Tag Archives: humor

The Melancholy Strumpet Master by Zeb Beck Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

An academic and anthropologist works to help shed a light on the lives of Tijuana streetwalkers for his dissertation in author Zen Beck’s “The Melancholy Strumpet Master”.

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The Synopsis

Will Gilmore Crowell’s humble member cross the line separating academic integrity from disgrace? Only if by doing so it can help others.

Every weekend, Gilmore Crowell crosses the border into Tijuana’s redlight district. He’s not there for sex; he’s there to save his failing academic career.

Gil’s anthropological study of Tijuana streetwalkers had his dissertation advisor cheering him on. But that was years ago, before his best sources up and vanished. Now, with no connection to the sex worker community, his research has stalled and the faculty elders are about to kick him out of the grad program. Plus, he’s broke.

He takes a job teaching at a juvenile detention center. The steady income gives him the means to keep making his weekly trips across the border. Now he’s paying the girls to speak with him. In a sudden moment of insight, he realizes that giving them something besides cold hard cash might help him forge a new inroad to the community. But do they want what he’s offering?

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The Review

This is a marvelous and thoughtful approach to dark humor. The author found a balance between the academic side of the narrative and the humorous side with the protagonist’s interactions with his colleagues and the street workers he interacts with. The setting took on a life of its own, not only with the back and forth over the border that the protagonist took part in, but the era of 2002, with some great references and language that made the reader feel transported back to that time period. 

The heart of the narrative rested in the powerful themes and hilarious dialogue between the characters. The duality of the character Gil will stay with readers long after the book finishes, as the author does a wonderful job of highlighting the pressures of academia and the hardships of tough work environments with the added pressure of studying the life of Hispanic street workers and the shady realities that plague those in the field, and the humorous situations that arise as a result of those two worlds colliding. Readers see this early on, as a rough night for Gil results in an early collision with LAPD officers and a neighbor willing to go to extreme lengths to get him out of trouble. 

The Verdict

Memorable, hilarious, yet poignant and well-written, author Zeb Beck’s “The Melancholy Strumpet Master” is a must-read dark comedy. The theme of class systems clashing with one another and the humorous dialogue that brings Gil’s hardships and struggles to a head in this book will keep readers hanging off of the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Zeb Beck lives in Los Angeles with his lovely wife and difficult pets. He likes and dislikes the same things you do.

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Meth Murder & Amazon (A Humorous Real-Life Nightmare) by G.S. Gerry Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A family man goes to extreme links to buy low and sell high, and finds himself immersed into a world of drugs, assassins, and mayhem in the process in author G.S. Gerry’s “Meth Murder & Amazon”, the first book in A Humorous Real Life Nightmare series. 

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The Synopsis

An urban legend is born when the body of an unidentified child is found under the bed during an open house. Alive or dead? Murder or myth?

Derald Grake destroys his life the moment he decides to sell the family home. After capturing the American dream, this father of 4 hopes to solve the complex formula of buying low and selling high. Witness one ‘normal’ family embark on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey involving, among other surprises, assassins, meth, murder, and the end of Amazon.

Wrapped inside this intriguing mystery are eye witness accounts and compelling evidence to separate truth from fantasy. Follow the clues, sort through the lies, and put the pieces together of this twisted reality.

From award winning author and visionary creator G. S. Gerry comes the critically acclaimed debut Meth Murder & Amazon.

A humorous, suspense filled roller coaster that goes downhill as quickly as a methamphetamine rush. This plot twisting symphony of laughter, absurdity, & betrayal will leave you speechless. Wondering how far one father will go to rescue his family from the unthinkable.

Author G. S. Gerry presents a witty, gripping read that will keep you guessing and pulls you to the edge of your seat until the very end. Quirky and utterly unique, Buying and Selling will never be the same again!

Fans of Hunter S. Thompson (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) and Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club, Stranger than Fiction) won’t be able to put down this adrenaline-charged thrill ride

Bookbaby.com helping independents – whether authors, publishers, musicians, filmmakers, or small businesses – bring their creative efforts to the marketplace.

The Review

This was a truly humorous and captivating read. The author’s use of outrageous modern-day horrors and criminal activity to mirror the process of selling a home, keeping your family together, and making a place in the world that is forever changing and becoming more and more cutthroat, made this a truly stellar read filled with imagery and atmosphere that made it easy to get lost in.

