I have talked about this many times on the blog, but it is so rare that a book makes me laugh. I think humour is so suggestive and it can be difficult for humour to translate through the written word. That said, there are exceptions to the rule, and I was able to come up with five books that genuinely made me laugh. I will be sharing a funny quote from each of the books as well!
The Humans by Matt Haig
“If getting drunk was how people forgot they were mortal, then hangovers were how they remembered.”
Whenever a question about a funny book comes up, I always pick The Humans. It is just so endearing and sweet. Reading about an alien having to adapt to our society and all of our different customs is just plain delightful and hilarious.
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
“My Lady, please! I am indecent.’ ‘You are,’ Jane agreed. ‘Not to mention the fact that you are also unclothed.”
I was nervous going into My Lady Jane that the humour would be over the top and would not work for me. It is over the top, but in the best way possible. I love that it is a story that embraces its ridiculousness. The fact that the main character is a major bookworm doesn’t hurt either!
Calypso by David Sedaris
“After I die, and you read something bad about yourself in my diary, do yourself a favor and keep reading,” I often say to Hugh. “I promise that on the next page you’ll find something flattering. Or maybe the page after that.”
Calypso is the only David Sedaris novel I have read, and I keep meaning to read more of his work. There is something about his brutal honesty about himself and life in general that I connect with. We definitely have a similar sense of humour!
The Martian by Andy Weir
“Maybe I’ll post a consumer review. “Brought product to surface of Mars. It stopped working. 0/10.”
The humour is what made The Martian so special. Mark Watney is hysterical and his outlook on his situation is probably part of the reason he was able to stay sane. I was not prepared for just how funny this book was!
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
“Don’t ever call me mad, Mycroft. I’m not mad. I’m just … well, differently moraled, that’s all.”
You know by now how much I adore The Eyre Affair. There are just so many great lines! I would say that this book is more clever than funny, but there were a lot of moments that brought a smile to my face!
I am curious to see everyone’s list this week! I feel like I always talk about the same books when this question comes up. I need to branch out a bit!
I am thinking about picking up My Lady Jane, but like you I wasn’t sure the humour would be for me. I think you might have persuaded me to give it a go.
I would be curious to see what you think. Because it is so self aware and ridiculous, I found it to be a really fun read!
I’ll let you know what I think!
Well . We all can all have a bit of laugh . In the tough times 💖
That is very true!
Great list! The humans really sounds good, and I still need to read the martian..!
My post!
Both are amazing/
I love the Martian! Mark Watney has the same sort of personality as my boyfriend so it made the book that much more enjoyable.
Haha I love that!!
With a couple of rare exceptions, I LOVE David Sedaris–I heard the debut of his famous Elf in Santa land on NPR and was instantly smitten all those Christmases ago!
My Lady Jane is on my list today, too. I remember being so pleasantly surprised at how funny I thought it was. Great list!
I felt the same way!
OMG My Lady Jane was so funny – I listened to the audiobook and was driving my car and laughing my head off, same with The Martian – SO GOOD!!!
I completely agree! I also listened to the audiobook. I think that made it ever better!
Have you read/listened to any of the other two yet? I was thinking about it but have seen some mixed reviews so far.
I feel the same way. I’ve been nervous to continue on with the series. They don’t seem to get the love that the first one did!
The Humans has caught my attention….I really need to read some Matt Haig.
I adore him!
My Lady Jane is hilarious I love it
Me too!!
I was surprised to see The Martian on this list! I didn’t read the book but I saw the movie!
I haven’t seen the movie yet but the book is fanatstic!
The Martian and The Eyre Affair are both great picks. I can’t wait to read My Lady Jane!
So so good! I plan on reading the sequel to The Eyre Affair soon!
I love books which make me laugh out loud! Thank you for the list, I’ll definitely be trying a few of these. Over on Instagram I follow Matt Haig and he is such a brilliant inspiration. I’m sure his books are fantastic too 🙂
Great list! My lady jane and the martian both made me laugh too 😀
The audobook for The Martian is my favorite and a go to if I need a laugh. He gets through so much!
Try this one? (Slow Code)
I am reading confessions of a forty-something f##k up by Alexandra Potts and I have laughed out loud in my parts and I am only a quarter of the way through. I always wonder what people think when I am reading and laughing hysterically.