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The Big BangNatural SelectionE = mc2All pretty decent theories, that beg one question: why has no-one discovered a fully unified theory for what makes jokes funny?Well, comedy director Amanda Baker, comedy writer Abi Grant and stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr have done just that. In this book, in case that's not obvious. From how to identify the families of jokes, to decoding the building blocks of comedy, to the real - and brand new - secret to comic timing, On Jokes does for comedy what decoding the genome did for designer babies.The essential manual for any aspiring comedian, this book can make anyone funny. Even you.

Prepare a feast fit for a warchief with World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook, a compendium of sweet and savory recipes inspired by the hit game from Blizzard Entertainment. Presenting delicacies favored by the Horde and the Alliance alike, this authorized cookbook teaches apprentice chefs how to conjure up a menu of food and drink from across the realm of Azeroth.Featuring food pairings for each dish, ideas for creating your own Azerothian feasts, and tips on adapting meals to specific diets, this otherworldly culinary guide offers something for everyone. The aromatic Spiced Blossom Soup is perfect for plant-loving druids, and orcs will go berserk for the fall-off-the-bone Beer-Basted Boar Ribs. With alternatives to the more obscure ingredients—just in case you don’t have Chimaerok Chops lying around—this comprehensive cookbook will ensure that you have no trouble staying Well Fed. Each chapter features dishes at a variety of skill levels for a total of more than one hundred easy-to-follow recipes for food and brews, including: • Ancient Pandaren Spices • Fel Eggs and Ham • Mulgore Spice Bread • Dragonbreath Chili • Graccu’s Homemade Meat Pie • Bloodberry Tart • Greatfather’s Winter Ale Whether you’re cooking for two or revitalizing your raid group for a late-night dungeon run, World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook brings the flavors of Azeroth to life like never before.

A vibrant, official, celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic multi-award winning musical, exploring its rich history, with letters from its cast, crew, and global fanbase, and featuring exclusive photos and archival materials.Since its opening night in 1986, Phantom of the Opera has become not only one of the longest-running musicals, but one of the most globally renowned productions of all time. This celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera features exclusive stories from the cast and crew, unearthed archival documents, and brand new never-before-seen photography, with an in-depth look at how the story came to be and the expansive future it holds.From the Phantom’s labyrinthine underworld to Christine’s lamplit dressing room to the dreamlike grandeur of the Opera House rooftop at twilight, the evocative power of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera has always extended far beyond its intimate theatrical setting.Starting with the show’s creation (including the writing process, set design, and costume), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera takes a deep dive of the show’s storied characters; then explores the show’s global fanbase, including popular international tours in over 58 countries and a smash-hit movie in 2004; and celebrates the exciting and innovative ways in which the world of Phantom continues to expand, with a look at what’s to come in the future.Visually rich and packed with enchanting and fascinating storytelling, this book will delight Phantom fans, both new and old.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERFrom Jacob Tierney, the creator of Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and Accent Aigu, comes I'll Believe in Anything, an official and complete collection of annotated scripts for the biggest cultural sensation of the year, with all new exclusive behind-the-scenes content.​**This edition is printed in black and white, with exclusive photographic endpapers you won't find in any other edition, plus 16 pages of colour behind-the-scenes photography.**Based on Rachel Reid's blockbuster Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 and immediately took the world by storm. I'll Believe in Anything takes readers behind the curtain, showing how Tierney, his producing partner Brendan Brady, and the entire Accent Aigu team drew on a deep reverence for Reid's work, impeccable casting, clever sets and costume design, and thoughtful sex scene choreography to both rewrite the playbook for adapting romance novels to the screen and obliterate the long-held misconception that queer love stories have limited appeal. I'll Believe in Anything answers all the questions fans of this groundbreaking series have been asking. How did Tierney interweave Ilya and Shane's rivalry with Scott and Kip's love story to create the ultimate television moment? Where did the idea for that incredible Canadian Olympic fleece originate? And what does it look like for a full team, led by Tierney and Brady, to plan, choreograph, and film some of the best sex scenes in television history? Featuring annotations on scene directions, intimacy choreography, costume insights, and more, alongside Tierney's never-before-seen scripts, this book gives fans a brand-new way to come to the cottage!

