Dilbert and the Way of the Weasel $14.97, 352 pages, hardcover. I've always enjoyed Scott Adams' office-related Dilbert cartoons but I've sometimes felt his out-of-the-office strips missed the mark. I don't find Ratbert's adventures posing as a chihuahua as interesting as Dilbert's battles with marketing and finance, battles with which I can easily identify. In this book, however, Adams hits the mark squarely both in and out of the office. He basically claims that practically everyone in the world is a weasel in one way or another and the book gives examples to prove his point. He covers such diverse topics as manager weasels, financial weasels, the weaseliest professions, social weaseling, and weasel abuse. It's fun to listen to his categorizations of other peoples' weaseling techniques and, on a deeper level, to see which techniques you use yourself. Note that on page 162 in the Weaseliest Professions chapter is a section titled Writers, a group to which both Adams and I belong ;-)

The Devil's Dictionary $13.97, 440 pages, hardcover. Satirist Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) started compiling these humorous, witty, and sometimes scathing definitions in the weekly journal Wasp in 1881. Today the word play and double meanings have a wry bite missing from much of today's humor. A few examples: DIPLOMACY, n. The patriotic art of lying for one's country. HAPPINESS, n. An agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another. PRESIDENT, n. A temporary chief, elected by the leaders of a party of political bandits, for the purpose of dividing the spoils amongst them. SENATE, n. A body of elderly gentlemen charged with high duties and misdemeanours. Material from the original work can also be found in several places online including: Alcyone Systems The Internet Wiretap The Literature Network

The Devil's Dictionary $10.36, 148 pages, paperback. An abbreviated paperback version of the previous book.

Einstein Simplified $12.00, 162 pages, paperback. Science cartoons by Sidney Harris.

Chalk Up Another One $10.95, 146 pages, paperback. More science cartoons by Sidney Harris.

From Personal Ads to Cloning Labs $12.95, 146 pages, paperback. Still more science cartoons by Sidney Harris.

Big Science $10.95, 120 pages, paperback. Science cartoons by Nick Downes.

Fox Trot

Fox Trot $10.95, 128 pages, paperback. The book that started it all. Meet the Fox family: technophobe father Roger; writer, mother, and would be health-food nut Andy; jock wannabe Peter; phone adicted sister Paige; computer and math wiz Jason; and Jason's inscrutable iguana Quincy.

Pass The Loot $9.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Black Bart Says Draw $9.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Eight Yards Down and Out $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Say Hello To Cactus Flats $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Bury My Heart at Fun-Fun Mountain $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

May the Force be With Us, Please $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Take Us To Your Mall $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

The Return of the Lone Iguana $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

At Least This Place Sells T-Shirts $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Come Closer, Roger, There's a Mosquito On Your Nose $10.95, 128 pages, paperback.

Welcome to Jasorassic Park $9.95, 127 pages, paperback.

I'm Flying, Jack...I Mean, Roger $10.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Think iFruity $9.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Death By Field Trip $9.95, 127 pages, paperback. This book only has two strips per page instead of the three per page in previous books. The material it does contain is as funny as ever.

Dilbert

It's Obvious You Won't Survive by Your Wits Alone $12.95, 255 pages, paperback.

Casual Day Has Gone Too Far $9.95, 128 pages, paperback.

Still Pumped from Using the Mouse $9.95, 128 pages, paperback.

Always Postpone Meetings With Time Wasting Morons $8.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Build a Better Life by Stealing Office Supplies $8.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Shave the Whales $9.95, 128 pages, paperback.

Dogbert's Clues for the Clueless $8.95, 112 pages, paperback.

Bring Me the Head of Willy the Mailboy! $9.95, 127 pages, paperback.

I'm Not Anti-Business, I'm Anti-Idiot $9.95, 127 pages, paperback.

Other

Philadelphia Chickens $11.87, 64 pages, hardcover with CD. An incredibly silly collection of songs by the brilliant children's artist Sandra Boynton and music master Michael Ford. Amazon says this books is for ages 4-8 but the book's cover is closer to the truth when it says for all ages except 43 (and it's wrong about 43). Features the tragic strains of "Faraway Cookies" (So high on the shelf), "Belly Button" (So great to contemplate), and "Those Dinosaur Blues." Great lyrics and excellent music featuring some surprising artists such as Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Scott Bakula. A real bargain for this price!

Rhinocerous Tap $11.87, 57 pages, hardcover with CD. Another collection of silly songs by Sandra Boynton and Michael Ford. I haven't heard this one yet but am ordering it. It's hard to imagine going wrong for under $12.

Artemis Fowl $6.99, 277 pages, paperback. The first book about Artemis Fowl, the 12-year-old evil super genius. In this book, the criminal mastermind plots to kidnap an elf and ransom her for fairy gold. An action-packed romp for those who like young adult books (such as Harry Potter). This book also features a code that you can break to read a secret message printed along the bottom of the book's pages. (Okay, it's an easy code but fun).

Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident $7.99, 288 pages, paperback. Artemis Fowl, the 12-year-old evil super genius, is back. This time he's trying to save his father from Russian mobsters. Along the way he must save the underground fairy world and meet a dwarf who steals Academy Awards for a hobby. Like the first Artemis Fowl book, this one features a code that you can break to read a secret message printed along the bottom of the book's pages.