Cyanide and Happiness by Kris Wilson, Matt Melvin, Rob DenBleyker, Dave McElfatric

Add to Goodreads

Title: Cyanide and Happiness

Author: Kris Wilson, Matt Melvin, Rob DenBleyker, Dave McElfatric

Genre: Humor

Length: 160 pages

Published: 2005

Publisher: It Books

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Introducing the first real, tangible, ignitable collection of the hit online comic Cyanide & Happiness, featuring a selection of your favorite comics and thirty brand-new strips.

From the minds of Kris, Rob, Matt, and Dave comes a barrage of irreverent entertainment sure to keep you amused until the day you die. Just see what their mothers have to say!

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This was hilarious. I read it on my kindle and some strips were hard to read because of the size of them on the page (there was no way to zoom in at all), I couldn't stop laughing. (In fact I had to keep my laughter in check as much as I could because my son was in the same room with me trying to fall asleep.) It was a super quick read. 

Be forewarned though (as they warn you in the introduction) that some people will be offended by some of the strips. If you are a fan of the comic, definitely check this printed edition out.

You can purchase Cyanide and Happiness through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Cyanide and Happiness? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

White Noise by Don DeLillo

Add to Goodreads

Title: White Noise

Author: Don DeLillo

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Satire

Length: 326 pages

Published: 1984

Publisher: Viking Books

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) A brilliant satire of mass culture and numbing effects of technology,White Noise tells the story of Jack Gladney, a teacher of Hitler studies at a liberal arts college in Middle America. Jack and his fourth wife, Babette, bound by their love, fear of death, and four ultramodern offspring, navigate the rocky passages of family life to the background babble of brand-name consumerism. Then a lethal black chemical cloud, unleashed by an industrial accident, floats over their lives, an “airborne toxic event” that is a more urgent and visible version of the white noise engulfing the Gladneys—the radio transmissions, sirens, microwaves, and TV murmurings that constitute the music of American magic and dread.

My Review:

I give this book a 4 out of 5. 

This was...bizarre. I don't think I've read a book this odd in a long time - probably not since I read Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk at the beginning of the year. Strangely enough, the oddity of the book is exactly what made me like it.

The conversations that take place throughout the book and even just the general narrative are stilted. This adds an extra layer of bizarre to the story - just sort of makes you keep thinking and wondering what other strange thing is going to happen. 

The story is told in the voice of the main character J.A.K. Gladney (or Jack) who is a college professor that lectures solely on Hitler. He tells about his strange life, his many wives, his children, his step-children, and his colleagues. These tidbits of information about his family and himself are interspersed throughout the whole novel.

The book is in three parts: Waves and Radiation; The Airborne Toxic Event; and Dylarama. The first part gives basic background information on the narrator, his wife, their family, and a friend of his. Throughout this you see hints of events to come: his wife is on some mystery medication, the family watches as a train spills a toxic substance into the soil and air. The second part delves into the evacuation that happens because of the toxic substance. And the third part draws to a conclusion the events after that toxic spill and what happens with the mysterious medication that Babette (his wife) is on. 

The most maddening part of this book was the sheer amount of denial the narrator is in. But considering his other issues, it just seems to fit with the whole scheme of things. All in all, this was a decent book and definitely worth the read if you enjoy bizarre stories.

You can purchase White Noise through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read White Noise? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Add to Goodreads

Title: Animal Farm

Author: George Orwell

Genre: Political Satire

Length: 141 pages

Published: 1945 (original) 1996 (version I read)

Publisher: Signet

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) As ferociously fresh as it was more than a half century ago, this remarkable allegory of a downtrodden society of overworked, mistreated animals and their quest to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality is one of the most scathing satires ever published. As readers witness the rise and bloody fall of the revolutionary animals, they begin to recognize the seeds of totalitarianism in the most idealistic organization and in the most charismatic leaders, the souls of the cruelest oppressors.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This was excellent! I am kicking myself for not reading it earlier in life. I could not stop reading it (which is a change from 1984 which took me forever to finish even though I was completely loving the plot). I found it amusing and terribly sad at the same time. It really shows how people (and animals) change when they are placed in positions of power. Definitely a must read for anyone who likes a good political satire.

You can purchase Animal Farm through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Animal Farm? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Candide by Voltaire

Add to Goodreads

Title: Candide

Author: Voltaire

Genre: Classic Literature, Satire

Length: 122 pages

Published: 1981 (originally 1759)

Publisher: Bantam Books

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Brought up in the household of a powerful Baron, Candide is an open-minded young man, whose tutor, Pangloss, has instilled in him the belief that 'all is for the best'. But when his love for the Baron's rosy-cheeked daughter is discovered, Candide is cast out to make his own way in the world.

And so he and his various companions begin a breathless tour of Europe, South America and Asia, as an outrageous series of disasters befall them - earthquakes, syphilis, a brush with the Inquisition, murder - sorely testing the young hero's optimism.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

I've always found that older classic novels are harder to read - mostly because of the vernacular used, the way language/slang/etc have changed in the last couple hundred years, etc.; so I wasn't really sure what to expect when I picked up Candide. When I saw the length, I was like, OK this has promise to be a very easy, quick read. And it was. I literally read it in a couple hours. 

