'A mix of urbane wit and surreal extrapolations - Douglas Adams meets Flann O'Brien' Independent

Who else but Steve Martin could combine irrefutable evidence that Mars is populated by kittens with a treatise on sledgehammers? In this brilliantly witty collection of pieces Steve Martin takes a subversive glimpse at the world and a sideways swipe at the conventional. From memory tips for the over-fifties to his insightful exposition of 'Wittgenstein's Banana', never has 'pure drivel' been so entertaining.

A highly acclaimed L.A. fable by one of Hollywood's greatest comics

'Is there no end to Steve Martin's talents? ... he has shown himself in recent years to be an accomplished writer, not least with this slickly written short novel... Martin's writing has real charm' THE TIMES

Mirabelle works as a shop assistant in the glove department at Niemans, LA's finest store; she also draws darkly gothic pictures at night. Adrift in the world and lonely, her situation is not improved by the fact that hardly anyone buys the kind of gloves that Niemans sell, so she spends most of her day leaning on the counter staring into empty space. There are two men in her life - Jeremy, a man who stencils amplifiers for a living, and Mr Ray Porter, an older man and millionaire who applies logic to relationships, and is serially confused and disappointed.

In this exquisitely self-contained novel, Steve Martin touches on the surface horrors of LA - the false noses, lips, breasts and people - without exaggeration or explicitly playing for laughs. It's insightful, dark, funny and tender.

Perfect for any child who wants to stay one step ahead of their classmates, this fantastic book is packed with informative titbits that will fascinate and enthrall young minds.

I Wish I Knew That is full of interesting stuff that parents and grandparents used to learn at school that every child ought to know today.

From classic books children should read, a quick grammar guide, an introduction to foreign languages, who that Pythagoras chap was, to a look at all the kings and queens, countries and their capitals, an introduction to classics and much more, it covers all subjects.

From Steve Martin, one of our best-loved comedians, a fantastic new novel with an unforgettably weird, original and ultimately engaging character - Daniel Pecan Cambridge.

'Makes you laugh out loud' Sunday Telegraph

Daniel Cambridge is a thirty-three-year-old man who is slightly bewildered by life. He knows the exact wattage of the bulbs in his flat, and will panic if the wattage isn't kept constant. He can't cross the street unless two opposing driveways break the kerb. And he is exercised by the colour of hat worn by the local gas station attendant.

Such characteristics make it difficult for Daniel to find the right woman, but he's very keen on Elizabeth who's selling the flats across the street and Zandy who works in the local pharmacy (though he's yet to actually speak to her).

There's also the murder of Bob from downstairs. Daniel has an alibi but is still a suspect, and his agreeing to a TV reconstruction of the murder inquiry could well backfire. It might also jeopardise Daniel's chances of winning the Most Average American competition which he's entered (twice).

An irresistible look at the glamour and subterfuge of New York's art world, from bestselling author and Hollywood star Steve Martin.

Lacey Yeager is beautiful, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the New York art world by storm. She begins her career at Sotheby's, amidst the winks and nods of the fabulously wealthy. But hungry for more - and pursued by a whiff of scandal - Lacey migrates to edgy Downtown, watching Hirsts and Warhols multiply in value before her eyes.

Charming men and women, old and young, rich and even richer, Lacey's ascendancy seems assured. But when the art world bubble looks set to burst, a secret from her past rears its head, threatening to undermine everything she has worked for...