Comedic Novels To Make You Laugh Out Loud

From adolescence to politics, academia to stunted adulthood, these books tackle subjects big and small while keeping things hilarious:

Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
Amis’s classic 1954 novel toys with high comedy while staying grounded in genuine human emotion. This story of the work and loves of a professor at a provincial British university tackles issues of merit and class with a rapier wit.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend
In this first person journal, Townsend perfectly captures the angst, uncertainty, and silliness of being a young teen. We might laugh at Adrian’s pretensions and misconceptions but we can also see ourselves in his foibles.

Jeeves and Wooster by P.G. Wodehouse
P.G. Wodehouse is rightfully known as one of the giants of British humor, and the peak of his comedic accomplishments is the Jeeves and Wooster novels and short stories. You can’t go wrong with any of these delightfully circuitous romps in the often absurd world of the British upper crust.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Confederacy of Dunces has attracted a serious cult following over the years, in part because of the tragic circumstances of the author’s life. But the strange charisma of the lead character, and the skewed yet truthful world he inhabits are the true draw for this book.

The Longest Light of Summer (all of July through August 4): Illuminating Paintings in the Brandywine Valley

The Philadelphia area has a staggering array of world-class places to see fine art, and one of the finest is the Somerville Manning Gallery. Since 1981, this gallery – located in the small town of Breck’s Mill, outside of Greenvile, Delaware – has specialized in sharing works inspired by the Brandywine Valley, and brought internationally famous artworks to be viewed in an intimate environment. This summer, the gallery is mounting one of its most ambitious programs yet with "The Longest Light Of Summer," a collection of works by 20th century painters including John Singer Sargent, Charles Burchfield, Francis Coates Jones, Andrew Wyeth, and N.C. Wyeth, as well as contemporary painters inspired by them. The works are all centered around how artists interpret light, both natural and otherwise, in landscapes, still lifes and water paintings. It’s a real treat, and admission to the gallery is free. Get a little culture in your summer. Click here to learn more about The Longest Light of Summer.

P.M. at Penn Museum Summer Nights: Art & Music, Beginning July 11th

Every Wednesday night throughout the summer, the Penn Museum becomes one of the city’s most-loved live music venues. The P.M at Penn Museum concert series brings a huge variety of musical acts to the Stoner Courtyard, and even better, admission to the concert also lets you in to the museum. The concerts draw a very diverse crowd to the Museum, from young hipsters sampling world music to families with kids. It’s a great, friendly experience that really shows how strong the bonds of community are in the City of Brotherly Love. If you get peckish, you can get a drink or some food from the Pepper Mill Café. Concerts move inside in the event of rain, but usually attendees get pretty lucky. This year’s slate of bands includes zydeco, Turkish folk, klezmer, world fusion, and even some troupes that defy definition. No matter when you go, you’re sure to have a good time.

Click here to learn more about the P.M. at Penn Museum concert series.

Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon, June 22-24

Fitness buffs looking to put their bodies to the ultimate test gather for the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon. There are a pair of different courses for competitors to tackle – the Sprint course is shorter, featuring a .5 mile swim, a 15.7 mile bike ride, and a 3.1 mile run, and the Olympic course is a full triathlon, with a .9 mile swim, a 24.8 mile bike ride, and a 6.2 mile run. The Sprint course wends through Fairmount Park on Martin Luther King Drive, while the Olympic course runs past some of the city’s most historic sections. The first section sees competitors swimming from the dock off of St. Joe’s Boathouse and under the Columbia Bridge before climbing out and bicycling a two-loop course through Fairmount Park and running on Martin Luther King Drive, switching directions in front of the Art Museum, and returning to the finish line. In addition to the race, the Multi-Sport Expo before the race offers tons of cool new athletic products.

Check out the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon's website for more information!

Are You Excited for these March Events in Philadelphia?

Five Out of the Ordinary Valentine’s Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner; keep things fresh for your partner with these innovative ideas for Valentine’s surprises.

