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[Melki]

Joel wrote: "Hope all our Humour Club Yankee Doodle Dandies had a good Memorial Day."

I spent the day trying to stay cool and not get sunburned . . . without actually going inside the house. I figure I'll be trapped indoors the next four days at work, dammit, I'm going to enjoy the outdoors, like it or not.

[Joel]

Melki wrote: "Joel wrote: "Hope all our Humour Club Yankee Doodle Dandies had a good Memorial Day."

I spent the day trying to stay cool and not get sunburned . . . without actually going inside the house. I fig..."

Skin is so overrated.

[James]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I just wanted to thank those members of Goodreads who have been kind enough to rate my comedy novel, 'The Alienated Assassin'. From 5- down to 2-star ratings, I'm grateful to you all for taking the time. I haven't had any one-star ratings yet - but I'm sure it will happen! However, they all mean something - even if it's just that I need to work harder. So thank you all, again, I am genuinely grateful.

[Joel]

I just saw that the guy who stabbed Salman Rushdie only read two pages of The Satanic Verses. Sadly, that would qualify him to post a negative review on Amazon.

[Joel]

Our heartfelt Humour Club condolences to all our British members, and to everyone else who mourn the loss of the Queen. She was a truly majestic individual.

[Melki]

Joel wrote: "Our heartfelt Humour Club condolences to all our British members, and to everyone else who mourn the loss of the Queen. She was a truly majestic individual."

One of my coworkers is a huge Anglophile. He is dressed in black, and live-streaming coverage on BBC. He really should be working . . .

[Martin]

cryptocurrencies etc.

An article in the current British consumers' journal "Which?" discusses the rise and fall of cryptocurrencies, non fungible tokens (NFTs) etc.

It set me thinking about the strange ways in which folk spend ('invest') their money. NFTs, bitcoin, etc seem to have no intrinsic value. How much they change hands for seems to depend entirely on how much the majority are willing to pay, and if the majority decide that they will not buy any more, the price must drop and 'investors' will lose out.

In some ways most of the things we buy long term could come into this class, but conventionally gold bars, houses, land and even antique automobiles have been regarded as stable investments.

I find the fine art market weird. The TV programme 'Fake or Fortune' is a splendid example. If a painting or other work of art can, without doubt, be established as the work of a world-admired artist its value will be in the six or seven figure bracket. Without a proven provenance the identical painting is only valued at a few hundred or maybe a thousand pounds/dollars/euros. The work in question remains the same: not one molecule is different, whether painted by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Rembrant etc or by some nonentity. Surely we should be valuing such works of art for their visible merit? To pay a million for a painting is just buying an association with some famous artist. One is not buying the painting for its own merit.

Apologies. Nothing humorous here. I suppose I should have posted this rant elsewhere....

[Joel]

So, what's everybody reading these days?

[Melki]

Joel wrote: "So, what's everybody reading these days?"

I've been reading, and LOVING, the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman which features a a group of septuagenarians who solve murder after murder . . . all while evading Death's scythe themselves. I'm on book three now, and I adore the author's sense of humor.

[Joel]

Since watching Dark Winds, I've been devouring Tony Hillerman books. Not humorous, but they've kept me off the streets.

[Martin]

A recent broadcast mentioned Thomas Hardy, so I thought I should try to read one of his classics: 'Far from the madding crowd'. Omg, so many words, mostly pointless words. Rambling (and to me boring) attempts to describe a scene. Why the compulsion to use so many archaic or rare words? Who would use 'thesmothete' or 'Laodicean neutrality' even in his day? Lawrence Durrell was occasionally guilty of this. Perhaps to demonstrate their erudition. I am struggling to finish the book, but I can't promise. The story itself does not arouse much interest in me.

[Melki]

Martin wrote: "A recent broadcast mentioned Thomas Hardy, so I thought I should try to read one of his classics: 'Far from the madding crowd'. Omg, so many words, mostly pointless words. Rambling (and to me borin..."

I had to read that for a book club, For the entire discussion I referred to it as "Far from the Maddening Crowd" because that made it seem more idyllic. I've since done my best to forget it, but I have to agree with you on the unnecessary wordiness.

Here's a paragraph from my review:

It's sort of wordy. Okay, it's really wordy. Near the beginning, there are two entire pages that could easily be summed up as: It was night. The stars were bright. Farmer Oak played his flute.

[Martin]

Yes, Melkie, I had noticed your review of 2016 and added a comment agreeing with you. I am still reading it, reluctantly. The central character, Bathsheeba, seems fundamentally un-likeable.

[Melki]

Martin wrote: "Yes, Melkie, I had noticed your review of 2016 and added a comment agreeing with you. I am still reading it, reluctantly. The central character, Bathsheeba, seems fundamentally un-likeable."