The first authorised biography of legendary comedian Larry David, co-creator of Seinfeld and star and creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm. With unfettered access to Larry himself, and exclusive interviews with hisfamily, friends and colleagues, author Blake J. Harris chronicles the unlikely journey of a generation-defining icon. Larry David has built a comedy empire on candid observations, social faux pas and unapologetically selfish behaviour. But the man behind the clever musings has mostly remained a ‘walking, talking enigma’ – until now. In Emperor of Nothing, Harris moves beyond the mystique to paint an honest portrait of Larry David, tracing his journey from a Brooklyn childhood and early days as a temperamental stand-up comic – voted by peers as ‘least likely to succeed’ – to reinventing himself through his legendary partnership with Jerry Seinfeld and ultimately becoming a star and brutally honest voice of a generation.Based on more than five years of access to and interviews with Larry and those closest to him, Emperor of Nothing is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, reflections and more awkward hijinks than a Passover Seder gone terribly wrong. Capturing both the icon and irritant, Emperor of Nothing is the definitive biography of the man who made baldness and neurosis aspirational.Whether you’re a fan, a fellow overthinker, or someone who’s proudly never, ever learned a lesson, this book is for you. Larry might not understand why anyone would want to read about him. But that probably means it’s prett-ay, prett-ay, prett-ayyy good.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE HOST OF FIN vs HISTORY.'Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, half remembered. Fin Taylor is one of those people.’Al Murray, comedian and author of Arnhem: Black Friday'I deplore this book and wish its author ill.’Dominic Sandbrook, author and host of The Rest is History podcast---This radical reappraisal of human history will change the way you look at the past. In this expansive yet abridged volume, academic pariah and pseudo-historian Fin Taylor re-writes the human story, from the Big Bang to the Second Plane (minus all the boring stuff we can skip in between).Interest in history is at an all time high, but what is it about the past that sets pulses racing? From Henry VIII to Hitler via Cromwell, Caligula and Colonel Gaddafi, this new thesis is a radical reappraisal of the human story.Suffer no more the drudgery of 1066, the Italian Renaissance and the tales of Real Tudor Housewives. Marvel instead at epic naval battles, eccentric tyrants, unimaginable war crimes and extraordinarily heroic deeds. Because what is history if not entertainment for middle-aged men looking to escape modern domesticity in search of more exciting times.Ground-breaking and entirely unsupervised, The History of Mankind in Its Entirety (Abridged) will teach you everything you need to know about the good old days – minus the boring stuff.

The official behind-the-scenes companion to the Emmy, WGA, SAG, Golden Globe, and BAFTA–Award nominated Disney+ series. New York Times bestseller!The Art of Star Wars: Andor (The Complete Series) gives readers an exclusive inside look at the production art, visual development, concept art, creature designs and FX, graphics, props, and more that went into creating the Tony Gilroy-helmed Disney+ series.Through extensive interviews with Gilroy, star Diego Luna, and the talented Lucasfilm visualists, author Phil Szostak documents every step of Andor’s production from discussions following the initial release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story up through post-production on the final episodes of season two.With deep dives into the locations that defined the series, including Kenari, Ferrix, Aldhani, Narkina 5, Mina-Rau, Ghorman, and Yavin 4, among many others, this essential volume celebrates the legacy of all twenty-four critically acclaimed episodes and the hurdles the filmmakers, cast, and crew had to overcome to bring their vision to life.Every facet and detail of the Rebellion and Empire’s inner workings and the day-to-day existence within the world of Star Wars that Andor lovingly depicted are explored in great detail along with reflections on the series overall and its espionage roots and political relevance. The lived-in, battered costumes, ships, and locales that are so crucial to the DNA of Star Wars are on full display in this volume alongside the elegant formalism of the Galactic Senate and Coruscant.Every piece of concept art—from ISB uniforms to Ferrix workwear to sleek speeders to the sterile prison cells of Narkina 5—has a tactility that leaps off the page. Cassian Andor’s journey from thief to spy to rebel to martyr, and the stories of his allies, uneasy partnerships, Imperial schemes, and galactic revolution took audiences on an emotionally resonant adventure and The Art of Star Wars: Andor spotlights the exceptional work that made it all possible.

