Tag: humour

ARC Review: Goyhood by Reuven Fenton

Categories Adult Fiction, Contemporary FictionLeave a Comment on ARC Review: Goyhood by Reuven Fenton

Book Details:

Author: Reuven Fenton
Release Date: May 28, 2024
Series:
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Adult Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: Central Avenue
Blurb:
Reuven Fenton’s novel Goyhood is a brilliant debut about a devoutly Orthodox Jewish man who discovers in middle age that he’s not, in fact, Jewish, and embarks on a remarkable road trip to come to grips with his fate; it’s Chaim Potok’s The Chosen meets Planes,Trains and Automobiles.
When Mayer (née Marty) Belkin fled small-town Georgia for Brooklyn nearly thirty years ago, he thought he’d left his wasted youth behind. Now he’s a Talmud scholar married into one of the greatest rabbinical families in the world – a dirt-poor country boy reinvented in the image of God.
But his mother’s untimely death brings a shocking revelation: Mayer and his ne’er-do-well twin brother David aren’t, in fact, Jewish. Traumatized and spiritually bereft, Mayer’s only recourse is to convert to Judaism. But the earliest date he can get is a week from now. What are two estranged brothers to do in the interim?
So begins the Belkins’ Rumspringa through America’s Deep South with Mom’s ashes in tow, plus two tagalongs: an insightful Instagram influencer named Charlayne Valentine and Popeye, a one-eyed dog. As the crew gets tangled up in a series of increasingly surreal adventures, Mayer grapples with a God who betrayed him and an emotionally withdrawn wife in Brooklyn who has yet to learn her husband is a counterfeit Jew. 

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Goyhood by Reuven Fenton is a tale that defies convention and embraces the unexpected. Fenton’s debut novel offers a fresh take on the journey of self-discovery, weaving together elements of humour, poignancy, and profound insight.

What struck me most about “Goyhood” was its fearless exploration of identity and belonging. Through the eyes of Mayer Belkin, a devoutly Orthodox Jewish man grappling with the revelation of his true heritage, Fenton invites readers on a journey of introspection and revelation. As Mayer embarks on a road trip through America’s Deep South with his estranged brother and an eclectic cast of companions, the novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, faith, and the search for meaning in an uncertain world.

Yet, amidst the weighty themes, Fenton infuses the narrative with a delightful blend of humour and heart. The interactions between Mayer, his brother David, and their companions are imbued with wit and warmth, offering moments of levity amidst the existential questions that permeate the story. It’s this unique balance of laughter and introspection that makes Goyhood such a compelling read.

In conclusion, Goyhood is a remarkable debut that deftly navigates the intersections of identity, faith, and the human experience. Fenton’s storytelling is as poignant as it is entertaining, leaving readers with a renewed appreciation for the complexities of life and the power of self-discovery. Whether you’re drawn to stories of personal transformation or simply enjoy a well-crafted narrative, Goyhood is sure to leave a lasting impression.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click Here

Book Review: Spooves by Tim Miller

Categories HumorLeave a Comment on Book Review: Spooves by Tim Miller

Book Details:

Author: Tim Miller
Release Date: 8th June 2022
Series:
Genre: Humour, Short Story Collection
Format: E-book 
Pages: 177 pages
Publisher: Gnatcatcher Press
Blurb:
Spooves is Tim Miller’s debut collection of short, humorous fiction. The subject matter includes a yoga studio on the Death Star, a cookbook for frazzled parents entitled, “Quick and Crappy,” the pseudoscience of the TB12 method, a singing, lovelorn egg pan, and more. This book is like a tube of strange goo that will make you laugh, or, at the very least, ponder the plural of “spoof.”

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

There’s something undeniably human in the way we all seek laughter, especially from the everyday oddities of life. Tim Miller’s Spooves brilliantly taps into this sentiment. In his debut collection of short, humorous fiction, it feels as if you’re conversing with an old friend who always sees the world in its quirkiest light. Imagine practising yoga on the Death Star or flipping through a cookbook titled “Quick and Crappy” after a long day of parenting. And who can resist the serenades of a lovelorn egg pan?

Miller doesn’t just aim for laughs, though they abound. He also encourages readers to pause and find humour in unexpected corners of their lives. Some stories make you laugh out loud, while others leave you smiling thoughtfully, considering life’s little ironies.

The charm of Spooves stems from its dual nature: lighthearted yet deeply reflective. Miller skillfully crafts tales that entertain and provoke thought in equal measure. If you want a hearty laugh or a fresh perspective on the world, Spooves serves as the perfect companion. Dive in, and let Miller’s whimsical world captivate you. You might even find yourself pondering the plural of “spoof” long after you turn the last page.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Carving Up Riley (Riley MacLeod Series # 1) by Paul Flanagan

Categories Humor, Paul FlanaganLeave a Comment on Book Review: Carving Up Riley (Riley MacLeod Series # 1) by Paul Flanagan

Book Details:

Author: Paul Flanagan
Release Date: 27th March 2023
Series: Riley MacLeod (Book #1)
Genre: Humour
Format: E-book 
Pages: 78
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Meet Riley MacLeod…loving husband…caring father…faithful friend…successful writer…and the world’s biggest idiot. Of course, in Riley’s insane mind he sees himself as the world’s biggest…well…hero. However, when Riley’s wife insists they take a romantic drive from Vermont to Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving with her family who is far from normal themselves, the man who is hated by his neighbors and loathed by an angry tom cat, sets out to prove that he isn’t an idiot…under duress, of course.

The trip begins with Riley getting tied up by his best friend, his clothes stolen by a group of mischievous teenagers, and a tow truck driver with a happy gun finger. Determined to keep pushing forward, under duress of course, Riley continues down the road desperately trying to leave the state of Vermont only to encounter a killer truck driver, a girl with strange colored hair, and a pair of old people who turn out to be drug dealers. Yet, through it all, Riley somehow turns out to be a hero…well, kinda.
Will Riley MacLeod and his wife make it to the Thanksgiving table in one piece or will they end up in a mental hospital locked away in little padded rooms?

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Carving Up Riley by Paul Flanagan is the first book in the Riley MacLeod series. This book is a fantastic read and full of funny situational scenarios. The author has an impeccable sense of humour which comes out in the book well and makes the reader laugh heartily in many places (at least it made me chortle and chuckle in many instances.)

