Tag Archives: Humor

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Cut and Run

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I typically don’t gravitate toward this genre of listening or reading, but on a whim, I decided to give it a shot, and I must admit it exceeded my expectations. The story unfolds as a dark comedy set against the backdrop of contemporary society and revolves around the disturbing theme of urban myths interwoven with the shadowy world of black market kidney theft. The characters are not only intriguing but also well-developed, each infused with enough complexity to make their unfolding stories captivating.

The narrative moves at a brisk pace, taking readers through various locations that enhance the overall experience, adding a layer of richness to the tale. While I recognized only two of the voices in the ensemble cast, I suppose it highlights my lack of familiarity with a broader range of actors. The performance featured a robust cast of 16 talented individuals, with the delightful Meg Ryan lending her voice as the narrator to guide us through this unusual plot.

The main characters, Samantha Dugan and Abe Lally, are portrayed as best friends and partners in a morally questionable venture—stealing kidneys for the black market. Each character has their own unique motivations driving them down this perilous path. Samantha positions herself as a modern-day Robin Hood, proclaiming that the organs she pilfers are redirected toward medical research and that she only targets those who are unscrupulous. Her persona as a seductress and con artist comes with a twist; beneath her cunning exterior lies a genuine heart and a desire to make a positive impact.

On the other hand, Abe Lally brings an interesting dynamic to the partnership. As a legitimate doctor and the skilled surgeon of the duo, he isn’t inherently criminalistic beyond their kidney-thieving escapades. His involvement stems from a noble aspiration—to find a cure for diabetes, a mission that adds a layer of moral complexity to their endeavors.

However, as the saying goes, even the best-laid plans can go awry, especially when one does not exercise the necessary diligence. The story follows their escapades as unforeseen complications arise, leading to challenges that test their resolve and friendship.

In summary, while this narrative may not dazzle in the way some grand epics do, it certainly provides an entertaining ride that held my attention from beginning to end. It’s a playful and thought-provoking romp that serves as a perfect distraction for a few hours of relaxation and amusement.

My rating: 💘💘💘

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The Adventures of Tom Stranger

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I acquired this piece a while ago, and although it took me some time to finally delve into it, I found it to be incredibly enjoyable. Today, since our office was closed due to the current situation, I decided to listen to it while I worked from home. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at several moments, which startled my manager when she unexpectedly walked in on me, as I was the only one in the office. The vibrant and eccentric characters really stood out to me; each one was unique and brought their own charm to the narrative. The multitude of references to familiar people and places made the script feel very contemporary and relatable.

Have you ever imagined a planet being invaded by rampaging space mutants from another dimension or encountering Nazi dinosaurs from the future? If not, you’re in for a treat as you join Tom Stranger on his wild adventures through numerous alternate Earths. His job centers around ensuring that all insurance policies are intact, even those that cover bizarre and outlandish scenarios from every conceivable version of our planet. With Stranger & Stranger, your interdimensional insurance needs are not just met, they are catered to with a tagline boasting “Number One in Customer Satisfaction” for three consecutive years. There’s no claim too enormous or too peculiar for Tom Stranger to manage.

However, Tom is now confronted with his most formidable challenge yet. He’s saddled with an intern whose capabilities leave much to be desired. Despite this setback, Tom must continue to provide exceptional customer service across multiple alternate Earths. His day-to-day grind entails battling a myriad of bizarre creatures, including tentacled monsters and hordes of damned souls, while also grappling with an insidious call center based in Nebraska. Not to mention, he must outsmart his arch-nemesis, Jeff Conundrum. Armed with his Combat Wombat and his unwavering sense of fair play, Tom is determined to navigate these challenges. The real question remains—will Jimmy the Intern ever tap into his potential and find his place as an effective insurance agent?

This experience is pure, over-the-top entertainment filled with clever name-dropping and sharp wit. It invokes a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of the show “Sliders,” yet it offers a unique twist with its premise. The concept of an insurance adjuster equipped to handle alien invasions and other extraordinary claims is delightfully far-fetched and has resonated with me on many levels.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Tinaca Jones

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This story is a hilarious romp that had me laughing out loud from the very first page, instantly lifting my spirits. The writing is unabashedly bold, filled with vibrant language that might not suit everyone’s taste but was definitely right up my alley. It transported me back to my own school days, evoking memories of the carefree banter and camaraderie we shared, especially when we were with friends. I could almost hear the echoes of our playful teasing, especially towards girls who were a bit too sure of themselves.

