The critically acclaimed novel from a master of contemporary American fiction—now available as an ebook

A funny, candid look at the beginning of a promising literary career launched remarkably early

Being a teenage literary prodigy is hard. Richard Goodman may have a book contract at seventeen, but his parents don’t respect his opinions, he can’t lose his virginity, and his ego inflates and deflates with every breath. Even when Richard receives the attention he craves, he finds that fame and fortune can’t deliver him from his own flaws.

The Work Is Innocent is Yglesias’s fictional take on his own freakishly precocious literary coming-out as a teen. Written with startlingly self-assured prose and unflinching self-awareness, this novel explores the hilarious and harrowing complications of youthful success.

This ebook features a new illustrated biography of Rafael Yglesias, including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.

Review

“It is a spectacular achievement, while you are still growing up, to write a good novel about growing up—which is what this author did at age fifteen. Now, at the ripe age of twenty-two, Rafael Yglesias looks over his shoulder and tells what it was like. Another bull’s-eye.”

—The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Rafael Yglesias (b. 1954) is a master American storyteller whose career began with the publication of his first novel, Hide Fox, and All After, at seventeen. Through four decades Yglesias has produced numerous highly acclaimed novels, including Fearless, which was adapted into the film starring Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez. He lives on New York City’s Upper East Side.

The Zombie Survival Guide is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now. Fully illustrated and exhaustively comprehensive, this book covers everything you need to know, including how to understand zombie physiology and behavior, the most effective defense tactics and weaponry, ways to outfit your home for a long siege, and how to survive and adapt in any territory or terrain. Don't be carefree and foolish with your most precious asset — life. The Zombie Survival Guide offers complete protection through trusted, proven tips for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against the living dead. It is a book that can save your life.

This is an extremely funny online book, which talks about differences between a man and a woman. The author also has a paper book with the same title, but nothing in the book has ever appeared online, so they are completely different.

Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), published in 1889, is a humorous account by Jerome K. Jerome of a boating holiday on the Thames between Kingston and Oxford.

The book was intended initially to be a serious travel guide, with accounts of local history of places along the route, but the humorous elements eventually took over, to the point where the serious and somewhat sentimental passages now seem like an unnecessary distraction to the essentially comic novel. One of the most praised things about Three Men in a Boat is how undated it appears to modern readers. The jokes seem fresh and witty even today.

THREE INVALIDS. — SUFFERINGS OF GEORGE AND HARRIS. — A VICTIM TO ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN FATAL MALADIES. — USEFUL PRESCRIPTIONS. — CURE FOR LIVER COMPLAINT IN CHILDREN. — WE AGREE THAT WE ARE OVERWORKED, AND NEED REST. — A WEEK ON THE ROLLING DEEP? — GEORGE SUGGESTS THE RIVER. — MONTMORENCY LODGES AN OBJECTION. — ORIGINAL MOTION CARRIED BY MAJORITY OF THREE TO ONE.

PLANS DISCUSSED. — PLEASURES OF «CAMPING–OUT,» ON FINE NIGHTS. — DITTO, WET NIGHTS. — COMPROMISE DECIDED ON. — MONTMORENCY, FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF. — FEARS LEST HE IS TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD, FEARS SUBSEQUENTLY DISMISSED AS GROUNDLESS. — MEETING ADJOURNS.

ARRANGEMENTS SETTLED. — HARRIS'S METHOD OF DOING WORK. — HOW THE ELDERLY, FAMILY–MAN PUTS UP A PICTURE. — GEORGE MAKES A SENSIBLE, REMARK. — DELIGHTS OF EARLY MORNING BATHING. — PROVISIONS FOR GETTING UPSET.

THE FOOD QUESTION. — OBJECTIONS TO PARAFFINE OIL AS AN ATMOSPHERE. — ADVANTAGES OF CHEESE AS A TRAVELLING COMPANION. — A MARRIED WOMAN DESERTS HER HOME. — FURTHER PROVISION FOR GETTING UPSET. — I PACK. — CUSSEDNESS OF TOOTH–BRUSHES. — GEORGE AND HARRIS PACK. — AWFUL BEHAVIOUR OF MONTMORENCY. — WE RETIRE TO REST.

