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Original poster

"Funny" books for a non reading 20 year old.

38 replies

Mockingcurl · 06/01/2013 19:36

My Ds never reads anything, despite the house being stuffed with books. He has just announced that he might read a book!!Grin
His only proviso is that it has to be funny HmmAll I can think of is Spike Milligan.
He read Peter Kay's book years ago, and loved it. He loves The Lord of The Rings Films. A typical bloke really.

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anonymosity · 16/02/2013 00:54

If its not too late - Talk of the Town by Ardal O'Hanlon (from Father Ted) weepingly funny stuff...

CoteDAzur · 07/02/2013 11:49

How about starting him on some comic books? V For Vendetta, Watchmen, etc.

IndridCold · 07/02/2013 10:00

Second the Spike Milligan war memoirs.

Also, Bill Bryson - especially the travel ones.

Roddy Doyle, who wrote the Commitments

Caronline · 06/02/2013 21:42

I second Adrian Mole! Hilarious x

SofChina · 02/02/2013 09:30

My Stepson, and all his skater mates, and now my husband and all his work mates are mad on Malice in Blunderland by Jonny Gibbings. I have also read it, and it isn't for everyone as it is very gross and dark. It is though, very, very funny. I am a big reader and it is the only book I have had to put down due to laughing so much. You will never view margarine the same. 100% recommend!

Moominsarehippos · 23/01/2013 21:08

Almost wet myself laughing. Yes I did, almost.

Moominsarehippos · 23/01/2013 21:08

www.amazon.co.uk/A-Confederacy-Dunces-Penguin-Classics/dp/0141023465

I almost set myself laughing on the tube at this ome and missed my stop.

AlwaysWantingMore · 23/01/2013 21:06

Christopher Brookmyre? Quite blokey and funny and most of them are a pretty good read!

iseenodust · 21/01/2013 12:47

Carl Hiassen - Sick puppy (funny, american, environment theme)
Tom Sharpe - Wilt

My 22 yr old nephew actually sent me a text to say he had read and enjoyed his Xmas present " I Am The Secret Footballer" - anonymously written by current premier league player.

elkiedee · 17/01/2013 18:52

Robert Rankin? Sort of comic science fiction with lots of funny titles - the only one I've actually read so far is Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse.

maamalady · 14/01/2013 21:12

Adrian Mole! Still so funny I end up crying - you can't read the bit about painting the walls without gasping for breath, it's too good

lljkk · 13/01/2013 08:46

Wow, I thought French Revolutions was dreadful. Very self-obsessed.
I also nominate Living with a Willy.
Who says we have to stick to fiction?

NellVarnish · 13/01/2013 08:33

Anything by Danny Wallace or Dave Gorman - very funny and readable.

Thanks for the Football Manager recommendations, have taken note of those for DS's birthday.

GoldPlatedNineDoors · 13/01/2013 08:28

Seconding the Karl Pilkington books. He has one called Happy Slapped by a Jellyfish about his holidays. Brilliant!

JRsandCoffee · 13/01/2013 08:27

Sorry, on Phone feeding baby..... Jeeves and Wooster also funny!

youcantwearthatmum · 13/01/2013 08:23

The Wrong Boy by Willy Russel

JRsandCoffee · 13/01/2013 08:21

Sorry, on Phone feeding baby..... Jeeves and Wooster also funny!

JRsandCoffee · 13/01/2013 08:18

French revolutions by Tim Moore is hilarious, particularly good if he happens to be into bikes!
Jeeves and Wooster b

Thewhingingdefective · 12/01/2013 18:41

I second the Charlie Brooker suggestion. Reading one of his reviews of King Kong made me laugh so hard I went into labour.

Letters From A Nut by Ted L Nancy

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson maybe. Been a while since I read one of his but I know they made me laugh.

duchesse · 12/01/2013 10:17

Ah Mocking,
Am watching your thread with interest as 19yo DS (formerly a 1 book a day chap) has not read a single book for 5 years. I so hope he goes back to it but at the moment it's all about online shooting games afaict.

mewkins · 12/01/2013 10:15

Are there any comedians he likes? He could start with their autobiography? My dh doesn't read but managed Frank Skinner's autobiography a few years ago.
Otherwise High Fidelity or about a boy? Especially if he's into indie music!

chirpchirp · 11/01/2013 22:15

The Amertures by John Niven. My husband never reads (maybe a James Bond book whilst on holiday) but I forced this upon him and he devoured it.

Anything by Dave Gorman or Charlie Brooker.

Worksitoutwithapencil · 10/01/2013 08:10

Christopher Brookmyre is good for dark humour, some are funnier/easier to get into than others.
One Fine Day In The Middle Of The Night had me laughing from the first chapter which as well as being funny is full of guts and gore and decapitation Smile

MollyMurphy · 10/01/2013 03:05

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - very funny

NatashaBee · 10/01/2013 02:39

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