At the center of this tale is Tinaca Jones, a fiercely ambitious young woman who is fully immersed in her journey to carve out her identity as a social media influencer. With dreams of stepping onto the global stage and making her mark, she has her sights set on success. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when a seemingly inconspicuous blonde intrudes upon her life. This newcomer brazenly appropriates something that is intrinsically Tinaca’s—her name.

The narrative unfolds as Tinaca recounts her experiences during a deposition, digging deep into the chaos that ensues when her identity is threatened. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions and revelations, leading to a showdown between Tinaca and the blonde who has disrupted her life, culminating in a form of semi-justice.

This story is likely to be enjoyed by anyone comfortable with a bit of salty language and a healthy dose of humor. It’s a reflection on friendship, identity theft, and the resilience required to reclaim one’s narrative in a world filled with competing voices.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

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Drunken Fireworks

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This book caught me completely off guard, not just in terms of its content but also in how much I genuinely enjoyed it. I typically don’t read much in the way of humor, and I had never considered exploring a humorous work by Stephen King before. However, it turns out he has a real talent for this genre. The main character is a fascinating archetype, one that feels all too familiar; you can probably recall meeting someone just like him at least once in your life.

Set against the backdrop of Maine, the story immerses us in a world full of quirky locals and the summer tourists who arrive each year, bringing with them their own unique brand of eccentricity.

The central figure, Alden, lives with his mother, a widow since the passing of his father. Their lives were expected to become a struggle following his father’s death, as they had always existed on the financial precipice. Surprisingly, however, he had invested wisely in a thorough insurance policy, which left them in a comfortable position. Just when things seem like they couldn’t get better, Alden’s mother finds herself winning the lottery—a stroke of luck that catapults them into a new realm of affluence.

This unexpected wealth allows them to enjoy a life of indulgence, particularly during the summer months, where they engage in a rather ridiculous feud with their neighbors. Yet, in true storytelling fashion, this newfound wealth and leisure lead to unexpected complications, sending their lives into a spiral of chaos.

The narrative is voiced by Tim Sample, who excels at bringing the character of the laid-back Alden to life with his unique storytelling style. He balances this with a compelling rendition of Alden’s mother, Mrs. McCausland, along with the diverse cast of side characters who flit in and out of their lives, enriching the tapestry of this humorous and unpredictable tale.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Jester

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This short story pleasantly surprised me with its quality and engaging narrative. One of its standout features is that it requires no prior knowledge of the earlier books in the series, which allows readers to dive right in and appreciate the tale on its own merits. The plot seamlessly blends humor with entertainment, offering a delightful exploration of the main characters and revealing the dynamics of their interactions. Tim Gerard Reynolds, the narrator, does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life with his engaging voice and skillful delivery, enhancing the overall experience of the story.

The narrative opens with a playful setup: “Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap…and what happens to them is no joke.” This intriguing premise sets the stage for a wild adventure filled with unexpected twists.

At the heart of the story is Riyria, a duo of skilled and clever thieves, who have been tasked with retrieving a jester’s hidden treasure. As Royce and Hadrian navigate their way through various challenges, they find themselves matching wits against a sharp and cunning dwarf who proves to be anything but the fool he appears to be. As the plot unfolds, the tension rises as the question looms: who will come out of this perilous escapade alive? The blend of humor, action, and clever character interactions makes for a captivating reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

My rating: ✴✴✴✴

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The Handbook

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The story begins at a leisurely pace, introducing the main characters individually, but gains momentum when Nikki and Derek meet. While some characters are mere stereotypes, they serve to advance the plot effortlessly. More classroom interactions would have been preferable, as the main characters, particularly the teacher, often end up clubbing instead.

Nikki Sloan, after being dumped by her long-term boyfriend, spirals downward, despite the relationship not being right for her. As she starts to recover, a disastrous date sends her plunging back into despair. Discovering a notebook claiming to transform her into the ultimate seductress, she embarks on a journey to gain confidence and power.

