Homes and Other Black Holes
So much classic humor comes from anxiety--think of all the befuddled "little men," fromJames Thurberto Bud Abbott toWoody Allen.  One of the most breakdown-inspiring activities in modern life is buying a house, and Dave Barry is a battle-scarred vet of the whole real estate experience. This book is his therapy.There's nobody better than Barry to mine this territory, and every page ofDave Barry's Homes and Other Black Holesyields up nuggets of the good stuff. Here are a few words from somebody who has been there, done that: "Most experts recommend that, for maximum effectiveness, you should look at forty-five or even fifty houses per day. Experienced home shoppers often reach the point where they can leap out of the real estate broker's car, look at a house, and get back into the car before it reaches a complete stop."The book also discusses the myriad details of settling into your new life, including a section on making new enemies, dealing with contractors, and redecorating. "The main tip you will pick up is that if you want your house to look really nice, you do not necessarily have to have professional training or even a 'flair' for design; all you need is to have more money than the human mind can comprehend."As always, Barry is assisted throughout by the illustrations of Jeff (Shoe) MacNelly, makingDave Barry's Homes and Other Black Holesa very funny book and excellent housewarming gift.--Michael Gerber