Jeff Popple reviews three books to keep you entertained over the Easter eggstra-long weekend. More of Jeffโ€™s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Today I F****d Up by Thomas Mitchell

Simon & Schuster, $24.99

This amusing collection of anecdotes is a fun book to dip into over the Easter weekend, in between eating chocolate, religious observances and catching up with family and friends. Inspired by his own personal disasters โ€“ including one involving his girlfriendโ€™s grandparents, a crashed ute, an angry wasp and a farmer with a shotgun โ€“ Mitchell has collected a bunch of tales from his friends about their โ€˜worst dayโ€™ experiences. The stories range from the hilarious to the truly horrifying, with Stephโ€™s story about an ill-timed moment of passion probably being the most cringe-worthy of them.  A fantastic collection that will keep you smiling all weekend long.

Win by Harlan Coben

Century, $32.99

Harlan Coben is a master entertainer, and his novels are deservedly world-wide bestsellers. His latesthas a typically twisted plot that sees the titular character, Windsor Horne Lockwood III (Win), caught up in two intersecting storylines. The first concerns the ramifications of a brutal act of vigilante justice and the second a decades old mystery involving a stolen piece of artwork, the kidnapping of Winโ€™s cousin and an act of domestic terrorism from the early 1970s.

Coben is an adept proponent of the unexpected revelation, and Win delivers plenty of surprises and a few shocks as it races to an exciting conclusion. A great long weekend read.

How to Train Your Dog by Jen and Ryan Tate

Ebury, $34.99

For dog owners who want to make good use of the extra time over Easter, Jen and Ryan Tateโ€™s How to Train Your Dog is an excellent starting point for those who want to develop a more enjoyable bond with their pets. The authors have almost thirty yearsโ€™ worth of experience between them and run their own dog training business. Drawing on their expertise as well-regarded animal behaviorists, they provide good, practical, evidence-based advice on how to train and create a stress-free and enjoyable relationship with your dog. Well organised and clearly written, this is a terrific handbook for all dog owners.

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