BE NO MAN'S PEACE.Have you ever been badgered by an annoying pick-up artist at the bar? Ever felt a burning desire to emotionally torture a friend's boyfriend in an act of revenge? Have you ever endured just talking to a man before?If so, then this book is for you.With more than 100 phrases, questions, and comebacks, How to Piss Off Men is your essential guide to sending even the most relentless mansplainer into an existential crisis. Whether it's referring to his expensive football shirt as 'cosplay' or letting him know he has the confidence of a much taller man, this handbook will ensure you're equipped to combat toxic masculinity in any situation.** The advice in this book has been thoroughly tested for effectiveness. Even on the author, bless his heart.

What happens when media and politics become forms of entertainment? As our world begins to look more and more like Orwell's 1984, Neil's Postman's essential guide to the modern media is more relevant than ever."It's unlikely that Trump has ever read Amusing Ourselves to Death, but his ascent would not have surprised Postman.” -CNNOriginally published in 1985, Neil Postman’s groundbreaking polemic about the corrosive effects of television on our politics and public discourse has been hailed as a twenty-first-century book published in the twentieth century. Now, with television joined by more sophisticated electronic media—from the Internet to cell phones to DVDs—it has taken on even greater significance. Amusing Ourselves to Death is a prophetic look at what happens when politics, journalism, education, and even religion become subject to the demands of  entertainment. It is also a blueprint for regaining control of our media, so that they can serve our highest goals.“A brilliant, powerful, and important book. This is an indictment that Postman has laid down and, so far as I can see, an irrefutable one.” –Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World

Narratives produce the ties that bind us. They create community, eliminate contingency and anchor us in being. And yet in our contemporary information society, where everything has become arbitrary and random, storytelling becomes storyselling and narratives lose their binding force. Whereas narratives create community, storytelling brings forth only a fleeting community – the community of consumers. No amount of storytelling could recreate the fire around which humans gather to tell each other stories. That fire has long since burnt out. It has been replaced by the digital screen, which separates people rather than bringing them together. Through storytelling, capitalism appropriates narrative: stories sell. They are no longer a medium of shared experience.The inflation of storytelling betrays a need to cope with contingency, but storytelling is unable to transform the information society back into a stable narrative community. Rather, storytelling as storyselling is a pathological phenomenon of our age. Byung-Chul Han, one of the most perceptive cultural theorists of contemporary society, dissects this crisis with exceptional insight and flair.

