Set in Seattle, Steve Toutonghi’s second novel, Side Life, is a dazzling, intriguing, and philosophical blend of literary science fiction—perfect for fans of Blake Crouch, Philip K. Dick and Ex Machina. What if every possibility of every life were within your reach? Vin, a down-on-his-luck young tech entrepreneur forced out of the software company he started, takes a job house-sitting an ultramodern Seattle mansion whose owner has gone missing. There he discovers a secret basement lab with an array of computers and three large, smooth caskets. Inside one he finds a woman in a state of suspended animation. There is also a dog-eared notebook filled with circuit diagrams, beautiful and intricate drawings of body parts, and pages of code. When Vin decides to enter one of the caskets himself, his reality begins to unravel, and he finds himself on a terrifying journey that raises fundamental questions about reality, free will, and the meaning of a human life.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the ingenious comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and creator of Spamalot comes an absurdly funny memoir of unparalleled wit and heartfelt candor—now featuring a new afterword. “A hilarious, charming book by this incredible, i̶n̶s̶u̶f̶f̶e̶r̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ interesting genius.”—Steve Martin We know him best for his unforgettable roles on Monty Python—from the Flying Circus to The Meaning of Life. Now, Eric Idle reflects on the meaning of his own life in this entertaining memoir that takes us on a remarkable journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theater, and film. Coming of age as a writer and comedian during the Sixties and Seventies, Eric stumbled into the crossroads of the cultural revolution and found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of George Harrison, David Bowie, and Robin Williams, all of whom became dear lifelong friends. With anecdotes sprinkled throughout involving other close friends and luminaries such as Mike Nichols, Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon, Lorne Michaels, and many more, as well as John Cleese and the Pythons themselves, Eric captures a time of tremendous creative output with equal parts hilarity and heart. In Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, named for the song he wrote for Life of Brian and which has since become the number one song played at funerals in the UK, he shares the highlights of his life and career with the kind of offbeat humor that has delighted audiences for five decades. 2019 marked the fiftieth anniversary of The Pythons, and Eric commemorated the occasion with this hilarious memoir chock full of behind-the-scenes stories from a high-flying life featuring everyone from Princess Leia to Queen Elizabeth.

As a lead singer of Westlife, one of the most successful pop acts of all time, Shane Filan was on top of the world. Together with the band he achieved an incredible 14 No.1 singles (a record beaten only by the Beatles), sold 44 million records, and was adored by fans the world over. Everything he touched turned to gold, or so it seemed. Like many others, he had piled his fortunes into the Irish property boom, and when the bubble burst, Shane struggled with mounting debt. Just ten days after Westlife's final farewell concert, in front of a sold-out crowd of 80,000 fans, Shane was declared bankrupt with debts of �18 million--losing everything. But this wasn't the end for Shane Filan--a devoted singer and family man, Shane circled back to his roots and a year later he launched his solo career. In My Side of Life Shane shares his story for the first time--his early years growing up as part of a large Irish family in Co. Sligo, the phenomenal success of Westlife, and the ups and downs of their time together, the breakup of the band, his financial devastation, and finally going it alone as a solo artist. This is Shane's side of the story.

Roger Kohler thinks there is nothing better in life than having a good laugh. With that in mind, he shares a collection of humorous anecdotes that provide a chronological glimpse into his memories from a life well lived. Kohler begins by detailing his childhood in Australia, where he attended boarding school with his occasionally ornery mates and was categorized by his French teacher as hopelessly weak. From shark sightings to run-ins with the police, Kohler narrates a slew of amusing events as he matured from boyhood into manhood. He details his adventures motoring around Sydney Cove with a girlfriend, attending concerts, and enduring a frightening encounter with an ex-girlfriend in the dark of the night. He provides an entertaining ride through his past as he embraces every experience, good or bad, with a smile. The Funny Side of Life shares one mans amusing reflections about his unique journey as he discovers there is nothing more fun than laughing at lifes funny moments.

To break out of a creative funk, artist and designer Jeremyville began pairing positive affirmations with simple, yet thought-provoking drawings and posting them online under his "Community Service Announcements" project. The response was overwhelming, and the result is a library of 800 images in just a few years. Live Life Sunny Side Up collects 100 of the most inspiring CSAs guaranteed to bring you out of a funk even on your worst days. This collection of simple and cheerful messages is perfect to give to a friend or keep on your nightstand for those days when you need a quick pick-me-up or a reminder to “Live Free Range Instead.”

You can experience life's sweetness everyday! Each day can be a chocolate day, it all depends on your perspective. And if you don't like the piece you pick up? Lick off the chocolate, crumple the wrapper, and move on . . . it's still The Chocolate Side of Life!

Originally published: New York: William Morrow and Co., 1995.

ONE-LINE SUMMARY: A thieving duo's world turns upside down when an Elven rogue uncovers the heinous dealings of a megacorporation (The Other Side of Life, Book 1).SYNOPSIS: Anya and Leticia are partners-in-crime who steal for a living. Their world turns upside down after a chance encounter with fellow rogue, Ithilnin--the enigmatic leader of an Elven band of thieves.A scuffle to prove who's "the better thief" transforms into more than Anya and Ithilnin ever bargained for. They retrieve the missing piece of an ancient poem, before getting caught in the secret dealings of a megacorporation. What they uncover threatens to alter the very essence of not just human life, but the other side as well.Elven intrigue, cyberpunk action, and a deadly dose of danger come together in The Other Side of Life [Book #1 in the (Cyberpunk) Elven Trilogy].GENRE: Urban Fantasy / Cyberpunk / YA with adult crossover appealREVIEW: "Dear Jess: You are a very good writer - I like your plotting, your concept, the characters...pretty much everything. You are very gifted." - Dr. Uwe Stender, 2010

It was my hope in writing this that it be informative, educational, entertaining, and hopefully inspirational. With family history starting prior to my arrival on the scene, it spans nearly 100 years. It describes different times and faraway places. To the older generation it may bring back the past with an occasional side trip down memory lane. To the younger generation it is my desire that they might glean something from my experiences, that will be helpful to them. This is my story, I enjoyed writing it, and hope my readers enjoy it as well.