1. Come up with some clues and lead your partner on a scavenger hunt around your home or around town. Leave smaller gifts, like notes professing your love, candy, or small trinkets, with some of the clues and save the main gift for the end.
2. Skip the umpteenth bracelet or box of candy and instead give your beloved an experience. Go skydiving, take a weekend away, or simply give them a day where you take care of everything and they can do whatever they like.
3. Get a local hotel room and take a trip to your own town. Eat out, visit local tourist attractions, and go shopping. 
4. Design a getaway just for your partner, but don’t let on where you are going or what you are doing til you get there.
5. Try havng a date at home on Valentine’s Day and going out the night before or after. Restaurants are hectic and the servers are stressed on February 14. You may have a better experience if you stay in for a romantic dinner and movie on that day.

Philadelphia 76ers: Poised For Greatness

With three playoff berths in the last four seasons, the Philadelphia 76ers have had solid showings recently, and they're ready to carry that success further into the postseason. Last year's arrival of Doug Collins as head coach gave the team a much needed boost. His leadership helped add another fourteen wins to the previous season. Collins has a team of new and veteran talents to nurture. Jrue Holiday enters his third season as one of the most exciting players on the roster. Louis Williams, Thad Young, and Andre Igoudala also promise to keep up the team's high-octane attack. Philadelphia also still has one of the top power forwards in Elton Brand. This is a team ready to capitalize on the consistent promise shown in previous years. They want more than just a first round playoff exit. This season might be their breakout year.

Find Sixers schedules, tickets, merchandise, and more at http://www.nba.com/sixers.

Digital Job Hunt: Five Ways To Post Your Resume Online

The online arena is one of the most important places to hunt for a job. With employers increasingly looking outside of the box for new hires, presenting your qualifications in as many different locations as possible can only help to aid your job search. In this article, we’ll present five ways to get your resume on the World Wide Web:

• Craigslist is often used for job hunting, but did you know that it also offers services for prospective hires? Posting your resume in their dedicated sections is a great way to get your skillset out in front of people who have yet to post an ad of their own. Many employers appreciate the proactive approach.
• Monster.com is the largest database of job searchers and employers on the Internet. Although it can be difficult to stand out here, there is really no excuse not to use the system.
• LinkedIn combines a job searching site with a social network, as former employers and co-workers can leave testimonials on your profile attesting to your performance. This can be a great way to prove your bonafides to a prospective employer.
• If you have a personal blog or portfolio site, it’s often a good idea to post your resume and CV there. That way people attracted by your creative work can find you for potential paying jobs.
• Many websites exist for different professional groups, and many of them feature job hunting tools. Focusing on the area that you are interested in will help prospective employers pick you out from the pack.

Shop Smart: Essential Holiday Shopping Tips

With Black Friday approaching, thoughts may be turning to getting your Holiday shopping done. Many people consider holiday shopping to be one of the most stressful times of the year, as crowded stores and product shortages make purchasing difficult. Here are some tips to help make your outings easier on you and your wallet.

-          Make a List. Just like Santa, prepare a list of everybody you need to buy gifts for and check them off when you’re done. Write down ideas, but make sure to keep it hidden from prying eyes. Knowing exactly how many gifts you have to buy can really help you budget.

-          Comparison Shop Online. Shopping on your computer can be a great way to compare prices and shipping options. Look on resale sites like eBay as well to save money. Don’t be afraid to visit a brick and mortar store to have hands-on time with a product as well, but don’t feel like you have to buy it there.

-          Pay with Cash. One of the best ways to avoid overspending is to get your shopping budget out of the bank in cash. It’s easy to spend too much when you’re putting it on a card, so bringing cash will help you think more about everything you buy.

-          Get Easy Gifts Done First. If you know your expenditures for simple gifts like your mailman, your paperboy, et cetera, set those aside and check them off the list. It’ll prevent you from scrambling to scrape up the cash come holiday-time.

The 2011 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Parade is always a big day on the local calendar. Marching bands, floats and Hollywood stars march down broad ways to give thanks, have fun, and ring in the holiday season. As always the parade is sponsored by 6ABC and the Philadelphia Museum of Art is ground zero for the fun. Check out the details here.

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