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Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Recommendations for funny, uplifting books please 🙏🏻

58 replies

CanineJesus · 07/01/2026 22:31

I’ve recently read a few pretty heavy, depressing books (haven’t even finished one of them, gave up half way through) and I’m desperate to read something much lighter and funny. ‘Laugh on the train’ type of book.
any recommendations please? 🙏🏻

OP posts:
aniloD · 08/01/2026 23:05

Jodi Taylor, St Mary's books. Not so much laugh out loud as generally funny and so well written

PacificState · 08/01/2026 22:58

+1 for Small Bomb at Dimperley. I read it on a whim and it is absolutely great - funny, kind, thoughtful, silly and not a word wasted.

Sundayagain27 · 08/01/2026 22:48

Loved the uncommon reader / following for ideas

Sgtmajormummy · 08/01/2026 19:34

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett.
A long short story about the Queen’s journey to becoming a discerning reader.
This Christmas I gave a couple of copies to friends who felt they’d lost their impetus in reading.
It’s expensive to buy a hard copy (30p a page?) but no doubt you can find it on Kindle or at the library.

chattyness · 08/01/2026 19:19

The Tent, The Bucket & Me by Emma Kennedy, absolutely brilliant, don't be put off if you've seen the BBC tv adaptation of this, it was rubbish but the book is fab.

Recycling Jimmy by Andy Tilley is also a very funny read.

Lavalampbubble · 08/01/2026 19:13

The Red Dwarf books are very funny.

Oricolt · 08/01/2026 19:08

The Importance of Being Earnest recently made me laugh out loud. An oldie but a goodie.

cadburygorilla · 08/01/2026 19:04

The Coach Trip

Thingamebobwotsit · 08/01/2026 19:03

Anxious People by Fredrick Backmann. A wonderful book. I think he might have written A Man called Ove.

Thursday Murder Club - not laugh out loud but some great warm and fuzzy feels.

Silverbirchleaf · 08/01/2026 18:58

I really like these books. Despite the ‘bucket list’ title, they’re good fun and comical, and also heartwarming.

‘France and Stan Bucket List ‘

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Frank-Stans-Bucket-List-Races/dp/B07KWG9Q5B/ref=mps_a_1_2?adgrpid=112939516050&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nYTisDmGrjEmqskLwJ4vqPw4HJ14DxR3jJMwNwQvtN5ATeHrSkwPVWJhPWCku7p0A3HvZUJGnKWz7oUWJgDER7jp1_AQu1LCvATKZUTou0IiFS2zSwoIJ4VP_mfhSn1y_6oTDIeFHwJcpAz4MbNPOBJG81Jwfik5-UkprCYoTc.2jTMPotKg6L1NnK7XGRG3AQOrWs9_fc7CyTmWKsR5SQ&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=498495035498&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9045129&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8819788390636688884--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8819788390636688884&hvtargid=kwd-588492435094&hydadcr=16874_1798475&keywords=frank+and+stan%27s+bucket+list&mcid=fa822f77e2d13f9b8bee6cf9b44238d7&qid=1767898622&sr=8-2

Mydadsbirthday · 08/01/2026 18:53

Oh yes, Starter for Ten is great. And Adrian Mole. Read those so many times.

These are children’s books but I loved Just William and the French stories about Nicholas which you can get in translation (with difficulty).

SconehengeRevenge · 08/01/2026 14:41

Tom Sharpe made me laugh out loud (including on a train once)

Anything by Terry Pratchett

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine deals with some dark stuff, but is laugh out loud funny and very heartwarming

CurlewKate · 08/01/2026 11:15

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.

yorkshiretoffee · 08/01/2026 11:11

WoooMumma · 08/01/2026 08:31

Leonard and Hungry Paul ☺️

This.
I also loved the TV series which is currently on iPlayer.

goldtrap · 08/01/2026 11:03

Yes to Small Bomb. It's so lovely. If you like period fiction, Cold Comfort Farm is a joy. As is Enchanted April.

One that always makes me lol is Starter for Ten by David Nichols, although a little dark in places it has some cracking set-pieces.

Robertplantgoddess · 08/01/2026 10:59

Oh and if Bob Mortimer is to your taste - his books are OK for a smile with a big cup of tea type of afternoon. His autobiography is also funny.

Original poster
CanineJesus · 08/01/2026 10:58

Whatbloodysummer · 08/01/2026 10:10

Very old now, but I remember laughing out loud every single time I read the James Herriot 'It shouldn't happen to a vet' books.

Absolutely the funniest and most heart warming easy read.

Yes! I remember reading these when I was a teenager. So funny and heartwarming 💗

OP posts:
Robertplantgoddess · 08/01/2026 10:57

I absolutely love John Niven - the amateurs, kill your friends, etc but they are dark - hilarious but dark.
Mike Gayle is more of a hug in a book with humour running through it if that fits the bill.
Slightly out of season now but - A very British Christmas made me wake up partner laughing- based on a website- very British problems.

Original poster
CanineJesus · 08/01/2026 10:54

Thank you all so much! I'm making a list and can't wait to start!
Also, why are a lot of novels so sad and depressing 🤔

OP posts:
Whatbloodysummer · 08/01/2026 10:10

Very old now, but I remember laughing out loud every single time I read the James Herriot 'It shouldn't happen to a vet' books.

Absolutely the funniest and most heart warming easy read.

DefiniteMeteor · 08/01/2026 09:27

You are here by David Nicholls
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

All really fun enjoyable nice stories that are uplifting and all brilliantly written.

DarkEyedSailor · 08/01/2026 09:23

Adrian Mole! Still brilliant.

Mydadsbirthday · 08/01/2026 09:22

Definitely PG Wodehouse!

Nyeaccident · 08/01/2026 08:55

I read Christmas at Thompson Hall by Anthony trollop this winter and it was the most unexpectedly amusing little gem of a book

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