Retail Ramblings by Kevin Domenic

Release Date: 23/10/10

Publisher: Unknown

Pages: Unknown (Kindle Edition)

Target Audience: Adults

Genre: Non-Fiction/Humour

Synopsis: If, for some demented reason, you ever have the desire to meet the most disrespectful, unreasonable, selfish, angry, impatient, and unfeeling people in the world, you may want to consider a career in customer service. 

After a decade in the industry, I can safely say that humanity is at its worst when they walk through the doors of any retail establishment and cross that boundary that separates human from customer. It's a frightful transformation not unlike the transition of man to werewolf. Usually competent people become babbling idiots, loving mothers become haggling shrews, and kindly old men turn into vicious scavengers. 

Don't believe me? This book chronicles some of the most outrageous and unbelievable encounters I've faced during my years of servitude to the retail beast. Don't let the cover page fool you. A dark world lurks within. 

Have you ever worked retail? 

I feel your pain

My Review: I can't say too much or I spoil the point of such a funny book. If you work in retail or if you don't and your on the more sympathetic side of the general public, give this a read. It's funny. So very funny. I was in stitches reading this, 

Like I said, I can't really write a lengthy review for this. All I will say is take this with a pinch of salt, and have a good think about how you are when you're shopping. Are you a nice shopper?

Oh, and the end bit about the guy's boss is simply hilarious :) I'll shut up now. Mr Domenic, I really hope you're over your anger issues now, but thanks for a really good laugh :D

Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories by Megan Kelley Hall et al

Target Audience: Everyone
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biographical

I usually review my books in the order in which I read them, but I decided to deviate from that rule because you have to write some review while you have the words to say what you want to say, otherwise you risk never finding those words again.  This is one of those reviews.
Dear Bully compiles some of the most heart-wrenching, moving, inspiring, horrifying and heartbreaking tales of bullying that I have ever read about. Whether the contributing author was the Bully, victim or bystander they are all truly memorable.

I'm not ashamed to say that some of the authors stories made me shed a few tears and as someone who has suffered bullying as a child to some extent, I could relate to some of the feelings these authors have expressed during their retelling's of their own bullying experiences.

What I think is so alarming, and this is something I wish teachers in schools and parents would take note of, is that these authors all remember there experiences of bullying so clearly. This should immediately send alarm bells ringing in people's heads as clearly these experiences are not 'just part of growing up' and clearly leave some form of emotional scaring on the individuals involved as well as awful memories. I think the message is clear, bullying should not be tolerated, it is not something to endure and it should be stopped, no child (or adult even) should have to go through these experiences.

On the brighter side of things, a lot of these experiences have been channelled into positive things such as ideas for books, the strength to move on or even to become a stronger individual but the fact still remains, no one should ever have to endure victimisation in order to become something more in life. Not all stories have a positive outcome and there are some sobering facts about bullying and suicide that will make you think twice about your views.

Whether written in the form of essay, poem or short story these are a collection of stories that everyone should read, whether you've been bullied or not, whether you've witnessed it or not or even if you were a bully yourself. This is a book that will give you an insight into the minds of victims and bully's alike.

Enormous Boobs: Stupidest Bloopers and Hilarious Headlines by Richard Benson

Target Audience: Teens/Young Adults/Adults
Genre: Humour/Non-Fiction


This book is funny on so many different levels. Admittedly, it's not the funniest book I've ever read but still it ranks up there pretty high.  I honestly couldn't believe how so many people can write the stupidest things in classified ads, headlines and other such things.
Most of the problems seemed to be down to misplaced comma's and apostrophes, much to my own amusement. The rest of them were a mix of famous people unable to keep there mouths shut and editors not editing their newspapers correctly.

A lot of the jokes would probably go over a young child's head which is why I've recommended it for Teens and Adults as opposed to young children, although having said that, if they have a wicked sense of humour I would not want to deter anyone from reading this, whatever age they may be.

I can't really write much for this without posting great chunks of the book so I'll just say that if you aren't laughing at the first few 'boobs' then I'll be very surprised. And in the meantime when you're writing things don't forget to proof read it ;-)

...Oops! The Text Messages You Wish You Never Sent by Nicotext

Target Audience: Adults (strong adult content)
Genre: Humour/Non-fiction



A lot of this book requires you to have a really high tolerance for rude and pretty explicit messages for the most part, although there are some more innocent incorrectly sent texts throughout the book.
Admittedly, the funniest examples for me were the texts that people meant to sent to their husbands/wives and accidentally sent to their bosses (with highly amusing responses!)
Then there were the idiots having affairs who texted their wives/husbands with texts meant for the people they were cheating on them with (also very funny consequences)

I have to admit, i have read a lot of humour books and this has to be one of the funniest. I will warn you though, if your offended by sexually explicit language or slang then don't read it because it will offend.  If your like me though and take that sort of humour with a pinch of salt, go ahead and read, you'll be doubled up laughing in no time.

I won't post any specific examples on here because i don't want to spoil the fun for any would-be readers, but i will tell you that this book is worth every penny i spent on it, it really really made me laugh!

Postsecret by Frank Warren

Target Audience: Adults

Genre: Humour/Non-fiction

Postsecret is one of those rare non-fiction books that manages to be even more captivating and imaginative than an actual fiction book, and i found myself totally absorbed in the thoughts that go through other people's minds.
Yes, some of the postcards were very funny and i had a good laugh, but a lot of them were confessions that the individuals had clearly never voiced before in their lives.

Some of the confessions were so harrowing i was left stunned and i really hope it helped those people who confessed their secrets having them know that other people now know how their feeling.
One of the most shocking confession was a particular sad one in which the person who wrote it had been raped and couldn't tell their mother because they knew she wouldn't care. That one nearly had me in tears.

As well as gaining an insight into other people's thoughts, it was also eye-opening realising how many of the secrets i could relate to myself. It's very therapeutic reading something and finally grasping that you're not the only one to think a particular thing.

I will most definitely be reading the other Postsecret books.

Universally Challenged by Wendy Roby

Target Audience: Everyone
Genre: Humour/Non-Fiction

Admittedly, some of the funny parts from this went way over my head but for the most part it was just insanely hilarious.

I choked my way through the section on Wheel of Fortune, and i can't believe some of the things people can come up with.

One of my personal favourites was the line from Family fortunes where a contestant, when asked to name a type of bean said 'Les-Bean'. I remember actually watching that episode and was totally choked with laughter. The video is still on You Tube if I remember correctly, and is one of those unforgettable moments in television history.

Anyway, if you think you've seen some really dumb answers given in quiz shows then you haven't seen anything yet. Give this a read, it'll make you feel supremelly intelligent in comparison!