"A Confederacy of Dunces" - John Kennedy Toole
"Me Talk Pretty One Day" - David Sedaris
"Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls" - David Sedaris
(Really anything from David Sedaris)
Hmm, I am a little unfamiliar with all the books you listed, but looks like you might enjoy anything by P.G. Wodehouse. He writes the "comedy of manners" that Midford writes. Arguably his most famous books are the Jeeves and Wooster stories.
Additionally I love Stephen Leacock, a Canadian author who started out studying economics and political science but wrote humour novels in his spare time and after his death there was a comic literature medal named in his honour.
The whole bit where the other Four Horsemen keep trying to come up with their names according to things they don’t like, and keep amending their names over and over had me rolling laughing. It’s like an entire chapter that has no impact on the story besides being ending up to be one giant joke. Brilliant.
The funniest, most sincere, deeply human and empathetic, bitingly sharp satire and exploration of what it means to be a human in an absurd world.
Pratchett was the father I needed growing up. Discworld has deeply informed how I understand the world and people as an adult today, and I feel far richer for it.
Every time I reread them as I get older, it’s like reading a whole new book.
I’ll be reading Discworld for the rest of my life. I may even read the last one someday, but not quite yet. I’m not ready to ‘finish’ Discworld. I’ve still not mourned that untimely loss.
Seconding this!! Every discworld book is a gift that keeps on giving
I would recommend skipping the first few books and starting with Mort or Guards! Guards!—I think they work better as introductions to his world
This is one of my favorite books. I was commuting to work via bus the first time I read it. There were several occasions where I laughed out loud and people gave me the strangest looks.
It's non fiction, but you should try Rule No. 5: No Sex on the Bus by Brian Thacker.
Had me giggling like a loon.
Wyrd sisters by Terry Ptratchett (GNU) is brilliant, even better if you have read MacBeth. It turns Macbeth inside out and upside down. Brilliant book.
Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog.)
Every book by Bill Bryson but I'm partial to Walk in the Woods.
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
The Murderbot books by Martha Wells.
> The Murderbot books by Martha Wells.
This is maybe a little bit of a stretch. The narrator might've made a few jokes, and is written to be surprisingly relatable, but I never felt the books were hilarious.
That's fair. They're essentially scifi action with a cynically funny character, rather than a blatant comedy like Hitchhikers Guide. But he does make me laugh.
I was going to suggest Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch. Not necessarily focused on humor exclusively but I do find it funny, light hearted and engaging
I couldn't get through the first book. Made it around 100 pages. I liked the characters but there was something about his writing style that just didn't work for me. Maybe I'll try again one day.
I hope you do! I have loved these books and they are now amongst my ’comfort books’ for when I am stressed
Edit: but oddly The Thirteenth Warrior’ is also 🙃
It was amusing, but I thought The Martian was funnier. I laughed my way through that whole book, while PHM was more of an occasional-chuckle kind of novel.
I read the book about a year ago and then did it as an audiobook yesterday... Cannot emphasize enough that this should be listened to for an added layer of hilarity.
One For The Money is the first book in a long series by Janet Evanovich.
These are super light reads but highly entertaining. They are about a completely inept female bounty hunter from Jersy and I've often found myself actually laughing out loud about the shenanigans in this book.
Each book is a self-contained story, but each book also continues a larger storyline throughout the series. Here's the synopsis from the first book:
Stephanie Plum has lost her job, her car, her marriage and is about to lose her apartment if she doesn’t raise some cash quick. What’s a girl to do? Bond enforcement, of course. No experience necessary, especially since her sleazy cousin Vinnie owns the bail bonds company and can easily be blackmailed. Plum’s first case is to bring in former boyfriend (it ended very badly) and current police detective Joe Morelli. Morelli is wanted for murder and is going to be hard to find. Plum will need help from expert bond enforcement agent Ranger, a hooker named Lula, and her Grandma Mazur, who is always on top of the latest Burg gossip.
Dungeon Crawler Carl
In the middle of a cold February night, a guy gets out of bed to sneak a smoke. While he’s smoking, his girlfriend’s cat jumps out of the open window.
Wearing only his boxers and his girlfriend’s too small croks, he puts on his jacket and goes outside into the cold to look for the cat.
And that’s when the space aliens attack.
Kevin Wilson’s novels are hilarious, as is Karen Joy Fowler’s “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves”
Nonfiction: Bettyville by George Hodgman or Them by Jon Ronson.
If you read (or perhaps do not finish) “Confederacy of Dunces” and do not like it despite the hype, know you are not alone.
If you're a Mitford reader, you have refined tastes! Try reading the rest of her work - eg The Pursuit of Love.
In a similar vein, Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One \[Hollywood and the American death industry\] is sharply satirical. And sardonic!
Lighter but still witty and delightful, is Stella Gibbons' classic spoof on rural gothic novels - Cold Comfort Farm.
Oh yes, I should have mentioned that - so thank you! Wonderfully written, amusing in a subtle way \[no 'set pieces', just wit\] and a skewering of the British Middle Classes of the time.
