What's the funniest book you've ever read?

[Anne in Saskatchewan]

A little voice in my head is telling me to STOP TAKING LIFE SO SERIOUSLY and to LIGHTEN UP FOR GOODNESS SAKE. :D


So, since my main form of entertainment is reading, what's the funniest book you've ever read? Children's book recommendations would be fine, but I am mostly looking for things to read myself.

Thanks so much,

Anne.

[lovemyboys]

A little voice in my head is telling me to STOP TAKING LIFE SO SERIOUSLY and to LIGHTEN UP FOR GOODNESS SAKE. :D


So, since my main form of entertainment is reading, what's the funniest book you've ever read? Children's book recommendations would be fine, but I am mostly looking for things to read myself.

Thanks so much,

Anne.

The Confederacy of Dunces. I laughed so hard, out loud, by myself, that my face hurt.

[Sis]

I enjoyed Good Omens By Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

It is about the Apocalypse though and a little irreverent.

[Perry]

Winterdance, by Gary Paulsen

[Bev in B'ville]

Stephanie Plum novels. There was one scene in Las Vegas I laughed so hard I was crying.

[Linda]

Murdering Mr. Monti by Judith Viorst. I don't really remember it much, but I recall laughing out loud A LOT on the beach when I read it some 15 years ago.

[Dana in OR]

The Janet Evanovich "Stephanie Plum" series is hilarious, "One for the Money" is the first. If you read these books you'll be craving donuts and fast food, though, be forewarned.

I also LOL at David Sedaris books, starting with "Me Talk Pretty One Day."

For a "mom with kids" book I love Shirley Jackson's "Life Among the Savages."

Also, Alexander McCall Smith's "Ladies No. 1 Detective" series has some very funny moments throughout each book.

[lovemyboys]

Murdering Mr. Monti by Judith Viorst. I don't really remember it much, but I recall laughing out loud A LOT on the beach when I read it some 15 years ago.

I didn't know she wrote adult stuff.

[Jenny in Florida]

I also LOL at David Sedaris books, starting with "Me Talk Pretty One Day."

Oh, yes. I was laughing so hard at this reading to myself that my children demanded that I share. Obviously, some of his stuff takes some editing, but I did read some aloud, and certain phrases passed into our family's quote vocabulary.

For example, we frequently shout, "bottleneck" or "ashtray" at each other for no particular reason.

I also love the Jeeves and Wooster stories (Wodehouse) and Jasper Fforde. The most recent Thursday Next novel had me laughing so hard that my family was worried about me.

Oh, and Eats, Shoots and Leaves, if you haven't gotten around to that one yet.

[Debbie in OR]

The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine ( although I think you have to read it while you are pregnant b/c the hormones have something to do with how funny it is.) My dh was actually concerned that I would go into labor while I was reading it b/c I was laughing VIOLENTLY!

Babyhood by Paul Reiser. His description of the first time he was left alone to watch his son was so funny, my stomach muscles spasmed. Never had THAT happen before.

[nmoira]

I don't have much time, but hands down, the funniest book I've ever read is To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (if you have Three Men and a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome, read it first; it's nice, but not necessary). Number two is Good Omens by Gaiman and Pratchett (Pratchett is always a good bet).

[lynn]

DArwin Awards, anything Janet Evanavich(I know the spelling if wrong but it's something like that.

[Kanga]

I know they are usually considered children's books but I loved Cheaper by the Dozen and Bells on Their Toes.

[Riverfront Headmistress]

Piggy in the Puddle

[Tina]

Gotta be the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books. One is for... Two for ....

She's up to 14 now. Very funny tho she likes a shock factor, too. ;)

[3lilreds in NC]

I really enjoy the Evanovich Stephanie Plum books, but I gotta tell ya, Patrick McManus is the funniest author ever. I don't much like his sheriff mystery series, but if you get any of his books of short stories about the outdoors etc., you will laugh yourself silly. Some of the titles are: A Fine and Pleasant Misery, They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?, Never Sniff A Gift Fish, Real Ponies Don't Go Oink... the list goes on. He's hysterical. I may need to pull one of his books out today, in fact. A Fine And Pleasant Misery has the story about the Modified Stationary Panic... oh, my, I'm sitting here giggling just thinking about it!