In this completely updated edition of her bestselling book, renowned acting coach Ivana Chubbuck shares her cutting-edge technique that has launched some of the most successful and lauded acting careers in HollywoodLet the instructor who taught Halle Berry, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Jim Carrey, Aubrey Plaza, Travis Fimmel, Gal Gadot, Beyoncé Knowles, Judith Light, Sylvester Stallone, Eva Mendes, Morris Chestnut, Shia LaBeouf, and Jake Gyllenhaal guide you to dynamic and effective results. With new stories from notable stars she’s worked with since the first edition of The Power of the Actor and fresh exercises she’s incorporated to upgrade her time-tested 12 step program, this revised edition, is a must-have for anyone looking to hone their craft.The Chubbuck Technique, takes the theories of acting masters such as Stanislavski, Strasberg, and Hagen to the next level by utilizing inner pain and emotions, not as an end in itself, but as a way to empower and fuel one’s ability to overcome and win and therefore drive a unique and powerful performance. The Power of the Actor is filled with fascinating and inspiring behind-the-scenes accounts of how actors, writers, and directors have mastered their craft and accomplished success in such a difficult and competitive field.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Connection and laughter and joy are everything. To meet someone and just play and laugh – it’s all us humans need. I’ve had times in my life when I haven’t had that, through illness, and finding it again has brought back my silly, sensitive soul.‘One of the most inspiring and comforting books I’ve ever read’ *****‘The kindness and compassion in this book will change how you speak to yourself and others’ ***** ‘Everyone should read this book. I cannot recommend it enough’ *****‘I cried from beginning to end. Sometimes this book is sad, sometimes just plain funny’ *****‘Miranda’s wit shines through even on her darkest days. This book is a must’ *****--Hello to you! You may have heard that I have had an unexpectedly difficult decade – there have been surprising joys, but also deep revelations and challenging lows.I shall be honest about those, because what I discovered in the difficult times were my, what I call, treasures.Treasures – practical tools, values, ways, answers researched from some great scientists, neuroscientists, therapists, sociologists (all the ‘ists’) out there, that have genuinely led to a sense of freedom, joy, peace and physical recovery I never would have thought possible.If you fancy having a read, then I hope my story might help your story. After all, we are in this beautiful, mysterious, challenging life together.Rest assured there are funny stories along the way – we will have a laugh too, my dear reader chum.--MORE RAVE REVIEWS FOR I HAVEN'T BEEN ENTIRELY HONEST WITH YOU'Miranda's account of slowly letting her guard down and being vulnerable is moving. Her book is proof that happiness is possible even in the most trying times' Guardian'Warm, funny, insightful and kind' Elizabeth Day'Raw and poignant. Miranda is more of an everywoman than ever before' The Times'Joyous. Taking us affectionately by the hand, Miranda takes us through her ten-year journey to deep self-knowledge' Daily Mail‘A wonderful book, filled with treasure’ Julia SamuelSunday Times bestseller, October 2024

Practicing is an essential part of every musician's life, but we are rarely taught how to practice in the most effective and efficient way. Many of us find ourselves frustrated when we sound good in the practice room only to embarrass ourselves on stage or in front of our teachers. We feel overwhelmed by the amount of music we have to learn, unsure how to balance everything. Playing from memory can feel terrifying and an insurmountable challenge, and overcoming bad habits can seem impossible at times. Molly Gebrian applies the science of learning and memory to practicing and performing, giving musicians the tools to learn music more effectively and experience greater confidence on stage. Researchers working in the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience have discovered many important principles about how the brain learns new information, retains this information both short- and long-term, and how to make this learning reliable in high-pressure situations like performances. Musicians often choose practice strategies that don't align well with the optimal ways in which the brain learns, leading to frustration while practicing and inconsistency in performance. The author offers a practical guide, using accessible language for non-scientists and non-academics, to help musicians get more out of their practicing by applying this research. Gebrian starts with general principles of learning and how the brain works, and then progresses through increasingly specific topics. Throughout the book, the science behind the various topics is explained in layman's terms, accompanied by practical, actionable advice that can be implemented immediately, to give musicians of all levels better tools while practicing and greater confidence on stage.

'One of the finest, funniest duos in British comedy history' HUFFINGTON POSTBefore they became Hollywood stars and national treasures, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie were simply two young writers trying to make each other laugh. Fortunately for the rest of us, they wrote it all down.For the first time, every project they wrote together is collected in one definitive volume. From their earliest collaborations to the complete scripts of A Bit of Fry & Laurie, alongside rare and previously unpublished material, Fry & Laurie: Every Funny Thing They've Ever Written brings together the gloriously inventive, endlessly quotable work of one of Britain's most beloved comic partnerships.Here are brilliant comic set-pieces, impossible misunderstandings, linguistic gymnastics, inspired absurdity and the kind of wit that somehow manages to be both joyfully silly and devastatingly clever. Whether you're rediscovering old favourites or meeting them for the first time, Fry & Laurie is a chance to visit writing that made generations laugh — and to discover why it still does.