She certainly doesn't make me want to meet any of his other characters. And, I say put it aside if you're not enjoying it. Why waste the time?

[Joel]

I just started re-reading the 5-volume Hitchhiker series for the umpteenth time. I needed a little light in my life.

[Rebecca]

Melki, thanks for the tip--I'm going to check out the Thursday Murder Club.
Joel, I am about due for a Douglas Adams revisit :)

Yes, I am still here, still alive, and still reading, though not much that's humorous these days. I've been learning about transgenderism, and coping with autism along with with Katherine May. In between I reread children's books to soothe my brain. It's been a busy year.

[Martin]

Melki wrote: "She certainly doesn't make me want to meet any of his other characters. And, I say put it aside if you're not enjoying it. Why waste the time?"

You're right, I cannot finish it. While I await the appearance of the latest Vera Stanhope thriller from Ann Cleeves in a charity/thrift shop, I have fallen back on Stephen Pile's merry The Book of Heroic Failures. See my review.

[Melki]

Martin wrote: "Melki wrote: "She certainly doesn't make me want to meet any of his other characters. And, I say put it aside if you're not enjoying it. Why waste the time?"

You're right, I cannot finish it. Whil..."

OOo - Vera Stanhope has been recommended to me numerous times. I'm looking forward to starting that series.

[Gary]

My kindle is full of inexpensive novels that I read 20 to 30 pages of and chose to go no further. And some of them were purportedly best sellers. I don't care. It's called having standards

[Joel]

Has anyone else noticed there's rather a dearth of new funny fiction coming from significant publishers? It seems like the only things even remotely humorous these days are romantic comedies, and those aren't exactly universally appealing. These days, I wonder if even old PG could get published.

[Melki]

Joel wrote: "Has anyone else noticed there's rather a dearth of new funny fiction coming from significant publishers? These days, I wonder if even old PG could get published. "

These days, I'm willing to bet he couldn't.

Sad to say, there doesn't seem to be much demand for written humor. Comedy films and TV shows seem to do okay, but books? Nope. At the library where I work, we have very little in our "humor" section, and it seldom goes out. Even the "classics" like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett languish on the shelves. And, Wodehouse? He was withdrawn years ago.

Maybe everyone should start writing for Netflix . . . ?

[James]

James wrote: "Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I just wanted to thank those members of Goodreads who have been kind enough to rate my comedy novel, 'The Alienated Assassin'. From 5- down to ..."

Got your book on my Kindle!

[James]

Martin wrote: "A recent broadcast mentioned Thomas Hardy, so I thought I should try to read one of his classics: 'Far from the madding crowd'. Omg, so many words, mostly pointless words. Rambling (and to me borin..."

I regret that I must be a literary Philistine. I have found the 'classics' and the 'great authors' disappointing. Faulkner, Williams, incredibly depressing. Add Steinbeck to that group. Why, in world full of depressing events, would I willingly read about more?

[James]

Joel wrote: "I just started re-reading the 5-volume Hitchhiker series for the umpteenth time. I needed a little light in my life."

I've always loved Adams's absurd viewpoint.

[Joel]

Alas, it's come to this:
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023...

[Martin]

Joel wrote: "Alas, it's come to this:
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023..."

Alas, indeed. When so many standard books are being rewritten to remove what some snowflake might consider a trigger word, one is not surprised to read that Winnie the Pooh is also being banned (in China!)

What would these bowdlerisers make of the last book that I really enjoyed? Spike Milligan's "Mussolini: his part in my downfall". Apart from some serious accounts of warfare in Italy, the book is awash with politically incorrect jokes about race, women, jews, sex, looting, civilians and almost everything else. It made me laugh again and again.

[Rebecca]

Who is behind this bowderlization? Because they blame it on "woke" sensibilities, but it generally isn't the left that wants books removed (or edited).

Apropos of that, I'm hoping to get my Ninja Librarian books banned somewhere, as it has occurred to me that you could easily (and maybe correctly?) read the narrator as trans.

[Melki]

Rebecca wrote: ". . . I'm hoping to get my Ninja Librarian books banned somewhere, as it has occurred to me that you could easily (and maybe correctly?) read the narrator as trans. "

Maybe you could have "them" participate in a drag queen story hour whilst drinking Bud Light . . .

[Rebecca]

Melki wrote: "Rebecca wrote: ". . . I'm hoping to get my Ninja Librarian books banned somewhere, as it has occurred to me that you could easily (and maybe correctly?) read the narrator as trans. "

Maybe you cou..."

And eating M & Ms?

[Joel]

Rebecca wrote: "Who is behind this bowderlization? Because they blame it on "woke" sensibilities, but it generally isn't the left that wants books removed (or edited).

Apropos of that, I'm hoping to get my Ninja..."

Good luck with that!

