{"product_id":"cool-calm-contentious-book-merrill-markoe-9780345518910","title":"Cool, Calm \u0026 Contentious","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis is so well written.  When a book like this] comes along, it's, like, 'Thank you ' What a great way to spend an afternoon, an evening, reading these essays. . . . Absolutely great.--Jon Stewart\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e Merrill] Markoe is easily as funny as David Sedaris. She's capable of manic riffs and acerbic skewering. Still, her good nature shines through.\u003ci\u003e--The Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In this hilarious collection of candid essays, including two pieces new to this edition, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Merrill Markoe reveals much about her personal life--as well as the secret formula for comedy: Start out with a difficult mother, develop some classic teenage insecurities, add a few relationships with narcissistic men, toss in an unruly pack of selfish dogs, finish it off with the kind of crystalline perspective that only comes from years of navigating a roiling sea of unpleasant and unappeasable people, and--voil --you're funny  \u003ci\u003eCool, Calm \u0026amp; Contentious\u003c\/i\u003e is honest, unapologetic, sometimes heartbreaking, but always shot through with Merrill Markoe's biting, bracing wit. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eThis has been a great year for funny women. . . . Let's call Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling exhibits A and B. Both owe a debt to those who came before, including Merrill Markoe.--\u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eMarkoe's goal is to find the absurdity in everyday life. That, coupled with her sharp wit, makes her writing sublime.--\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eLaugh-out-loud humor.\u003ci\u003e--Tampa Bay Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eNot only crazy-funny, but crazy-heartbreaking.\u003ci\u003e--The New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49525387198737,"sku":"CIN0345518918G","price":4.04,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49631844761873,"sku":"GOR003712719","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50452499497233,"sku":"CIN0345518918VG","price":4.04,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0345518918.jpg?v=1751357174","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/cool-calm-contentious-book-merrill-markoe-9780345518910","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}