Sometimes you need a book that will make you snort with laughter on public transport, earn you strange looks from strangers, and leave your cheeks hurting from smiling. Whether you’re dealing with stress, need a mood boost, or just want to remember that reading can be pure joy, these hilarious books deliver the goods. Fair warning: you might want to read these at home to avoid embarrassing yourself!
Contemporary Comedy Gold
“Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman What starts as a failed bank robbery that turns into an accidental hostage situation becomes a deeply funny meditation on human nature. Backman’s signature blend of humor and heart shines as he follows a group of apartment hunters trapped together during a viewing. The would-be robber is more anxious than dangerous, the hostages are an eclectic mix of Swedish stereotypes, and the bumbling police investigation is led by a father-son duo who couldn’t be more different. Backman finds comedy in the most unlikely places while crafting characters so real and flawed you’ll recognize yourself in all of them. The running gags about IKEA furniture and Swedish social awkwardness will have you chuckling for days.
“The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren When Olive’s twin sister’s entire wedding party gets food poisoning except for her and the best man (who she absolutely despises), they’re forced to use the non-refundable honeymoon in Maui. What could go wrong? Everything, hilariously. The enemies-to-lovers banter between Olive and Ethan crackles with wit, and their attempts to fake being newlyweds while secretly hating each other creates comedy gold. Lauren’s writing sparkles with perfect timing, from disastrous snorkeling attempts to awkward encounters with the resort staff. The tropical setting adds extra humor as these two city dwellers navigate paradise while trying not to kill each other.
“Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman The apocalypse has never been funnier. When the Antichrist is born, an angel and demon who’ve become unlikely friends over 6,000 years team up to prevent Armageddon – partly because they’ve grown rather fond of Earth. Pratchett’s satirical genius combines with Gaiman’s dark humor to create a masterpiece of comic fantasy. From the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (now Four Bikers) to the Antichrist being raised as a normal English boy who just wants to save the whales, every page delivers perfectly crafted absurdity. The footnotes alone are worth the price of admission, and the running commentary on human nature is both hilarious and surprisingly profound.
Memoir Mayhem
“Yes Please” by Amy Poehler The Parks and Recreation star delivers exactly what you’d expect: smart, self-deprecating humor mixed with genuine wisdom about navigating life as a woman in comedy. Poehler’s stories about her improv days, SNL adventures, and motherhood are filled with the kind of observational humor that makes ordinary moments hilarious. Her chapter on trying to be a “cool mom” while secretly having no idea what she’s doing will resonate with parents everywhere. The book feels like having coffee with your funniest friend who also happens to be incredibly successful and surprisingly wise about life’s absurdities.
“Bossypants” by Tina Fey Fey’s memoir is a masterclass in self-deprecating humor and sharp wit. From her awkward childhood to her rise through the male-dominated world of comedy writing, Fey finds humor in every disaster and triumph. Her impressions of celebrities, insights into the SNL writers’ room, and stories about creating 30 Rock are filled with the kind of insider humor that makes you feel like you’re part of the joke. The chapter about her honeymoon disaster and her reflections on beauty standards are particularly hilarious, delivered with Fey’s trademark deadpan timing that translates perfectly to the page.
“Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah While dealing with serious topics like apartheid, Noah’s storytelling is infused with humor that makes difficult subjects accessible without diminishing their importance. His stories about growing up mixed-race in South Africa, his relationship with his remarkable mother, and his adventures in petty crime are told with comedic timing that rivals his stand-up performances. Noah’s ability to find humor in hardship while respecting the gravity of his experiences creates a memoir that’s both deeply moving and genuinely funny. His impressions of his mother’s various personalities and his own awkward teenage years will have you laughing out loud.
Classic Comedy
“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams When Earth is destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass, Arthur Dent’s bad day is just beginning. Armed with nothing but a towel and “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” he embarks on a cosmic adventure that satirizes everything from bureaucracy to the meaning of life (which is, of course, 42). Adams’ absurdist humor and clever wordplay create a universe where the impossible becomes mundane and the mundane becomes ridiculous. The Vogon poetry, the Infinite Improbability Drive, and the perpetually depressed robot Marvin provide endless entertainment while Adams sneaks in surprisingly deep philosophical questions about existence and our place in the universe.
“Bridget Jones’s Diary” by Helen Fielding Bridget’s neurotic journey through modern dating, career disasters, and self-improvement attempts feels both timeless and painfully relatable. Fielding’s diary format captures the internal monologue of every woman who’s ever counted calories, analyzed text messages, or wondered if she’s fundamentally broken. Bridget’s romantic disasters with Daniel Cleaver and her complicated feelings about Mark Darcy are hilarious, but it’s her relationship with herself – complete with weight fluctuations, hangovers, and embarrassing family dinners – that provides the real comedy gold. The book’s influence on romantic comedy is undeniable, but it’s Bridget’s authentic voice that keeps readers laughing decades later.
Satirical Brilliance
“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole Ignatius J. Reilly is perhaps literature’s most magnificently awful protagonist. Pompous, lazy, and utterly convinced of his own superiority, Ignatius navigates New Orleans with a combination of intellectual arrogance and complete incompetence that creates comedy at every turn. His disastrous attempts at employment, his correspondence with a former girlfriend in New York, and his running commentary on modern society are both hilarious and cringeworthy. Toole’s satirical eye captures the absurdities of American culture through Ignatius’s warped perspective, creating a character so outrageous he almost feels real. The supporting cast of New Orleans characters adds layers of humor to this Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece.
“Catch-22” by Joseph Heller Set during World War II, this dark comedy follows bombardier Yossarian’s increasingly desperate attempts to avoid flying dangerous missions. The “catch-22” of the title – that airmen can be excused from duty if they’re declared insane, but anyone who applies to be excused must be sane enough to recognize the danger – perfectly captures the absurd logic of military bureaucracy. Heller’s satirical genius finds humor in the darkest situations while delivering a powerful anti-war message. The circular conversations, impossible regulations, and parade of eccentric characters create a comedy that’s both hilarious and deeply unsettling.
What Made You Laugh Until You Cried?
Drop your favorite funny books in the comments! Whether it’s a witty rom-com, a satirical masterpiece, or a memoir that had you in stitches, I want to hear what made you laugh out loud. Bonus points if you share your most embarrassing public reading moment!
Keep laughing! 😄
What themes would you like to see for future What to Read Wednesday posts? Comedy sequels? Books that make you ugly cry? Let me know!
Minnie's Fiction Addiction 
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