"For language lovers, this book, with all its verbal tangles and wit, is sure to, in its own words, 'pass mustard'" ( Poets & Writers).Inspired by Daniel Menaker's tenure at the New Yorker, this collection of comical, revelatory errors foraged from the wilds of everyday English comes with commentary by the author, illustrations by Roz Chast, and a foreword from Billy Collins.During his time at the renowned magazine, Menaker happened acros...

A former New Yorker editor and book publisher shares a " ruefully funny insider's tour of the publishing world" in this delightful memoir (Vogue.com).A New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceDaniel Menaker started as a fact checker at The New Yorker in 1969. With luck, hard work, and the support of William Maxwell, he was eventually promoted to editor. Never beloved by the magazine's legendary editor William Shaw...

A stylish, funny and surprising guide to the art of conversation, from one of New York's foremost literary wits.A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation.Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational...

Roz Chast brings her brilliant, hilarious artwork to No Fair! No Fair! and Other Jolly Poems of Childhood by Calvin Trillin and The African Svelte: Ingenious Misspellings That Make Surprising Sense by Daniel Menaker, as well as her own memoir Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?. Join us for a conversation moderated by Adam Gopnik (The New Yorker) between the artist and authors, plus readings by Jane Curtin and Reg Rogers (The Knick).

Roz Chast brings her brilliant, hilarious artwork to No Fair! No Fair! and Other Jolly Poems of Childhood by Calvin Trillin and The African Svelte: Ingenious Misspellings That Make Surprising Sense by Daniel Menaker, as well as her own memoir Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?. Join us for a conversation moderated by Adam Gopnik (The New Yorker) between the artist and authors, plus readings by Jane Curtin and Reg Rogers (The Knick).

From Abraham Lincoln to Babe Ruth, movies and music to politics and biology, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Spignesi compiles five hundred facts in this addictive bathroom reader trivia book.From history and science to sports and literature, New York Times bestselling author Stephen Spignesi offers eye-opening trivia in 500 facts inspired by the viral social media acronym TIL used on Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook. #TIL: T...

Delve into the fascinating world of dirt in this history of culture, cleanliness, and our evolving perceptions of what is and isn't gross.In this engaging and often humorous study of life's imperfections, public health and hygiene authority Terence McLaughlin dissects our attitudes toward the filth that has accompanied society throughout human history. According to him, "dirt" is a matter of opinion.Cultural attitudes about everything from factory smoke to ...

"The dazzling clutch of scientific minds caught in mid-thought here makes for a read that provokes thought in its turn. Delights abound." —Nature"What distinguishes scientists, in your eyes?" —Stefan Klein"First and foremost, curiosity." —Roald Hoffmann, Nobel Prize–winning chemistWhen Stefan Klein, an acclaimed journalist, sits down to talk with 18 of the world's leading scientists, he finds they're driven by, above all, curiosity. When they talk abou...

A wildly entertaining Q&A collection filled with fun facts on everything from science to sports to late-night infomercials.Find the answers to hundreds of life's most perplexing questions in this entertaining collection from the team behind the multimillion-selling, award-winning Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. Do Geese Get Goose Bumps is filled with simple explanations for complex topics, everything from "Why is air transparent?" to "Why do late-night comm...

Person to person” (and station to station”), bar sinister,” the weed of crime bears bitter fruit,” between the devil and the deep blue sea,” will o’ the wisp,” poor as Job’s turkey” . . . these are just a few phrases that were once part of everyday speech. However, due to our evolving language and other cultural changes, there are hundreds of phrases poised on the brink of extinction. Can such endangered phrases be saved? And if so, why? These are questions Steven D. Price, award-wi...

New York Times Bestseller and #1 Los Angeles Times BestsellerA "gripping, unshakeable firsthand account" (San Francisco Chronicle) of the firestorm that consumed Los Angeles, from the MS NOW reporter and New York Times bestselling author of Separated, who covered the fires on the ground as an LA native."Read[s] like a sci-fi thriller.” —Los Angeles TimesOn the mo...

AN IRREVERENT GUIDE TO THE GOOD LIFELearn Philosophy. Sound Smart. Live Well.Are you searching for meaning in a world that feels hollow? You're not alone. As modern life casts off the traditional anchors of the past, many of us are left adrift. Take an introductory tour through the wisdom of the ages to rediscover what has been lost. Explore transformative ideas from eight of humanity's greatest philosophies—from Buddhist calm to Ex...