What stood out to me was the author’s unique writing style. Instantly the writing becomes unique, with purposely misspelled words and phrasing of the characters’ names and places that keep the world abstract while also giving readers a sense of relatability to the protagonists. The almost poetic style of writing also really spoke to me, as it showcased the artistry and connectivity of both the narrative and the themes themselves.

The Verdict

Memorable, captivating, and engaging, author G.S. Gerry’s “Meth Murder & Amazon” is a must-read suspense thriller that meets humorous dark comedy with a PG feel to the narrative. The twists and turns in these characters’ journeys and the poetic nature of the author’s writing style really keep the reader invested in these powerful themes and moving words. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

G. S. Gerry is the award-winning author of Meth Murder & Amazon. He is a father of 5, Navy veteran, cybersecurity expert, and tattoo enthusiast that is reinventing the art of storytelling and writing wrongs along the way. Gerry’s original writing style has been compared to the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Chuck Palahniuk and Lemony Snicket. His books are quirky and utterly unique, jam-packed with humor, suspense, and satire. Gerry grew up in the world of books working for his father’s book bindery business when he was just a child. Little did he know the literary universe had something more in store for his life.

G. S. Gerry’s creations offer an escape from life’s harsh realities by providing a hilarious perspective in turning lemons into lemonade. Constructing a world where the unbelievable seems made up and yet, oddly relatable. Gerry’s visionary approach towards life, laughter and entertainment bridges comedy and originality with memorable creations, leaving no stone unturned to help others laugh their way to a better today.

Check out G. S. Gerry and exclusive M.M.A. content on https://grakeden.com 

Love and Marriage: Cartoons About Imperfect People Managing Their Most Important Relationships by Art Hartz Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Art Hartz takes readers on a humorous journey through cartoons to showcase the ways in which human nature and the culture we live in contribute to relationship issues in the book “Love and Marriage: Cartoons About Imperfect People Managing Their Most Important Relationships”.

The Synopsis

Problems with dating and marriage are often about nothing, which can be funny if they don’t involve you. Fortunately, you are not involved in the problems shown in this book so you might enjoy the humor. Also, fortunately, you probably have had similar problems so that you will relate to and understand many of the cartoons. The problems presented are not the big ones with names like infidelity, money, illness, or booze. They are the little ones without names that can happen many times a day to couples who are doing well. No books or psychological counselors worth their salt even deal with problems at this level. However, the problems are annoying, and as long as they’re around we might as well make lemonade out of these lemons and have a good laugh and maybe a little more insight.

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The Review

This was a genuinely hilarious and insightful comic book anthology delving into relationships and sexual attraction. The varying styles of comic illustrations and the adult-driven, “Sunday newspaper feeling”, aesthetic of the book itself made the lessons and insights the author gave feel more light and relatable. The fast pace of the book and the rich atmosphere that the blend of illustration and witty dialogue brings to the narratives made this collection fly by.

For me, the great thing about this book stemmed from the author’s commentary on not only relationships and sexual attraction in general, but the social commentary and everyday social lessons that people have to learn as they live their lives. From the ways in which men and women are judged physically to the unnecessary character flaws that some people will put up with as opposed to politeness and caring personalities, the author explores these themes and lessons in a humorous and charming way through these illustrations, making this book’s message feel truly impactful.

The Verdict

Captivating, engaging, and thoughtful in its approach, author Art Hartz’s “Love and Marriage: Cartoons About Imperfect People Managing Their Most Important Relationships” is a must-read collection of comics and relationship humor. The fast pace of the read itself and the spirit the author is able to relay to keep the insights and lessons fresh on the page were memorable to read and really helped elevate the themes found in this collection overall. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

After retiring from a career as a medical researcher, Arthur Hartz worked with a team of artists to produce a series of cartoon books, the Slings and Arrows of Mundane Fortune. Slings and arrows in the title of this series refers to the daily attacks most people face on their self-esteem and relationships. From a distance these attacks are interesting and often funny. Four books have been completed with cartoons and aphorisms grouped according to the sources of the slings and arrows:

1. Winners and Losers, Heretical Cartoons About the American Religion of Winning

2. The Autumn Years, Cartoons from the Front Lines of the Battle Against Aging

3. Love and Marriage, Cartoons About Imperfect People Managing Their Most Important Relationship

4. Friendship, How Hard Can That Be

The talented artistic team for the series of cartoon books includes Aleksandar Jovic from Serbia, Mike Wolfe from Salt Lake City, and Heroud Ramos from Peru. Hartz describes what he wants, the artists draw what they like, and then they work it out — amicably.