MRS. P. AROUSES US. — GEORGE, THE SLUGGARD. — THE «WEATHER FORECAST» SWINDLE. — OUR LUGGAGE. — DEPRAVITY OF THE SMALL BOY. — THE PEOPLE GATHER ROUND US. — WE DRIVE OFF IN GREAT STYLE, AND ARRIVE AT WATERLOO. — INNOCENCE OF SOUTH WESTERN OFFICIALS CONCERNING SUCH WORLDLY THINGS AS TRAINS. — WE ARE AFLOAT, AFLOAT IN AN OPEN BOAT.

KINGSTON. — INSTRUCTIVE REMARKS ON EARLY ENGLISH HISTORY. — INSTRUCTIVE OBSERVATIONS ON CARVED OAK AND LIFE IN GENERAL. — SAD CASE OF STIVVINGS, JUNIOR. — MUSINGS ON ANTIQUITY. — I FORGET THAT I AM STEERING. — INTERESTING RESULT. — HAMPTON COURT MAZE. — HARRIS AS A GUIDE.

THE RIVER IN ITS SUNDAY GARB. — DRESS ON THE RIVER. — A CHANCE FOR THE MEN. — ABSENCE OF TASTE IN HARRIS. — GEORGE'S BLAZER. — A DAY WITH THE FASHION–PLATE YOUNG LADY. — MRS. THOMAS'S TOMB. — THE MAN WHO LOVES NOT GRAVES AND COFFINS AND SKULLS. — HARRIS MAD. — HIS VIEWS ON GEORGE AND BANKS AND LEMONADE. — HE PERFORMS TRICKS.

BLACKMAILING. — THE PROPER COURSE TO PURSUE. — SELFISH BOORISHNESS OF RIVER–SIDE LANDOWNER. — «NOTICE» BOARDS. — UNCHRISTIANLIKE FEELINGS OF HARRIS. — HOW HARRIS SINGS A COMIC SONG. — A HIGH–CLASS PARTY. — SHAMEFUL CONDUCT OF TWO ABANDONED YOUNG MEN. — SOME USELESS INFORMATION. — GEORGE BUYS A BANJO.

GEORGE IS INTRODUCED TO WORK. — HEATHENISH INSTINCTS OF TOW–LINES. — UNGRATEFUL CONDUCT OF A DOUBLE–SCULLING SKIFF. — TOWERS AND TOWED. — A USE DISCOVERED FOR LOVERS. — STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF AN ELDERLY LADY. — MUCH HASTE, LESS SPEED. — BEING TOWED BY GIRLS: EXCITING SENSATION. — THE MISSING LOCK OR THE HAUNTED RIVER. — MUSIC. — SAVED!

OUR FIRST NIGHT. — UNDER CANVAS. — AN APPEAL FOR HELP. — CONTRARINESS OF TEA–KETTLES, HOW TO OVERCOME. — SUPPER. — HOW TO FEEL VIRTUOUS. — WANTED! A COMFORTABLY–APPOINTED, WELL–DRAINED DESERT ISLAND, NEIGHBOURHOOD OF SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN PREFERRED. — FUNNY THING THAT HAPPENED TO GEORGE'S FATHER. — A RESTLESS NIGHT.

HOW GEORGE, ONCE UPON A TIME, GOT UP EARLY IN THE MORNING. — GEORGE, HARRIS, AND MONTMORENCY DO NOT LIKE THE LOOK OF THE COLD WATER. — HEROISM AND DETERMINATION ON THE PART OF J. — GEORGE AND HIS SHIRT: STORY WITH A MORAL. — HARRIS AS COOK. — HISTORICAL RETROSPECT, SPECIALLY INSERTED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS.

HENRY VIII. AND ANNE BOLEYN. — DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN SAME HOUSE WITH PAIR OF LOVERS. — A TRYING TIME FOR THE ENGLISH NATION. — A NIGHT SEARCH FOR THE PICTURESQUE. — HOMELESS AND HOUSELESS. — HARRIS PREPARES TO DIE. — AN ANGEL COMES ALONG. — EFFECT OF SUDDEN JOY ON HARRIS. — A LITTLE SUPPER. — LUNCH. — HIGH PRICE FOR MUSTARD. — A FEARFUL BATTLE. — MAIDENHEAD. — SAILING. — THREE FISHERS. — WE ARE CURSED.