[Joel]

Rebecca wrote: "Melki wrote: "Rebecca wrote: ". . . I'm hoping to get my Ninja Librarian books banned somewhere, as it has occurred to me that you could easily (and maybe correctly?) read the narrator as trans. "
..."

Wait a minute -what's wrong with M&Ms?????

[Rebecca]

Joel wrote: "Wait a minute -what's wrong with M&Ms?????."

Something about them using an advertising cartoon that looks trans or something. I'm not clear, myself. Just know that there was a stink from the right.

[Melki]

Joel wrote: "Wait a minute -what's wrong with M&Ms?????"

Apparently the purple one's a lesbian, and Tucker Carlson found the green one sexually attractive.

[Joel]

Melki wrote: "Joel wrote: "Wait a minute -what's wrong with M&Ms?????"

Apparently the purple one's a lesbian, and Tucker Carlson found the green one sexually attractive."

As Kermit pointed out, it isn't easy being green.

[Melki]

Ole Tucker's not the only Republican who loves candy-coated chocolate

[Balthazar]

Let the canine AI revolution begin. www.buyintuipet.com

[Joel]

It just took me about twenty minutes to log into Goodreads, verifying I wasn't a robot or something. Anyone else experiencing this?

[Melki]

Joel wrote: "It just took me about twenty minutes to log into Goodreads, verifying I wasn't a robot or something. Anyone else experiencing this?"

I haven't had that problem, but I'm getting mighty sick of having to verify my email address before I can make a comment in a group, or on my own damn review. I've used the same email since I joined in 2011.

[Rebecca]

The above comments, and how long they've sat there without comment (or even a look, from me) raised the real question: is GR dead?

[Joel]

Rebecca wrote: "The above comments, and how long they've sat there without comment (or even a look, from me) raised the real question: is GR dead?"

I've wondered the same thing. It definitely smells funny.

[Rebecca]

Joel wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "The above comments, and how long they've sat there without comment (or even a look, from me) raised the real question: is GR dead?"

I've wondered the same thing. It definitely smells funny."

Given how much time I've spent on the trail lately, I just assumed that smell was my socks.

[Jesse]

Hi,

I've got free review copies of my book if anyone would like one. The style is British satirical humour.

You can find out more here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/George-Barry...

Let me know if you would like a copy.

Thanks,

Jesse

[Howard]

Hi Arastu

I've written a trilogy, taking my live experiences as a pilot and member of flying clubs over 21yrs, and turned them into a fictional comedy.
Learning to fly
Going solo
Final approach
all available on Amazon, but I warn you they are a bit rude.
Cheers
Howard

[Howard]

Hi Arastu

Sorry to hear that.

Contact me on howard@g3ves.uk and I'll email you the books in pdf form.

Cheers

Howard

[E.A.]

Arastu wrote: "Hello! Anyone got any good funny books? I wanna read some as I just finished Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome.
Thanks!
-AG"I normally write mysteries but I did tackle the humor genre when I wrote "Women 101". It's about a father who gives his son dating advice. It should be available on the Amazon.in website. Just search for "Briginshaw" in the Amazon search box.

[Dave]

Hi Arastu,
I just released book 3 of the Urban Legion Trilogy. The series is a satirical thriller where urban legend survivors battle the pervasive Corporation behind all sorts of evil (in a funny way) stuff. I checked Amazon India and it's available there.
Dave Agans
Arastu wrote: "Hello! Anyone got any good funny books? I wanna read some as I just finished Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome.
Thanks!
-AG"

[Dave]

Arastu,
Look up The Urban Legion.
Dave
Arastu wrote: "Dave wrote: "Hi Arastu,
I just released book 3 of the Urban Legion Trilogy. The series is a satirical thriller where urban legend survivors battle the pervasive Corporation behind all sorts of evil..."

[Mark]

Arastu wrote: "Hello! Anyone got any good funny books? I wanna read some as I just finished Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome.
Thanks!
-AG"

Hi Arastu, assuming you are not snowed under with novels at this point, I have a satire fiction I would love to send in exchange for a review. See my profile for further details of the book, and then DM me if you would like a digital copy.

Same for anyone else in here who appreciates satire.

[Mark]

On it's way to you, ser! Thank you for your interest.

[Peter]

A friend of mine (sadly no longer with us) once told me that, in order to get into the mood for the novel he was reading, he would imbibe a drink that was specific to that book.
So while he was reading Ian Fleming's Casino Royale he would sip at a Vesper Martini (shaken, not stirred), and he would be quietly tasting a Gimlet (half gin; half Rose's lime juice) whilst strolling through The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler.
Fighting his way through Alan Sillitoe's Saturday Night And Sunday Morning, he would drink copious mugs of tea during the daylight hours and eight pints of 'Shippos' after dark (and then fall downstairs).
I never asked him if he had ever read Bram Stoker's Dracula...