Peter Leroy struggles to win the affections of the toothsome Patti Fiorenza while keeping his mother's hopes and his mother's boat afloat. Ella Leroy dreams of escaping the dreary routine of her 1950s wife-and-mom life. Without telling her husband, she enlists her son Peter and his locally-notorious girlfriend Patti in a scheme to buy a run-down clamboat and re-invent it as an elegant cruising vessel for summer people in the bayside town of Babbington, Long Island. But after they've bought the boat, Peter discovers that it is slowly sinking. "Raucous, wise, and great fun, this is simply not to be missed." Nancy Pearl, Booklist "The secret dreams and yearnings of a soul in the making, a fool for beauty." Frederic Koeppel, Memphis Commercial Appeal "Fascinating and sophisticated." Jennifer Reese, The New York Times Book Review "The best description of sex appeal anywhere, ever." Peter Jon Shuler

Peter Leroy constructs a plausible adult life for his grade school chum Matthew Barber, now living in Boston, where he is vice-president of a toy company by day, but becomes Bertram W. Beath, restaurant reviewer, when the sun goes down. Reservations Recommended is a satire of the critical mind; a dark commentary on contemporary culture; a story of midlife crisis; a morality play; and a book that matches bleakness against humor, seasoned throughout with B. W. Beath's hilariously acid reviews. We watch as Matthew Barber descends from a self-protective superiority into a species of madness, and into the dark night of the soul. "A brilliant satire." LA Life "A merciless sendup of contemporary American pretensions.' Janice Harayda, Cleveland Plain Dealer "Wonderfully readable . . . touching and intelligent." Richard Gehr, The Village Voice

Peter Leroy finally completes a junior-high-school science assignment, thirty years late, exploring along the way quantum physics, entropy, epistemology, principles of uncertainty and discontinuity, a range of life's Big Questions, and his memories of his intoxicating science teacher, Miss Rheingold. "Warm . . . thought-provoking . . . charming . . . delightful." Library Journal (starred review) "A book designed to leave its readers-and it deserves many of them-as happy as clams." Walter Satterthwait, The New York Times Book Review "Luminously intelligent fun." Time

Peter Leroy receives his sexual initiation at the hands of the Glynn twins, becomes a sketch doctor, listens to many tales about the night the Nevsky mansion burned, learns the value of hope, and discovers the love of his life. As is usual with Peter's recollections, we are never certain where memory ends and imagination begins-but we are certain that we are reading the work of a brilliant memoirist who reconstructs his past with wry humor, nostalgia, satire, and dazzling invention. "A witty and wildly digressive epistemological examination in the form of a childhood reminiscence." The New Yorker "Wholly engaging . . . a daring tour de force." Jonathan Baumbach, The New York Times Book Review "One of the more hilariously erotic pieces of writing since Lolita." Edward Hannibal, The East Hampton Star

Dogs are dangerous. And they are more dangerous to children than to adults. Not as dangerous of course, as kitchen utensils, drapery cords, five-gallon water buckets, horses, or cows. Not nearly as dangerous as playground equipment, swimming pools, skateboards, or bikes. And not remotely as dangerous as family, friends, guns, or cars.

Have you ever heard a fart that could save the day? In this New York Times bestselling kids book, every toot tells a funny tale! Over one million copies sold and countless giggles shared! Meet Walter, a fine dog with flatulence. Despite his distinctive trait, he's loved by his siblings Billy and Betty. But Father has had enough! On the brink of being sent to the dog pound, Walter’s unexpected asset turns into his superpower when burglars break in. With a heroic toot, he saves the day and earns his place in the family’s heart. This hilarious tale for children ages 4-8 (and adults who aren't afraid to laugh) features surreal illustrations by Audrey Colman and an absurdly comical storyline. Walter the Farting Dog is a timeless story about acceptance, love, and the incredible power of being oneself...farts and all. Recommended by parents, librarians, and kids who know a thing or two about funny business, Walter the Farting Dog is more than just a book—it's a shared memory, a giggle-inducing classic, and a beloved family treasure. Join Walter on his windy adventure, penned by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray, and discover why this book has captured hearts for over two decades. Embrace the laughter and share this delightful read with the whole family!

An instructive and marvelously entertaining chronicle of a puppy's first year, by the executive editor of The New York Times One sparkling summer day, Jill Abramson brought home a nine-week-old golden retriever named Scout. Over the following year, as she and her husband raised their adorable new puppy, Abramson wrote a hugely popular column for The New York Times's website about the joys and challenges of training this rambunctious addition to their family. Dog-lovers from across the country inundated her with e-mails and letters, and the photos they sent in of their own dogs became the most visited photo album on the Times's site in 2009. Now Abramson has gone far beyond the material in her column and written a detailed and deeply personal account of Scout's first year. Part memoir, part manual, part investigative report, The Puppy Diaries continues Abramson's intrepid reporting on all things canine. Along the way, she weighs in on such issues as breeders or shelters, adoption or rescue, raw diet or vegan, pack-leader gurus like Cesar Millan or positive-reinforcement advocates like Karen Pryor. What should you expect when a new puppy enters your life? With utterly winning stories and a wealth of practical information, The Puppy Diaries provides an essential road map for navigating the first year of your dog's life.