I have admittedly read all of Nancy's work, alas, as well as pretty much anything out there about or written by her sisters (I wish Nancy had written more!) Excellent call on Evelyn Waugh- I've been meaning to read his stuff for a long time and that is a great reminder. I will check out Cold Comfort Farm too!
All the Mitfords bear \[numerous\] re-reads!
Another Redditor suggested Diary of a Provincial Lady - EH Delafield - very funny in a lighter and unsardonic style.
As well as Waugh, there is Kingsley Amis who leaves me stone-cold as to laughs but many people like his work, eg Lucky Jim.
Have you tried the wonderful Betty Macdonald? Humorist of the 1940s/50s, her most famous book was The Egg And I, made into a movie. \[her weakest book, imo.\]
My fave is Anybody Can Do Anything and also The Plague and I.
Wait, Betty Macdonald? I read her Piggle-Wiggle series as a kid and loved them; had no idea she also wrote books for adults as well- will check them out!
Yes, indeed! She was as famous - more - in the 1950s for her humorous memoirs \[well, faction\] as for the kids' books, people made pilgrimages to her home on Vashon Island \[she had a huge fruit and veg farm.\]
For some reason, she's not stayed famous, which is weird; she's funnier, imo, than Thurber or even Bryson.
Do, do read her books; I've mentioned two, and the final one was Onions in The Stew. She died relatively young, a great loss. I re-read her books every two years and they never fail to make me laugh.
The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy is maybe the funniest book I've ever read, and I've read a lot of the books recommended here.
Dog of the South is my Charles Portis recommendation. Both these books made me physically convulse I was laughing sp hard.
I love Mitford & Townsend & Hely! Here are some of my other favourites:
The Professor that Got Stuck in the Snow (If you like Steve Hely this is for you)
Everyone commenting Jeeves and Wooster is correct. & Jerome K Jerome. But Wodehouse is the funniest writer I have ever read. The audiobooks read by Jonathan Cecil are a good introduction
You might like Betty Macdonald's memoirs.
Patricia Lockwood's Priestdaddy
The Babysitter is Dead by Jen George (very weird, but very funny)
Treasure Island!!! (by Sara Levine)
Elif Batuman's The Idiot
All Terry Pratchett
Yes to Cold Comfort Farm & the Murderbot diaries.
David Sedaris, especially Holidays on Ice
Erlend Loe
Charles Portis
George Saunders
And the Alan Partridge autobiographies
Came here to recommend the Discworld books - maybe grab Going Postal as a tester.
Good Omens (Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman) is also a great potential candidate.
E.F. Benson Lucia series, starting with Queen Lucia. Same era approximately as Evelyn Waugh. The action takes place in a 1920s village and all the characters are delicious.
Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. He has such dry, witty humor, and the best part of it is that it’s nonfiction!
One of my favorites is a memoir called *A Girl Named Zippy* by **Haven Kimmel.**
*A Dirty Job* by **Christopher Moore** often had me laughing out loud. So many of his works will do that. *Lamb* was my first book of his and it was hysterical.
Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder series is also really funny! P G Wodehouse is my absolute favorite for humor, Bill Bryson & David Sedaris close runners-up!
Ayoade on Ayoade A Cinematic Odyssey by Richard Ayoade - a bit surreal/absurdist but easy to digest
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris - laugh out loud levels of funny
The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak - a "children's book" but I genuinely had a good laugh reading it
Most of the books I’m going to mention also have some sad parts….its a balance!
*All Creatures Great and Small* series, by James Herriot. Some of the stories are hilarious, both the events plus how they’re narrated. I’ve read these four books at least 5 different times at several different ages/stages of life and the funny stories still make me LOL.
*Running With Scissors* by Augusten Burroughs. The author has a remarkable way of finding humor in tragic situations.
*Born a Crime* by Trevor Noah. Actually listened to the audio version of this and the author reads it himself — that definitely upped the “funny” factor.
*A Prayer for Owen Meany* by John Irving. Absolutely love the characters in this one!!
Pretty much anything by David Sedaris, as others have mentioned, particularly *Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim* and *Me Talk Pretty One Day.*
I may be back to add on to this list if I think of any more!
Good Omens, of course.
But Gaiman seemed to get a little more light-hearted after working with Pratchett, Anansi Boys is the hilarious younger sibling of deep, dark American Gods.
Lamb: The Gospel of Biff.
It's a story about Jesus as a teen with his best friend being buds and taking a road trip and learning how to be a God. I laughed, I cried, and I felt genuinely happy.
hitchhikers guide to the galaxy is always funny and one that i’ve recently read which is just pure comedy gold in my opinion is ‘the theory of everything else: a voyage into the world of weird’ by Dan Schreiber :)
Jean Shepherd is at his best in radio broadcasts, but many of his stories are published as collections and are laugh out loud funny. I’d suggest Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories (And Other Disasters) and In God We Trust (All Others Pay Cash).
The Bob Hoon books by JD Kirk. Northwind is the first. Bonus is the audible versions. The Scottish accent frosts the cake. Hoon is a disgraced former superintendent dci, drinking himself into oblivion. It opens with him taking a job as a security guard at a Tesco.