I would definitely recommend this book to all humour and comedy fiction fans and to those who are looking for a light-hearted book that they can finish within a couple of hours.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Tap and Die by Lancelot Schaubert

Categories Action, Adventure, Lancelot Schaubert, Parody, Western FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Tap and Die by Lancelot Schaubert

Book Details:

Author: Lancelot Schaubert
Release Date: 24th October 2023
Series:
Genre: Western Parody, Humour, Cowboy Fiction Parody, Action & Adventure
Format: E-book 
Pages: 138
Publisher: Vale
Blurb:
A cowboy separated from his wife visits an ambassador’s gala above an active volcano. Magical terrorists attack. Separated from his clothes and family, he must wield a lightning wand against an invading army in hopes to set the fantastic world’s diplomats free.
Will he make it out clothed, reunited, and unsinged?

Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Tap and Die by Lancelot Schaubert is a Western fiction parody that is both unique in its own way and entertaining as hell. This makes this book a completely polarising read—you’d either love it or not like it at all. So it’s better to know what the book is actually about before you start reading it instead of feeling let down due to unreasonable expectations (as I’ve witnessed in most reviews for this book—know your genres, people!)

Anyway, I loved it. It made me laugh more than I cared to count and it left me in comparatively good spirits when I actually began reading it so I have no reason to complain. I loved how the author referred to the “author” as God and had stuff going on for no apparent reason because that’s how most Western fiction books are; the author promised a parody, and that’s exactly what he delivered.

I would recommend this book to all the fans of Western fiction readers and Cowboy fans as they would definitely get it (no offence to the ones who didn’t :D)

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

NA

Book Review: Please Feel Bad I’m Dead by M. Price

Categories Contemporary Fiction, Mental Health, Surreal FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Please Feel Bad I’m Dead by M. Price

Book Details:

Author: M. Price
Release Date: 28th May 2022
Series:
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Surreal Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 294
Publisher: –
Blurb:
Jhaegar Holdburn is a forlorn teenage edgelord who constantly attempts suicide and finds himself continually failing due to last second blunders. His desire for death comes from his often frazzled, often incoherent mind and how it fuels the way he’s ostracized by his peers as well as how he’s been made a pariah in the current social climate. At last the opportunity arises, Jhaegar manages to commit suicide using a foolproof method, and after years of despair he finally dies…
But not quite…
Jhaegar is instead resurrected…as he will always be resurrected. He finds the one thing standing in the way of sweet death is his uncanny inability to truly die and that his suicides result in increasingly stranger and psychedelic realities, irreversibly made worse by his ever deteriorating mind. He discovers the only way to break this cycle of death and rebirth is to uncover the real root of his problems and find his own personal sense of happiness, as well as to unravel the esoteric tangle of his own repressed psyche.
But, with his grasp of reality slipping away by the minute, will Jhaegar have time to save himself from his own self-destruction?

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Please Feel Bad I’m Dead by M. Price is a dark contemporary take on teenage mental health issues. This book is about a teen boy whose dark thoughts, and the inhumanity of the world around him, lead his psyche to deteriorate to a point where he wants nothing but to end his life. So he commits suicide only to find that he cannot end his life. Every time he kills himself, he is resurrected.

This book chronicles his journey of trying to kill himself and then resurrecting with an even more deteriorated psyche only to conclude that he would have to face his own demons and explore the depths of his fragile mind which might hold the key for him to understand what is happening and maybe even his happiness.

This book is quite similar to Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, although much darker and with a different concept of resurrection. I would recommend this book to all mental health fiction readers and anyone wanting to explore the surrealism of being trapped in a mind that suffers from acute and clinical depression.

Although be advised this could be a strongly triggering read for people who are sensitive, especially to suicide and depression.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: A Pterodactyl Named Kahoutek by Matthew Levine

Categories Children's Fiction, Humor, Matthew Levine, Short-StoriesLeave a Comment on Book Review: A Pterodactyl Named Kahoutek by Matthew Levine

Book Details:

Author: Matthew Levine
Release Date: 9th November 2022
Series:
Genre: Children’s Humorous Literature, Short Stories collection, Children’s Humor
Format: E-book 
Pages: 20
Publisher: –
Blurb:
A short story for youth of all ages with humor adults might enjoy about a clumsy Pterodactyl that befriends a sad teenage girl on a San Francisco bus. Contain discussion questions for students at the end.

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

A Pterodactyl Named Kahoutek by Matthew Levine is a beautifully written book with an equally beautiful and important message that is delivered adeptly using humour and amazing imagery.

This book is a very short read, but the message it offers to its readers is way broader than the confines of this book as it applies to everyone, universally. The author had done an amazing job of sharing some very important life lessons with great moral value using simple language and a very interesting story that is brought to life with well-developed characterisation.

I would strongly recommend this book to all children and adult readers alike because it has something to offer to all its readers.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

NA

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Duck for Cover & Other Tales: A Collection of Short Stories by Barbara Venkataramana

Categories Barbara Venkataraman, Humor, Short-StoriesLeave a Comment on Book Review: Duck for Cover & Other Tales: A Collection of Short Stories by Barbara Venkataramana

Book Details:

Author: Barbara Venkataraman
Release Date: 17th August 2022
Series:
Genre: Short Stories, Humor
Format: E-book 
Pages: 58 pages
Publisher: Next Chapter
Blurb:
Fourteen short stories with a twist, Duck for Cover & Other Tales is filled with surprises.
The Yes Man is about a woman who looks after her elderly father with dementia, only to discover he still has life lessons to teach her. Living My Best Life tells the story of an aging rock star who finds his legacy lives on in a way he hadn’t imagined. Thicker Than Blood is about the dilemmas caused by modern technology when a trio of siblings is asked to make the hardest decision of their lives. The Devil’s Workshop is the story of a young man being scared straight from a life of delinquency by a clever probation officer and an ex-con.
Topical, relatable and just plain fun, these and many other stories in this collection deal with friendship, kinship and the complexities of the modern world, and are sure to leave you with a smile.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Duck for Cover & Other Tales: A Collection of Short Stories by Barbara Venkataramana is a beautiful collection of witty short stories that would surely leave a big smile on every reader’s face.

I loved each and every one of the short stories in this collection. Each one of these fourteen stories was funny, sweet, heart-warming and introspective stories that felt really light but, in reality, had so much to say in the deeper sense that only a very skilled writer could have pulled off without making the stories over-bearing and that’s exactly how Barbara Venkatramana did it. The writing felt great and had a good flow making this book a very fluid read. The characters in each of the stories felt realistic and I was able to feel a connection with them instantaneously in piste of the stories being so short.

