In a desperate effort to escape mediocrity, award-winning Santa Cruz Sentinel columnist and arts writer Wallace Baine has released a collection of his best work from the past 10 years. Readers are responding with glowing reviews:

“Vaguely amusing in spots,”

“Very funny, but not ha-ha funny, the other kind,”

“It’s better than leprosy -- a lot better.”

Get your copy today for an absurdly reasonable price of $14.95. Act now and receive a front and back cover at no extra cost.

Buy two and the author may be inclined to come wash your car. Buy three and you get to name his grandchildren (subject to third-party veto).

On Nov. 12, Wallace will share more of his sardonic wit and incisive social critique live at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center November 12. The preeminent humorist and award-winner columnist of the Santa Cruz Sentinel will share new material and interview Sentinel photographer Shmuel Thaler about his work in a show called "A Picture and a Thousand Words." To get details or buy tickets, go here.