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Original poster

Your funniest books

58 replies

whatausername · 31/10/2023 20:47

I'm particularly melancholy tonight. Hit me with some funnies!

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SteamingTangerine · 17/12/2023 21:09

Clawdy · 11/11/2023 17:21

Diary Of A Nobody by George Grossmith is hilarious and clever, the central character is a Victorian David Brent, can't believe anything so funny was written so long ago!

I agree so much with this! Similarly Three Men in a Boat and Diary of a Provincial Lady - I love how the humour is timeless.

Cappuccinfortwo · 17/12/2023 20:30

Sherlockspearls · 11/11/2023 16:16

The tent, the bucket and me by Emma Kennedy

Loved this!!

upinaballoon · 17/12/2023 20:19

Cold Comfort Farm

1066 And All That

CheerfulBunny · 16/12/2023 23:05

I've just finished Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club which I thought was really funny. Joyce's chapters are particularly brilliant. Very much enjoying the second one as well. The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole is my favourite book so I'm glad it's had a few mentions.

Coolstorysis · 16/12/2023 23:00

Good omens. Terry was so very witty, I loved what I have read of the discworld books too, must get round to reading more.

MammaM23 · 16/12/2023 22:52

BookWorm45 · 16/12/2023 14:19

Another vote for Jasper Fforde. But will now look up your books, @MammaM23

@BookWorm45 thank you! How to Be a Most Excellent Parent is just out on Amazon and will hopefully raise a laugh (or two) xx

SkaterGrrrrl · 16/12/2023 16:54

The Rosie Project

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 16/12/2023 16:52

Slow Horses. Very funny, whilst also working as a proper spy story.

The TV series is very good, too.

PaulaPocket · 16/12/2023 16:48

Clawdy · 11/11/2023 17:21

Diary Of A Nobody by George Grossmith is hilarious and clever, the central character is a Victorian David Brent, can't believe anything so funny was written so long ago!

You might like New Grub Street, by George Gissing, published in 1891, which is set in the literary and journalistic circles of 1880s London. It was the inspiration for Radio 4's Ed Reardon.

PaulaPocket · 16/12/2023 14:26

SleepPrettyDarling · 11/11/2023 00:45

A bit dated now but I still find Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis very funny.

Yes. me too. Also of that period, Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse. The most consistently funny book I know of is The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. First had me in stitches age 14, still does now. Mr Jingle, Sam Weller... 😀Also just re-reading Father and Son by Edmund Gosse, that has some very funny bits too. I have found some of Michel Houellebecq (in translation!) darkly funny.

BookWorm45 · 16/12/2023 14:19

Another vote for Jasper Fforde. But will now look up your books, @MammaM23

babybythesea · 12/11/2023 23:07

My Family and other Animals - Gerald Durrell. The bits that are comic had me laughing so much I couldn’t read them out loud to my daughter (bedtime reading).
The picnic and suchlike pandemonium- also by GD. It’s short stories but the first two are hysterical- the others less so.

friendlyflicka · 11/11/2023 23:08

Also, only on audio, the series 'my teenage diaries'. All of them are interesting but some are just so hilarious

friendlyflicka · 11/11/2023 23:07

everyone loves David Nicholls but the first one he wrote Starter for Something about University Challenging made me laugh so much. I had a colicky baby and no sleep and I still found happiness with this book

Abracadabra12345 · 11/11/2023 17:21

Roystonv · 11/11/2023 07:56

I love Chronicles of St Mary's but feel they do have some difficult/emotional times in between the fun.

I agree although the funny parts are real stomach- clutching laughs.

Something Girl also by Jodi is hilarious but you need to read Nothing Girl first which is quite a deep, melancholy read at times amongst the humour, although excellent

Clawdy · 11/11/2023 17:21

Diary Of A Nobody by George Grossmith is hilarious and clever, the central character is a Victorian David Brent, can't believe anything so funny was written so long ago!

Cotswoldbee · 11/11/2023 17:14

Tessisme · 10/11/2023 22:57

I loved Tom Sharpe's novels. I read them a long time ago, so not sure how well they've aged, but Wilt, the Wilt Alternative and Riotous Assembly were all favourites of mine.

Tom Sharpe is a long term favourite of mine, I can read his books again and again and again.......

Finished Blot On The Landscape (for the umpteenth time) earlier this week and am about to start Riotous Assembly again. Following that I will read Porterhouse Blue and then Grantchester Grind.

He often does a follow-on book that didn't grab the limelight (Grantchester Grind, Wilt Alternative etc) but is equally as good as the original.

indecisivewoman81 · 11/11/2023 17:12

Elinor Oliphant is completely fine had me laughing out loud

EvelynBeatrice · 11/11/2023 16:59

A mumsnet yet recommended The thing about Jane Spring by Sharon Klum to me ages ago and I've recommended it many times since. American District Attorney form military family decides to change her life to live as if she's Doris Day. Brilliant.
Also anything by Christopher Brookmyre especially One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night - school reunion on oil rig turned into resort.

Sherlockspearls · 11/11/2023 16:16

The tent, the bucket and me by Emma Kennedy

MammaM23 · 11/11/2023 16:12

OliveHenry · 11/11/2023 14:47

Every time I read a small ad I think "First to see will buy" and it makes me smile.

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Aw thank you. I've passed it on and Matt is so happy! I said to the other lady, if you're still looking for a few laughs, I have a new novel just out on Amazon, called How to be a Most Excellent Parent. Maybe one day, we'll all be here discussing my books instead of Matt's ha ha

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 11/11/2023 15:38

I really enjoy books by Christopher Moore with titles like The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove what's not to love Grin

OliveHenry · 11/11/2023 14:47

MammaM23 · 11/11/2023 13:49

Again, many thanks for remembering e. Happy days!

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Every time I read a small ad I think "First to see will buy" and it makes me smile.

Codlingmoths · 11/11/2023 13:52

Nobody has mentioned catch 22!

MammaM23 · 11/11/2023 13:49

WhoWants2Know · 11/11/2023 01:30

That's "E" by Matt Beaumont. I bloody love that book, it makes me cry laughing every time.

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Again, many thanks for remembering e. Happy days!