MARLOW. — BISHAM ABBEY. — THE MEDMENHAM MONKS. — MONTMORENCY THINKS HE WILL MURDER AN OLD TOM CAT. — BUT EVENTUALLY DECIDES THAT HE WILL LET IT LIVE. — SHAMEFUL CONDUCT OF A FOX TERRIER AT THE CIVIL SERVICE STORES. — OUR DEPARTURE FROM MARLOW. — AN IMPOSING PROCESSION. — THE STEAM LAUNCH, USEFUL RECEIPTS FOR ANNOYING AND HINDERING IT. — WE DECLINE TO DRINK THE RIVER. — A PEACEFUL DOG. — STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF HARRIS AND A PIE.

WARGRAVE. — WAXWORKS. — SONNING. — OUR STEW. — MONTMORENCY IS SARCASTIC. — FIGHT BETWEEN MONTMORENCY AND THE TEA–KETTLE. — GEORGE'S BANJO STUDIES. — MEET WITH DISCOURAGEMENT. — DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF THE MUSICAL AMATEUR. — LEARNING TO PLAY THE BAGPIPES. — HARRIS FEELS SAD AFTER SUPPER. — GEORGE AND I GO FOR A WALK. — RETURN HUNGRY AND WET. — THERE IS A STRANGENESS ABOUT HARRIS. — HARRIS AND THE SWANS, A REMARKABLE STORY. — HARRIS HAS A TROUBLED NIGHT.

HOUSEHOLD DUTIES. — LOVE OF WORK. — THE OLD RIVER HAND, WHAT HE DOES AND WHAT HE TELLS YOU HE HAS DONE. — SCEPTICISM OF THE NEW GENERATION. — EARLY BOATING RECOLLECTIONS. — RAFTING. — GEORGE DOES THE THING IN STYLE. — THE OLD BOATMAN, HIS METHOD. — SO CALM, SO FULL OF PEACE. — THE BEGINNER. — PUNTING. — A SAD ACCIDENT. — PLEASURES OF FRIENDSHIP. — SAILING, MY FIRST EXPERIENCE. — POSSIBLE REASON WHY WE WERE NOT DROWNED.

READING. — WE ARE TOWED BY STEAM LAUNCH. — IRRITATING BEHAVIOUR OF SMALL BOATS. — HOW THEY GET IN THE WAY OF STEAM LAUNCHES. — GEORGE AND HARRIS AGAIN SHIRK THEIR WORK. — RATHER A HACKNEYED STORY. — STREATLEY AND GORING.

WASHING DAY. — FISH AND FISHERS. — ON THE ART OF ANGLING. — A CONSCIENTIOUS FLY–FISHER. — A FISHY STORY.

LOCKS. — GEORGE AND I ARE PHOTOGRAPHED. — WALLINGFORD. — DORCHESTER. — ABINGDON. — A FAMILY MAN. — A GOOD SPOT FOR DROWNING. — A DIFFICULT BIT OF WATER. — DEMORALIZING EFFECT OF RIVER AIR.

OXFORD. — MONTMORENCY'S IDEA OF HEAVEN. — THE HIRED UP–RIVER BOAT, ITS BEAUTIES AND ADVANTAGES. — THE «PRIDE OF THE THAMES.» — THE WEATHER CHANGES. — THE RIVER UNDER DIFFERENT ASPECTS. — NOT A CHEERFUL EVENING. — YEARNINGS FOR THE UNATTAINABLE. — THE CHEERY CHAT GOES ROUND. — GEORGE PERFORMS UPON THE BANJO. — A MOURNFUL MELODY. — ANOTHER WET DAY. — FLIGHT. — A LITTLE SUPPER AND A TOAST.

Avery Bartholomew Pendleton is back, and he’s just as crazy as ever. Avery is a paranoid loner obsessed with global conspiracy theories who spends most of his time crafting absurd and threatening letters to anyone who offends him. That means pretty much everyone.

Still convinced of the existence of the mythical Mexican chupacabra*, Avery enlists the assistance of the Southwest Texas Revolutionary Armed Confederate Border Operations Militia (STRAC-BOM) and their manic leader, General X-Ray, to help him invade Mexico. Accompanied by Ziggy, a burned-out hippy, and an uncommonly large iguana named Nancy, the group follows the advice of a New Orleans voodoo priestess and heads straight into the Mexican desert.

