Blown Sideways Through Life

Dubbed "The Ultimate Working Girl" by  Newsweek, Claudia Shear takes  readers on a wild adventure through the American work  force in Blown Sideways Through  Life.

Have you ever held down a  job for money rather than love? Put up with an  impossible boss? Been told when and how often to  visit the restroom, get a drink, use the phone?  Struggled to remember that who you are doesn't depend  on what you do?

Meet Claudia  Shear, a misfit from Brooklyn who grew up dreaming of  adventure. Shear rode a wild wave of employment  (sixty-four jobs in all) on her way to realizing  her dream of becoming an actress. Before landing  the starring role in the upcoming film, Body  Language, and scoring a deal with Steven Spielberg and  Jeffrey Katzenberg for her own sitcom, she worked  as (among other things) a pastry chef, a nude  model, a waitress (a lot), a receptionist in a  whorehouse, a brunch chef on Fire Island, a  proofreader on Wall Street (a lot), and an Italian  translator. On the surface her life makes for a hilarious  tour de resume. But underneath is a universal  lesson learned about life in the  workplace.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs