chunks of granite rock out in the two people Atlantic, where Cornwall is Professor Richard Dawkinspointing, rampant atheistwith just 2, hectoring scientist chappie200 permanent residents. They're big on tourism, and all-round devotee of ''Deal or No Dealbig on growing flowers in the tropical climate the Gulf Stream bequeaths them – although the weather is bad enough to turn any car to a rust bucket within years. They''. The other is Smeere so wee, his monoand so idyllic-named assistantseeming, especially at night, amanuensis or 'male secretary'. Smee will come to the fore when the weather sets in and the train journey has to you can be mistaken for thinking there would be abandoned some way short of its ultimate destination, Upper Bottomno need for a police presence. Instead the pair fetch up at the isolated yet friendly community of Market Horton, and the only option for accommodation But there is taken – yes, the died-at least two working at any one time. And one of them inrecent years has been Colin Taylor, who has done his official duty – alongside maintaining a well-the-wool non-believer known online existence, which has brought to be housed by a retired vicar and his wife. This clash life all the whimsical comedy of his work. [[The Life of titanic opinions, peppered with social faux pas aplenty will provide for a particularly English kind of farcical comedy, but one with the legs to go as far as any other Good Books have reached in the past…Scilly Sergeant by Colin Taylor|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1910709018</amazonuk!-- Lloyd -->}}{{newreview|author=Rob Temple-|titlestyle=Very British Problems Abroad"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|rating=4[[image:Lloyd_Twas.jpg|genrelink=Humour|summary=Meet, if you havenhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1472125118/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[['t already, Twas the phenomenon of the Very British ProblemFight Before Christmas: A Parody by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees]]=== [[image:3.5star. In this format they're in pithy little comments (of, ooh, about 140 characters in length, for some reason…) jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]] It's Christmas Eve and detail the minor things in life that we like nothing more than to inflate to a major factor of lifeMum has arranged everything. They can involve manners, staring at things until they mend themselves, hitting things ditto, or All she now has to do is await the arrival of the fact that nobody apart from you relatives and I know how to queue properlythe food shopping delivery. And if Little does Mum know that those two elements alone have the idea hits potential to ruin everything. [['Twas the world outside our shores, then – well, you certainly have a book full of content regarding our attitude Fight Before Christmas: A Parody by Josie Lloyd and ineptitude abroad.Emlyn Rees|Full Review]] |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0751558494</amazonuk!-- Phinn -->}}{{newreview|-|authorstyle=Fraser McAlpine"width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|title=Stuff Brits Like[[image:Phinn_Virgin.jpg|ratingleft|link=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1444779400/ref=4nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] |genrestyle=Humour"vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"||summary= With over 100 chapters on different aspects of Britain and Britishness, this book is both fascinating and hilarious==[[The Virgin Mary's Got Nits by Gervase Phinn]]=== [[image:4.5star. Just looking at the list of subjects is enough to produce a sardonic twist of that stiff upper lipjpg|link=Category: the chapters cover topics that range from offal to curry{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Humour|Humour]], from pedantry [[:Category:Anthologies|Anthologies]] Christmas in our house is the time we tend to banter, from conkers get on a plane and head to rugby. There may be many chapters but this either sun or snow, anywhere that is no academic tome - each chapter is just two to three pages longfar, each is written with endearing affectionfar away from the madness at home, each is easy and satisfying - and quirkily funny - last minute dashes to readthe shops on Christmas Eve, and food cupboard stockpiles that would imply supermarkets are shutting for a month, nor a mere 36 hours.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1857886348</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author= John Samuel|title= What But I Tell You in do remember the Dark|rating= 3.5|genre= Humour|summary=A man called Will is fighting fiercely against corruption – desperate to expose his company's dodgy dealings to feeling of Christmas when I was younger, back when it was magical, and back when you knew exactly what the press. Overcome season would bring with doubt carol concerts and fear, he goes to kill himselfschool nativities and Christmas parties. ButThis book is an anthology of those moments, at the exact moment he attaches his noose and it took me right back to the back wonder of the door, he is saved. By Christmas as a curious housemate or a concerned girlfriend? No, by an Angelchild. Not the white[[The Virgin Mary's Got Nits by Gervase Phinn|Full Review]] <!-- DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE --feathered guardian Angel you may expect, but one who wishes to help Will achieve his ends, and so possess the body of the hapless Will in order to finish what he started. It goes without saying that the Angel is hoping things go better than they did with the last guy he possessed – a hapless young man from Galilee called Jesus…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0715650505</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author= John Niven|title= The Sunshine Cruise Company|rating= 4.5|genre= Humour|summary= Susan Frobisher and Julie Wickham live in a small Dorset town. Friends since school, they live fairly uneventful lives – Susan has a lovely house and a lengthy marriage to accountant Barry, whereas Julie is doing slightly less well – living in a council flat and working in an old people's home. When Barry is found dead trussed up in a sex dungeon, it transpires that he has been leading a hidden life for years, and his expensive fetishes lead to the bank moving to take Susan's home. Struck by both desperation and a sense of injustice, Sue and Julie conspire to rob a bank, taking along their friend Jill – a devout Christian conflicted due to lack of money and a terminally ill grandson, and Ethel – a foul mouthed resident of the nursing home longing for adventure.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0434023183</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Marie Phillips|title=The Table Of Less Valued Knights|rating=4.5|genre=Fantasy|summary=Sir Humphrey has been demoted from King Arthur's Round Table to the Table of Lesser Valued Knights. The only way to get his comfier seat back is to redeem himself via a quest. Therefore when damsel Elaine seeks help to find her kidnapped fiancé, Humphrey and his ward, the teenage giant Conrad, eagerly set forth. Meanwhile in the kingdom of Tuft, new Queen Martha has run away after a disastrous wedding to… a… well… disastrous Prince Edwin. She may not realise it yet, but she too will have a job for Humphrey!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099555875</amazonuk>}}