I also laughed a lot at the Mitford books by Jan Karon, but I was pregnant when I read them and found a lot of things to be hysterically funny that don't appear to be so in the light of - erm - less hormones. :D

[Liberty]

Also consider picking up compilations of Dave Barry's columns (or P.J. O'Rourke). I also really enjoyed AJ Jacobs' book The Know-It-All: One Man s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World--a true story about the guy who set out to read the Encyclopadeia Britannica in its entirety--it's actually pretty funny.

[Susan in KY]

Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Other-Animals-Gerald-Durrell/dp/0142004413/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222703199&sr=8-1

and A Zoo in My Luggage.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-My-Luggage-Gerald-Durrell/dp/014303524X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222703256&sr=8-1

I also think Roald Dahl is quite funny.

For Christian humor, I like Jamie Buckingham:
The last word (published and unpublished): For Christians--and others who take themselves too seriously

http://www.amazon.com/last-word-published-unpublished-Christians/dp/B0006CYULW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222703387&sr=8-1

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable: The collected wit and wisdom of Jamie Buckingham

http://www.amazon.com/truth-will-free-first-miserable/dp/0884192512/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222702995&sr=8-19

[hornblower]

Our Heart Were Young & Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner & Emily Kimbrough

Two Bryn Mawr girls go on a European Tour in the 20's.

I have a 2nd hand copy with really funny black ink illustrations & I'm not sure if those are the same illustrations that Alajalov did on the editions avail now....

Very silly escapades & oh SO innocent <sigh>

[LibraryLover]

:o I read the The Devil Wears Prada on a quiet Maine beach several years ago, and dh said everyone kept looking at me I was laughing so hard. I really thought it was hilarious. :o

[Spy Car]

The Confederacy of Dunces. I laughed so hard, out loud, by myself, that my face hurt.

:iagree: The Confederacy of Dunces had me on the floor



The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine ( although I think you have to read it while you are pregnant b/c the hormones have something to do with how funny it is.) My dh was actually concerned that I would go into labor while I was reading it b/c I was laughing VIOLENTLY!


Never in a million years should I admit I read this book (But I did) :D

And it was very funny!

Bill

[Perry]

Some others:

Anything by Carl Hiaasen or Bill Bryson.

I also thought Confederacy of Dunces was hilarious. I like Janet Evanovich too.

[Stacia]

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (http://www.amazon.com/Loathing-Vegas-Savage-Journey-American/dp/0679785892/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222704519&sr=1-1) by Hunter S. Thompson (probably offensive to just about everyone)

The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear (http://www.amazon.com/13-2-Lives-Captain-Bluebear/dp/1585678449/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222704742&sr=1-1) by Walter Moers

Mysteries by Kinky Friedman are pretty funny. Kurt Vonnegut often makes me laugh (even w/ fairly serious topics/undertones).

[sleepy]

The Confederacy of Dunces. I laughed so hard, out loud, by myself, that my face hurt.

Yes! That was my exact reaction to The Confederacy of Dunces. :lol::lol:
Wow, it must have been nearly 20 years ago I read that book. Now I'm feelin' old.

[Demal]

Catch-22, but it's not really "light."

David Sedaris' Naked.

Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is hilarious, even on the page.

[Zelda]

Bill Bryson's, "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid". I also just finished Stella Gibbons' "Cold Comfort Farm". Really funny.

[Heather in NC]

"Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office"

This book is so funny I laughed until my ribs hurt.

Anything by David Sedaris.

[bumbledeb]

Books by Nick Hornby are very funny, in my opinion. Some strong language sometimes - so not for the kiddies. He is the author of High Fidelity and About A Boy

[3lilreds in NC]

Bruce mcIver is really funny too - he was a pastor, and some of the stories he tells are hysterically funny. One of the ones I've read is Just As Long As I'm Riding Up Front. I actually have this book (http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Couldnt-While-Pastor-riding/dp/B000NOKRAG), which was either published by Guideposts, or we got it from there. I'm going to have to go dig it out again.