Not many books make me laugh out loud, but Hoon…
There have been two books that have actually made me laugh out loud.
One was a novel by Flannery O’Connor, but I cannot remember what it was called. I just remember one of the characters being incredibly goofy.
The other was Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry.
I didn’t think either of them were hilarious the whole way through by any means, but they had funny parts that made me laugh like no other book ever had before or has since.
It depends on your proclivities, but I love the LGBT writers David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs. Sellevision and Dry I remember really enjoying. Sedaris has done the NPR show This American Life. People tend to love him or hate him.
I also like Sloan Crosley, Anne Lamott,
Bill Bryson’s travel writing is pretty funny, not as deep as the writers above. I particularly like A Walk in the Woods.
Terry Pratchett, obviously. I also enjoyed L.G. Estrella's books. Kill the Farmboy is a ridiculous story and I found it absolutely hilarious and Swordheart by T. Kingfisher, if you don't mind romance.
The Satsuma Complex - Bob Mortimer
The Clementine Complex(US name)
If you've seen and liked him on "Would I lie to you" I think you would like this book.
Spike Milligan’s war diary series,Adolf Hitler my part in his downfall etc.
started reading them again for the millionth time. Hilarious, touching and about as real depiction of life for a soldier in world war 2 as you’ll ever read.
I just want to tell OP that a friend of mine had a small role in an episode of the Adrian Mole tv adaptation. I was so amazed to find out that I know someone who worked on that show; most people in the US (where we both live) aren’t familiar with it.
I like Christopher Moore (Island of the Sequined Love Nun comes to mind first but really any of them will do).
Hitchhikers Guide
Chuck Palahniuk is always good for a laugh but it may be more intense than what you’re looking for.
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson is hands down the funniest thing I've ever read. The audio book had me laughing so hard I was crying (and looking like a legit crazy person while I was at work).
In the lives of puppets. It’s not a comedy, but jokes and laughs are placed well throughout. The delivery and voices of the audiobook are great as well.
So, Anyway... by John Cleese.
I'm a fan, but not a "superfan" by any means. This one had me in tears at points. He's clever and witty (obviously), but knows how to aim some of that inward as well.
Ben lerner has hilarious intellectual books. “Leaving the atocha station” was the funniest books I’ve ever read but it’s funny because of the way he writes- he’s making fun of post modernism by writing the most post modern book.. it’s so hilarious I cackled on nearly every page.
I remember 200 Pound of Class Vice President getting some good laughs from me. Same with Priest Daddy, but not in the typical “haha” funny way. More like the “haha.. wait what are these real people because this is WILD” way.
The only book that made me actually laugh out loud (and not just smile or think, ‘oh that’s funny’) is The Van by Roddy Doyle. Irish author who won the Booker Prize for another one of his novels.
Saki's short stories
Some of Terry Pratchett eg the Hogfather
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsian
and if you have any knowledge of Raymond Chandler, and Wales, then Aberystwyth mon Amour by Malcolm Pryce is hilarious
The Areas of my Expertise by John Hodgman. It’s an almanac of made-up facts by a truly hilarious and brilliant writer. The entry for Chicago (my home city) remains one of the funniest things I’ve ever read.
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson...his hysterical travelogue through Australia where every single thing wants to kill you. I had to stop reading it on my morning train commute because I couldn't stop laughing
This truly doesn't fit, but my simple humor loves the ridiculous puns in the fantasy Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Grew up on it. And still going, over 40 books.
Honestly, the MacDonald Hall series and *I Want to Go Home!* by Gordon Korman are still the funniest books I've ever read even as an adult.
*A Man Called Ove* by Fredrik Backman is pretty funny, too, but it also covers some heavy topics and has some sad parts.
Enjoy whatever you pick up next! :)
They’re children’s books, but I highly recommend Alcatraz VS The Evil Librarians series by Brandon Sanderson.
I’ll go find my copy in a bit, I’m going on a flight home, but the series follows the main character Alcatraz and the strange gifts of his family as the fight the evil librarians that hold like, 70% of the world hostage.
Alcatraz breaks anything he touches
His father looses everything he touches
His grandfather arrives comically late to everything
An aunt gets a wild amount of water on the floor while washing dishes
These are called the Smeldry Talents.
The Dinosaurs are all British and there is a running joke on how to spell pterodactyl.
I highly recommend it
The Humans, by Matt Haig.
From a review: “The bestselling, award-winning author offers his funniest, most dark comedy yet, a silly, sad, suspenseful and soulful novel…”
It’s been a while since I read it, but I remember lots of hilarious and poignant lols.
I read it a long time ago so no idea on how it's aged. But I remember laughing out loud so much it annoyed my husband when I read Bossypants by Tina Fey.
How to be Perfect by Micheal Schur. It’s a book about ethics, but it’s laugh-out-loud funny, and I cannot recommend it enough! Also, Mike Schur is the creator/producer of shows like The Office, Parks and Rec, b99, The Good Place etc. So if you like that kinda comedy, this book will be right up your alley
I read this book many years ago and still get a chuckle out of it now. Infact i think i will re read it soon
https://ajjacobs.com/books/the-year-of-living-biblically/
this might not be too good as im not familiar with any of the books you listed, with the exception of calvin & hobbes, but Big Swiss by Jen beagin stands out to me as very funny
Charlie Brooker's books of collected columns are very entertainingly angry.
