It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a satirical debut novel about a waning superhero facing the real and psychological battles of his descent into retirement!
To Sound in the Know: Robillard’s faux news piece “Baristas Claim Obama’s Coffee Not Black Enough” recently won HumorFeed’s 4th Annual Satire News Competition.
The Yankee Years By Joe Torre and Tom Verducci, Out Feb. 3
This story behind Torre’s 12 years as skipper in The Bronx has already made waves across the country with its portrayal of A-Rod and other Yankee gossip.
To Sound in the Know: Despite all the headlines, it wasn’t Torre who used the term “A-Fraud” in the book. Alex Rodriguez’s teammates came up with that gem.
Fool By Christopher Moore, out Feb. 10
The San Francisco based-humorist/novelist turns his attention to the laugh out loud tale of...King Lear? Follow Pocket, Lear’s fool, and his apprentice Drool as they try to clean up after Lear’s tragic actions in this madcap romp.
To Sound in the Know: While the book is about Lear, Moore draws material from at least a dozen of Shakespeare’s plays.
The Women By T.C. Boyle, out Feb. 10
This novel dramatizes the life of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright from the point of view of four women who loved him.
To Sound in the Know: Boyle loves his famous men—he’s already penned novels about cereal magnate John Harvey Kellogg in The Road to Wellville and sex researcher Alfred Kinsey in The Inner Circle.
Out of My Skin By John Haskell, Out Feb. 10
The Brooklyn-based author of American Purgatorio turns his focus on the faux-reality of Los Angeles with this story of a man who creates a new persona for himself based on his interpretation of Steve Martin. Hopefully not the Pink Panther version.
To Sound in the Know: Haskell is a former actor who worked with David Mamet at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago.
Little Bee By Chris Cleave, Out Feb. 10
The Guardian columnist pens a novel about pair of Londoners who head to a Nigerian beach resort to reconcile their marriage, but they end up getting entwined with machete-armed soldiers and victimized girls. Club Med this is not.
To Sound in the Know: Little Bee has already been short listed for the Coast Best Novel Award, one of England’s most prestigious literary awards.
Will to Whatevs By Eugene Mirman, Out Feb. 10
This humorous guide to modern life offers to help readers through such problems as starting a band, becoming popular in high school and overcoming social anxiety.
To Sound in the Know: Local legend Mirman has toured extensively doing stand-up, and not just with comedy lineups—he’s also traveled with Modest Mouse,Yo La Tengo, Gogol Bordello and Cake.