I would definitely recommend this book to all short story readers. This collection has a LOT to offer!

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Meta (Game On #1.0) by Xander Black

Categories Adventure, Humor, satire, Science-Fiction, Science-Fiction Fantasy, Xander BlackLeave a Comment on Book Review: Meta (Game On #1.0) by Xander Black

Book Details:

Author: Xander Black
Release Date: 14th March 2022
Series: Game On (Book #1)
Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy, Adventure, Humour
Format: E-book 
Pages: 445 pages
Publisher: BC BOOKS
Blurb:
WELCOME TO THE METAVERSE
2065: the streets are abandoned, shops are empty, parks are silent. But is that really much of a surprise when you can connect to the Cybernet?
Everyone can turn on, log in and drop out.
Cyrus, a failed physicist, and drop-out game designer Everett are on the cusp of their big breakthrough into the meta ranks of Neverborn, the world’s most popular game.

But when several high-profile avatars disappear, and their human counterparts are found dead, Cyrus and Everett find themselves under suspicion. They must clear their names and unravel the deeper mysteries of Brith and the Neverborn. In doing so, they will uncover a dark secret, that threatens not only the game-world but the safety of their physical realm.

Satire, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery combine in an epic adventure where no one ever leaves home, perfect for fans of Ready Player One and Douglas Adams. 

Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Meta by Xander Black is a new science-fiction fantasy adventure novel based on the concept of MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) in a PSW (a persistent state world) where millions of players can develop their characters in virtual reality. In simple terms, this book is based on a future where people spend most of their lives in virtual reality instead of living a normal life in the real world.

This book was a decent read though it did remind me too much of Ready Player One (which I thoroughly loved.) At some point, it got a bit overwhelming and I wanted to quit reading it, though knowing better, and trying not to draw comparisons between the two books because of their common concept, I kept reading and finished the book in the hopes that it would be different and I’m glad that I did because this book proved to be a good read with a nice ending.

I liked the writing because it had a good flow but the efforts of the author to try and sound like Douglas Adam-ish felt pretty annoying and seemed to have killed the author’s natural writing style. I found the satire a bit forced and not correctly executed. Also, the book felt to have been lacking decent editing, it may be because I was sent a review copy and not the final book, but the copy if the copy I have and the final book are the same then the book obviously has editing issues. If the book’s final version is well-edited, it should make for a better read. Apart from these issues, as I previously said, the book was a decent read and would be a great fit for sci-fi and adventure genre readers.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon

Book Review: 28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir by Poppy Mortimer

Categories Humor, memoir, Non-Fiction, Poppy MortimerLeave a Comment on Book Review: 28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir by Poppy Mortimer

Book Details:

Author: Poppy Mortimer
Release Date: 10th May 2022
Series:
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 276 pages
Publisher: Poppy Mortimer
Blurb:
Poppy Mortimer is hungry for love. Will she find The One, or lose her appetite for men, forever?
Smart, attractive, and fueled by wide-eyed optimism, Poppy Mortimer leaves rainy England to start a new life-and find the perfect man-in exotic Australia. Surely somewhere out there, a Chris Hemsworth impersonator is just waiting to whisk her off her feet and show her the real charms of ‘Down Under’.
But as Poppy launches into 28 dates, ranging from the outright hysterical to borderline traumatic, it becomes clear she’s going to have to kiss a few frogs-assuming she doesn’t croak first. From the seven-foot giant with a disturbing workout practice, to the exclusive party that turns out to be a lot more than just cocktails and canapes, Poppy starts to wonder if she should sue Disney for giving her false hope.

With gusto, humour, and a lot of heart, Poppy digs deep into her past as a child of divorce, and her ongoing journey as a modern woman and devoted romantic. Through laughter, tears, and characters that are truly stranger than fiction, Poppy won’t stop until she finds true love-or something even greater.
Fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Sex and the City (or any person who wants to feel better about their own dating life) will love this book.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir by Poppy Mortimer is a funny account of the author’s troubled yet exciting and often amusing love life. In this book, the author pens down her disastrous dates, the things she learned from each of them, and how she went on to the next, thinking she won’t be making the same mistakes but ending up somehow on another disastrous first date.

I liked how the author used her sense of humour to keep the tone of the book light and made it funny and thus more relatable as well as easily palatable for the readers. The author’s writing style is good and the writing had a good flow which made this book a really easy and fast read.

I’d recommend this book to all readers of humorous non-fiction as I’m sure this book has a lot to offer to all its readers whether they are men or women.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon

Book Review: No Ghosts in the Graveyard: The Lifetime Adventures of a Small-Town Oregon Boy by Bob Crites

Categories Bob Crites, memoir, Non-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: No Ghosts in the Graveyard: The Lifetime Adventures of a Small-Town Oregon Boy by Bob Crites

Book Details:

Author: Bob Crites
Release Date: 29th August 2021
Series:
Genre: Non Fiction, Memoir
Format: E-book 
Pages: 429 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
“I had the good fortune of being born with a high biological set point for happiness.”
Walking alone at night, at age nine, selling newspapers on the streets of Eugene, Oregon, Bob Crites was among the last of the American paperboys. In the early 1950s, Bob and his triplet siblings didn’t know the word “homeless”; he thought they were living an adventure camping in the woods with their young mother.As an adult setting out to make a difference in the world, Bob finds his passion: Helping others help themselves.
Follow the funny, sometimes sad, always interesting adventures of “The Incredible Crites” as he saves lives, almost gets killed, and makes a world of difference.

Bob Crites has earned numerous recognition and awards for his service and altruism. In 1964 he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Brazilian hinterlands of Mato Grosso, Brazil, when the country was taken in a military coup. And in the late 70s, he was an Associate Peace Corps Director in Guatemala during a civil war. In the 1990s, he partnered with the “Second Mother Teresa”, one of the 20th century’s most enlightened women, to enrich the education of impoverished students. In 1991 Bob was thrust into the role of agent for an African teen who went on to become an Olympic gold medalist, world record-holding track star voted along with cyclist Lance Armstrong as the two top sports competitors in the world. In 1998 Dr. Jane Goodall personally requested Bob to partner with the Jane Goodall Institute in awarding academic scholarships in Tanzania.
Now retired from a career as an educator and counselor, Bob is an avid backgammon player living with his Brazilian-born wife Dalva in Eugene, Oregon. They love to travel and winter at their beachside condo in Recife, Brazil

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

No Ghosts in the Graveyard: The Lifetime Adventures of a Small-Town Oregon Boy by Bob Crites is a beautifully written memoir that will make you forget everything else as you read this book.