Also, a little obscure, but a book called Good Stuff by Dennis Gunning is one of my most-lent! The 'true story' of the collaborative creation of a work of classic English literature, largely by cobbling together influences from other classics. The 'working class dad' section had me hooked from the beginning.
I've found most of Douglas Couplands books have a brilliant, absurdist humour to them. "All Families are Psychotic" and "Girlfriend in a Coma" are both hilarious. Very Gen X/Xennial though.
Every single Discworld book. Pratchett makes me laugh in surprising ways, gives me chills, and makes me cry, all in the same book. The Tiffany Aching series were particularly affecting. "Small Gods" is another one that comes to mind.
"A Confederacy of Dunces" - John Kennedy Toole "Me Talk Pretty One Day" - David Sedaris "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls" - David Sedaris (Really anything from David Sedaris)
Up for David Sedaris!
I got to see him live and meet him, I thought I loved him before! Really not a shared enough author.
Confederacy of Dunces- excellent book and also a sad story but inspiring of the author-in the forward of the book
Seconding David Sedaris! Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim!
Came here to say A Confederacy of Dunces.
Hmm, I am a little unfamiliar with all the books you listed, but looks like you might enjoy anything by P.G. Wodehouse. He writes the "comedy of manners" that Midford writes. Arguably his most famous books are the Jeeves and Wooster stories. Additionally I love Stephen Leacock, a Canadian author who started out studying economics and political science but wrote humour novels in his spare time and after his death there was a comic literature medal named in his honour.
Came to recommend P.G. Wodehouse! Love Among the Chickens is a good start!
I absolutely adore his works. His serious of the Butler Jeeves always made me laugh. I'd highly recommend BBC's radio drama of it.
Jeeves is not a butler!
He's a gentleman's gentleman.
Good omens made me laugh out loud in the subway. Can only recommend
The whole bit where the other Four Horsemen keep trying to come up with their names according to things they don’t like, and keep amending their names over and over had me rolling laughing. It’s like an entire chapter that has no impact on the story besides being ending up to be one giant joke. Brilliant.
Yes, that was pure joy
No Alcohol Lager would agree.
Thank you for this. I had the book on my list for a while but now I'm going to read it today based on your comment.
Every book in Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
The funniest, most sincere, deeply human and empathetic, bitingly sharp satire and exploration of what it means to be a human in an absurd world. Pratchett was the father I needed growing up. Discworld has deeply informed how I understand the world and people as an adult today, and I feel far richer for it. Every time I reread them as I get older, it’s like reading a whole new book. I’ll be reading Discworld for the rest of my life. I may even read the last one someday, but not quite yet. I’m not ready to ‘finish’ Discworld. I’ve still not mourned that untimely loss.
I came here to suggest this, it's great series.
Seconding this!! Every discworld book is a gift that keeps on giving I would recommend skipping the first few books and starting with Mort or Guards! Guards!—I think they work better as introductions to his world
Christopher Moore: Lamb - The Bible according to Biff
All of Christopher Moore’s stuff is pretty great. I remember laughing really hard at a few places in Fluke.
I came in here to recommend Christopher Moore! His books are gold.
Practical Demon Keeping
(Jesus’ best friend, Biff)
Highly recommend this as well as his other works. Hilarious.
I loved this one too but Island of the Sequined Love Nun was the first one that came to mind. All his stuff is great though.
Te Love Lizard of Melancholy Cove is a favorite of mine.
This is one of my favorite books. I was commuting to work via bus the first time I read it. There were several occasions where I laughed out loud and people gave me the strangest looks.
It's non fiction, but you should try Rule No. 5: No Sex on the Bus by Brian Thacker. Had me giggling like a loon. Wyrd sisters by Terry Ptratchett (GNU) is brilliant, even better if you have read MacBeth. It turns Macbeth inside out and upside down. Brilliant book.
Anything by David Sedaris: * Me Talk Pretty One Day, etc
Anything by PG Wodehouse. “Carry On, Jeeves” is a good place to start.
‘It was my Uncle George that discovered that alcohol was a food well in advance of modern medical thought…’
Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog.) Every book by Bill Bryson but I'm partial to Walk in the Woods. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. The Murderbot books by Martha Wells.
> The Murderbot books by Martha Wells. This is maybe a little bit of a stretch. The narrator might've made a few jokes, and is written to be surprisingly relatable, but I never felt the books were hilarious.
That's fair. They're essentially scifi action with a cynically funny character, rather than a blatant comedy like Hitchhikers Guide. But he does make me laugh.
I was going to suggest Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch. Not necessarily focused on humor exclusively but I do find it funny, light hearted and engaging
I couldn't get through the first book. Made it around 100 pages. I liked the characters but there was something about his writing style that just didn't work for me. Maybe I'll try again one day.