[Aggie]

Rounders 3 by Max Evans

[Melanie]

Lamb by Christopher Moore.

[Virginia Dawn]

The Mouse that Roared by Leonard Wibblerly, he has many other funny fiction books as well if you can find them.

Please Don't Eat the Daisies

The Egg and I

God and Mr. Gomez

and of course anything by Erma Bombeck

[dirty ethel rackham]

When we read aloud Owls in the Family by Farley Mowatt (for kids), I was laughing so hard, I had tears rolling down my face and was gasping for breath. I couldn't continue. My oldest son had to take over reading and then he had to stop as well.

[Apiphobic]

Okay, not THE funniest books I've EVER read, but some recent books that had me giggling and snorting a bit:

Kinky Friedman's Guide to Texas Etiquette: Or How to Get to Heaven or Hell Without Going Through Dallas-Fort Worth (http://www.amazon.com/Kinky-Friedmans-Guide-Texas-Etiquette/dp/B000HWYO30)

The Yankee Chick's Survival Guide to Texas (http://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Chicks-Survival-Guide-Texas/dp/1556228880)

Fixin' to be Texan (http://www.amazon.com/Fixin-Be-Texan-Helen-Bryant/dp/1556226489)

The first one was just plain funny, and that was the purpose of the book, I think. It may be offensive to some though.
The second one was more informative than funny, and it had some interesting info.
The third, I think, was supposed to be funny and informative but fell a little short of the mark. Not as much substance as the others.

And, finally, this is a favorite of mine, however, it was a hard book for me to read, emotionally-speaking. It does have its funny moments, but it is definitely not all lightness and laughter.

Angela's Ashes (http://www.amazon.com/Angelas-Ashes-Memoir-Frank-McCourt/dp/068484267X)

Almost forgot ... I've been enjoying this one, too:

Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living (http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-My-Subaru-Adventure-Living/dp/1400066441)

[mommylawyer]

The Confederacy of Dunces. I laughed so hard, out loud, by myself, that my face hurt.


:iagree: Funniest book I've ever read - I cried...from laughing so hard.

[tibbyl]

Anything by David Sedaris or David Rakoff. They're primarily essayists, not novelists.

[Mrs Mungo]

I agree with some of the others:

Confederacy of Dunces

Good Omens

the Jeeves books

and I will add the Bridget Jones books.

[Jan in SC]

I'll agree with Lamb! It is not for the faint at heart, though.

Also, Rainey, by Clyde Edgerton.

[Chris in VA]

This may have been mentioned--I haven't read the thread but will, since I need to laugh, too!

I love Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies. She's really funny, but quite poignant in places, too. I like a woman with a lot to say, if most of what she says is hilarious.

[cathmom]

I really much enjoyed Bridget Jones's Diary, but can't stand the sequel. Here are my blog reviews of the two of them:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cathmom/591287/


http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cathmom/596877/

[funschooler5]

"The Princess Bride" by William Goldman...even funnier than the movie. It's my favorite book.

Some funny kids books (I enjoy reading these!), "Clever Cat" by Peter Collington had me laughing out loud. Also anything by Peggy Rathman ("Officer Buckle and Gloria", "Goodnight Gorilla"). These are fun read-alouds, they are picture books but my kids still enjoy them.

[LG Gone Wild]

by Gerald Durrell.

[Remudamom]

Anything by Wodehouse, but especially the Bertie/Jeeves stories. I laugh out loud when Finknottle is handing out the school prizes everytime.

"Why helloooooooo, Berrrrrrtie!"

[Wendi]

Are these in a particular order? Which one should I start with?

Wendi

[whitestavern]

David Sederis (especially Me Talk Pretty One Day), Bill Bryson (especially Neither Here Nor There), most anything by James Herriott and most by Augusten Burroughs (odd sense of humor, but very fun if you share it).

[Lizzie in Ma]

And dh and I love the Spencer mysteries by Robert Parker.

