Sometimes you just want a good read – nothing educational, no how-tos, just pure pleasure. "A Funny Old Life: An Anecdotal Romp Through the Sailing Career of Des Sleighthome," should fit that bill nicely.

Sleighthome, a former editor of "Yachting Monthly," was known for his hilarious recounting of misadventures on the waters as well as for poking fun at the sailing establishment, albeit in a good-natured way. "A Funny Old Life," Sleightholmes' penultimate book, is a humorous look at the author's life, from his boyhood efforts to get afloat to an accounting of the various mishaps, big and little, that befell him during his many years of sailing. This, at times, laugh-out-loud funny book is written about sailors for sailors.

The current release was published in paperback in January 2008 and can be purchased through Amazon.com or at your local bookstore. The publisher is Adlar Coles Nautical Press.

So put your feet up, kick back and enjoy.

- Linda Hoff