Humorist Barry delivers one-liners at Book Rap

Humor columnist since 1983 for the Miami Herald and the author of thirty books, Dave Barry made a repeat appearance at the National Press Club March 6.

His latest book, You Can Date Boys when You're Forty, features brand new, never-before published pieces that tackle everything from family trips, bat mitzvah parties and dating, which Dave recounted in his inimitable hilarious style .

On his daughter Sophie's advent into dating: "I intend to monitor her closely even if I am deceased" to funeral instructions: "I would like my eulogy to be given by William Shatner" to his trip to Israel: "Camels are not designed for human transport; they're not a Lexus."

Barry went into a very funny dialogue about how teenage boys are now "on the scene" since his daughter, Sophie, has turned 13: "The boys are everywhere...on the lawn, in the house, on the roof like squirrels." He added that he didn't want any of them around her and quipped that maybe he should "set a trap and release them all into a natural habitat like the Everglades."

Barry on a Justin Bieber concert: "Louder than hurricane Andrew." On the TSA: "They make terrorists comply with Federal Aviation guidelines before letting them on a plane." On health care: "There must be some other way to get to the prostate gland other than by the older conventional means."

The audience was armed and ready with lots of really funny questions and insights of their own. But Barry was on his toes with equally witty answers. One woman asked Barry what he says to his wife to make her laugh, and he replied "I'm getting naked now."

Barry was also asked what writers make him laugh and said Robert Benchley was his favorite writer. He said he began reading Benchley when he was 10 years old because like Benchley, he wanted to write about "silly, meaningless stuff."

Dave Barry resides in Miami with his wife and daughter. His most recent bestsellers include "Insane City," "I'll Mature When I'm Dead," "Dave Barry's History of the Millennium" and "Lunatics," written with Alan Zweibel.

Book and Author committee member Joe Luchok introduced Mr. Barry.