[Kay in Cal]

Hmmmm.... I'm really enjoying the Jasper Fforde novels, particularly the Thursday Next series.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jasper+fforde

[Erica in PA]

A little voice in my head is telling me to STOP TAKING LIFE SO SERIOUSLY and to LIGHTEN UP FOR GOODNESS SAKE. :D


So, since my main form of entertainment is reading, what's the funniest book you've ever read? Children's book recommendations would be fine, but I am mostly looking for things to read myself.

Thanks so much,

Anne.

A Prayer for Owen Meany? It's the book that I laughed out loud most often and most heartily at, though it was in college that I read it, so I may not find it quite as funny now, I'm not sure. At the time, though, I could not contain myself while I read it in the dorm, and all three of my roommates read it after I did, because they had to see what was so funny for themselves. They all enjoyed it as well.

Erica

[Jenny in Atl]

:iagree: The Confederacy of Dunces had me on the floor

Bill

Also loved Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter Thompson.

[Starr]

I recently found myself laughing out loud at "My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durell.

[Rosie_0801]

I don't know about the funniest, but I always get a giggle out of Footrot Flats, though that could be an Australian/NZ thing...
:)
Rosie

[Patty Joanna]

Anything by Patrick McManus.

[Susan in TN]

A collection of writings by P.G. Wodehouse. Very funny. Very British.

Other favorites have been The Last Coin by James Blaylock, Right Ho, Jeeves by Wodehouse, and Three Men in a Boat by J. Jerome.

[BamaTanya]

I read one of her novels several years ago. As I recall, it had colorful language, but I was ROTFL.

It might be regional humor, but it was HILARIOUS to this southern gal.


What a fun thread. I'm taking notes!

[Momto4kids]

A little voice in my head is telling me to STOP TAKING LIFE SO SERIOUSLY and to LIGHTEN UP FOR GOODNESS SAKE. :D


So, since my main form of entertainment is reading, what's the funniest book you've ever read? Children's book recommendations would be fine, but I am mostly looking for things to read myself.

Thanks so much,

Anne.

Marley and me. Great book and hilarious, especially if you are a dog lover.

[Jenny in Florida]

I love Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies. She's really funny, but quite poignant in places, too. I like a woman with a lot to say, if most of what she says is hilarious.

Oh, yes. How could I have forgotten Anne Lamott? I love her books! Operating Instructions pretty much got me through my son's infancy. (He was a handful even then.)

Of course, I find they are about as likely to make me cry now and then as to laugh, but they're usually good tears.

[my4cowboys]

I just finished reading "Matilda" by Roald Dahl out loud to my kids. Loved that (but maybe it's just because my kids were totally cracking up)!

[Karin]

The Dog Who Would Be by Farley Mowatt
If you go for Dave Barry, try to find material he wrote before he remarried, because he was a lot funnier then.
Erma Bombeck can be very, very funny.

I know I've read a few novels that made me laugh (for some reason To Say Nothing of the Dog didn't, but many find it funny) but I tend to forget them.

[Doran]

David Sedaris -- Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. Bill Bryson also comes to mind.

[Mama Bear]

rolling, at least at certain points. Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions about her son's first year of life had me nearly wetting my pants (I was pregnant at the time).

[Stacy in NJ]

The Confederacy of Dunces. I laughed so hard, out loud, by myself, that my face hurt.

Jinks, you owe me a coke. I was just going to post this! For a continuous laugh riot, nothing beats Confederacy.

[cin]

Stephanie Plum novels. There was one scene in Las Vegas I laughed so hard I was crying.


OH yeah, her gramma (burning down the funeral home, in the leather shorts, etc) is an absolute hoot. I can't read those books at night because the bed shakes when I laugh and it wakes up DH. And then there's the Lula(?) the other bounty hunter....:lol::lol:

[kalanamak]

Three Men in a Boat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Men_in_a_Boat

And, it #33 of the Guardians best novels of all time list. It has a delightful sequel Three Men on the Bummel.

[kalanamak]

by Gerald Durrell.

don't forget Birds, Beasts and Relatives

[kalanamak]

The Dog Who Would Be by Farley Mowatt
If you go for Dave Barry, try to find material he wrote before he remarried, because he was a lot funnier then.
Erma Bombeck can be very, very funny.