Dr. Hartz was born in Baltimore; raised in Farmington, New Mexico, and worked in medical schools in Milwaukee, Iowa City, and Salt Lake City. Currently he and his wife, Ellen, live in St. Louis. He enjoys his grandchildren and talking to people in Latin America who can tolerate his Spanish.

https://mundanefortune.com/

My Human ATM by Rowena Wiseman Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A woman who struggles in the wake of financial loss and the dissolution of her marriage finds herself working as a financial dominatrix and must not only learn to come out of her shell but discover a means of saving the man who has hired her to humiliate him from financial ruin in author Rowena Wiseman’s women’s fiction and humor novel “My Human ATM”.

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The Synopsis

People pleaser Liza has been financially screwed by her ex-husband, Lewis. When @relinquish808 asks her to be his financial dominatrix she has to learn how to curse and dominate a man to get her life and finances back together.

Liza is broke. She co-signed loan forms for her ex-husband Lewis’ men’s supplement business, TestoBoost. The business failed and so did their marriage.

@relinquish808 asks Liza to be his financial dominatrix. She needs the money. But she’s been a people pleaser all her life. She’s been brought up to be polite and acquiescent. Now, she needs to learn how to dominate a man – how to curse and humiliate him financially. @relinquish808 is wealthy and generous, and the more Liza demands, the more he gives.

But when @relinquish808 really does want to relinquish the responsibility of money, she realises being a financial dominatrix isn’t just a game. She has to find a way to save her money slave and his staff and investors.

Liza discovers that even a human ATM requires his own currency … and exchanges of goods and services can become murky …

This clever and funny modern satire explores financial abuse, power, submission and domination. It is a tale for anyone who has been through a break up or divorce and is on a journey of self discovery. It’s a feel good look at the lucrative world of findom and dominating an alpha male. A billionaire sugar daddy can take a woman from rags to riches. But most importantly, he can change a people pleasing female into a confident woman.

The Review

This was a thrilling, emotional, and oftentimes funny read. The author does an incredible job of balancing the humor of the situations and the interactions between Liza and the mystery man on the other end of the dealings she makes with the emotional depth that Liza finds herself in as the story begins. The relatability of Liza’s journey, from both the perspective of a woman living a post-divorce life and those who have struggled financially as a result of bad business dealings with loved ones, will instantly connect readers to the narrative, as will the lightness of the story’s atmosphere and the captivating tone the story takes on.

Yet for me, it was the evolution of Liza as a character that really sold this story. The way Liza begins as a people pleaser is something that I can relate to, and to see her come out of her shell and go on this journey of self-discovery is both inspiring and engaging to read about. The direction her arc takes into this very specific and rarely explored world of kinks and domination is definitely new, but the struggle of finding confidence and strength in herself while still caring for people in her life was great to see. The way her relationships in her personal life evolve as a result of her journey was moving and investing as a reader.

The Verdict

Brilliantly written, entertaining, and authentic in its delivery, author Rowena Wiseman’s “My Human ATM” is a must-read women’s literary fiction and humor novel of 2023. The rich character dynamics and twists and turns in the narrative itself will keep readers invested as the story progresses, and the themes of growth, change, and self-discovery are powerful motivators that will keep readers engaged with the protagonist and their arc until the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Rowena Wiseman grew up in Melbourne. Her education came mostly from reading Dolly magazine and J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, listening to Pulp’s Common People and spending a year as an exchange student in Latvia.

These days, she works in the arts sector and lives on the Mornington Peninsula.

Rowena Wiseman writes contemporary fiction, young adult and children’s stories. She is the author of The Replacement Wife (HarperCollins, 2015), Bequest (Tenebris Books, 2014) and Searching for Von Honningsbergs (Leafless, 2014, longlisted for the 2007 Australian Vogel Award).

