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Original poster

Funny laugh out loud books?

83 replies

Nikitasol · 21/03/2017 05:34

I'm in the process of splitting up with my partner and really need some funny books to make me laugh right now? Any suggestions for books that will make me weep with laughter? Fiction or non fiction fine.

OP posts:
CalmItKermitt · 22/03/2017 22:23

Re: Bill Bryson - The description of the guy jumping off the high dive board into the lake, in "Thunderbolt Kid" had me snorting and hooting for ages 😊

CatchIt · 22/03/2017 22:23

Bitch have you read The Cat that Came In From the Cold? That bit when the cat ate the garlic sausage had me in fits of laughter! Such an ace bit of writing!

Sidge · 22/03/2017 22:21

"Don't tell mum I work on the rigs" by Paul Carter.

Not exactly good literature but hilariously funny!

I also love Janet Evanovich's books, proper laugh out loud fiction.

CatchIt · 22/03/2017 22:20

Bill Bryson! Especially Notes from a Small Island & Notes from a Big Country.

I love the way he describes his travels and his excellent observations on people.

I was read it when I would take the tube and would burst into giggling fits much to the consternation of my fellow commuters!

Original poster
Nikitasol · 22/03/2017 22:15

Great work! Keep 'em coming! Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
Nikitasol · 22/03/2017 22:15

Great work! Keep 'em coming! Wink

OP posts:
HamletsSister · 22/03/2017 20:30

Sue Perkins Spectacles

Alexander McCall Smith - any books.

Louis de Bernieres'trilogy set in South America

QueenieGoldstein · 22/03/2017 20:29

Another vote for Rivers of London series although it gets darker as you get through.

I heartily recommend Christopher Brookmyre, especially the Jack Parlabane series.

Doubleaxel · 22/03/2017 20:28

Bill Bryson makes me howl with laughter! So do all the Jeeves and Wooster by Wodehouse. Impossible to feel miserable while you're smirking your way through them!

mrsBeverleygoldberg · 22/03/2017 20:26

All Bill Bryson books.
I also like the Mr Gum series. They're children's books though!
Also I'd recommend watching Deadpool. Ryan Reynald's easy on the eye and it was so funny I laughed until my face hurt and my eyes watered.

akwan · 22/03/2017 20:18

Adrian mole books - absolute lol gold

iloveredwine · 22/03/2017 20:18

Any of tony James slaters books. The first one is the bear that eat my pants. Was very funnySmile

Rhubarbara · 22/03/2017 20:12

Adrian Mole
David Sedaris, Naked
I, Partridge

Original poster
Nikitasol · 22/03/2017 20:07

Brilliant! Thanks for these. I've just finished Rob Delaney (he of Catastrophe) autobiography which made me howl with laughter in parts. Just started one of David Sedaris (American hunourist) books too which is also quite good. And have ordered Sara Pascoes book Animal too.

I need it after the day I've had - epic tantrums (not mine), dose of worms from nursery, gammy twisted knee and didn't get job I thought I was a shoe in for. Finding my pleasures where I can. Hmm

OP posts:
CalmItKermitt · 22/03/2017 20:00

Bill Bryson makes me cry laughing.

ElspethFlashman · 22/03/2017 19:58

Ooh this is just the thread I was after.

I'm furiously taking notes.

How To Be a Woman made me laugh so hard the whole bed shook.

IrregularCommentary · 22/03/2017 19:58

Another vote for Bill Bryson. Notes From A Small Island and Neither Here Nor There in particular for me.

AgentCooper · 22/03/2017 19:54

Per yourself? Sorry, that should be pee yourself Grin

AgentCooper · 22/03/2017 19:53

Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh had me laughing out loud. My best recommendation for proper per yourself laughing, though, is Alan Partridge's autobiography I, Partridge. It is absolutely hilarious. I'm reading his second book, Nomad, just now and am laughing so hard in bed every night.

Flowers and Cake for you, OP, I really hope you are feeling better soon.

TheBadgersMadeMeDoIt · 22/03/2017 19:53

Anything by Bill Bryson. Notes from a Big Country is my quick fix when I need a good laugh. Down Under, Notes from a Small Island and Neither Here Nor There are also hilarious.

Christopher Brookmyre - always good for entertaining crime capers full of darkly brilliant sarcasm. Attack Of The Unsinkable Rubber Ducks is a perennial favourite.

Douglas Adams makes me howl. I actually prefer the Dirk Gently books to Hitchiker's but there is much hilarity to be found in everything he wrote.

And for whimsical, satirical fantasy with everything from gentle chuckles to painful, breathless Sprite-Zero-Up-Your-Nose guffaws...there's the late, great Terry Pratchett and his Discworld. You might love it, you might not. But if you do, there's enough there to see you through a dozen breakups.

Good luck. Hope a worthy distraction comes your way. Please do report back with your best finds!

ShatnersBassoon · 22/03/2017 19:50

Bateman's Mystery Man series is very funny.

VanillaLatteAndCake · 22/03/2017 19:49

Similar to Caitlin Moran is Tina Fey's autobiography. She's got a dry sense of humour, I found her book quite funny.

HesterGreysGarden · 22/03/2017 19:48

I second Janet Evanovich - Must reread them myself.
Also PG Wodehouse never disappoints.
I'm always on the look out for genuinely funny books - they're surprisingly hard to find. Have been considering this mobile library series: www.goodreads.com/series/41306-mobile-library-mystery
Looks promising, but haven't read any so can't say for sure.
Sorry you're going through a shitty time. IME reading can really help Flowers BrewCake[book]

ihatethecold · 22/03/2017 19:43

Bill Bryson.
His older books are so witty.

YesThisIsMe · 22/03/2017 19:43

Rivers of London - supernatural police procedural but just so funny.

I'd second Harry Potter actually, and Artemis Fowl, and Percy Jackson, and on a more adult note the obscure but very funny detective stories of Sarah Caudwell.

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