National Network for Equitable Library Service

Don't you hate it when you tell some ignoramus you're from a certain city and they say, "Oh, do you know my friend Henry?" Or, lousy gift givers who say, "I kept the receipt, if you want to return it," so instead of a gift you end up with an extra errand? Well, so does stand-up comedian Paul Nardizzi. 602 Reasons to Be Ticked Off is his pointed response to the Things to Be Happy About series. Categorized by topic, the book features more than 600 quick-hit anecdotes on things that people do that grate on our collective nerves. Like smokers who blow smoke in your face because they know they're damaging their lungs, so why not bring along a few hostages? Whether it's a type of person-such as police officers, postal workers or the elderly — or an annoying circumstance — like driving, air travel, marriage or job interviews — Nardizzi has had it up to here (place hand palm-down six inches over head). The book offers a hilarious mix of proven-funny lines from his stand-up act as well as original material on the above subjects-and then some. This laugh-out-loud-funny gift book of PG-13 humor is sure to be enjoyed by anyone from kids in their early teens on up to old people dying in nursing homes.