Subscribe to her blog for tips on reading, writing and publishing in the digital revolution: www.rowenawiseman.com 

https://rowenawiseman.com/

GOOD DICK BAD DICK: How to spot a loser before you date or marry him by Hal Free (Illustrated by Jon Klassen) Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Hal Free takes readers on a journey to showcase the toxic behavior of men and how they mistreat women through a series of humorous yet thoughtful illustrations and commentary in the book “GOOD DICK BAD DICK: How to spot a loser before you date or marry him”.

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The Synopsis

GOOD DICK BAD DICK is a totally unique book that uses illustration and outrageous humor to drive home the serious problem of how men mistreat and objectify women. The cartoon presenter is probably the last you’d expect to demonstrate men’s bad behavior, but he’s the ultimate symbol of all men. Each page presents different examples of the selfish, self-absorbed male mindset. a “pee-in-your-pants” collection of watchouts for women — and a way for men to see themselves as they too often are.

The Review

One of the things that has become so much more apparent in recent years with the accountability that social media brings in this day and age is the horrid way that men grow up believing how to treat the women in their lives and those they encounter throughout their days. The toxicity and mistreatment that is constantly brushed aside or excused as “boys will be boys” has been an issue that has faced mankind for centuries, and in the author’s book, this issue is finally blasted for all to read. 

The mixture of lighthearted tone and humor with the seriousness of men’s behavior and attitude is illustrated in such a way that instantly connected the reader to the subject matter. I think this was a book that spoke to everyone, men and women included. For men, this was a wake-up call to showcase how they are constantly twisting the truth and abusing women around them for their own immediate gratification or genuine pleasure, and the only way to build a better world is to teach future generations how not to act. For women, this book feels validating, as if the hardships and struggles that they are forced to endure on a daily basis are finally given life in these hilarious yet powerful cartoons that speak to the heart of this matter.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, inspiring, and engaging, author Hal Free’s “GOOD DICK BAD DICK: How to spot a loser before you date or marry him” is a must-read nonfiction book that meets illustrated work. The commentary on relationships and behaviors related to gender, specifically how men treat women in life from their adolescence to their adult years, will not only help women readers to feel heard and seen in their own struggles but allow male readers to see a part of themselves they may ignore or not realize is there. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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The Trump Diaries 2024 (An Oh Daddy Chronicles Satire) by Barry Robbins Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

The secret diaries of former President Trump are discovered in the ashes of The Great Fire at Mar-A-Lago in author Barry Robbins‘ latest political satire, “The Trump Diaries 2024”, the latest in the Oh Daddy Chronicles Satires series.

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The Synopsis

It’s the year 2024. Mar-a-Lago has been destroyed by the Great Fire. Combing through the rubble, investigators make a startling discovery – the Diary of Donald J. Trump for the year 2024. Eloquently translated from Trump-speak into real English by a woke translator hired by the ex-President, these 87 diary entries contain the nuggets of wisdom that Trump was able to muster over the course of the year as he navigated political and personal challenges that he barely understood, let alone overcome.

Who knew he had such pithy wisdom to impart? Who knew he had the discipline to keep a diary? For that matter, who knew he could even write? Startling revelations, the challenges of everyday life, missing documents, Wordle, smoothies, running mates, harmonicas, it’s all there – naked – for all to see in this unique political satire. Mark Twain meets Donald Trump in The Trump Diaries 2024.

The Review

This was such a hilarious and brilliant read. The author does an incredible job of capturing the voice and mannerisms of the former president. The humor that is infused into the author’s writing allows for the hypocrisy and ridiculous actions that the former President to be presented in a clear and hilarious light. The fictional aspects of the narrative that fast-forward to a possible future are both funny and yet chilling all at once, and give insight into the direction our nation is heading as a whole. 

The way in which the author wrote is something that has entertained and captured my attention throughout his entire political satire series. The “diary” style of writing allows the author to showcase the public perception of Trump’s innermost thoughts, and how he perceives the world around him. The commentary on Putin and his inability to accept reality were especially biting and hilarious to read, as it speaks to the delusional state of Trump and his allies as a whole in regard to the 2020 election.