Relive the most striking moments from the acclaimed and beloved Netflix show Stranger Things with this stunning officially licensed colouring book.Starting with that fateful D&D game in the Wheelers’ basement, this book charts the gang as they fight the Demogorgon, fall in love, use their powers, and save the world. Featuring 110 pages of fully original illustrations printed on high quality paper, this extra-thick colouring book is the perfect opportunity to prepare yourself to return to Hawkins for a giant adventure.Suitable for children.

With a foreword from Graham NortonThis is the official 70th anniversary celebration and your ultimate backstage pass to the magic of Eurovision, the cultural phenomenon that has united millions of people across the globe. The history of the show is told through the legendary artists who have defined the contest over the past 70 years - seven decades of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable performances.From ABBA's iconic win for Sweden in 1974 to Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra's memorable performance in 2022, Eurovision chronicles the moments that made you laugh, cry and cheer.This is a must-have for die-hard Eurovision fans, complete with the photography and backstories behind the most memorable acts, the controversies that shook the stage, and the fashion statements through the decades.

In the Blink of an Eye is celebrated film editor Walter Murch's vivid, multifaceted, thought -- provoking essay on film editing. Starting with what might be the most basic editing question -- Why do cuts work? -- Murch treats the reader to a wonderful ride through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film. Along the way, he offers his unique insights on such subjects as continuity and discontinuity in editing, dreaming, and reality; criteria for a good cut; the blink of the eye as an emotional cue; digital editing; and much more. In this second edition, Murch reconsiders and completely revises his popular first edition's lengthy meditation on digital editing (which accounts for a third of the book's pages) in light of the technological changes that have taken place in the six years since its publication.

THE HILARIOUS NEW MEMOIR FROM COMEDIAN AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KATHERINE RYAN'Deeply, unexpectedly moving at points.... and, of course, funny. Shocking, confronting, in all its shameless truths.' The Times'Super super funny... Katherine is unashamedly authentic', Romesh Ranganathan'Unsurprisingly excellent, funny and thoughtful,' Aisling Bea'Very funny but also very thoughtful... the last chapter made me cry,' Joe Lycett 'It's part social commentary, part survival guide for daughters, and 100% written while I was probably carrying a refrigerator up some stairs alone'.This whip-smart memoir is equal parts stand-up set and group therapy session, Firstborn Daughter runs through motherhood, marriage, fame, beauty, and a very long list of famous women (Beyoncé, Oprah, Hillary Clinton) who never had a choice either.You'll laugh. You'll recognise your group chat. You'll finally feel diagnosed.Praise for The Audacity:'Brilliant!' Aisling Bea'Witty as hell' Tom Allen'Wildly readable... tremendous' The Times

A LOVE LETTER TO 67 YEARS OF ACTING ON STAGE - THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA witty, insightful journey through the plays and tales of our beloved Shakespeare‘Wonderfully inspiring. A delightful spell in the company of one of our greatest actresses’ Daily Mail, Books of the Year‘Gloriously entertaining. Reading it feels like a chat with an old friend’ Observer‘A magical love letter to Shakespeare’ Kenneth Branagh----For the very first time, Judi Dench opens up about every Shakespearean role she has played in her seven-decade career, from Lady Macbeth and Titania to Ophelia and Cleopatra.Here, she reveals her behind the scenes secrets; inviting us to share in her triumphs, disasters, and backstage shenanigans, all brightened by her mischievous sense of humour and striking honesty.This is Judi's love letter to William Shakespeare – the man who pays the rent.----Praise for The Man Who Pays the Rent'This book is pure enchantment’ Daily Mail'This is a gloriously entertaining tour through the canon in the company of perhaps the most experienced living Shakespearean actor' Observer'An utterly delightful book. An unstoppable stream of anecdotes, recollections and asides' Telegraph‘Companionable and compelling, mischievous and convivial – it genuinely feels like you’re sitting at her kitchen table with Judi Dench’ Guardian‘Gorgeous’ Literary Review‘A wonderful mixture of appreciation and anecdote’ Financial Times, Books of the YearInstant Sunday Times bestseller, November 2023

