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A Decade of Laughs: 80 Reader-Approved Humor Books
Bossy, bumbly, and Betty!
Humor books from 2011 until today have unpacked experiences from everyday hilarity to the outright uncomfortable in the best possible way. David Sedaris and Mindy Kaling top the list for being most prolific with punch lines in multiple, top-rated titles to tickle your funny bone.
Saturday Night Live stars Colin Jost and Amy Poehler will put a smile on your face with books that border on memoir. And be sure to check out favorites by Jenny Lawson if you want to read a funny book about horrible things or pretend this never happened.
For funny fiction, check out Wallbanger, where love blooms through paper-thin walls; Noir, a pulpy whodunit that will keep you in stitches; or Red Russia, a story of business, lies, deception, and delight.
This roundup of reader favorites is based on your reviews from the past decade with ratings of 3.5 stars and above—titles that are guaranteed to have you laughing out loud. Scroll over the book covers to learn more about each book, and be sure to add the ones that pique your interest to your Want to Read shelf!
Do you have a great humor book to share with your fellow readers? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
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Check out more recent articles:
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Emma
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Oct 29, 2021 12:10AM
I don’t think Goodreads should be promoting or supporting Shane Dawson!
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I have no idea who Dawson is but he can't be any worse than Chelsea Handler. Three of her books are listed but not one from Bill Bryson. Who made this underwhelming list?
Bruce wrote: "I have no idea who Dawson is but he can't be any worse than Chelsea Handler. Three of her books are listed but not one from Bill Bryson. Who made this underwhelming list?"I am amazed at the absence of Bill Bryson in this list too!!
Pwiew, such sour comments to a list of comical books...
I don’t know those authors, but the titles and covers do not appeal to me. The list did start me thinking about what is a humorous book, and, for me, it needs to be cheerful and positive.
Would add some Richard Osman to the list. And a Big Girl, Small Town even though it's more quirky. And oh yes! The Reddest Rose: Romantic Love from the Ancient Greeks to Reality TV was one of the funniest for me this year!
Susan wrote: "I am amazed at the absence of Bill Bryson in this list too!!"Now his books are fantastic, and full of humour. I should re-read The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid!
Yeah, look up what Shane Dawson did. His books shouldn't be in this list. He hasn't taken enough time to write any wrongs or show that he's actually changed. One apology (though apologies are important) does not demonstrate that you've really changed or done the work to redress the harm you've caused. Walk the walk, don't just pay lip service.
Jasmine wrote: "Susan wrote: "I am amazed at the absence of Bill Bryson in this list too!!"Now his books are fantastic, and full of humour. I should re-read The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid!"
If you haven't read A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail please check it out!!
Ashley wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "Susan wrote: "I am amazed at the absence of Bill Bryson in this list too!!"Now his books are fantastic, and full of humour. I should re-read The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt ..."
I have read nearly all of his books, but I read many of them a long time ago. I will have to re-read all his books!
Criminal that Norm Macdonald's book is not on here
No Terry Pratchett but Shane Dawson, not once but twice???
I don't think Shane Dawson should be promoted... 🤢
I guess they never proofread their lists- especially when adding shitbags like Shane Dawson in... Ew.
I don't know if I would classify Trevor Noah's book as humour - although it had some funny parts.The only other one that appeals is Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters
Where is the Pratchett/Gaiman classic, Good Omens? One of the funniest books I've ever had the pleasure of reading (Even better than the Prime series in book form!).While I very much enjoy Christopher Moore, Carl Hiaasen, Jenny Lawson, and Allie Brosh, I think this list lacks some creativity in listing multiple books by one author and omitting others.
Edited: Okay, I guess this list is only publications 2011 onwards, but I think that's a bit short-sighted, in that some books have true lasting power and the quality of the humor endures over the years.
I'd have added all of Samantha Irby's books which I found to be so funny I disrupted an entire airplane's worth of passengers with uncontrollable laughter ; I didn't find many of the ones in this list to be that funny except a few of Sedaris's. Anyway, I recommend Sam Irby for humor.
seeing the shane books immediately killed my desire of checking out any of the others on this list. And most of it is memoirs, where are the terry pratchetts or wodehouses or douglas adamses? I'd love some hilarious fiction recs that are not comics as much as I do love hyperbole and a half and the nathan pyle aliens.
Have read christopher moore but i did not enjoy his books, also david sedaris who I really enjoyed but he also falls on the memoirish type
whoever curated this list hasn’t read samantha irby and it shows
I am a long time fan of Paula Poundstone and am thoroughly enjoying her book,The Totally Unscientific Study of the search for Human Happiness.
Also, Squirrel Terror by Lilith Saintcrow is laugh out loud funny.
Bruce wrote: "I have no idea who Dawson is but he can't be any worse than Chelsea Handler. Three of her books are listed but not one from Bill Bryson. Who made this underwhelming list?"Susan wrote: "Bruce wrote: "I have no idea who Dawson is but he can't be any worse than Chelsea Handler. Three of her books are listed but not one from Bill Bryson. Who made this underwhelming list?"
I am amaze..."
Check it again. But Bill's book was mentioned.
Surprised there's no mention of Space Opera. That was good.
lmao what a lazy list, most of these are just books written by people working in comedy on tv and that definitely doesn't make all their books deserving of being on here.
Surprising that the Georgia Nicholson series isn't on this list!