The Verdict

Funny, witty, and thought-provoking, author Barry Robbins’s “The Trump Diaries 2024” is a must-read political satire book. The charm and caricature of the former president speak to the tensions and concerns so many have as the nation becomes more and more politically charged, and the author’s writing speaks both to the inspirations of SNL and MAD magazine-style comedy and to the insightfulness into our nation’s politics. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Barry Robbins is a retired CPA with a keen interest in things having nothing to do with accounting. He spent 26 years working for a large accounting firm. Then he quit. He moved to Helsinki, Finland with his Finnish wife and two beautiful daughters 20 years ago. He now spends much of his time living in Florida, struggling to adapt to life in what often seems like a foreign country. The years spent in Europe gave him new eyes through which to see the U.S. That, plus the time spent freelancing as a ghostwriter of book reports for lazy third graders, make him uniquely qualified to serve as Chronicler-in-Chief of the Oh Daddy Chronicles.

Wolf at the Door by Joel McKay Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

An attempt at a lovely Thanksgiving dinner takes two drastic turns as family drama erupts and a deadly encounter with a werewolf throws the entire dinner for a loop in author Joel McKay’s “Wolf at the Door”. 

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The Synopsis

All Charlotte Deerborn wanted was a nice Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. Too bad for her no one else wanted to be there. By the time the turkey is carved, old grievances, bad behavior and crass remarks have transformed her dinner party into a disaster. And then a werewolf shows up to do some carving of its own.

Wolf at the Door is a fast-paced, absurdist take on modern creature horror, levering humor and action to highlight how one family comes to grips with what really matters in life.

The Review

This was one of the most unique and charismatic dark comedy horror novels I’ve read in years. The clashing dynamics between this cast of characters immediately stood out to me above the monstrous aspect of the narrative. The unique tensions and awkward moments that the holidays lend to themselves in a family dynamic or large dinner gathering is iconic comedy gold, (looking at you, Christmas Vacation), and the use of this dynamic between this cast of characters gave some heart and humor to the characters who find themselves caught up in this horrific nightmare. 

The blend of unique setting with the holiday dinner theme and blood-chilling horror made this story shine so brightly. The juxtaposition of how the holidays can bring out the worst in some people, especially those with underlying tensions, and the explosive entrance of this werewolf attack made this such a gripping and brilliantly creative storytelling device. Yet the author also did a great job of capturing the horror aspect of the narrative too, building upon the classic and iconic “creature feature” genre and adding a depth of character to it to make those bloody scenes more impactful.

The Verdict

Haunting, chilling, and entertaining, author Joel McKay’s “Wolf at the Door” is a must-read horror comedy. The story works well as a short story or novella, and yet hits the reader with an impact that can be felt from a novel or even a film script, bringing a greater sense of imagery and atmosphere that keeps the reader invested in this story as the narrative takes off. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Joel McKay is an award-winning writer and economic development professional. He calls Prince George, B.C. home, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Wolf at the Door is his first novella. His most recent published fiction was the short story Number Hunnerd in Tyche Books’ anthology Water: Selkies, Sirens and Sea Monsters.

The inspiration for his fiction is drawn from the landscapes and people of British Columbia, particularly the province’s vast, untamed and often misunderstood north. It’s the small towns and the people who call them home that inspired the good ol’ boys featured in Number Hunnerd, or the cool, crisp evenings and early sunsets of October that planted the idea for werewolves at a Thanksgiving feast.

Joel is passionate about Canada, its history and the history of the peoples who have called it home since time immemorial. As far as he’s concerned, New England has got nothing on Northern B.C. when it comes to perfect settings for supernatural tales.

In his spare time, Joel is an avid fly fisherman, mountain biker, hiker and reader. His work as an economic development professional, public relations specialist and journalist has earned him numerous national, provincial and local awards and recognitions.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B35X89CH/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F61248506-wolf-at-the-door%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3D4fvf1djqZI%26rank%3D1&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Mallory’s Manly Methods by Thomas Keech Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A man constantly trying to play the system and those around him falls into a series of missteps through his work, his romantic pursuits, and even the law in author Thomas Keech’s “Mallory’s Manly Methods”.

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The Synopsis

Kevin Mallory is so good at lying he has convinced himself he has almost an average life. He tries to use his exceptional skill at prevarication to hang onto his job without doing any work, win the love of his co-worker without recognizing who she really is, take advantage of the young Black man who moves in next door, and manipulate the police and the courts into accepting his warped idea of justice.

