ABRAMS
Cheap Laffs: The Art of the Novelty Item (Oct., $19.95) by Mark Newgarden and PictureBox Inc. looks at the history of the novelty items, from fake vomit and whoopee cushions to joy buzzers.
ANDREWS MCMEEL
Mixed Nuts (Oct., $7.95) by Mik Wright Ltd. pairs witty captions with family photos.
ATRIA
Yeah, I Said It (Sept., $23) by Wanda Sykes. The comedian, sitcom star and sports commentator shares her tart and funny insights. Ad/promo. 7-city author tour.
BLACK DOG & LEVENTHAL
The Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker (Sept., $60), edited by Robert Mankoff, features more than 2,000 cartoons; essays by Roger Angell, Lillian Ross, John Updike and Calvin Trillin; and 2 CDs with every cartoon ever published by the magazine—more than 68,000. $20,000 ad/promo.
BROADWAY BOOKS
The Suburban You: Reports from the Home Front (Sept., $21.95) by Mark Falanga examines the vicissitudes of suburban life.
Dysfunctional Family Christmas Songbook (Oct., $12.95) by John Boswell and Lenore Skenazy includes the likes of "Slutty Night," an ode to Uncle Lester and his exotic dancer girlfriend.
CHRONICLE BOOKS
The Villain's Guide to Better Living (Oct., $12.95) by Neil Zawacki, illust. by Bill Brown, includes tips for devilish home decor, evil career paths and getting together with nasty cohorts.
CONARI
Gladys on the Go (Sept., $14.95) by Kelly Povo and Phyllis Root is a travelogue of Gladys's adventures in search of herself.
Hot Flash Gal (Sept., $14.95) by Kelly Povo and Phyllis Root depicts women riding Harleys and shoveling snow in swimsuits in a tongue-in-cheek celebration of menopause.
CRANE HILL PUBLISHERS
Fairy Tales: Cinderella;
...Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs;
...Sleeping Beauty (Oct., $9.95 each), all by Keith Harrelson, launch this series of traditional fairy tales with dogs portraying the beloved characters.
CROWN
All the Presidents' Pets: The Story of One Reporter Who Refused to Roll Over (Oct., $22) by Mo Rocca. The TV satirist reveals who really runs the White House. Ad/promo. Author publicity. 20-city radio satellite tour.
DA CAPO PRESS
Planet Simpson (Sept., $24) by Chris Turner shows how a cartoon defined a generation.
GOLLANCZ (dist. by Sterling)
The McAtrix Derided: A Parody... or Is That Just What THEY What You to Think? (Sept., $9.95) by Robertski Brothers. Another blockbuster is knocked down to size with this parody of The Matrix and its confused sequels.
HARPERBUSINESS
Sun Tzu Was a Sissy: How to Conquer Your Enemies, Promote Your Friends, and Wage the Real Art of War (Oct., $19.95) by Stanley Bing. Sun Tzu's The Art of War is replaced with this how-to-wage-war-and-win-all-the-spoils guide. 50,000 first printing. $50,000 ad/promo.
HENRY HOLT
Queenan Country: A Reluctant Anglophile's Pilgrimage to the Mother Country (Nov., $22) by Joe Queenan pursues the answer to the question: What makes the Brits tick? Author tour.
HYPERION
When Will Jesus Bring the Porkchops? (Oct., $23.95) by George Carlin delivers more irreverent humor and cultural observations. 350,000 first printing.
LITTLE, BROWN
Yiddish with Dick and Jane (Sept., $14.95) by Ellis Weiner and Barbara Davilman. The least Jewish characters in American literature spout Yiddishisms. Ad/promo. Radio satellite tour.
Opus: 25 Years of His Sunday Best (Oct., $22.95) by Berkeley Breathed collects of best of Opus, everyone's favorite maladjusted penguin. Ad/promo. 4-city author tour.
MANIC D PRESS
Intelligent Jokes (Sept., $11.95) by Sion Rubi is for those looking for more than a rudimentary punchline. Advertising.
MORROW
'Scuse Me While I Whip This Out (Oct., $22.95) by Kinky Friedman gathers Friedman's twisted tales on life. 50,000 first printing.
PETER PAUPER PRESS
A Swingin' Christmas (Sept., $14.99), text and photographs by Kelly Povo. Swing into the holidays with this book/CD combo that includes classics by Sinatra, Crosby and Benny Goodman.
RUTLEDGE HILL PRESS
There's No Place Like (A Mobile) Home for the Holidays (Sept., $14.99) by Jeff Foxworthy celebrates a redneck Christmas; includes a CD single of Foxworthy's The Redneck 12 Days of Christmas.
ST. MARTIN'S
How to Remodel a Man: Tips and Techniques on Accomplishing Something You Know Is Impossible but Want to Try Anyway (Sept., $19.95) by Bruce Cameron takes a stab at a perennial self-help subject: how to change your man. First serial to O magazine. Author tour.
SANCTUARY PUBLISHING (dist. by PGW)
The Lore of Averages: Facts, Figures and Stories That Make Everyday Life Extraordinary (Feb., $14.95) by Karen Farrington is a quirky collection of trivia that explores weird realities.
SIMON & SCHUSTER
Giraffes? Giraffes! (Oct., $19.95) by Dr. and Mr. Haggis-on-Whey is a wacky look at the culture of giraffes. Author publicity.
SURREY BOOKS
Shag's Zodiac: Offbeat Adventures in Astrology (Sept., $12.95) by Eve Lederman is a retro look at the 12 signs. Advertising.
UNIVERSE
Bow the Dog (Oct., $16.95) by Artist Collection gathers photos of puppies at their cutest (taken with a fish-eye lens).
UNIV. OF WISCONSIN PRESS/TERRACE BOOKS
Something I Said?: Innuendo and Out the Other (Sept., $22.95) by Michael Feldman. Known for his public radio show, Whad'ya Know?, Feldman spouts off; includes CD.
WARNER
TheDaily Show with Jon Stewart
Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction (Sept., $24.95) by Jon Stewart and the Daily Show writers delivers an uproarious look at American government. Ad/promo. 25-city radio satellite tour.
WEATHERHILL
Gairaigo: Language from the Outside (Sept., $14.95), written and designed by Holger Jacobs, edited by Philomena Keet, reviews the thousands of English words "borrowed" and now part of the Japanese language.
WEISER BOOKS
What Is Goth? (Sept., $15.95) by Voltaire is a self-deprecating look at Goth culture.
WILLOW CREEK PRESS
101 Uses for a Jack Russell (Sept., $14.95), photos by Dusan Smetana, shows enterprising Jack Russell terriers as they display their hidden talents.