I've always heard people mention Voltaire and thought that his writing would be dull. But that was not the case! This book was witty, humorous, philosophical, and definitely not the dry literature I thought it would be. Definitely pick this up if you want a quick, witty read!

You can purchase Candide through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Candide? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres

Add to Goodreads

Title: Seriously...I'm Kidding

Author: Ellen Degeneres

Genre: Humor and Satire

Length: 241 pages

Published: 2011

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) "Sometimes the greatest things are the most embarrassing." Ellen Degeneres' winning, upbeat candor has made her show one of the most popular, resilient and honored daytime shows on the air. (To date, it has won no fewer than 31 Emmys.) Seriously... I'm Kidding, Degeneres' first book in eight years, brings us up to date about the life of a kindhearted woman who bowed out of American Idol because she didn't want to be mean. Lively; hilarious; often sweetly poignant.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

I remember watching the show Ellen when I was a teenager. I remember being both surprised and sad that her show was cancelled not long after she came out - both in real life and as a character in her show. I've always harbored a love for her humor, and this book did not disappoint. I have to admit I haven't really watched her talk show and I don't pay too much attention to celebrity news, so I didn't even realize that this was her third book! I definitely intend on reading the other two at some point.

This book was more than funny - it was hilarious. As I was reading, I could "hear" Ellen's voice. It reads like she talks, and that makes it all the better. I'm looking forward to grabbing her first two books!

You can purchase Seriously...I'm Kidding through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Seriously...I'm Kidding? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut

Add to Goodreads

Title: Galapagos

Author: Kurt Vonnegut

Genre: Science Fiction

Length: 324 pages

Published: 1999 (version I read, originally 1985)

Publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Galápagos takes the reader back one million years, to A.D. 1986. A simple vacation cruise suddenly becomes an evolutionary journey. Thanks to an apocalypse, a small group of survivors stranded on the Galápagos Islands are about to become the progenitors of a brave, new, and totally different human race. In this inimitable novel, America’s master satirist looks at our world and shows us all that is sadly, madly awry–and all that is worth saving.

My Review:

I give this book a 4 out of 5. 

I've only read two Vonnegut books (this and Slaughterhouse-Five), and I still can't decide if I absolutely love him or just kind of like him. I definitely understand his humor and enjoy it. 

The narrator is probably my favorite character. Mostly because he's a ghost. He's omniscient. He's also the son of Kilgore Trout, the science fiction writer talked about in Slaughterhouse-Five. In fact, I have it on good authority that Kilgore Trout is mentioned in some way or appears in most of Vonnegut's books. I enjoy this literary device: having a character that shows up in most of your books. Trout is to Kurt Vonnegut what Flagg is to Stephen King.

Definitely a must read if you enjoy humor, science fiction, or have read anything by Vonnegut!

You can purchase Galapagos through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Galapagos? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting by Bunmi Laditan

Add to Goodreads

Title: The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting

Author: Bunmi Laditan

Genre: Humor, Parenting

Length: 256 pages

Published: 2013

Publisher: Scribner

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Bracingly candid, sweetly indignant, and writing with an unchecked sense of entitlement, the Internet’s wildly popular Honest Toddler delivers a guide to the parenting techniques he deems acceptable (keep the cake coming and the apple juice undiluted).

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

The Honest Toddler is a blog where all sorts of topics are raised from a toddler's point of view. Finally, many of the Honest Toddler's stories are available in print. I was lucky enough to win a copy through a Goodreads Giveaway, and I've finally gotten around to reading it.

I could not stop laughing. As the parent of a toddler, this "guide" to parenting from the view of a toddler could not resonate more truly with me. This book is perfect for the parent of a toddler, soon to be toddler, or even a child out of toddlerhood. You have to have a good sense of humor to deal with a toddler to begin with, and this just pulls from those experiences and allows you to look back on what your own toddler has done in the past. 

I recommend this for anyone who is a parent, is thinking of being a parent or is about to become a parent. So basically everyone. Now I'd better go, it's time to pay homage to my own toddler and give him whatever he needs to stop that annoying loud response of his: probably a hug or ice cream. 

You can purchase The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Goodnight Bush: A Parody by Gan Golan & Erich Origen

Add to Goodreads

Title: Goodnight Bush: A Parody

Author: Gan Golan & Erich Origen

Genre: Political Satire

Length: 48 pages

Published: 2008

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Brief Synopsis: A parody of the children's book, Goodnight Moon, which highlights events from George W. Bush's presidency.

My Review:

I give this book a 4 out of 5. 

A short, poignant summary of George W. Bush's time as President of the United States. It was an adorable little parody. 

You can purchase Goodnight Bush: A Parody through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Goodnight Bush: A Parody? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.