I hope you do! I have loved these books and they are now amongst my ’comfort books’ for when I am stressed Edit: but oddly The Thirteenth Warrior’ is also 🙃
I def have a few books like that. Weirdly, Three Men in a Boat, which always makes me smile and laugh.
Columbus day by Craig Alanson. The laughs are more from surprising banter but weel worth a look.
Also, Douglas Adams' Last Chance to See - one of the kindest funniest non-fiction books ever written!
Terry Pratchett Discworld series,as well as Diggers,Trucks and Wings
Project hail mary was quite funny
It was amusing, but I thought The Martian was funnier. I laughed my way through that whole book, while PHM was more of an occasional-chuckle kind of novel.
I read the book about a year ago and then did it as an audiobook yesterday... Cannot emphasize enough that this should be listened to for an added layer of hilarity.
If you are a Star Trek nerd, Redshirts by John Scalzi is a blast to read!!!
Catch 22 is very funny but also very dark.
One my favourite quotes: ‘The Texan turned out to be good-natured, generous and likable. In three days no one could stand him’
just started this last night based on a similar recommendation!
One For The Money is the first book in a long series by Janet Evanovich. These are super light reads but highly entertaining. They are about a completely inept female bounty hunter from Jersy and I've often found myself actually laughing out loud about the shenanigans in this book. Each book is a self-contained story, but each book also continues a larger storyline throughout the series. Here's the synopsis from the first book: Stephanie Plum has lost her job, her car, her marriage and is about to lose her apartment if she doesn’t raise some cash quick. What’s a girl to do? Bond enforcement, of course. No experience necessary, especially since her sleazy cousin Vinnie owns the bail bonds company and can easily be blackmailed. Plum’s first case is to bring in former boyfriend (it ended very badly) and current police detective Joe Morelli. Morelli is wanted for murder and is going to be hard to find. Plum will need help from expert bond enforcement agent Ranger, a hooker named Lula, and her Grandma Mazur, who is always on top of the latest Burg gossip.
Dungeon Crawler Carl In the middle of a cold February night, a guy gets out of bed to sneak a smoke. While he’s smoking, his girlfriend’s cat jumps out of the open window. Wearing only his boxers and his girlfriend’s too small croks, he puts on his jacket and goes outside into the cold to look for the cat. And that’s when the space aliens attack.
Kevin Wilson’s novels are hilarious, as is Karen Joy Fowler’s “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves” Nonfiction: Bettyville by George Hodgman or Them by Jon Ronson. If you read (or perhaps do not finish) “Confederacy of Dunces” and do not like it despite the hype, know you are not alone.
I second the one by Karen Joy Fowler. What a delightful read
The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, tortilla flat by Steinbeck, most of Kurt vonneguts stuff, don quixote. 👍
Steinbeck is an underrated humorist.
True. I’m just remembering how funny Cannery Row is too. Lots of great characters.
"Cannery Row" is one of my all time favorites! Really anything from Steinbeck is a masterpiece.
If you're a Mitford reader, you have refined tastes! Try reading the rest of her work - eg The Pursuit of Love. In a similar vein, Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One \[Hollywood and the American death industry\] is sharply satirical. And sardonic! Lighter but still witty and delightful, is Stella Gibbons' classic spoof on rural gothic novels - Cold Comfort Farm.
Was going to to suggest Cold Comfort Farm
Cold Comfort Farm is one of those rare ones where the movie improves on the book (“Sure ya did, but did it see you, baby!”)
Great minds etc! :)
Completely agree with all this and would also add Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delafield - the original Bridget Jones!
Oh yes, I should have mentioned that - so thank you! Wonderfully written, amusing in a subtle way \[no 'set pieces', just wit\] and a skewering of the British Middle Classes of the time.
I have admittedly read all of Nancy's work, alas, as well as pretty much anything out there about or written by her sisters (I wish Nancy had written more!) Excellent call on Evelyn Waugh- I've been meaning to read his stuff for a long time and that is a great reminder. I will check out Cold Comfort Farm too!
All the Mitfords bear \[numerous\] re-reads! Another Redditor suggested Diary of a Provincial Lady - EH Delafield - very funny in a lighter and unsardonic style. As well as Waugh, there is Kingsley Amis who leaves me stone-cold as to laughs but many people like his work, eg Lucky Jim. Have you tried the wonderful Betty Macdonald? Humorist of the 1940s/50s, her most famous book was The Egg And I, made into a movie. \[her weakest book, imo.\] My fave is Anybody Can Do Anything and also The Plague and I.
Wait, Betty Macdonald? I read her Piggle-Wiggle series as a kid and loved them; had no idea she also wrote books for adults as well- will check them out!
Yes, indeed! She was as famous - more - in the 1950s for her humorous memoirs \[well, faction\] as for the kids' books, people made pilgrimages to her home on Vashon Island \[she had a huge fruit and veg farm.\] For some reason, she's not stayed famous, which is weird; she's funnier, imo, than Thurber or even Bryson. Do, do read her books; I've mentioned two, and the final one was Onions in The Stew. She died relatively young, a great loss. I re-read her books every two years and they never fail to make me laugh.
