10 Funny Books to Read When Life Is Overwhelming and You Need a Laugh
Sometimes you want to read a serious, thought-provoking book that makes you question everything you thought you knew about humanity. This isn't one of those occasions. We present, in no particular order, 50 books that will make you laugh (and possibly forget about everything that's bothering you...for a few hours).
1. WE ARE NEVER MEETING IN REAL LIFE: ESSAYS BY SAMANTHA IRBY
Simply put, you will laugh out loud while reading this novel. One of our time's funniest authors discusses how her traumatic upbringing led to a problem with "adult" budgeting, a disastrous pilgrimage-slash-romantic-vacation to Nashville to scatter her estranged father's ashes, how to handle friendships with former drinking buddies who are now suburban moms, and more in this series of essays.
2. WISHFUL DRINKING BY CARRIE FISHER
Carrie Fisher, the late, great actress and writer, adapted this, her only memoir, from her smash-hit one-woman show, and it's fantastic. Fisher is candid and laugh-out-loud funny about everything from growing up with famous parents to achieving massive success at the age of 19 to problems with mental health and near-constant relationship drama.
3. MADE FOR LOVE BY ALISSA NUTTING
This hilariously funny and absurd story (from the author of the equally hilarious and absurd Tampa) is told from the perspective of a woman who moves into a senior citizen trailer park with her father and Diane—an extremely lifelike sex doll.
4. I CAN'T DATE JESUS: LOVE, SEX, FAMILY, RACE, AND OTHER REASONS I'VE PUT MY FAITH IN BEYONCE BY MICHAEL ARCENEAUX
In Houston, Texas, writer Arceneaux had to learn to recognize himself as a black gay man in a world that wanted him to alter. In his first novel, he discusses everything from coming out to his mother to almost becoming a priest.
5. ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY BY DAVID SEDARIS
Any of David Sedaris' excellent books may have made the list, but the title story (about the author's attempt to learn French after moving to Paris) pushes it over the top.
6. BOSSYPANTS BY TINA FEY
Fey was a quirky kid from Pennsylvania who dreamed of being a comedian before she formed Liz Lemon and Kimmy Schmidt. Her novel, which details all that transpired in the interim, is brilliant.
7. A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES BY JOHN KENNEDY TOOLE
The unforgettable protagonist of this riotous book about his zany adventures in New Orleans, Ignatius J. Reilly, a lazy eccentric who lives with his mother, was published posthumously by Toole's own mother. (She also received a Pulitzer Prize.) (Not that it matters.)
8. MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER BY OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE
This dark comedy about Korede, a Nigerian woman whose niece, Ayoola, has a nasty habit of murdering her boyfriends, isn't short on suspense.
9. I WAS TOLD THERE'D BE CAKE BY SLOANE CROSLEY
Crosley's debut essay collection is wry and sarcastic about everything from dreadful first employment (where she inadvertently provokes the wrath of her first boss) to calling the cops on her enigmatic neighbor to the Oregon Trail video game. (Don't let the river get the best of you!)
10. YOU CAN'T TOUCH MY HAIR BY PHOEBE ROBINSON
Do you have proof that you can be both funny and inspirational? Robinson addresses important concerns such as institutionalized racism and homophobia, as well as lighter topics such as being U2's biggest fan and her fascination with the film Magic Mike.
Related: 10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day
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