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Original poster

What was the last book that made you laugh out loud whilst reading?

65 replies

StupidBloodyKindle · 14/07/2015 23:41

Hello

I am feeling a bit down and could do with a literary pick-me-up.
I can read anything in terms of genre and black humour also fine.
I have read lots of David Sedaris.
I tried both Tina Fey and Amy Poeler's autobiogs but did not like the snippets enough to buy them, was that an error?
Read 'Dad is fat' but not that impressed, his stand up is better.
Also read Josh Ferris.
Chick lit, enjoyed My life on a plate and Mad about the boyBlush but less impressed with Jojo whatserface or Marian Keye's latest.
Found bits of After Birth darkly funny although not everyone would agree.

So, what was the last book you read where you belly laughed?
FlowersCake thanks in advance xx

OP posts:
AnneOfAramis · 24/07/2015 11:10

The Dust that Falls from Dreams, Louis de Bernieres. It also made me cry, full on sobbing on the bus, but it also annoyed DH hugely when I snorted with laughter in bed.

southeastdweller · 24/07/2015 07:33

A God in Ruins, by Kate Atkinson.

wwbuffydo · 24/07/2015 01:21

I don't really get David Sedaris tbh, but I'm another one for the tent the bucket and me. Also if I want cheered up I read The Princess Bride again. Any Terry Pratchett book too.

Tournesol · 22/07/2015 14:45

Totally agree about Diary of a Nobody, such a funny book! So of its time.

I also find classic John Irving books funny and heartfelt all at once. hotel New Hampshire and absolute fav, but World According to Garp also funny and touching.

I know you said you have read tons but just have to agree that David Sedaris is very funny!

crapfatbanana · 22/07/2015 14:36

Oops, posted too soon. It's not fiction however.

The last fiction that made me laugh was The Peculiar Memories of Thomas Penman by Bruce Robinson

crapfatbanana · 22/07/2015 14:34

My Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller made me laugh a lot.

BreconBeBuggered · 21/07/2015 23:38

I know it's not strictly fiction but I wanted to third Emma Kennedy's The Tent, The Bucket and Me. It's brilliantly funny, it really is.

OwooenBled · 21/07/2015 15:56

Laughing a lot this morning, re-reading Adrian Mole. Clive James' Unreliable Memoirs nearly got me thrown off a train once for snorting with laughter.

BothEndsBurning · 21/07/2015 13:36

Definitely Billy Liar. The first book I read that had me literally LOLing.

highlandcoo · 21/07/2015 11:44

The Pursuit of Beasts by Magnus Mills, if you like dark humour.

I love Diary of a Nobody and Three Men in a Boat. And for all Kingsley Amis was a dreadful old misogynist, Lucky Jim still makes me laugh out loud.

BitOfFun · 21/07/2015 00:36

I read The Psychopath Test recently, by Jon Ronson. It's quite a serious book really, but there are unexpected laughs along the way.

ephemeralfairy · 21/07/2015 00:30

The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith. Kind of like an adult Adrian Mole in Edwardian London. I know that doesn't sound funny at all but it made me snort with laughter on the train.
I also second Us by David Nicholls.

Devora · 20/07/2015 23:32

Foreskin's Lament (Shalom Auslander).

Honestly, do read it. Also his Hope: A Tragedy.

FuckyNell · 20/07/2015 23:29

A man called ove

Madamacadamia · 20/07/2015 23:27

Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse.

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 20/07/2015 23:23

OK I know this is adult fiction topic, but I just reread Howl's Moving Castle which I had last read as a child many years ago and two bits of that actually made me get the mad giggles! Reminded me how much I loved it first time. In fact I may just have bought the next two on Amazon, shhh....

thriftychicken · 15/07/2015 21:15

Yes man by Danny Wallace made me laugh Smile

LadyDeadpool · 15/07/2015 11:56

The Martian by Andy Weir it's about an astronaut left on Mars after the rest of the crew think he's dead. Really funny and unputdownable. Also being made into a movie starring Matt Damon.

ImperialBlether · 15/07/2015 11:34

It was a great book, Countess - I often wonder how he's doing now and how his family is coping, too.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 15/07/2015 11:13

It was the book by a MNer's dp about brain cancer, Pear-Shaped by Adam Blain.
You should all buy it if you haven't already - it's brilliant.

ImperialBlether · 15/07/2015 11:07

Grin at Imperial Leisure! I shall look out for them!

PatriarchalHandmaiden · 15/07/2015 03:26

One of his other books 'A Dirty Job' also amused me greatly.

PatriarchalHandmaiden · 15/07/2015 03:25

Currently reading this for the second time and it does really make me laugh: "Lamb; The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal" by Christopher Moore.

Smurfingreat · 15/07/2015 01:31

It's a fab book Imperial - incidentally I saw a great band at a festival a couple of years ago called Imperial Leisure, think it may be your destiny to see them!

Original poster
StupidBloodyKindle · 15/07/2015 01:29

Thanks again. I have now downloaded snippets from all your suggestions and hope to fall in love with them (really must change my username cos I bloody love my kindle, it was the autospell that was irksome).
Prime has let me read one of Fiona's for free so I shall buy the other one, with her being a mumsnetter an 'all. Cheers for that imperial I love how you support other writers, have seen you do so on other threads. Take a bow Star
Thanks for the kind wishes Smurf Will feel better once my two year old stops breastfeeding need to put plasters on my boobs

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