humor Archives

Ole & Lena Comedy Books Offer a Break from Stress

Ryan Jacobson March 12, 2020 0 Gift, Good Reads gift books, humor, joke books, Ole & Lena

Ole and Lena Live Via Satellite book cover

Everyone could use a little extra comedy in their lives. Give yourself a rest from the daily stresses, and exercise your sense of humor. Find out what Ole and Lena are up to in two timeless joke books: Ole & Lena: Live Via Satellite and Ole & Lena: A Stud and a Hot Dish.

As we learn in Ole & Lena: A Stud and a Hot Dish, poor Ole had some health concerns after he fell down the stairs. The pain was so severe that Lena rushed him to the emergency room to see a doctor.

Ole said, “It hurts ven I touch my head, my legs, my stomach, and my chest.”

The doctor coolly replied, “Of course it does. You’ve broken your finger.”

The comedy in these books focuses on the dim wits of this infamous Norwegian duo and their continual misunderstandings. If that fits your sense of humor, you’ll love these hilarious joke books. Ole and Lena get everything wrong—from exercise to school to work and, of course, family.

Ole and Lean a Stud and a Hot Dish book cover

Ole: Lena, you are da only woman I know dat takes an hour to cook minute rice. Who else do you know who has to ask somevun how to boil vater? And vhile ve’re at it, how many people need to look up da recipe for ice cubes?

Lena: Ole! After all da sacrifices I make to put dinner on da table…

Ole: I don’t call ’em sacrifices. I call ’em burnt offerings.

The books are based on the stage performances of Bruce Danielson and Ann Berg. The Minnesota teachers originally took on their roles to fill in between acts at a local school and community variety show. Before long, Bruce and Ann began doing their own shows at venues across the country—and they did so for more than 20 years.

Bruce and Ann adapted their ever-evolving comedy routines into books that capture the spirit of the characters and the sense of humor of the two teachers. Each book includes 96 pages of stories, jokes, visual gags (in the form of photography and Norwegian games), and more. Anyone in need of a good laugh will appreciate the content in these joke books.

Ole & Lena: Live Via Satellite and Ole & Lena: A Stud and a Hot Dish are priced at $6.95 each. They are available wherever books are sold, including bookstores, gift shops, and online retailers.

Take Part in National Read a Book Day!

Ryan Jacobson September 6, 2019 0 Travel News & Updates horror, how to, humor, inspirational, mystery

The end of the work week is reason enough to celebrate, but today is also National Read a Book Day. People across the country are encouraged to shut off the television, put away the mobile devices, and curl up with a good book. (As luck would have it, today is also National Lazy Mom’s Day—perfect!) At AdventureKEEN, we are best known as an outdoor publisher of practical guides for everything from hiking to bird watching. But we also have a tremendous selection of books perfect for a quiet evening at home.

If you enjoy the mystery/thriller genre, Wolves by award-winning author Cary J. Griffith is the title for you. A wildlife biologist and special agent for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service returns to his hometown to investigate the mysterious death of his estranged father. Griffith spins an incredible story of suspense, worthy of National Read a Book Day.

For those who enjoy a little more horror in their thrillers, Shadows in the Asylum by D.A. Stern is an unexpected find from an outdoor publisher. It’s akin to a “found footage” film (a la The Blair Witch Project) in book form. The novel collects letters, notes, and other correspondences within the Kriegmoor Psychiatric Institute that blend into a bizarre story of insanity and blur the line between fact and fiction.

Ole and Lena A Stud and a Hot Dish front cover

On the lighter side, humor fans will appreciate Ole & Lena: A Stud and a Hot Dish by Bruce Danielson and Ann Berg. This collection of jokes and photographs finds Ole and Lena getting mixed up about everything from winter activities to distant relatives. To fill your National Read a Book Day with laughs, this option is nothing short of hilarious!

Mountain Bike! and Kayak book covers by William Nealy

As an outdoor publisher, we have plenty of titles about cycling and paddling, including Mountain Bike! and Kayak: The New Frontier. William Nealy’s cartoon illustrations intertwine insight with humor and knowledge with humiliation. Along the way, his content shortens the learning curve and allows readers to master advanced techniques in the two outdoor pursuits. The books are part comedy and part “how to” guides.

Of course, many readers might prefer more serious and contemplative reading on National Read a Book Day—like the popular Meditations series. Each book presents a vast selection of inspirational quotes and essays, along with spiritual texts, from celebrated thinkers. Available titles from this outdoor publisher include Meditations of Henry David Thoreau, Meditations of John Muir, Meditations of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Meditations of Walt Whitman.

With these great options and so many more, you’re bound to find something you love at AdventureKEEN. So read alone, read to your children, or read to your pets—it doesn’t matter what you read or how you read it. The point of National Read a Book Day is to make time to enjoy a book. I intend to do just that, and I hope you choose to do the same.