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Original poster

Really funny books

59 replies

PepeLePew · 11/04/2018 19:48

dd is after funny books - she’s 14 and reads a lot, and widely, but wants books that “make me laugh out loud”. She loves PG Wodehouse, and Diary of a Nobody. I’ve just got Three Men in a Boat out of the library for her, which I think she’ll like. And then I’m a bit stumped as my reading tastes incline more to the less jolly end of the spectrum. One of the challenges is finding humour that is age appropriate, of course. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

OP posts:
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babybythesea · 12/05/2018 21:16

Coming very late to this thread.
If she liked My Family Gerakd Durrell also wrote a book of short stories called 'The picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium.' Not all the stories are funny but the story of the Picnic is utterly hysterical.

CollyWombles · 09/05/2018 22:54

Also another vote for Terry Pratchett discworld books and James Herriot, his vet books are wonderful. I just finished rereading the Adrian mole series, they are all superb, certain type of humour though so maybe that's why they weren't up her street.

Original poster
PepeLePew · 09/05/2018 22:45

Her younger brother swiped Thunderbolt Kid and had to be peeled away from it at bedtime. She’s currently loving Three Men in a Boat so that was a good call. She will love lots of these and I’ve got a massive list to work through. Caitlin Moran is a good idea too, I think I have it on kindle so can share that one with her. I’m tempted by several of these - so many books, so little time!

OP posts:
BestIsWest · 08/05/2018 06:00

This thread has taken me back! So much of my teenage reading on here and I second and third many of the recommendations.

Definitely James Herriot, Bill Bryson and I’ve been inspired to dig out my old Rumpole books.

I loved my dad’s James Thurber books at that age.

MrsCatE · 08/05/2018 03:00

Sorry, Caitlin MORAN, stupid auto correct

MrsCatE · 08/05/2018 02:59

Impressed with your daughter's range. Caitlin Morgan "How to be a woman" made me snort out my tea many times - if that makes any sense. This is when I normally join the insomniacs' thread.

RunningjustasfastasIcan99 · 02/05/2018 17:55

The tent the bucket and me. Hilarious

BitOfFun · 27/04/2018 03:00

Can't beat a bit of PG Wodehouse, I reckon.

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 27/04/2018 02:26

Saki's short stories. Sobbingly funny.

SabineUndine · 27/04/2018 02:23

EF Benson’s Mapp and Lucia books. Also Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor and some of his other books.

GreenthoughtInAGreenShade · 26/04/2018 05:37

Rumpole! (the short story omnibuses are best).
And of course Pratchett, Herriot, Douglas Adams and Jasper Fford as pp have said.

EBearhug · 25/04/2018 23:19

Spike Milligan's memoirs.

Original poster
PepeLePew · 25/04/2018 23:09

This is so helpful! Thanks so much. I’ve got a massive list, have ordered The Thunderbolt Kid and Diary of a Provincial Lady, and am going to see what I can track down in the library for her. And read them myself, as I could do with some light and funny reading. Keep them coming, this is all tremendous and will keep her going for ages.

OP posts:
Zadocthepriest · 25/04/2018 21:52

OP , your daughter has brilliant taste! My favourite modern author is George Mahood (1st book is 'Free Country but they can be read in any order.)

Wallywobbles · 25/04/2018 21:49

Tom Sharp had me crying with laughter at her age.

LostInTheColonies · 25/04/2018 21:38

Came here to add Unreliable Memoirs and Gerald Durrell as well. Beaten to it! What about Roald Dahl's Boy and Going Solo? The bit about smoking goat droppings still has me sniggering... Not, however, My Uncle Oswald until she's a bit older Grin (though it is bloody hilarious)

AliceLutherNeeMorgan · 25/04/2018 21:29

The Darling Buds of May series by HE Bates is excellent and has nice gentle humour, with a bit of “how’s yer father”...

Also would second Alexander McCall Smith, particularly the Ladies No 1 set

And completely different but what about Terry Prachett?

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 25/04/2018 21:23

The Rosie Project

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 25/04/2018 21:14

I want to read the Maureen Lipman now.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 25/04/2018 21:14

I find David Sedaris books laugh out loud funny. But they may be a bit old.
DH frequently pissed himself laughing at Terry Pratchett Grin

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 25/04/2018 21:07

I immediately thought of Unreliable Memoirs by Clive James (see it’s already been mentioned) it’s hilarious and very touching at times

veiledsentiments · 25/04/2018 17:59

The tent, the bucket and me. Written by Sarah somebody. Was funny.

FairyPenguin · 25/04/2018 17:49

Also recommend Bill Bryson.

How about Jasper Fforde? The Big Over Easy is a good one to start with.

DancelikeEmmaGoldman · 23/04/2018 13:12

Jane Gardam's Bilgewater about a clever, young girl growing up is very funny and brilliant.

highlandcoo · 18/04/2018 20:03

If she is loving the humour in Diary of a Nobody and Three Men in a Boat she'd probably really enjoy James Thurber, the author of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and also an excellent humourist. The Thurber Carnival is an anthology of some of his funniest pieces of writing. Gentle, quirky observational comedy. I read my copy until it literally fell apart.

Also, what about some Nigel Molesworth books? They still make me laugh.

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