I know I've read a few novels that made me laugh (for some reason To Say Nothing of the Dog didn't, but many find it funny) but I tend to forget them.

The dog who Wouldn't Be

A close second is The Boat Who Wouldn't Float( I can't hear "sculpins" without getting giggly), and there is some real humor in Never Cry Wolf. I liked the pots of tea he drank to mark his territory.

[Anne in Saskatchewan]

I have read #1 Ladies Detective Agency series and LOVED it. Thanks for the other recommendations.

Anne

[buddhabelly]

"King of the Mild Frontier" by Chris Crutcher, and really almost anything else by him. "King of the Mild Frontier" can get me chuckling just thinking about it. (...."See, Jesus had a brother, an older brother who was smarter than him. He wrote most of the Bible, and nobody's supposed to know about him. His name was .....ah, I shouldn't tell you. You wouldn't believe me.")

Anybody who had a sibling should read this one. Warning, though: Chris Crutcher is very proud to be one of the "most banned" authors in the United States. He takes on all the hot-button issues in his books (homosexuality, teenage sexuality, you name it), which are for high schoolers. But I love 'em!

Julie

[nmoira]

Three Men in a Boat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Men_in_a_Boat

And, it #33 of the Guardians best novels of all time list. It has a delightful sequel Three Men on the Bummel.
I know I mentioned it earlier, but have you read To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis?

I had a wonderful annotated copy of Three Men in a Boat, but unwisely lent it out and haven't seen it since.

[Anne in Saskatchewan]

Yes! I read it over the summer. So funny.

anne.

[melhouse]

I'll agree with Lamb! It is not for the faint at heart, though.

Also, Rainey, by Clyde Edgerton.

I loved Rainey. I haven't thought about it in years. Walking Across Egypt was funnier to me, though. When I was working on my Master's, Clyde Edgerton came to our school. When asked if any of us had read his books, I was the only one to raise my hand. The other students (who were all teachers) looked at my like I had grown another head! He read aloud part of Walking Across Egypt that had everyone just howling. I'm going to have to get both of these out again.

Fun thread,
Melissa

[Anne in Saskatchewan]

Well believe it or not, I (from Saskatchewan) actually own two Footrot Flats books. And I have enjoyed them.

Anne.

[3lilreds in NC]

rolling, at least at certain points. Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions about her son's first year of life had me nearly wetting my pants (I was pregnant at the time).

Sounds like a book I need to read! :)

[Anne in Saskatchewan]

Thank you so much everyone! I am overwhelmed by your responses. I have saved every one of them. It's somehow very comforting to know I have a lifetime (literally!) of funny reading ahead of me.

With much gratitude,
Anne.

[Audrey]

There is a series of books by Julie Kenner. Carpe Demon is the first one, the subtitle to the books is "adventures of a demon-hunting soccer-mom." They are funny, but with a lot of adventure. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but grown up and married with kids.

I took a 18thC lit class in university that had me rolling. My fave laughers were The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. These were FUNNY -- very funny -- ribald in nature and so very clever. I hadn't known the 1700's could be such a hoot and a half. :biggrinjester:

[Parabola]

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (http://www.amazon.com/Loathing-Vegas-Savage-Journey-American/dp/0679785892/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222704519&sr=1-1) by Hunter S. Thompson (probably offensive to just about everyone)


Kurt Vonnegut often makes me laugh (even w/ fairly serious topics/undertones).

I need to read the Thompson book, I loved the movie, and some of his other writings. Kurt Vonnegut was a genius, his books are wonderful.


Catch-22, but it's not really "light."

David Sedaris' Naked.

Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is hilarious, even on the page.

Catch 22 was funny and sad all at the same time. At least it ended well.

Douglas Adams wrote a lot of funny books.

One of the funniest books I've ever read was "A Certain Chemistry" by Mil Millington. I laughed so hard through that whole book. He's got a couple others, but that one floored me.


I'm gonna hafta check out this Confederacy of Dunces....
And moira's To Say Nothing of the Dog.

[Debbie in OR]

Never in a million years should I admit I read this book (But I did) :DAnd it was very funny!Bill

Your secret's safe with me, Bill...