The Review

This was definitely one of the most interesting reads I’ve had so far this year. The author immediately flys in the face of traditional humor books out there by crafting a protagonist that is not very likable at all. That is a good thing for this read, for in my mind’s eye the author crafted the everyman’s version of a Larry David or George Costanza but in the era of the Trump age. The ignorance, obliviousness, and tone-deaf way Mallory goes through life as he pushes the buttons of his bosses, his coworker Nelly, and even his neighbors, a young Black family, are so cringy and yet so beyond ridiculousness you can’t help but laugh not with him or in agreement with his views, but at his ridiculous nature. 

Yet when the humor is gone, it is easy to relate this character to someone we’ve all come into contact with at one point or another in our lives. Especially in the current political climate our society faces. Someone who is oblivious to the world around them. Someone who understands nothing about social interactions. Someone who believes themselves smarter than those around them, even though the situations they dig themselves into are beyond their grasp. The author captures this tone and atmosphere the character creates perfectly, creating the balance of humor and social tension that highlights the struggles many faces in this world, from sexual harassment to narcissistic tendencies and so much more.

The Verdict

Witty, shocking, and engaging, author Thomas Keech’s “Mallory’s Manly Methods” is a must-read satire and humor fictional read. The protagonist is unusual and easy to root against, and yet so fascinating to delve into his psyche in an effort to understand the decision-making process and how these situations arise in the world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mr. Keech has written seven well-reviewed novels based on his experiences as a juvenile counselor, a legal aid attorney, an administrative law judge, and an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland as well as his time spent as a father and a former teenager himself. Besides writing, he has worked as a volunteer attorney and is a member of the ethics review panel of his local board of education.

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Interview with Author Gary Marinin

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’m a private English tutor and have been doing this for about eight years in total now.

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2. What inspired you to write your book?

The inspiration for my first book came while I was watching BoJack Horseman. My cat came to sit with me while watching and I usually refer to him as a “brick shithouse” and “shit” came up several times in the episode. When the episode finished, I had the idea, “how many phrases and expressions with ‘shit’ can I come up with in five minutes?” When five minutes passed and I was still going, I knew I had something if nobody else had already done it. 

 3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Swearing isn’t good or bad, it just is and the context we put it in makes it good or bad. I think people will think a little more critically about how swearing is viewed and used based on the science and cultural examples given. For example, it’s hard for people living now to think of “bastard” as the worst taboo in existence, but it was. Besides that, I hope they realize the diversity of ways that we incorporate swearing into speech and just how many meanings they can have. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I’ve been an English tutor for about eight years in total and doing it full time online for about four years now, so I sometimes get questions about slang and curses. I know that there are many uptight people in my field that don’t want to explain these things as well because of the ideas they hold toward those words, phrases and expressions, but if we don’t explain these things when students want to know, we hold them back from reaching their goals of achieving true fluency or mastery. Not to mention how embarrassing or dangerous it can be if you’re learning a language and misuse a curse.

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5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I’m terrible with social media. I started a FB page and was making posts for a while, but then it was a matter of laziness and “what do I post?” and it was the same with IG. 

6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

People thinking about writing or just starting out, just realize that marketing your book is going to be way more difficult than writing it. Chances are that no literary agent or publishing house is going to want to work with you, so you may have a high belief in your project, but no one else is going to share the same enthusiasm that you do while you’re in the process. Editors can be expensive, but they’re necessary. Look at the different types of editors as well, they all serve different purposes. If you don’t have much money to spend on developing your book, the one thing you shouldn’t try to save on is cover design. A bad design will be a sure way to put readers off before they ever look inside. 

7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’m in the process of transitioning to a healing and forgiveness coach. I still teach English full time and my autobiography is being beta read by four people right now, so I’m hoping that when all is said and done it’ll be released around August 2022. 

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About the Author

Gary Marinin was born in Worcester, MA and is a digital nomad and world traveler, having lived in Macedonia, Kosovo and Mexico. He has a B.S. in sociology from Worcester State University where he got his first taste in writing through several independent study courses and internships. To further develop his writing and ideas, he took master classes from Margaret Atwood and Steve Martin and read several books on developing screenplays. He freelances on Medium and likes to write about topics that he’s passionate about, which vary from workers’ rights to women’s rights and everything in between. Know Your Shit is his debut book, but there are several others in the works ranging from psychology and linguistics to general humor about his cats.  

https://www.facebook.com/TheShittionary

https://garymarinin0140.medium.com/