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'The funniest book ever written about wanting to drink yourself to death' Lou Sanders'Insightful and intelligent. Harrowing but hopeful. And, as always, hilarious' Adrian Chiles'A triumph, and as powerful a description of alcoholism as I've read' Bryony Gordon___________________John Robins is a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, Taskmaster champion and award-winning broadcaster. He is also an alcoholic. But what does that mean? In Thirst, John tells the story of his life through the lens of alcohol, the drinks that made him, and those that broke him. From his earliest drinking experiences – pretending to be drunk aged five, spraying aftershave into his mouth at a school play afterparty, and drinking red wine alone at university – to his last drink in 2022, he traces his journey into sobriety. From hazy memory to sudden clarity, John reflects on mental health, friendship, creativity and the lies we tell ourselves. He asks: are alcoholics born or made? How do we understand youthful missteps? And can Buddhism provide relief when dealing with haemorrhoids? Filled with insights and epiphanies from the world of addiction and recovery, Thirst blends John’s trademark honesty and hilarious digressions with the collective wisdom of alcoholics to offer a compelling, powerful and morbidly funny narrative for anyone who has ever asked 'why do we drink?', 'why do I drink?' or 'do I drink too much?'. ___________________'The most honest, helpful and perceptive book I've ever read about alcohol, and also the funniest' Josh Widdicombe'A rigorous and courageous look at the making and unmaking of an alcoholic that also often made me laugh aloud' Amy Liptrot'He has laid himself bare in a way that is sure to help others' Alan Davies

*A memoir and self-help manual by one of the country's most treasured comedians - for anyone who feels stuck in a rut but doesn't have the tools or self-belief to shake things up*In his mid-twenties, Jimmy was bored, boring, unfulfilled and underachieving. He wasn't exactly depressed, but he was very sad. Think of a baby owl whose mum has recently died in a windmill accident. He was that sad. This book tells the story of how Jimmy turned it around and got happy, through the redemptive power of dick jokes.Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary. Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him. It tells the story of Jimmy's life - the transformation from white-collar corporate drone to fake-toothed donkey-laugh plastic-haired comedy mannequin - while also explaining how to turn your own life around and become the you you've always dreamt of being. At just £20, it's cheaper than Scientology, quicker than therapy, and significantly less boring than church.Before & Laughter contains the answers to all the big questions in life, questions like:· What's the secret to happiness?· Is Jimmy wearing a wig?· What happened with that tax thing?· What's the meaning of life?· Is Jimmy's laugh real?· Can those teeth bite through vibranium?And for readers in the West Country: yes, there are pictures (actually, sorry, there are no pictures, but there's a book about a hungry caterpillar you'll love).Because it's Jimmy Carr - recently scientifically proved to be the funniest comedian in the UK - there are jokes, jokes and more jokes throughout. If laughter really was the best medicine, the NHS would be handing out this book in Nightingale Hospitals.Fascinating, thoughtful and insightful - are all words that appear in the book.

