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Original poster

What books made you weep with laughter?

115 replies

Pennies · 08/08/2009 18:54

The school hols are taking their toll on my sense of humour. I need something to make me laugh for my holidays. Nothing chick-litty though.

OP posts:
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jsgirl · 16/08/2009 15:49

Just checked Waterstones. The new Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey, is out at the end of December this year. Bit late for the school holidays but one to hide away with over the Christmas break.

jsgirl · 16/08/2009 15:45

Another vote for the Janet Evanovich books.

Also, after recommendations on MN, I read all the Jasper Fforde books and The Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson (couldn't find any others of his in our library at the time). Absolutely loved them. Very, very funny.

After reading this thread, I now have a very long list of authors to look for at the library again. Shame it's closed on a Sunday.

Terpsichore · 11/08/2009 16:33

Oh dear, have just gone to your Wiki link, Ponders, and read about Betty McDonald's very sad early death (ovarian cancer ). But I really do recommend her books - they're great.

Terpsichore · 11/08/2009 16:30

Ponders, I love Betty McDonald too. 'The Plague and I' really IS a laugh-out-loud book but it's so sad that all those hilarious experiences took place while she was in a sanatorium recovering from TB - which I think is what she eventually died of, if I recall rightly. 'Anyone can do Anything' is great too, about her awful jobs during the American Depression.

crumpet · 10/08/2009 21:20

I don't weep with laughter at books, but agree with a number of books suggested, and would add Mapp & Lucia to the list.

Quattrocento · 10/08/2009 21:06

three men in a boat - jerome K jerome

Ponders · 10/08/2009 21:04

Ooooh, I have the Egg & I by Betty McDonald & another one as well, IIRC - yes, very funny

(It's Onions in the Stew - have just googled & discovered, via Wiki, that she was only 49 when she died, how tragic )

choosyfloosy · 10/08/2009 20:49

The Plague and I by Betty Macdonald - all of hers are funny but that's my favourite for sheer laughs.

Please Don't Eat the Daisies by Jean Kerr - only a collection of Polly Filler columns from the Fifties but really, really funny. Unfortunately costs a lot on Amazon - could try library if interested.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. Her naughtiest and funniest.

Code of the Woosters by PG Wodehouse.

Visions before Midnight by Clive James (any of his TV criticism, in fact).

Molesworth.

wukter · 10/08/2009 20:31

Things My Girlfriend and I Argue About by Mil Millington - ROFLsome even the second time around

sis · 10/08/2009 20:21

lots of books that make me smile but only P G Wodehouse makes me laugh.

littlepollyflinders · 10/08/2009 20:08

P G Wodehouse every time
Every holiday I read one.
Just read Ring For Jeeves.
Hysterical!

neversaydie · 10/08/2009 19:22

MASH - the book not the TV series - had me choking with laughter. Must go back to it. Also Tom Sharp - Blott on the Landscape especially (again, the TV series was nothing like as funny). Most Pratchett, but especially the witches. The description of a witches training in Equal Rites (involved a lot of cleaning out of the goat pen) was what got me into reading the Discworld books. Anything by Saki.

mariamerryweather · 10/08/2009 19:21

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome is fabulous - recommend not reading it on a train.

sophietom · 10/08/2009 18:59

all the David Sedaris books- brilliant

KiwiKat · 10/08/2009 13:30

Also enjoyed The Moon's a Balloon and Bring On the Empty Horses by David Niven.

chuffinell · 10/08/2009 13:05

i love Adrian Mole The Cappucino years, and Weapons of mass destruction

both brilliant - have re-read them tons

also A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon had me chuckling

yappybluedog · 10/08/2009 12:06

I think I am the only person alive who doesn't find Bill Bryson hilarious

or Pratchett

ermintrude13 · 10/08/2009 12:04

Trouble is, funny books by women are always classified as 'chick lit' whereas equally light but more blokey books aren't...

To me, chick lit is silly romances with little literary value - Mills and Boon for the 21st century. I'd say Helen Fielding was at the very top end of this because she's taking a more sidelong look at it. Also, her comic scenes really are very funny.

Love Evelyn Waugh's 'Scoop'
And 'Catch 22' is brilliant.

notamumyetbutoneday · 10/08/2009 11:36

Cold Comfort Farm made me laugh out loud
Love in a cold climate/the pursuit of love were very amusing

GwarchodwrPlant · 09/08/2009 22:34

Not quite fiction but this one made me laugh until tears were running down my face, it also made me cry too but I love that richness of emotion in a book. Marley and me.

Takver · 09/08/2009 22:32

Come to think of it (reminded by another ongoing thread), the Diary of a Provincial Lady also has some very funny bits in it. Is she chick-lit? Don't think so . . .

Takver · 09/08/2009 22:31

Absolutely, though some are much funnier than others. Mind you I have just remembered that chick-lit was ruled out by the OP and I reckon GH definitely falls into that category .

ermintrude13 · 09/08/2009 22:10

Takver, I never knew that Georgette Heyer wrote funny books; will check them out.

Takver · 09/08/2009 22:08

Ermintrude13 I think most of the books that make me laugh are written by women. I've got lots but especially Women's Glib & Women's Glibber - antholologies, can't remember who edited by but I can't think of a dud piece in either. Guaranteed cheer-up stuff.

Also Devil's Cub & These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - lots of her books are funny but these two really get me every time.

luckylady74 · 09/08/2009 21:42

Peter Kay's autobiograhy- made me gasp for air I was laughing so much!

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