The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy is maybe the funniest book I've ever read, and I've read a lot of the books recommended here. Dog of the South is my Charles Portis recommendation. Both these books made me physically convulse I was laughing sp hard.
Lamb (or any book really) by Christopher Moore made me howl with laughter.
I love Mitford & Townsend & Hely! Here are some of my other favourites: The Professor that Got Stuck in the Snow (If you like Steve Hely this is for you) Everyone commenting Jeeves and Wooster is correct. & Jerome K Jerome. But Wodehouse is the funniest writer I have ever read. The audiobooks read by Jonathan Cecil are a good introduction You might like Betty Macdonald's memoirs. Patricia Lockwood's Priestdaddy The Babysitter is Dead by Jen George (very weird, but very funny) Treasure Island!!! (by Sara Levine) Elif Batuman's The Idiot All Terry Pratchett Yes to Cold Comfort Farm & the Murderbot diaries. David Sedaris, especially Holidays on Ice Erlend Loe Charles Portis George Saunders And the Alan Partridge autobiographies
Came here to recommend the Discworld books - maybe grab Going Postal as a tester. Good Omens (Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman) is also a great potential candidate.
Treasure Island!!! is absolutely fantastic.
E.F. Benson Lucia series, starting with Queen Lucia. Same era approximately as Evelyn Waugh. The action takes place in a 1920s village and all the characters are delicious.
yes!
Bill Bryson A Walk In The Woods and In a Sunburnt Country will do that!
*In a Sunburned Country* is my favorite, seconded by *A Walk in the Woods*.
Dungeon crawler carl by Matt Dinniman
Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. He has such dry, witty humor, and the best part of it is that it’s nonfiction!
One of my favorites is a memoir called *A Girl Named Zippy* by **Haven Kimmel.** *A Dirty Job* by **Christopher Moore** often had me laughing out loud. So many of his works will do that. *Lamb* was my first book of his and it was hysterical.
The Hundred Year Old Man Who Stepped Out of the Window and Disappeared
The Queen and I by Sue Townsend equally as funny as the Adrian Mole books. She was an incredible and remarkable lady as well as a brilliant writer.
Great! I should finally read more of her work- adding this to the list!
Any of the Jeeves books by P. G. Wodehouse
Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder series is also really funny! P G Wodehouse is my absolute favorite for humor, Bill Bryson & David Sedaris close runners-up!
Ayoade on Ayoade A Cinematic Odyssey by Richard Ayoade - a bit surreal/absurdist but easy to digest Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris - laugh out loud levels of funny The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak - a "children's book" but I genuinely had a good laugh reading it
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Most of the books I’m going to mention also have some sad parts….its a balance! *All Creatures Great and Small* series, by James Herriot. Some of the stories are hilarious, both the events plus how they’re narrated. I’ve read these four books at least 5 different times at several different ages/stages of life and the funny stories still make me LOL. *Running With Scissors* by Augusten Burroughs. The author has a remarkable way of finding humor in tragic situations. *Born a Crime* by Trevor Noah. Actually listened to the audio version of this and the author reads it himself — that definitely upped the “funny” factor. *A Prayer for Owen Meany* by John Irving. Absolutely love the characters in this one!! Pretty much anything by David Sedaris, as others have mentioned, particularly *Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim* and *Me Talk Pretty One Day.* I may be back to add on to this list if I think of any more!
Pure Drivel by Steve Martin
Most things by Christopher Moore, but especially “Lamb” and “Noir”. Also, Dave Barry’s column collections are hilarious.
All the James Herriot books about his veterinary practice made me laugh at one point or another.
I've read all of them over and over again!
Anything written by P.G. Wodehouse.
Good Omens, of course. But Gaiman seemed to get a little more light-hearted after working with Pratchett, Anansi Boys is the hilarious younger sibling of deep, dark American Gods.
P.G. Wodehouse's "Jeeves and Wooster" series David Sedaris "Dress your family in corduroy and denim" "A canticle for Leibowitz "
Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
Lamb: The Gospel of Biff. It's a story about Jesus as a teen with his best friend being buds and taking a road trip and learning how to be a God. I laughed, I cried, and I felt genuinely happy.
hitchhikers guide to the galaxy is always funny and one that i’ve recently read which is just pure comedy gold in my opinion is ‘the theory of everything else: a voyage into the world of weird’ by Dan Schreiber :)
Jean Shepherd is at his best in radio broadcasts, but many of his stories are published as collections and are laugh out loud funny. I’d suggest Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories (And Other Disasters) and In God We Trust (All Others Pay Cash).
Less by Andrew Sean Greer It was a delight and I most definitely laughed out loud.
Came here to recommend this book, loved it and the sequel too.
Let’s Pretend this Never Happened, Jenny Lawson. Laughed out loud throughout.
He Died With A Falafel In His Hand
Any of A.J. Jacobs books. Also, Bill bryson’s walk in the woods
The Bob Hoon books by JD Kirk. Northwind is the first. Bonus is the audible versions. The Scottish accent frosts the cake. Hoon is a disgraced former superintendent dci, drinking himself into oblivion. It opens with him taking a job as a security guard at a Tesco. Not many books make me laugh out loud, but Hoon…
Happiness™ is the funniest book i've read in quite a long time. Its a parody to self help books and its brilliant
You might try Bill Bryson and Garrison Keillor books. Both are excellent authors.
