The Austin American-Statesman humor columnist's autobiography.

New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster takes you from sorority house to penthouse to poorhouse in her hilarious memoir of living the sweet life—until real life kicked her to the curb. She had the perfect man, the perfect job—hell, she had the perfect life—and there was no reason to think it wouldn't last. Or maybe there was, but Jen Lancaster was too busy being manicured, pedicured, highlighted, and generally adored to notice. This is the smart-mouthed, soul-searching story of a woman trying to figure out what happens next when she's gone from six figures to unemployment checks and she stops to reconsider some of the less-than-rosy attitudes and values she thought she'd never have to answer for when times were good. Filled with caustic wit and unusual insight, it's a rollicking read as speedy and unpredictable as the trajectory of a burst balloon.

The serious study of humor has burgeoned in the last two decades, spawning a wealth of publications touching upon an array of topics crossing national, cultural, and disciplinary lines. This research bibliography captures the vibrancy and significance of the field of humor studies while documenting its output. Organized into ten broad chapters reflecting types of humor and topics of humor research, it provides extensive bibliographies on forty-five fields of humor study, each introduced by an essay outlining trends and pointing to major findings. An appendix of humor research institutes, journals, scholars and academic programs as well as a subject and author index to the thousands of sources complete the volume. Intended largely for library use by scholars and students in humor studies, the volume's topical essays are valuable for text use in related courses; the work's extensive bibliographies will foster research in diverse fields with a focus on humor.

In a humorous memoir, the actress explores the American obsession with food, fat, sex, love, beauty, and weight as she recounts her own battle with the bulge and reflects on what it means to be overweight in a skinny-obsessed world.

The memoir of a high-functioning, law-abiding (well, mostly) sociopath and a roadmap—right from the source—for dealing with the sociopath in your life. “[A] gripping and important book . . . revelatory . . . quite the memorable roller coaster ride.”—The New York Times Book Review As M.E. Thomas says of her fellow sociopaths, “We are your neighbors, your coworkers, and quite possibly the people closest to you: lovers, family, friends. Our risk-seeking behavior and general fearlessness are thrilling, our glibness and charm alluring. Our often quick wit and outside-the-box thinking make us appear intelligent—even brilliant. We climb the corporate ladder faster than the rest, and appear to have limitless self-confidence. Who are we? We are highly successful, noncriminal sociopaths and we comprise 4 percent of the American population.” Confessions of a Sociopath—part confessional memoir, part primer for the curious—takes readers on a journey into the mind of a sociopath, revealing what makes them tick while debunking myths about sociopathy and offering a road map for dealing with the sociopaths in your life. M. E. Thomas draws from her own experiences as a diagnosed sociopath; her popular blog, Sociopathworld; and scientific literature to unveil for the very first time these men and women who are “hiding in plain sight.”