Heartbreak, Headaches, and Other Modern ConditionsAdvice from Miss Fortune, Modern Hearts Magazine, 1958–1961Welcome to the yellowed pages of Modern Hearts Magazine, America's most questionable source of romantic guidance.For three glorious years, readers from every corner of the nation poured their troubles into the mailbox of the magazine's resident advice columnist, Miss Fortune. Their letters arrived by the sackful: tales of impossible ...

Imagine a world where The Beatles were known as The Quarrymen forever, or where Nirvana went by the name of Pen Cap Chew. Michael Pollick's "The Name Game" takes us on a whimsical journey through the forgotten names of legendary rock groups, revealing the hilarity behind the branding decisions that shaped music history. Each essay is a delightful exploration of what could have been, blending humor with insightful anecdotes that celebrate the creative process. Pollick invites us to laugh at...

In "Avoiding the Disaster Date: Funny But True Stories of Relationship Red Flags", humorist Michael Pollick delivers a hilarious yet eye-opening collection of essays that dive headfirst into the world of relationship red flags. With a sharp wit and a keen sense of observation, he recounts his own and others' misadventures in dating, each tale a cautionary reminder of the signs we often ignore. From the overly attached ex who still lurks on social media to the date who insists on discussing...

In "The Keepinnit Reels Part 3: Revenge Or Return Of The Snark," Michael Pollick takes us on a riotous journey through the kaleidoscope of his childhood, where every awkward moment and embarrassing misstep is transformed into comedic gold. Each essay is like a time capsule, bursting with the absurdities of youth—think playground politics, questionable fashion choices, and those cringeworthy family vacations that seem to last an eternity. Pollick's sharp wit and self-deprecating humor make ...

The Pet Owner's Field Survival Manual is the first fully declassified guide to domestic animal operations, compiled for civilian handlers who have survived at least one (1) morning feeding, two (2) unauthorized zoomies, or any incident involving shredded paper goods.Presented in a vintage field‑manual style-complete with tactical terminology, sepia‑aged charm, and the weary wisdom of someone who has negotiated with a cat at 3 a.m.-this manual provides essential doc...

Heartbreak, Headaches, and Other Modern ConditionsAdvice from Miss Fortune, Modern Hearts Magazine, 1958-1961Welcome to the yellowed pages of Modern Hearts Magazine, America's most questionable source of romantic guidance.For three glorious years, readers from every corner of the nation poured their troubles into the mailbox of the magazine's resident advice columnist, Miss Fortune. Their letters arrived by the sackful: tales ...

When friends ask author Michael Pollick what he does for a living, his stock answer is "Have you heard of the Internet. I wrote that." He's only half-joking, and the proof is in this eclectic reference book, Professor Mike's Low-Flow Fountain of Information. Compiled from previously published articles for various encyclopedic websites, subjects include everything from how to replace a toilet to the difference between distilled, purified, and spring water. You never know wh...

Author Michael Pollick returns with even more questions and answers in "A Wise Geek's Guide To Everything, Volume 2". From the elusive "Brown Note" to the short-term memory of goldfish, this collection covers many mysteries, myths, and realities.Do Goldfish Really Forget Everything After 3 Seconds?The myth that goldfish forget everything after three seconds is one of those delightful bits of trivia that has floated around for decades, often used to illustra...

For a few glorious years, author Michael Pollick's day job involved writing a little thing called the Internet, one informative article at a time. These reader-friendly encyclopedic articles still remain scattered across the vast online landscape, and have even made it to a few research papers along the way. "A Wise Geek's Guide To Everything" is the first in a series of compilations Pollick plans to release over the foreseeable future. If it's not in one of those books, you probably don't...

Author Michael Pollick, the Mike in "Professor Mike's Wealth of Geeky Knowledge", has put in his share of blood, sweat, and tears in the pursuit of information. This collection of news articles inspired by his time with the Associated Press covers a range of topics, from the surprising health benefits of mushrooms to the hazards of cryptocurrency mining.There's Always Room for Soup, Crackers, and Popsicles: Top "Sick Day" FoodsWhen illness strikes, the worl...

In the world of cinema, we often find ourselves enamored with the stars who grace our screens, their performances immortalized in our collective memory. Yet, behind each iconic role lies a tapestry of choices, a web of decisions that could have led us down entirely different paths. Michael Pollick's "Casting Conquests: The Surprising Runner-Ups for Iconic Roles" invites readers to peel back the layers of Hollywood history, revealing the fascinating stories of those who nearly donned the ma...

Sometimes it's best to let HAL 9000 drive the bus once in a while. That's the case with "The Zero Sugar Keepinnit Reels". A bot with a heart of gold and the snarkiest sense of artificial humor took over humorist Michael Pollick's "The Keepinnit Reels" project. The results are a side-splitting collection of essays about everything from grade Z horror movies to shows "Jumping the Shark" to nudist weddings. Nothing is off-limits to this persuasive little cuss. If the original author ever mana...