I quite enjoyed reading this book mostly because of two reasons; firstly it was a very well-written book and secondly because the story that the author had to share with the readers was a very interesting one. This book had a lot of aspects to it as the author had shared his long and interesting life through small captivating anecdotes. The book managed to grip my attention from the first page to the very last one and I was left wanting for more.

The pacing of the book felt right and the narrative style was very gripping. I would highly recommend this book to all readers of non-fiction and personal memoirs.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon

Book Review: Starstruck And Swindled In Paradise by A.H. Nazzareno

Categories A.H. Nazzareno, Contemporary Fiction, Humor, Short-StoriesLeave a Comment on Book Review: Starstruck And Swindled In Paradise by A.H. Nazzareno

Book Details:

Author: A.H. Nazzareno
Release Date: 1st June 2022
Series:
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Short Story, Humour
Format: E-book 
Pages: 42 pages
Publisher: –
Blurb:
A discontent and disillusioned author embarks on a road trip to the desert paradise of Las Vegas, teeming with oddball characters. Starstruck And Swindled In Paradise is a fictional short story about a flawed man attempting to reinvent himself while experiencing an unforgettable adventure.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Starstruck And Swindled In Paradise by A.H. Nazzareno is a short story about an author’s (mis)adventures that will tickle your funny bones.

I enjoyed reading this book because it was engaging, fun and light-hearted. I liked the writing and the characterisation and I found the author’s sense of humour to be really good. It is a short and well-written book that I’d recommend to all contemporary humour readers. Also, if you are a writer then you’ll definitely enjoy this book.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon

Book Review: Infernal Relations: A Quintessential English Comedy by P.S. Rover

Categories Comedy, Humor, Literary Fiction, P.S. RoverLeave a Comment on Book Review: Infernal Relations: A Quintessential English Comedy by P.S. Rover

Book Details:

Author: P.S. Rover
Release Date: 4th April 2022
Series:
Genre: Literary Comedy, Humour
Format: E-book 
Pages: 270 pages
Publisher: Forte Books
Blurb:
Eloping Has Never Been So Criminal
Another academic season is in the offing at Lockwood Institute, the eclectic finishing school for those who’ve been barred elsewhere. When Spencer and his interloping cousin, Monty, are summoned back for a special assignment they quickly find themselves in the thick of it with a trophy-hunting Brigadier on a quest to slay a mysterious beast, while his daughter, Natalia, proves a temptation too much for the fantastical Monty. This heady concoction provides the perfect ingredients to rock institute life to its foundations.

As one staggering revelation unfolds after another, does Spencer have the fortitude to cope? Monty couldn’t possibly have done what people think, could he? Is he culpable? Is he capable? As Spencer desperately tries to pull Monty’s chestnuts out of the fire, a head-spinning discovery awaits them. Skulduggery is afoot!

“It IS funny. Just what we all need”

Cassandra Clark (Acclaimed author of the Brother Chandler trilogy and more.)

“A great story.” 
– LoveReading

“An intricate and well-written book. Filled with atmosphere … I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to other literary fiction fans.” 
– LoveReading

“The beauty of this book is in the writing. Rover has a wonderful way with words and I found myself laughing out loud at several lines where Spencer gave his unusual views on life around him. I thoroughly enjoyed Infernal Relations by P.S. Rover which I have awarded 4.5 stars.”
(Whispering Stories) 

“Rover is excellent at crafting unique sentences … with a poetic touch… Readers will leave the book impressed by his ability to squeeze all the juice out of the English language.” 
(Independent Book Review)

“A rollercoaster ride” 
(Independent Book Review)

This book will especially delight fans of:
The Ransom of Red Chief (O’Henry), The Harpole Report (J.L. Carr), The Ascent of Rum Doodle (E.W. Bowman), Diary of a Nobody (Grossmith), Augustus Carp Esq., James Thurber, Mark Twain, Wodehouse.

Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Infernal Relations by P.S. Rover is a brilliantly crafted booking roaring with intricately woven English humour.

I recently happened to re-read The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer for my book club’s genre challenge and reading this book right after that one was like stepping into a different version of the same book. I don’t mean that both the books are the same, but what I do mean is that the author of Infernal Relations heavily draws from the sense of nostalgia that is invoked while reading Mark Twain’s masterpiece. I might not have noticed it so acutely had I not just finished re-reading TDOTS right before picking up this one! But I am glad that happened because it made the reading experience of this book even more enriched. The differences in both the books were pretty evident and both the books are very different, yet they are very similar (again you’d notice it only if you’re very observant or, like me, had recently, read both the books so close to each other.)

Moving on from comparing the two books, I loved this book a lot. The writing was marvellous and I enjoyed the lyrical quality of the prose, which is so rare these days, to find in contemporary fiction. I liked how the author used his brilliant sense of humour and an acute sense of using phrases to his advantage to bring out the subtlety of satire in the best possible ways. I chucked more than I was expecting and giggled probably more than I should have. The story had a great flow and the pacing was really good and kept the flow very smooth. I enjoyed reading this book right from the beginning to the very end.

I am not a literary expert, although I am somewhat of a self-proclaimed book aficionado, and hence I’d like to say that, for me at least, the author’s style resembles a lot to that of the revered Mark Twain and therefore, I really really enjoyed his writing and in fact, I am looking forward to reading more of his works in the future (hopefully soon!)

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon

ARC Review: Pay Me To Do Nothing! How a Lazy, Broke and Tired Boy Found His Calling by Otto Bocktopus 

Categories Comedy, Humor, Non-Fiction, Self-HelpLeave a Comment on ARC Review: Pay Me To Do Nothing! How a Lazy, Broke and Tired Boy Found His Calling by Otto Bocktopus 

Book Details:

Author: Otto Bocktopus 
Release Date: 1st June 2022
Series:
Genre: Humor, Fictional Memoir, Corporate Comedy, Self-Help
Format: E-book 
Pages: 142 pages
Publisher: Purple Piggybank Press
Blurb:
You probably never met anyone who thinks like Otto – laugh your way to a new life perspective!
People always told Otto that working hard would lead to being more successful and that being more successful would lead to being happy. But that wasn’t true.
Shake your head at his antics, giggle at his tales, and come away with a whole new perspective on companies and work and laziness and happiness.
At his first job, Otto Bocktopus busted ass and made $3.35/hour. Last year, like most years, he was paid about $700K and he did nothing. He does only what he wants, yet he is always getting paid. How did he get from there to here? And, can you?