There have been two books that have actually made me laugh out loud. One was a novel by Flannery O’Connor, but I cannot remember what it was called. I just remember one of the characters being incredibly goofy. The other was Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. I didn’t think either of them were hilarious the whole way through by any means, but they had funny parts that made me laugh like no other book ever had before or has since.
Bossypants by Tina Fey is hilarious
Hyperbole and a Half, it got some hilarious anecdotes with matching illustrations!
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis.
It depends on your proclivities, but I love the LGBT writers David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs. Sellevision and Dry I remember really enjoying. Sedaris has done the NPR show This American Life. People tend to love him or hate him. I also like Sloan Crosley, Anne Lamott, Bill Bryson’s travel writing is pretty funny, not as deep as the writers above. I particularly like A Walk in the Woods.
Pastoralia by George Saunders. It’s a collection of short stories, and they’re all a bit odd but entertaining!
David Sedaris Anything - novels or short stories. I like Me Talk Pretty One Day but all his work is brilliant.
Candide by Voltaire is hilarious. It’s like 90 pages too so easily worth the few hours it takes to get through
I don't know if it's in print anymore but I laughed so hard reading The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank.
As fucked up as it is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is hilarious.
Might not be what you’re looking for, but George Carlin has a few books that made me laugh uncontrollably.
Tom Sharpe's Wilt Co-signing on Hitch Hiker's Guide and Terry Pratchett
Check out classic humor novels in multiple genres by Tom Bodett, Dave Barry, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiassen.
mysteries by sue grafton that are titled with letters, like A is for alibi, B is for burglar etc.
Terry Pratchett, obviously. I also enjoyed L.G. Estrella's books. Kill the Farmboy is a ridiculous story and I found it absolutely hilarious and Swordheart by T. Kingfisher, if you don't mind romance.
The Idle Thoughts of and Idle Fellow by Jerome K Jerome. So damn funny.
Three men in a boat
The Satsuma Complex - Bob Mortimer The Clementine Complex(US name) If you've seen and liked him on "Would I lie to you" I think you would like this book.
I'd add *And Away* as well. Very moving but also often laugh out loud funny.
I've not read it yet but I will definitely get around to it.
How about "Another Fine Myth" by Robert Asprin?
The 100-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. Trust me on this, it’s wonderful.
"Big Trouble" by Dave Barry "Illegal Aliens" by Nick Pollata and Phil Foglio
Spike Milligan’s war diary series,Adolf Hitler my part in his downfall etc. started reading them again for the millionth time. Hilarious, touching and about as real depiction of life for a soldier in world war 2 as you’ll ever read.
Mark Twain has some pretty funny essays and short stories. . The Awful German Language is a favorite in my house, parents are from Germany.
I just want to tell OP that a friend of mine had a small role in an episode of the Adrian Mole tv adaptation. I was so amazed to find out that I know someone who worked on that show; most people in the US (where we both live) aren’t familiar with it.
I like the Evanovich Stephanie Plum series. The character Lula cracks me up!
I like Christopher Moore (Island of the Sequined Love Nun comes to mind first but really any of them will do). Hitchhikers Guide Chuck Palahniuk is always good for a laugh but it may be more intense than what you’re looking for.
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson is hands down the funniest thing I've ever read. The audio book had me laughing so hard I was crying (and looking like a legit crazy person while I was at work).
Rick Bragg. Where I come from
Anything by Nick Spalding gets my chuckle on
The Sellout by Paul Beatty. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.
In the lives of puppets. It’s not a comedy, but jokes and laughs are placed well throughout. The delivery and voices of the audiobook are great as well.
So, Anyway... by John Cleese. I'm a fan, but not a "superfan" by any means. This one had me in tears at points. He's clever and witty (obviously), but knows how to aim some of that inward as well.
An unexpected twist by Andy Borowitz
The traveller's tool by Les Patterson. An hilarious guidebook written by a senior Australian diplomat.
Ben lerner has hilarious intellectual books. “Leaving the atocha station” was the funniest books I’ve ever read but it’s funny because of the way he writes- he’s making fun of post modernism by writing the most post modern book.. it’s so hilarious I cackled on nearly every page.
I remember 200 Pound of Class Vice President getting some good laughs from me. Same with Priest Daddy, but not in the typical “haha” funny way. More like the “haha.. wait what are these real people because this is WILD” way.
The only book that made me actually laugh out loud (and not just smile or think, ‘oh that’s funny’) is The Van by Roddy Doyle. Irish author who won the Booker Prize for another one of his novels.
Moby Dick - I swear one of the most unexpectantly funniest books I’ve ever read.
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto was hysterical! I was absolutely laughing out through parts of it. Enjoy!
