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Books that are funny but not romcoms or love stories

34 replies

carrots555 · 29/10/2019 20:39

Hi All,
I've a flight tomorrow and would like to pop some books on my Kindle for the flight.
I'd like something to cheer me up so seeking some titles of funny books but would prefer to avoid anything which is romcom etc based.
Thank you

OP posts:
AuntieDolly · 29/10/2019 20:42

I enjoyed Lynne Truss 'cat out of hell'.

1066vegan · 29/10/2019 20:50

Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Bill Bryson, Chris Brookmyre, Jasper Fforde, David Nicholls, John O'Farrell

gracepoolesrum · 29/10/2019 20:53

What a Carve Up!

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 29/10/2019 20:55

David Sedaris. Any and all.

DoctorTwo · 29/10/2019 22:10

Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy and the sequels by Douglas Adams (except the 6th which was Eoin Colfer) Or even Dirk Gentlys Holistic Detective Agency, which is an utter flight of whimsy.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Indeed, any of his books.

WisestIsShe · 29/10/2019 22:12

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is very funny.

NonUrinatInVentum · 29/10/2019 22:12

Anything written by Bill Bryson! Guaranteed to make you snort with laughter.

eddiemairswife · 29/10/2019 22:15

Three Men in a Boat, Diary of a Nobody. Both very old and both very funny.

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 29/10/2019 22:21

Pratchett (esp the witches or guards books), John Mortimer’s “Rumpole” (esp the short stories), Jasper Fforde’s “Thursday Next” novels, Steven Brust’s “Taltos” books (very fantasy in case that’s not your thing), Delafield “Diary of a country lady”.

DownUdderer · 29/10/2019 22:33

Janet evanovich one for the money. There’s a whole series that I enjoy reading.

bionicnemonic · 29/10/2019 22:33

The Tent, The Bucket and Me
Emma Kennedy
Hysterically funny!

TildaKauskumholm · 29/10/2019 22:34

Bill Bryson.

KindOranges · 29/10/2019 22:35

Molly Keane’s Good Behaviour. Very black comedy.

VanyaHargreeves · 29/10/2019 22:36

Julian Corkle Is A Filthy Liar

SleepWarrior · 29/10/2019 22:37

Also Bill Bryson from me, but specifically Notes From a Small Island. Not too long and just a nice amusing enjoyable read.

TemporaryPermanent · 29/10/2019 22:37

Definitely David Sedaris.
French Revolutions by Tim Moore (quite old now in fact but whatevs)

My personal favourites in comic reading were always Clive James' TV criticism column collections. So, so funny. But I'm 50 so I remember quite a few of the programmes he discusses, or at least some of the general look of TV then, it's changed a lot. But if you're the same age you might enjoy them.
Visions Before Midnight
The Crystal Bucket
Glued to the Box

There's also Flying Visits, his collection of travel writing. I love his authorial voice, always have, and still laugh out loud despite knowing most of what he writes almost by heart.

NomNomNominativeDeterminism · 29/10/2019 22:38

PG Wodehouse! Anything at all. Jeeves, Mr Mulliner, whatever. As long as it says PG Wodehouse on the cover you are sorted and the only issue is laughing out loud in front of fellow travellers.

BitOfFun · 29/10/2019 22:43

I loved reading David Emery's Full Metal Cardigan- it's the story of his career as a social worker, and it's very funny and wise.

Also, if you are into poetry and literature, Diary Of A Somebody, by Brian Bilston is great fun.

Tim Dowling's The Giles Waring Haters' Club is hilarious.

pallisers · 29/10/2019 22:56

The Mapp and Lucia novels
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
Evolution Man (or How I Ate My Father)
Augustus Carp Esq by Himself

Also agree very much with Bill Bryson, David Sedaris, Wodehouse

I find a lot of Anthony Trollope very funny as well as being thumping good yarns.

Whatjusthappenedthere · 29/10/2019 23:07

This is going to hurt . Written by an ex doctor turned comedian. Sorry, name has gone but google will find it.

thatonesmine · 29/10/2019 23:33

Scoop by Evelyn Waugh.

FlatheadScrewdriver · 29/10/2019 23:41

Joining the crowd of Bryson recommenders, my choice would be A Walk in the Woods. Jasper Fforde, either the nursery crimes or Thursday next series. Alan Bennett, pretty much everything.

VirginWoolf · 29/10/2019 23:58

Carter Beats the Devil

minipie · 29/10/2019 23:59

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
Round Ireland with a Fridge
James Herriot series

Amortentia · 30/10/2019 00:12

I would agree on the suggestion of Terry Pratchett, especially the city watch or witches (love Witches abroad) books.