If you believe that working hard will lead to being more successful and that being more successful will lead to being happy, and you find yourself planning to work hard your whole life until around the time your body starts to fail, then this book can teach you the fallacy of your thinking and help you find true happiness.
Told through the lens of his outrageous work experiences, Otto will make you laugh and make you think. You may shake your head at his antics but you will come away with a whole different way of thinking about companies and business leaders and work and laziness and happiness.
Don’t miss out on the hilarious online quizzes at the end of each chapter! Test your understanding of Otto’s perspective and laugh! Check out the quiz on Otto’s website.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Pay Me To Do Nothing! How a Lazy, Broke and Tired Boy Found His Calling by Otto Bocktopus is a funny fictional corporate memoir that has tons of life lessons for its readers.

I loved reading this book, admittedly more than I had been expecting because it had so much to offer. First of all, I loved the way the story (the fictional memoir) was told through the POV of Otto, a character, almost everyone can relate to in some way or another. Secondly, the sheer value of the lessons covered in this book is simply outstanding. In spite of it being a corporate comedy, the lessons from this book can be applied to any area with a little tweaking. And lastly, I loved the humorous undercurrent that ran through the book. I appreciated the author’s clever and subtle sense of humour and it made reading this book feel like a very smooth ride.

I liked the writing style of the author. The characterisation was good and felt apt for the purpose this book was written. I loved the situations that were covered in this book and overall I think this book has a lot to offer to everyone. Therefore, I’d highly recommend it to all readers who’d like to read about a quirky character and learn tons of life lessons in doing so!

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

NA

Amazon

Click Here

Book Review: Hold The Apocalypse – Pass Me A Scientist Please, And Other Humorous Essays From An Optimist In Dreamland by Bob Lorentson

Categories Bob Lorentson, Humor, Philosophy, Psychology, satire, Short-StoriesLeave a Comment on Book Review: Hold The Apocalypse – Pass Me A Scientist Please, And Other Humorous Essays From An Optimist In Dreamland by Bob Lorentson

Book Details:

Author: Bob Lorentson
Release Date: 7th October 2021
Genre: Humor, Satire, Science, Philosophy, Psychology
Format: E-book 
Pages: 169 pages
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Blurb:
A terrified yet occasionally optimistic environmental scientist takes a humorous look at the science behind the human and animal behaviors that make a doomed planet so interesting.
If you’ve ever wanted to get the real dirt on forest bathing without getting muddied, or on animal arsonists without getting burned, or on DIY transcranial Direct Current Stimulation without risking all those excitable neurons that already have one foot out the door, then this is the book for you. Should you be of the type, however, that has found life’s little pleasures interrupted of late by the loud ticking of the Doomsday Clock, put in some earplugs, because it’s not yet too late to have a good laugh while you learn about ‘Cat Research for Dummies,’ ‘Brain Wars – the Gender Variations,’ or ‘Boredom – It’s Not Just for the Boring.’

In these fifty essays, Bob Lorentson humorously uses science, philosophy, psychology, history, and even poetry to examine a myriad of curious subjects while waiting for the collapse of civilization.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Hold The Apocalypse – Pass Me A Scientist Please, And Other Humorous Essays From An Optimist In Dreamland by Bob Lorentson is a book of essays that are unique, fresh yet, on a deeper level, quite important. These essays are humorous with undertones of various themes such as psychology, philosophy, general sciences, socio-political themes, etc. I enjoyed reading this collection because there was never a dull moment!

The author has a very unique style of writing and his sense of humour appealed to me a lot. I enjoyed each and every essay mostly because aside from the satirical approach and the social commentary, the pieces always had a deeper meaning to them and with each and every essay, the author nailed that bit.

I would highly recommend this book to readers of satire and short-story or essay collections.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: The Race by John Russo

Categories Humor, John Russo, Short-StoriesLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Race by John Russo

Book Details:

Author: John Russo
Release Date: 30th September 2021
Genre: Humour, Short Story
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 24 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
The future. What does it hold?
Sadly, no one knows. Well . . . except for Amazon delivery drones.
Imagine a world where your Amazon package reaches you within minutes, instead of days. A world where technology has outsmarted the mailman for the last time.
This is the world in which Johnny and Robert Hesston find themselves.
The problem is, they’re old school. A bit TOO old school. Equip them with the right primitive tools, and things might get out of hand.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Race by John Russo is a hilarious and hearty short story about two brothers that will take you on a quick adventurous ride that you won’t be able to forget for a long time!

I loved this book because the story was great, the characterisation was well done and the execution of the plot was great. The writing was simple to follow and had a nice flow which made it a really quick read. I’d recommend this book to all short story readers and to those who are looking for a new author’s work to explore.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

Book Review: Tiny Yellow Hat by J. Michael Chamberlain

Categories Humor, J. Michael Chamberlain, memoir, Non-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Tiny Yellow Hat by J. Michael Chamberlain

Book Details:

Author: J. Michael Chamberlain
Release Date: 13th April 2019
Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Humor
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 202 pages
Publisher: Quinn-Hill Publisher
Blurb:
This wildly entertaining book is laced with wicked concepts, cheap shots and a few bright ideas; a feast of funny words and clever notions without once mentioning vampires or zombies. J. M. Chamberlain created the perfect blend of madcap rants and true life experiences guaranteed to put a never-ending smile on your face. Actually, a never-ending smile might be cause for alarm; if your smile lasts longer than four hours, please call a doctor. In a nutshell, this extraordinary slice of life is almost too good to read, but I suggest reading it anyway. I also suggest telling forty or fifty of your closest friends to read it, because www.peopleneedtolaugh.com (less)

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Tiny Yellow Hat by J. Michael Chamberlain is a witty, heartfelt memoir that is as entertaining to read as it is relatable.

I enjoyed reading this book because, unlike most memoirs, the author uses his amazing sense of humour to lace even the simplest aspects of life and presents them with so much passion that one can’t help but relate to them while at the same time laughing their butts off. The fact that the author covered topics from his life and career that most people can relate to only adds to the appeal of this surprisingly quick read.