Derek Anderson, a professor rumored to be involved with his students, finds himself coerced into taking over another instructor’s classes when the dean hears of his alleged affairs. This twist of fate brings him and Nikki together. Derek, who prides himself on bachelorhood, begins to see the potential for change.

Initially, Nikki appears immature, but she matures significantly as she follows the notebook’s advice. Derek, too, starts off seeming juvenile but reveals deeper layers. Although this genre isn’t my usual preference, I find these stories quite engaging and am open to exploring more.

This book should appeal to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt romance with a guaranteed happy ending.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Christmas Bizarre

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I had an extremely hard time getting into this book from the very beginning. The characters were not very interesting and did not evoke much of a response from me. It just didn’t work for me on any level and left me not really caring about any of them very much. Maybe I will try another book at some time but this was not the one.

Mina Kitchen is a forty-something single who seems to find trouble. She has weird luck and her cat is even weirder.

I did not have a lot to say about this because well, because.

My rating: ⍟⍟

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A Ghost in the Glamour

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When I found the Elemental Mysteries I thought things could not get any better but then this author just kept throwing me new and different stories and characters who I fell in love with. This is definitely the case with Linx and Bogie which I started reading in Elizabeth Hunters news letters and hoped for and finally got something much longer. This is a fun duo who are very different form each other but mesh perfectly. This book contains 3 super short stories which kind of lay out how things began with the final story being longer and giving some background on our ghost. The mystery is light but very workable.

Linx Maxwell has had a the ghost of a grown man attached to her since she was an eighth grader and often wishes that he would go away. The Maxwell women are known on both sides of the veil as powerful mediums and each has a specialty when it comes to spirits. Linx just wants to be normal and able to pursue her art without all the supernatural hoopla.

Frank ‘Bogie’ Bogle was a Los Angeles homicide detective who died in the 1950’s. Though everyone knew about the Maxwell women he never expected to become attached to the youngest and by far strangest of the family. He has no idea why or how he became attached to her and certainly has no idea of how to end the attachment.

Fourteen years later and they are still attached. The art career Linx has always wanted seems about to take off but she still has Bogie with her and that means she sometimes gets sucked into investigating crimes instead of painting. But this time the case is more personal and she may be able to lose that extra baggage if things go right.

The characters are wonderful and colorful. They make you want to know more about their lives. This is a fun quick read with a mystery thrown in that may not be deep but can keep you guessing and on your toes. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Enjoy!

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Murder in Christmas River

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Murder in Christmas River
(Christmas River #1)
by Meg Muldoon 

I have never read Meg Muldoon before but am glad I gave this one a read. I found that I like Christmas River, it is a town that may not have a lot going for it but it does have a unique identity. The characters are a little vague this time around but I can see that they have the potential to become very well rounded and interesting. The murder mystery is good but because you do not have enough insight into the characters it makes any clues dropped not that effective. But once again I can see the effort and hope for it to get stronger as the series continues. I liked the way it starts with the dogs point of view, he makes things interesting.

The main judge of the Gingerbread Junction Competition is murdered and the body is found in the woods behind Cinnamon Peters shop. The dog that had been coming to her shop for a while was trying to get her attention. It seems that someone may have it in for Cinnamon since she seems the most likely to have killed the judge who never had anything good to say about entries in the competition.

Daniel Brightman returns to town just in time for a murder investigation. He had known Cinnamon when she was a 16 yr old and after kissing her and promising to call he disappeared from her life. Now he is back and brought to her back door by the dog she has been feeding. Can he help her when suspicion turns her way?

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My hometown has become a novelty. A place of forced smiles and customer satisfaction. Of little old ladies dressing up as Mrs. Claus and trying to sell you something. Of capitalizing and merchandising the magic of the season year round.

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Oliver and Jumpy 37-39

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oliver and jumpy 37-39Oliver and Jumpy, Stories 37-39 (Oliver and Jumpy, the Cat Series, Book 13): Cat and kangaroo picture book series with bedtime stories for children
by Werner Stejskal

 

The illustrations are nicely done and something that children would really like because they can easily identify the animals represented. The story line is simple but not so simple that a child would find it not worth reading/listening to. The characters are upbeat and seem to have a good time with each other. There are subtle lessons to be learned about friendship and helping others.

I do not have any young children but the ones in my home said that would have liked this when they were younger. Because of this I would recommend for young children.

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars