The other day, faced with the prospect of painting my kitchen or cleaning the bathrooms, I elected instead to go to a local bookstore.  Even though I probably have 5 books sitting around the house in various stages of completion, and another 10 books anxiously waiting and yelling “Pick me! Pick me!” each time I walk past the bookshelf, I can’t resist going to the bookstores to examine what other literary delights may be waiting for me to spend my hard-earned paycheck.  It’s unusual for me to not walk out of a bookstore without one or two additional selections.  However, this trip ended up being a little different. 

My preference in books is generally geared towards non-fiction and I like inspirational and funny books.  But deciding there was more to reading than joke books and books about overcoming challenges, I decided to explore other areas of the store.  As I wandered through the aisles I couldn’t help but notice the plethora of unusual books and titles that exist, that I had never explored.  I ended up compiling a list of books that I consider my top 10 list of unusual, ironic or comical titles. 

The list, followed by commentary, is for amusement only and my apologies in advance to anyone offended by my comments.  So without further adieu, and in no particular order, here’s my top 10 list....

Do It Now! Break the Procrastination Habit by William J. Knaus  - I’ll pick this book up next trip.

Depression for Dummies by Lara H. Smith and Charles H. Elliot - Doesn’t calling a person who is depressed a “dummy” exacerbate the depression?

50 Things You’re Not Supposed to Know by Russ Kick - If I’m not supposed to know it, then I guess I shouldn’t read this book, right?

Ordinary People by Ozzy and Sharon Osborne - If they’re ordinary then I’m not so sure I want to live.

NASCAR for Dummies by Mark Martin and Juliet Macur – Basically, the cars go in circles from left to right. You just saved $12.95.  

Punctuation Plain & Simple by Edgar C. Alward and Jean A. Alward - Turn to page 174 and read the definition of “ampersand”.  It states: “An abbreviated form of the word and.  The sign & (sometimes called an abbreviation) is frequently used in company names.”  Wait a second, the term “Plain & Simple” isn’t a company name.  What kind of resource book about punctuation misuses punctuation in the title?

Great Beer Guide: The Worlds 500 Best Beers by Michael Jackson – Hmmm, Michael Jackson, eh? That explains a lot.

Introduction to Drawing the Nude by Diana Reeves, Diana Constance - I just wanted to throw some “sex” into this list.

Think Thin, Be Thin: 101 Psychological Ways to Lose Weight  by Doris Wild Hermling, Dianne Hales – I think I’ll curl up on the couch and eat some ice cream as I read this book.

563 Stupid Things That People Do To Mess Up Their Lives - Dr. Larry – Number one is buy this book.