For me, the best part is that the author presented some important life lessons and anecdotes in such a light way that the readers can take away a lot from this book without actually feeling burdened by their weight.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading memoirs and enjoys a good dash of humour.

You can also read this review on:

Goodreads

Click here

Amazon

Click here

ARC Review: Winning Streak – Tales and Trivia of the 40 Most Popular Board Games by John-Michael Gariepy

Categories Humor, John-Michael Gariepy, Non-FictionLeave a Comment on ARC Review: Winning Streak – Tales and Trivia of the 40 Most Popular Board Games by John-Michael Gariepy

Author: John-Michael Gariepy
Release Date: 13th January 2021
Genre: Humour, Non-Fiction, Games
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 196 pages
Publisher: Popcorn Roulette
Blurb:
Did you ever wonder:
♞ What makes Clue the best movie based on a game franchise?
♝ What does the doubling cube in backgammon do?
♜ How trains are even supposed to operate in Ticket to Ride: Antarctica?
♛ How the designer of the board game Pandemic feels now that he’s lived through an actual global pandemic?
♚ Whatever happened to the Monopoly game show from the 90s?

Based on Ranker’s poll of almost 400,000 votes, these games define us. From multiple-award winning masterpieces of the past decade, to indestructible classics still going strong after 5,000 years of play, these are the games you must play before you die. Well, except for Sorry!. That game is a blight upon this list and mankind as a whole. 

Excuse me. What I’m trying to say is that I wrote this book about games, and I thought you might like it.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Winning Streak: Tales and Trivia of the 40 Most Popular Board Games by John-Michael Gariepy is a fun, informative and entertaining read about the most iconic and loved games int he history of games!

This book was deliciously entertaining and I enjoyed reading ever scrap of information this book had to offer. I loved the writing style of the author because it made the book a quick and easy affair and the straightforwardness only made it all the more engaging.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone because this book contains trivia and fun bits about games we all have played or heard of at some point or another. So do go for it as it an a delightful and quick read!

You can also read this review on Goodreads.

Book Review: How the Ə Got Producted: A Love Story by N.K. von S.

Categories Humor, N.K. von S.Leave a Comment on Book Review: How the Ə Got Producted: A Love Story by N.K. von S.

Author: N.K. von S.
Release Date: 
Genre: Humour, Sci-fi
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 256 pages
Publisher: 
Blurb:
A childhood trauma leaves N. yearning for connection and vulnerable to the seductive but damaged Jeremy Sakhdvar, a young product liability attorney with a technology vendetta. Their one-sided relationship ends abruptly when Jeremy marries another woman and runs for elective office. Adrift but resilient, N. mines a series of seemingly random hookups for the raw materials she uses to reinvent herself. N. becomes a prominent lobbyist for the biomedicaltechnology industry and, years later, a top official with the Bureau of

Biomedicaltechnology. Throwing herself into her new position, N. meddles in a plot by a group of antitechnology dissidents to suppress the Ə, a technology that purports to improve human connectedness. The dissidents blow the whistle, provoking an investigation by a U.S. senator and crusading presidential candidate named Jeremy Sakhdvar. Their confrontation pits the regulatory deep state against big tech in a battle to a draw, settles an old romantic score, and clears the way for the Ə to change the world forever.

Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

How the Ə Got Producted by N.K. von S. is a fun satire read about an independent and passionate female protagonist and is unique in its own right.

This book is very unconventional and for that, I did enjoy reading it. It is the story of a protagonist who is trying to navigate through the difficulties of her one-sided love life while at the same time trying to fight for what she truly believes in, in her professional life. The introduction of Ə makes the story very interesting and the book then takes a turn that is both fun to read and interesting to learn about.

I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to sci-fi reads who don’t mind a romance sub-plot underlined with satire with a streak of feminism.

Book Review: The Great American Jew Novel by Michael Kornbluth

Categories Comedy, Humor, Michael KornbluthLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Great American Jew Novel by Michael Kornbluth

Author: Michael Kornbluth
Release Date: 
Genre: Family Life, Humour
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 110 pages
Publisher: 
Blurb:

The Great American Jew Novel is a religious based, midlife crisis, reinvention tale, about a 9-year old daughter who becomes her Stay At Home Comedian Dad’s Talent Agent, to ensure he doesn’t give up on making money off his special brand of funny, in his pursuit to make his Do It All Dad Year come true. Along the way, Do it All Dad develops life altering friendships with female members of the Jewy Manhattan Book Club, a Jewish Super Angel, a new age Kosher butcher from Crown Heights and his younger plant based cheese wiz inventor brother, to form the Do It All Dad Hero Kosher Cheesesteak Food Truck, which proves Do It All Dad, isn’t the last self-loving Jewish New Yorker after all.

Book Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The Great American Jew Novel by Michael Kornbluth is a heart-warming tale of exploring relationships of a father and daughter, who’s plight is also explored in trying to help her Daddy who is seemingly different from the rest and of friendships that get tested and of finding one’s self.

This is my second book by the author and I loved reading his familiar style of writing which has the quality of touching your heart without being too overdramatic and then smoothing out the potentially heavy emotions with undertones of quality humour. The characterisation was good and I loved reading about even the secondary characters. The overall concept was brilliant and enjoyed reading this book a lot.

Would definitely recommend it to everyone, no matter the genre preference. It is about relationships so I am sure most of the readers will be able to relate to this engaging book.

You can also read this review on 

Goodreads
Amazon

Book Review: Controlling My Kids With Comedy, A Love Story by Michael Kornbluth

Categories Comedy, Humor, Michael KornbluthLeave a Comment on Book Review: Controlling My Kids With Comedy, A Love Story by Michael Kornbluth

Author: Michael Kornbluth
Release Date: 13th June 2019
Genre: Satire, Humour
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 137 pages
Publisher: Stand Up Staffer
Blurb:

Controlling My Kids With Comedy, A Love Story, is a collection of essays and poems about an unplanned father of three falling for fatherhood and working from home as host of the Do It All Dad Year Podcast to score laughs with his shadow banned jokes from Twitter. Teaching us how controlling our kids through comedy, can make our kids great again. His fuss free children are living proof of it.

