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Original poster

Funniest book you have ever read?

99 replies

adventuremom · 04/08/2015 02:14

I need a reading list which is full of funny as I need a good laugh right now. What is the funniest laugh out loud book you have read. I remember cracking up on an airplane reading " I don't know how she does it" but maybe I was just tired. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
NeedsMoreCowBell · 04/08/2015 02:22

McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy.

My feel-good book.

RitaKiaOra · 04/08/2015 02:29

Hi OP
Two threads on this recently. Going to bump for you now as they had good recommendations on.
I love Jon Ronson, David Sedaris and India Knight.

RitaKiaOra · 04/08/2015 02:47

Okay, successfully bumped Wink
But please do not think your thread is not needed...I can do with as many suggestions as possible! Grin Plus the superlative Funniest Ever is not the same as last one to make you laugh/recommend sthg funny.
So will bump for you tomorrow...just in case there weren't many up right now, wanted you to have enough to start on. As I said in another thread, the funniest book I have ever read was about radio one in its Smashy and Nicey days called The nation's favourite by Simon Garfield. But more recently on kindle You've been publically shamed was good.
I also still have very fond memories of Bridget Jones' Diary [highbrow and classy, me?]

Original poster
adventuremom · 04/08/2015 02:48

Thanks!

OP posts:
Happy36 · 04/08/2015 02:51

Definitely the Adrian Mole diaries by the late and hugely missed Sue Townsend.

Here´s a quotation, "Her face was the usual mask of Max Factor foundation and disappointment with life." (Adrian describes his mother, a brilliant character).

adarkwhisperinthewoodwasheard · 04/08/2015 03:54

I always loved the Saki short stories. Very un-pc now but still make me snigger

Takver · 04/08/2015 09:47

Funniest individual scenes - Three Men in a Boat (the tin of pineapple scene in particular) and Three Men on the Bummel.

Funniest all the way through - probably The Diary of a Provincial Lady - but it might just be that I empathise with her (not because I'm a provincial lady Grin - it was my favourite book as a midlands 16 year old)

IHaveBrilloHair · 04/08/2015 09:48

Peter Moores travel books

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 04/08/2015 09:51

The Gerald Durrell books - there's a description of a party in The Garden of the Gods that I has to stop reading because I just couldn't breathe!

Peter Kaye's autobiography is also very funny.

scrivette · 04/08/2015 12:13

Michael McIntyre's autobiography is very funny in parts - I read it on the train and was getting strange looks when trying not to laugh out loud.

FreddoBaggyMac · 08/08/2015 19:48

The tent, the bucket and me (and also its sequel). I know a lot of people hate it but I've read it twice and it's had me laughing out loud both times!

coffeenowalnuts · 08/08/2015 20:11

Bill Bryson - The Lost Continent, and Notes From A Small Island particularly. I'm re-reading the latter, and it still makes me snort with laughter.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 09/08/2015 10:17

If you do junior football, "You'll Win Nothing With Kids" by Jim White is very funny - so much of it is recognisable.

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 09/08/2015 10:26

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. Brilliant.

DustWitch · 09/08/2015 11:53

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy books by Douglas Adams.

I also second Bill Bryson.

ihatethecold · 09/08/2015 12:19

I bloody love Bill Bryson especially Down Under.

findingmyfeet12 · 09/08/2015 12:21

I love Gerald Durrell's descriptions of his family and friends.

I also like Alan Bennett's writing.

HuftysTrain · 09/08/2015 12:23

Starter for Ten by David Nicholls required me to stand up and vacate a train carriage because I was laughing so much.

TheyGotTheMustardOut · 09/08/2015 12:24

David Sedaris, When You Are Engulfed In Flames

Nydj · 09/08/2015 12:26

The Jeeves and the Blandings castle books by P G Wodehouse. If I had to choose, I'd say the Jeeves ones were funnier. I had to stop reading them on the underground as they were just too funny.

ancientbuchanan · 09/08/2015 12:33

Caitlin moran sometimes.

I agree notes from a small island, the fruit Shrewsbury s always get me.

Also agree Gerald Durrell, MFAOA if you haven't read it. And Saki.

And on the non PC front Angela Thirkell. Reprinted by virago.

I love Cold Comfort Farm.

Jack Dee's autobiography too.

I'm not a Jeremy Clarkson fan, nor a Stephen a Fry one, but their columns and essays are often funny and thought provoking.

Agree Three men in a boat.

Also diary if a nobody.

Booboostwo · 09/08/2015 12:35

George RR Martin Tuff Voyaging.

CelticPromise · 09/08/2015 19:00

Molesworth books.

Lucky Jim.

dementedma · 09/08/2015 19:09

Agree Gerard Durrell and Bill Bryson. The early Janet Ivanovich Stephanie Plum books made me laugh before they got a bit samey.
A rather obscure but very funny book is "On the origins of Findo Gask" by David Mc Creight which made me actually cry with laughter.

clumber · 09/08/2015 22:23

Mapp and Lucia, never tire of re-reading

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