Walking Shorts: 25 Laugh-out-Loud short stories

by Mark Richards

From interrupting an amorous couple in the throes of passion to stumbling into one of the UK’s top-secret sites, these 25 short stories chart Mark Richards’ journey from “total walking sceptic” to author of ‘Father, Son and the Pennine Way.’ Written to give you 5 minutes’ amusement in the middle of a stressful day, these stories will make you laugh out loud, despair at the author’s incompetence – and inspire you to follow in his footsteps. In February 2016, desperate to do a physical challenge before my left knee decided the only thing it was good for was a waiting list, I asked my youngest son if he wanted to come for a walk with me. The result was ‘Father, Son and the Pennine Way,’ the story of 5 days and 90 miles on the UK’s toughest national trail. “A great read. It made me laugh out loud – and inspired me to challenge myself.” “I adored this book. It’s incredibly well-written, refreshing, witty and heart-warming.” “One of the funniest, most moving books I’ve read. Move over, Bill Bryson, you have a successor.” Those are just some of the reviews for ‘Father, Son and the Pennine Way.’ ‘Walking Shorts’ contains the stories that explain how I came to invite Alex out for a walk – and what happened afterwards. It’s my journey and – like ‘Pennine Way’ – it’s the story of a father/son relationship. It’s a book you can dip into when you need a laugh, a pick-me-up or some inspiration. It’s a book you can read in bed, on your commute or even on the loo. It’s a book that’ll make you smile, nod in agreement – and think, “Well if he can do that…”

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2018

About the author

Mark Richards is a copywriter, ghostwriter and author of the UK's Funniest Dad Blog.


There are multiple authors with this name in this data base. This one is Mark^^Richards.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've fallen love with his writing already; so this little penned nuances of the struggling man trying to shed his skin and became a lean, mean walking machine were power for the course. Humorous, with more dry wit than the air in between those stone walls on the Pennine way.
That friends have said they laugh out loud to his stories does not surprise me as Pepper clearly has competition for the runt of the pack and the but of the jokes in the Richards' household.
I guess if you know them as three dimensional figures rather than wisps in the ramblings of a middle aged man then their interactions bring more than a smile to your face.
The recording of the conversations, the sarcasm, ironic exaggeration and interchanges from the lovely Beverley to the put on family, especially Alex. I find their closeness very endearing and it is from this powerhouse of love and affection that the author has found his feet and ventured out.
Now I wouldn't want Mark to get too big for his boots but he is almost reaching cult status in his walking anecdotes and cool in more circles than just the Ramblers. I'll stop short of calling him my inspiration.
I have always enjoyed walking and found the love for the hills at a much younger age more in keeping with Alex's experience where you take it for granted; like riding a bike as a youngster. It seemed effortless in my teens and we'd cycle all day. Now even armed with gears to go up 45 degree gradients any cycling even on the flat seems too arduous for my tired limbs.
So in a way Mark self-deprecating humour and his family joining in is very contagious; I hope to still amble and glade across our pleasant hills but until my own fit bit (other variations and named products are available) I will content myself to vicariously following Mr Richard's progress.
Onwards and forever upwards is the chant. Happy New. Welcome 2019 and get those steps up everyone, the path to healthy bodies and boosted serotonins.
Hopefully this book will help focus those resolutions and leave a legacy of active living from passive reading.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! Humorous...at times hilarious. And heartwarming, in his walks with his son. Thought I'd try it out, and now I want to read his other book, and follow his blog (or column, or whatever it is he writes). Nice read!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short read. It is a book with tales about a father and son who love walking together and moments during these walks, both funny and touching. It is written well and is very enjoyable to read.

[Ken Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read

As is now expected when reading a Mark Richards book, very enjoyable with lots of humour in it. This is a lovely read for a couple of hours in the sunshine, or indoors due to it raining. Highly recommend this book.

[MRS PENNY WRIGHT · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read

A fab read, very funny. Bought on a whim but not regretted and I shall be on the look out for other work by this author.

[Ian Braithwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headline.

Thoroughly enjoyed every page, and looking forward to starting Pennine Way Revisited. run out of words so that is it.

[Glenn Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I don't know if I laughed out loud 25 times but I laughed a lot!
This is a fun read.

[Lynda Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol

I laughed out loud on the tram and even missed my stop I was so engrossed in Mark's stories. Exactly what I was looking for.

[Steven Haythorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit.trite and.twee. Certainly not 'laugh out loud ' funny as it states on the cover. That said, I warmed to it somewhat but I'd rather be out.walking.

[Phil Altimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a great little book with some great storys.

[Seelenstaub · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very funny, though a couple of stories will be familiar if you've read the 'Father ans Son' books.