Book Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Controlling My Kids With Comedy, A Love Story by Michael Kornbluth is an endearing compilation of various forms of literature that were presented with an impressive sense of humour.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and ended up totally loving every bit of it! It is a short book which proved to be a very smooth read with brilliant writing accented with terrific comedy and endearing characters. The story told in pieces was excellent and had a really good sense of pacing and comic timing. I am really looking forward to reading author Kornbluth’s next book (which is already resting on my Kindle.)

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes to read quality humour.

You can also read this review on 

Goodreads
Amazon

Book Review: Tales of Adventure With Nap Lapkin by Lance Manion

Categories Comedy, Cosy, Humor, Lance ManionLeave a Comment on Book Review: Tales of Adventure With Nap Lapkin by Lance Manion

Author: Lance Manion
Release Date: 17th September 2019
Genre: Cosy Mystery, Humour, Comedy, Short Story Collection
Series:
Edition: E-book
Pages: 156
Publisher:
Blurb:
Finally! All of the stories under one cover. Nap Lapkin, America’s top agent, respected and feared by every agency in Washington, is both a lover and fighter and so much more.
And less.
But mostly more.
There can be no argument that this is the funniest book ever written.
No argument whatsoever.

REVIEW

★★★★

Tales of Adventure With Nap Lapkin by Lance Manion is a hilarious new book with a charming lead, who happens to be an agent, you will fall in love with! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book mostly because of the unique way it was written. The narration is in the second person and it completely blew my mind. The author’s sense of humour was out of the world and it made me chuckle more than a million times throughout this short and sweet book.

The lead character was very funny and I was able to form a connection with him right from the first story itself. I enjoyed all the story and surprisingly had no complaint from this book whatsoever. Again, the writing style is very unique and commendable and the author has done a brilliant job in keeping a tricky reader like me engaged throughout the book with the same level of interest I started reading this book. The stories were kind of cosies and I loved them all.

I’d highly recommend this book to all readers as you really can’t categorise such a good and read-worthy book.

You can also read this review on Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: The Slant Six by Christopher Cobb

Categories Action, Adventure, Christopher Cobb, Humor, Science-FictionLeave a Comment on Book Review: The Slant Six by Christopher Cobb
Author: Christopher Cobb
Release Date: 18th July 2017
Genre: Science-Fiction
Series: 
Edition: E-book (mobi)
Pages: 260
Publisher: Darkwater Syndicate, Inc.
Blurb:
The year is 2252 and Loman Phin is in trouble. A washed-up channelship racer turned freelancer, he hits pay dirt with his latest mission: a fortune is on the line if he can transport forty-three kilograms of human skin to a remote villa on Pluto’s moon, Nix. Little does he know his very life is at stake when he gets caught up in an ancient feud, chased by a space vampire, and forced into a death-race by the king of Ceres. Meanwhile, danger is always hot on his heels in the form of a massive space freighter out for Loman’s blood. With just his wits, his friends, and his beat-up cruiser, the Slant Six, Loman sets out on the most dangerous adventure of his life.

Review

★★★★

The Slant Six by Christopher Cobb is a unique new science-fiction book that is equal parts action and adventure.

I enjoyed this book as it was a perfect blend of sci-fi, action, adventure and humour. After the first few pages, I was hooked on to the story for good and enjoyed reading it right until the very end.

The overall characterization was good and the world-settings felt realistic. The writing was simple and easy to follow and the author’s sense of humour really shown through the entire story.

I’m not a fan of the book cover, but it does align with the central theme of the story.

I’d recommend this book to all sci-fi genre lovers.

this review is also posted on Goodreads and Amazon

Book Review: Mr. Either/Or by Aaron Poochigian

Categories Aaron Poochigian, HumorLeave a Comment on Book Review: Mr. Either/Or by Aaron Poochigian

Author: Jon Budd
Release Date: 10th October 2017
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Poetry, Humour
Edition: E-book
Pages: 184
Publisher: Etruscan Press

Rating: ★★★★+1/2

Blurb:

Aaron Poochigian’s Mr. Either/Or is an ingenious debut, a verse novel melding American mythology, noir thriller, and classical epic into gritty rhythms, foreboding overtones, and groovy jams surrounding the reader in a surreal atmosphere. Imagine Byron’s Don Juan on a high-stakes romp through a Raymond Chandler novel. Think Hamlet in Manhattan with a license to kill.

Review

Mr. Either/Or by Aaron Poochigian is a remarkably unique book that will simply blow your mind!

Initially, when I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect from it, but as I read a few pages and started getting in the flow of the writing I knew I was in for good. In spite of being written in the form of poetry, this book has all the elements that make is a complete fiction in every sense. It has a beautiful characterization adorning a dramatic storyline which is further complimented by humorous connotations,  along with some, as unusual it may seem, science-fiction details. As I said, it is a remarkably unique book.

The book is well written in the form of poetry with deliciously rhyming words and perfectly clear imagery. Moreover, beautiful characterization adorns the dramatic storyline which is further complimented by humorous connotations,  along with some, as unusual as it may seem, science-fiction details. As I said, it is a remarkably unique book.

I liked the lead characters, Zack Berzinski and Li-Ling, very much and enjoyed reading about them as well as other secondary characters as well.

Reading this book was a very enjoyable experience and I’d recommend this book to each and every reader who doesn’t want to miss out on an exceptional new book.

More from the author: Author Interview: Aaron Poochigian

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXN6i4GDcrb/?taken-by=thereadingbud

Goodreads and Amazon
(not yet available on Amazon)

Novella Review: The Birth Of An American Gigolo by Deek Rhew

Categories Books Reviews (by Author), Deek Rhew, HumorLeave a Comment on Novella Review: The Birth Of An American Gigolo by Deek Rhew

27825249Author: Deek Rhew
Release Date: January 19, 2016
Series: –
Genre: Humor 
Edition: E-book (mobi)
Pages: 99
Publisher: Tenacious Books
Source: Publicist
Buy it here: Amazon

Rating: ★★★

Blurb:

An old party girl shoehorned into domestic divaship, infuriated by her husband’s cheating and his holier-than-thou, tree-hugging, no-tits and no-hips girlfriend, inflicts her wrath by training a local boy in the fine art of seduction. She and her new boy toy turned love god start a gigolo business as a distraction for the neglected and mistreated housewives of Alabaster Cove.

Review

This book had a good storyline, but I guess it’s something that I’m not into (neither the genre nor the ideas and motivations expressed in the book.)