THE BESTSELLING QUIZ BOOK SERIES THAT HAS SOLD OVER 500,000 COPIESA PERFECT QUIZ BOOK FOR FANS OF THE HIT TV SHOW!'Such a great quiz book!'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Just like the show!'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Hours of fun!'⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐The brand new quiz book for everyone, where an 8-year-old has as much chance of winning as an 80-year-old!From the team behind the hit TV show, The 1% Club Official Quiz Book 2 is the new book packed full of brand new quiz questions. The must-have follow-up to the first bestselling book from the show.Are you in the top 50% of the country?The top 10%? Or even the top 1%?This is your chance to find out with BRAND NEW QUESTIONSTo win, you need to be able to correctly answer a set of fifteen questions that get progressively harder with each round, starting with a question that 90% of the country can get right down to a question that only 1% of the country can answer.Do you have what it takes to join The 1% Club?

BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR: AUDIOBOOK WINNER 2024NERO BOOK AWARDS WINNER 2023WINNER, NON FICTION BOOK 2023, BOOKS ARE MY BAG AWARDSSHORTLIST, BOOKSHOP.ORG INDIE CHAMPIONSSHORTLIST, AMAZON NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLIST, GOODREADS CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEARAudible Books of the Year 2023The Times Books of the Year 2023Apple Best Audiobooks of 2023BOOKSHOP.ORG Book of the Month January 2024THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'I tore through this hilarious, smart, sad, revealing book' - Bob Odenkirk'Funny, sharp and has incredible clarity' - Jon Ronson'An absolute riot. I'm literally going to read it again once I've finished, and I'm a miserable bastard...it's a belter' - FRANKIE BOYLE'Strong Female Character is a testament to the importance of self-knowledge.' - Rachael Healy, The GuardianA summary of my book:1. I'm diagnosed with autism 20 years after telling a doctor I had it.2. My terrible Catholic childhood: I hate my parents etc.3. My friendship with an elderly man who runs the corner shop and is definitely not trying to groom me. I get groomed.4. Homelessness.5. Stripping.6. More stripping but with more nervous breakdowns.7. I hate everyone at uni and live with a psycho etc.8. REDACTED as too spicy.9. After everyone tells me I don't look autistic, I try to cure my autism and get addicted to Xanax.10. REDACTED as too embarrassing.'Fern's book, like everything she does, is awesome. Incredibly funny, and so unapologetically frank that I feel genuinely sorry for her lawyers.' - PHIL WANG'Of course it's funny - it's Fern Brady - but this book is also deeply moving and eye-opening'- ADAM KAY'It made me laugh out loud and broke my heart and made me weep...I hope absolutely everyone reads this, and it makes them kinder and more curious about the way we all live' - DAISY BUCHANAN'Glorious. Frank but nuanced, a memoir that doesn't sacrifice voice or self-awareness. And it has brilliant things to say about being autistic and being funny' - ELLE MCNICOLL'A set text for all of us in 2023' - DEBORAH FRANCES-WHITE'Fern is a brilliant, beautiful writer with a unique voice and even more unique story. Astute, honest and very, very funny.' - LOU SANDERS'So funny and brilliant' - HOLLY SMALE'Witty, dry, and gimlet-eyed, Strong Female Character is a necessary corrective. Brady offers a compelling, messy, highly resonant portrait of what masked Autism feels like.' - Devon Price, author of Unmasking Autism

The official lavishly illustrated coffee table hardback visual retrospective of the cult-classic 1986 fantasy adventure film Highlander, with new interview material and previously unseen imagery.From the Scottish Highlands of the sixteenth century to present-day New York, Highlander follows Connor MacLeod – an immortal warrior who cannot escape his destiny. MacLeod is fated to duel down the ages to a distant time called the Gathering, where the last few will battle for the Prize - power beyond imagination – a power that the evil Kurgan must never possess.The Art & Making of Highlander is the first-of-its-kind coffee table book – specially shrinkwrapped and decorated with spot UV gloss on the cover for that beautiful shine - which delves into the making of the 1986 cult classic movie and celebrates its enduring 40-year legacy. Featuring brand new interviews with cast and creatives alike, this stunning book also features never-before-published concept artwork and behind-the-scenes photography that makes this book the perfect gift and a must-have for any Highlander fan.