May 19

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Whether heading out on vacation or recalling trips of the past, readers will find “The Traveler’s Advisory” amusing and entertaining, as it covers domestic and international journeys and the challenges that often go along with them. Featuring brief commentary side-by-side with clever and distinctive imagery, this new book provides much-needed advice for the inevitable confrontations with language, food, unexpected turns of events and much more.

Written by Jessica Lehrer, Rick Lightstone and Alice Murray, “Traveler’s Advisory”proves that laughter is indeed a universal language, and the tidbits of advice they dispense on international travel would come in handy for any traveler. Those who have ever missed a bus, received a completely different meal than the one ordered at a restaurant, attempted to get medical attention without knowing the language of the local physicians, or (whether by design or compromise) brought the kids along on a lengthy, complicated trip, will find catharsis in laughter-or perhaps some important preventative tips-in the 144-page “Traveler’s Advisory.”

“The effective combination of modern graphic design, witty adages and engaging photography makes for a book that is certain to resonate with anyone that has ever taken a trip, anywhere, anytime, and with any degree of success or failure,” said Buzz Poole, managing editor at Mark Batty Publisher. “Every scenario illustrated in words and photos in this colorful book is inspired by the human urge, for better or worse, to experience something new and different,” Poole said. “Sometimes the experiences work out. Sometimes they don’t. This book covers all of it-mostly those that don’t.”

Sep 10

The Art of the South African InsultExcerpted from Sarah Britten’s The Art of the South African Insult

Choking on broccoli
Chris Chameleon once said that singing in Afrikaans was like choking on broccoli. Nobody seemed to mind as much, though, as they did when the Bible of global cool, Wallpaper magazine, described Afrikaans as “one of the world’s ugliest languages” in its September 2005 edition.

Johan Rupert, who is also the CEO of Richemont, responded by withdrawing millions of pounds of advertising for some of the world’s most desirable brands, effectively telling this nauseatingly self-regarding bunch of ponces to stick their Philippe Starck up their Rem Koolhaas. In our globalised society, Rupert showed us that the best way to get your own back is to use your status as a captain of industry at the helm of a huge marketing budget to further your own personal agenda. It makes more sense than writing letters to the Sunday Times.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before Steve Hofmeyr, having fathered half the Afrikaner nation (Wie’s jou papa? as the jokes go), crowned himself defender of the volk. Thus Afrikaners now have a choice, if one can call it that, between Steve and the Don of Dainfern, Dan Roodt. At least Dan wouldn’t be caught dead in a brown patchwork leather jacket. Continue reading »

Jul 24

The Art of the South African InsultThe anti-apartheid activist and Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs once said, “Humour is one of the great solvents of democracy … It is an elixir of constitutional health”.

The Art of the South African Insult is an exploration of South Africa through the prism of the insult. The chapters cover everything from our history to ethnic insults, sport, politics, religion and other aspects of life. South Africa may not possess an Oscar Wilde of our own, but our insults measure up to the most devastating the world has to offer.

We have a rich vocabulary of rude words; our public life is filled with moegoes and foot-in-mouth disease rages through the land. Our languages are rich and expressive. Zulu and Afrikaans are the best languages to use for insulting, says the popular columnist Fred Khumalo. “Only in Zulu (and possibly in Afrikaans) can you swear in a manner that drives the fear of God into your adversary’s heart.” Continue reading »

Jun 20

Funny Business: Moguls, Mobsters, Megastars, And the Mad, Mad World of the Ad GameMany ‘Captains of industry’ have committed their innermost thoughts to books after they have retired. Many of these books are insightful, and educational, but generally speaking they are dry and boring, unless you have a specific interest in their company or industry.

Allen Rosenshine, author of  Funny Business: Moguls, Mobsters, Megastars, And the Mad, Mad World of the Ad Game, is the exception to this rule.  This guy could easily climb up on the stage of your local ‘Improv’ and do a 20 minute stand alone comedy routine.

OK, so who is Allen Rosenshine? He is not someone that you would likely know unless you are in the advertising business, but as the head man at BBDO and later Omnicon, this was the man in charge of the worlds most influential advertising agency.

Allen has produced a book of 2-3 page vignettes, some are rueful and thought provoking, but the vast majority are just downright gut busting funny. It is hard to pick my favorites, they are all my favorites. Allen is not shy about sharing his most embarrassing moments, and he has plenty of them. Continue reading »

Mar 21

Best of Friends
by Sherry Brantley

Best of FriendsMeet the “Fabulous Five:” Elizabeth–Going back home for her mothers’ funeral. Will she be able to “keep the peace,” or will she succumb to the depths of negative behaviors she left behind years ago?

Kim Worthy–An optimist who prefers to start people off with an “A” and hopes they don’t earn an “E” in her record book. Will dating Dale lead to another dead-end romance?

Purchase Best of Friends from Amazon.com and discover your own Fabulous Five!

Kiona Stone–A sassy woman, who has spent her life using men for what pleasures she could derive from them. Will she now share a life with Wayne? Or will she decide she likes her lifestyle to remain fancy-free?

Angela Jackson–AJ thought she’d married the perfect mate. Until she discovered he had a severe case of OBP-Obsessive Behavior Pattern. With this discovery, what will she do?

Quineeta Davis–The quintessential single woman. She discovers she may want, but not necessarily need a full-time relationship. Now faced with the possibility of breast cancer, will she decide that one is truly a lonely number? Continue reading »

Mar 21

The Next Thing on My List
by Jill Smolinski

The Next Thing on My List: A NovelMeet June Parker.  She works for L.A. Rideshare, adores her rent-stabilized apartment in Santa Monica, and struggles with losing a few pesky pounds.

But June’s life is about to change. 

After a dark turn of events involving Weight Watchers, a chili recipe and a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June finds herself in possession of a list, “20 Things to Do By My 25th Birthday.”  Even though they barely knew each other, June is compelled by both guilt and a desire to set things right to finish the list for Marissa.

Purchase The Next Thing on My List: A Novel from Amazon.com. Then, consider starting your own Life List!

The tasks before her range from inspiring (Run a 5K), to daring (Go braless), to near-impossible (Change someone’s life), and as June races to achieve each goal before the deadline, she learns more about her own life than she ever bargained for. Continue reading »

Feb 22

By Tim Phelan

Romance, Riches, and Restrooms: A Cautionary Tale of Ambitious Dreams and Irritable BowelsWhat could possibly be worse than being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on a California freeway and realizing that your irritable bowel syndrome is kicking in full force with no restroom options in sight? How about having the girl of your dreams, who is unaware of your condition, in the seat next to you?

This, as well as many other equally embarrassing situations are detailed in Tim Phelan’s book, Romance, Riches, and Restrooms. A Cautionary Tale of Ambitious Dreams and Irritable Bowels.

Set amid the rigid expectations of a polite society where mentioning bodily functions is taboo, Romance, Riches, and Restrooms is a tragically hilarious memoir about one man’s desperate quest to conceal and conquer irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) before he becomes a penniless hermit.
Continue reading »

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