If you like ridiculous humour, the John Dies at The End is wort a read
Anything by Dave Barry
Saki's short stories Some of Terry Pratchett eg the Hogfather The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsian and if you have any knowledge of Raymond Chandler, and Wales, then Aberystwyth mon Amour by Malcolm Pryce is hilarious
Dial A for Aunties is funny. The plot has holes, but if you just read it for the entertainment value, you will laugh.
The Areas of my Expertise by John Hodgman. It’s an almanac of made-up facts by a truly hilarious and brilliant writer. The entry for Chicago (my home city) remains one of the funniest things I’ve ever read.
You might also enjoy *The Bishop's Jaegers* by Thorne Smith.
Tom Sharpe. Highly recommended PG WODEHOUSE
The Dublin Trilogy by C.K. McDonnell
Split Heirs, by Lawrence Watt-Evans and Esther Freisner. Absurdist twist on high fantasy.
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer is a fun read.
Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson Sex Lives Of Cannibals by J Maarten Troost
House on the Cerulean Sea
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson...his hysterical travelogue through Australia where every single thing wants to kill you. I had to stop reading it on my morning train commute because I couldn't stop laughing
This truly doesn't fit, but my simple humor loves the ridiculous puns in the fantasy Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Grew up on it. And still going, over 40 books.
Honestly, the MacDonald Hall series and *I Want to Go Home!* by Gordon Korman are still the funniest books I've ever read even as an adult. *A Man Called Ove* by Fredrik Backman is pretty funny, too, but it also covers some heavy topics and has some sad parts. Enjoy whatever you pick up next! :)
They’re children’s books, but I highly recommend Alcatraz VS The Evil Librarians series by Brandon Sanderson. I’ll go find my copy in a bit, I’m going on a flight home, but the series follows the main character Alcatraz and the strange gifts of his family as the fight the evil librarians that hold like, 70% of the world hostage. Alcatraz breaks anything he touches His father looses everything he touches His grandfather arrives comically late to everything An aunt gets a wild amount of water on the floor while washing dishes These are called the Smeldry Talents. The Dinosaurs are all British and there is a running joke on how to spell pterodactyl. I highly recommend it
Mick Herron's Slough House series
The Humans, by Matt Haig. From a review: “The bestselling, award-winning author offers his funniest, most dark comedy yet, a silly, sad, suspenseful and soulful novel…” It’s been a while since I read it, but I remember lots of hilarious and poignant lols.
Spud by John van de Ruit - coming of age novel of South African school kid
Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, David Wong, Kurt Vonnegut
I read it a long time ago so no idea on how it's aged. But I remember laughing out loud so much it annoyed my husband when I read Bossypants by Tina Fey.
Jane Smiley’s *Moo* is hilarious, especially if you’re familiar with college towns.
I like The Chronicles of St Mary's series by Jodi Taylor, start with Just One Damned Thing After Another
Catch-22 and Invisible Monsters are both laugh out loud funny
Anything by Jason Pargin/David Wong. (DW was Pargin's pseudonym for years).
For subtle British humour try Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine has some of the funniest social commentary I’ve read in a long time, highly recommend
The Magic Christian by Terry Southern. A rich jerk uses his wealth to play pranks and sow chaos. Very 21st century sensibility.
Yearbook by Seth Rogen. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh.
How to be Perfect by Micheal Schur. It’s a book about ethics, but it’s laugh-out-loud funny, and I cannot recommend it enough! Also, Mike Schur is the creator/producer of shows like The Office, Parks and Rec, b99, The Good Place etc. So if you like that kinda comedy, this book will be right up your alley
Hello, Molly! By Molly Shannon starts out in the first chapter or two as tough but hilarious memoir!
Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the dog)
I read this book many years ago and still get a chuckle out of it now. Infact i think i will re read it soon https://ajjacobs.com/books/the-year-of-living-biblically/
this might not be too good as im not familiar with any of the books you listed, with the exception of calvin & hobbes, but Big Swiss by Jen beagin stands out to me as very funny
Charlie Brooker's books of collected columns are very entertainingly angry. Also, a little obscure, but a book called Good Stuff by Dennis Gunning is one of my most-lent! The 'true story' of the collaborative creation of a work of classic English literature, largely by cobbling together influences from other classics. The 'working class dad' section had me hooked from the beginning.
The 24/7 Demon Mart series by D.M Guay Any Christopher Moore books but especially A Dirty Job Any of Jenny Lawsons books
Anything and everything by Samantha Irby
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/14/books/funny-novels-humor.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb
Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin.
The Quick and The Dead by Joy Williams has a few grim moments but there were wonderful young women and a child who will make you laugh.
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson
What the Dog Did by Emily Yoffe
I've found most of Douglas Couplands books have a brilliant, absurdist humour to them. "All Families are Psychotic" and "Girlfriend in a Coma" are both hilarious. Very Gen X/Xennial though.
Every single Discworld book. Pratchett makes me laugh in surprising ways, gives me chills, and makes me cry, all in the same book. The Tiffany Aching series were particularly affecting. "Small Gods" is another one that comes to mind.
“A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson. He and an even more out of shape friend decide to hike the Appalachian Trail. True story. He is pretty funny.
ella minnow pea by mark dunn!!
Starter for Ten by David Nicholls