Unfortunately for the motley gang of explorers, Mexico can be a dangerous place if you cross the wrong people — specifically, the Padre, a vicious drug cartel boss, and El Barquero, a murderous gunrunner who has crossed Avery’s path before.

What unfolds is a laugh-out-loud dark comedy of insane humor, unforgettable characters, and chilling thrills.

_{*No chupacabras were injured in the writing of this book.}

Avery Bartholomew Pendleton is back, and he’s just as crazy as ever. Avery is a paranoid loner obsessed with global conspiracy theories who spends most of his time crafting absurd and threatening letters to anyone who offends him. That means pretty much everyone.

Still convinced of the existence of the mythical Mexican chupacabra, Avery enlists the assistance of the Southwest Texas Revolutionary Armed Confederate Border Operations Militia (STRAC-BOM) and their manic leader, General X-Ray, to help him invade Mexico. Accompanied by Ziggy, a burned-out hippy, and an uncommonly large iguana named Nancy, the group follows the advice of a New Orleans voodoo priestess and heads straight into the Mexican desert.

Unfortunately for the motley gang of explorers, Mexico can be a dangerous place if you cross the wrong people - specifically, the Padre, a vicious drug cartel boss, and El Barquero, a murderous gunrunner who has crossed Avery’s path before.

What unfolds is a laugh-out-loud dark comedy of insane humor, unforgettable characters, and chilling thrills.

Malcolm Thomas is not happy. The view he loves is about to be blocked by an ugly building. He decides to take action and forms a protest group. Then things go badly wrong and Malcolm finds himself running for his life. Along the way he gets mixed up with corrupt town planners, violent gangsters, and a kidnapped concert pianist. Malcolm starts to wonder if objecting to the building was such a good idea when he finds himself upside down with a gun in his mouth.

This hilarious story from Monty Python star, Terry Jones, will make you laugh out loud.

Wondering if science could explain how he survived his 40-year avalanche of drugs and alcohol, Ozzy Osbourne became one of a handful of people in the world to have his entire DNA mapped in 2010. It was a highly complex, $65,000 process, but the results were conclusive: Ozzy is a genetic anomaly. The “Full Ozzy Genome” contained variants that scientists had never before encountered and the findings were presented at the prestigious TEDMED Conference in San Diego-making headlines around the world. The procedure was in part sponsored by The Sunday Times of London, which had already caused an international fururoe by appointing Ozzy Osbourne its star health advice columnist. The newpaper argued that Ozzy’s mutliple near-death experiences, 40-year history of drug abuse, and extreme hypocondria qualified him more than any other for the job. The column was an overnight hit, being quickly picked up by Rolling Stone to give it a global audience of millions. In TRUST ME, I'M DR. OZZY, Ozzy answers reader's questions with his outrageous wit and surprising wisdom, digging deep into his past to tell the memoir-style survival stories never published before-and offer guidance that no sane human being should follow. Part humor, part memoir, and part bad advice, TRUST ME, I’M DR. OZZY will include some of the best material from his published columns, answers to celebrities' medical questions, charts, sidebars, and more.

About the Author

Ozzy Osbourne was born in Aston, Birmingham, in 1948. He has sold over a hundred million records both with Black Sabbath and as a Grammy Award-winning solo artist. He has five children and lives with his wife, Sharon, in California and Buckinghamshire.

_{Best viewed with CoolReader v.2 or CoolReader v.3}

A heartwarming novel about the surprise of second chances in the autumn of your life.

Gor is keeping busy. He has a magic show to rehearse, his new assistant to get in line and a dacha in dire need of weeding. But he keeps being distracted by a tapping on his window – four floors up. Is old age finally catching up with him?

Tolya has woken from a long illness to find his memory gone. Tidied away in a sanatorium, with only the view of a pine tree for entertainment, he is delighted when young doctor Vlad decides to make a project of him. With a keen listener by his side, and the aid of smuggled home-made sugary delights, Tolya’s boyhood memories return, revealing dark secrets…

Two Cousins of Azov is a tender and wonderful story of two men who, in the autumn of their years, have the chance to learn that memories can heal, as well as haunt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCq_k4SFI3A