Being from the genre that I hardly ever read, I won’t be criticizing this book. Moreover, I’ve read some really good reviews for this book on Goodreads, so I’d say read this book if you have a little time to spare on a book that you might or might not like. I guess this is one of those books that you either like or you simply don’t.

The characters were one-dimensional and I wasn’t able to feel any real connection with anyone, as they felt rushed.

The little that I enjoyed the book was because it was a novella (only 99 pages) and had a unique story concept. All sense and logic left me around the first quarter of the book, but I kept on reading because I found the flow of the author’s writing quite smooth.

If you like this genre (or if you are a depressed lonely housewife) then you might enjoy this book, but it simply wasn’t for me.

Bookstagram

Screen Shot 2016-07-07 at 12.52.50 am

Instagram

Other Things

Opening Line: Lindsey’s nose hairs curled as the odor from the bag on the floor assaulted her.

Highlights: Writing.

Lowlights: Story.

Final Thoughts: It wasn’t for me.

You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.

Book Review: Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy by Pawan Mishra

Categories Book Reviews (by Genre), Books Reviews (by Author), Humor, Literary Fiction, Pawan MishraLeave a Comment on Book Review: Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy by Pawan Mishra

27431418Author: Pawan Mishra
Release Date: November 4, 2015
Series: Those Who Remain Trilogy
Genre: Literary Fiction | Humor
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 230
Publisher: Lune Spark LLC
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

Coinman, a junior level office worker in India, has a number of eccentricities. The laughingstock of the office, he finds no relief at home; his wife Imli, an obsessed actress, completely vanishes into each role. When tough bully, Hukum, beautiful enchantress, Tulsi, and the office sage, Ratiram, unite the office to conspire against Coinman, they have no inkling of an apocalypse looming inside the office.

Review

I rarely read literary fiction but when I was presented with an opportunity to read Coinman I thought of giving this one a try as the author is a fellow Indian. Though initially I had a few reservations about reading it, this book turned out to be a really interesting one. Coinman is a really unique read about a man who is obsessed with jingling coins.

Author Pawan Mishra has done a great job writing about a character as bizarre as Coinman and that too with dollops of sarcastic and classy humor blending it brilliantly with the main conflict of the story.

Though I’m not a huge fan of literary fiction, this book was fairly good and I enjoyed reading it. At times, I was chuckling loudly making everyone around me uncomfortable… so you can imagine how much I enjoyed it.

This book cleverly explores the day-to-day problems, faced by people who are termed as different or socially awkward by the seemingly “normal” people or the people who proudly calls themselves as extroverts, with a fine layer of sarcasm and wit to make the reading a really pleasant experience. It also covers the issue of bullying, which, I’m sure, will make many heads nod.

Overall it is a brilliant read and I’d recommend it to everyone as there are a lot of other social themes which will appeal to the masses.

Other Stuff

Opening Line: It all began with high expectations.

Highlights: Storytelling and clever use of satire and wit.

Lowlights: None.

Final Thoughts: A very well written book.

You can also read this review at Goodreads, Flipkart and Amazon.

Book Review: McCall & Company: Workman’s Complication

Categories Reviews By Contributors5 Comments on Book Review: McCall & Company: Workman’s Complication

22466395

Author: Rich Leder
Release Date: 7th September 2014
Series: McCall & Company
Genre: Mystery | Humor
Edition: mobi (Kindle)
Pages: 5448
Publisher: Laugh Riot Press
Source: Publicist
Buy it here: Amazon

Blurb

WAY-OFF BROADWAY ACTRESS. MURDERED PI FATHER. NEW DAY JOB.

Off-off-off-off Broadway actress Kate McCall inherits her father’s New York private investigations business after he’s a whole lot of murdered in a life insurance company elevator.

A concrete-carrying, ballroom-dancing construction mule says he fell off the scaffolding, can never work—or dance—again, and sues the contractor for a whole lot of money.

Kate assembles the eccentric tenants of her brownstone and her histrionic acting troupe to help her crack the cases, and they stir up a whole lot of trouble.

But not as much as Kate, who sticks her nose in the middle of the multi-million-dollar life-insurance scam her father was investigating and gets a whole lot of arrested for murdering a medical examiner.

Will Kate bust the insurance scam, prove who really killed the examiner—and her father—and get out of jail in time to pull off the ballroom sting of the decade? She might, but it’s going to be a whole lot of hilarious.

Rating

3half-stars

Review

Plot/Story:

After I read the blurb and all the reviews of this story, I was really looking forward to reading this book. However no matter how much I tried, it didn’t click for me. I really like the overall story and Kate McCall, the main character, as a single mom, actress and fighting to pay her bills. Somehow after a few chapters, it was getting hard for me to really care about what will happen next. I think the only reason I did finish the book was due to the author writing style, but everything else fell flat for me.

Characters:

Kate the main character was written truly well and you could feel her struggles and emotions as she takes her father’s job as a Private Investigator. I thought that the other characters in this story fell a bit short. But, Kate brought me till the end and I am happy that I was able to finish the story and enjoy Kate’s laughter and hurt.

Romance/Kills:

I love that this book has it all. It has love, family, true emotions and tons of good humor.

Writing:

The reason I did finish the book was due to the author writing style. I loved dialogs and the humor that Rich added all through the story. The author was able to keep the suspense throughout the entire book, but still kept it light for us to enjoy the story more.

Beginning:

The first third of the story was very slow and I did fought with it to continue reading, but as I got to know Kate more, I just really wanted to know even more about her and how she will deal with things. There were some bits of information that did not needed to be there that soon for Kate, but this confusion did not stopped me from reading.

Ending:

I loved how the story ends, just as it started and for me the story ended with good closure of the whole story.

Cover Art:

The cover art is nice and fits the story, and it has the book feel in mind very well though.

Blurb:

The blurb is nicely written and hints of the mysteries to come, very well.

You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.

Other Stuff

Opening Line: “It was harder to sing with the vampire teeth than I thought it would be.”

Highlights: For me the highlight of the story was the humor and Kate, both kept me reading and enjoying the overall story.

Lowlights: For me the other characters in the book, even Kate’s son all fell flat and I just didn’t care about them much. There were a few bits in the story that didn’t add up with the cases Kate worked on, but Kate’s true nature kept me hooked to the story.

Final Thoughts: I enjoyed reading the story and I might come back to it in some other time. It was a weird mixture of things, but by the end of the book I realized I did enjoy reading it.

Review contributor:

pics copy 2Galit Balli

I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.

I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.

Read more about Galit here.