Announcing the Tag for May

[annapi]

NancyJ wrote: "Can anyone recommend a reasonably funny mystery series? (Other than Janet Evanovich)"

I like Donna Andrews's Meg Langslow series, book 1 is Murder With Peacocks. While I didn't find book 1 particularly funny, it was amusing, and the books get better as the series goes along. I've become very fond of Meg and her family.

[LibraryCin]

NancyJ wrote: "I have a lot of library books, and I'm checking tags. I have a lot of books with humor tags (on the first or second page), but there are fewer comedy tags (sometimes just 1 or 2). Is that close enough?..."

For the month tag, it doesn't even have to be tagged that way at all, as long as you think it fits. (Except when/if claiming for official games/challenges.)

[NancyJ]

Thanks!

[Theresa]

NancyJ wrote: "Can anyone recommend a reasonably funny mystery series? (Other than Janet Evanovich)
.."

Any Carlotte MacLeod series. 2 of my all time cozy faves are the first in each of her series: Rest You Merry and The Family Vault.

I also recently read the hilarious Hollywood Scandals

[Michael]

I have used the tag ‘humor’ for hundreds of books on my shelves, but ‘comedy’ to my mind associates with books with a certain overall plot trajectory that ends with a happy ending after a lot of ups and downs or reigns of chaos. I think of the classic pairing of tragedy vs. comedy in theater, from Aristophanes to Shakespeare. Some in that line in following centuries that I’ve enjoyed in recent years via free Librivox audiobooks include:

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman—Laurence Sterne
Candide—Voltaire
Gargantua and Pantagruel—Francoise Rabelais
Some Experiences of an Irish R.M.—Edith Somerville

Flashing forward to the 20th century, I delighted in the absurdities of these postmodern classics:
Six Characters in Search of an Author—Luigi Pirendello
Waiting for Godot—Samuel Beckett
The Third Policeman—Flann O’Brien
The Sot-Weed Factor—John Barth
The Crying of Lot 49—Thomas Pynchon
If on a Winter's Night a Traveller—Italo Calvino

More in line with entertainment than mystification, I loved these madcap comedies with satirical bite:
The Grand Sophy—Georgette Heyer
The Ginger Man—Donleavy
Wilt—Tom Sharpe
Rumpole of the Bailey—John Mortimer
The Princess Bride—William Golding
The Commitments—Roddy Doyle
The Granny—Brendan O’Carroll
Handling Sin—Michael Malone
Beat the Reaper—John Bazell
Still Life with Woodpecker—Tom Robbins
Japanese by Spring—Ishmael Reed
The Sellout—Paul Beatty
Insane City—Dave Barry

As a long-time fan of science fiction, it was a delight to experience these comic crossovers:
A Civil Campaign—Lois McMaster Bujold
The Futurological Congress: From the Memoirs of Ijon Tichy—Stanislaw Lem
Wetware—Rudy Rucker

When there is enough of story and laughs in a travel book, I would be tempted to apply the ‘comedy’ tag, such as in these gems:
The Innocents Abroad—Mark Twain
A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush—Eric Newby
In a Sunburned Country—Bill Bryson
Beauty Tips from Moosejaw—Will Ferguson

I feel the same way about certain memoirs that many of you are homing in on. A favorite of mine puts a lot of fun tall tales into a portrait of a childhood dog:
The Dog Who Wouldn't Be—Farley Mowatt

For my reading, I would like to read more stories of Jeeves, Tom Sharpe insanities, and maybe Chabon’s “Wonder Boys”.

[Kimber]

Michael wrote: "I have used the tag ‘humor’ for hundreds of books on my shelves, but ‘comedy’ to my mind associates with books with a certain overall plot trajectory that ends with a happy ending after a lot of up..."

Great list Michael - from your list, I've thoroughly enjoyed
Beat the Reaper—John Bazell
Still Life with Woodpecker—Tom Robbins
In a Sunburned Country—Bill Bryson

and I think Candide is a good bet for me to read next month, as I have it at home, and have wanted to read it for quite some time.

[Kimberly]

Anita wrote: "The winner this month did not surprise me at all, even though the choices were all good ones. The tag for May will be:

comedy

Please share your reading plans and recommendations below.

Remember,..."

Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[DianeMP]

Since the libraries are closed I've been relying on my in home collection of books for my monthly tag reads. I thought my only option was Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. But after perusing my collection I've discovered some other possibilities:

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Exotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I'm very relieved to know I have options. I read that Catch 22 is not an easy read, but I am not up to too great a challenge at the present time. If anyone has any recommendations from my short list above, I would love to hear your thoughts.

[Robin P]

NancyJ wrote: "I have a lot of options, but the wait times for library ebooks are getting longer. No surprise.

I have a lot of library books, and I'm checking tags. I have a lot of books with humor tags (on the..."

Funny mystery series - I did all these on audio which makes them funnier

Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn - starts with Dog on It
Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall

[annapi]

DianeMP wrote: "Since the libraries are closed I've been relying on my in home collection of books for my monthly tag reads. I thought my only option was Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. But after perusing my collection..."

Diane, I can vouch for Elinor Oliphant as an easy and lovely read. Mr. Penumbra too, though I read that long enough ago I can't remember much of it.

I enjoyed Walk in the Woods but some parts bog down.

[Book Concierge]

DianeMP wrote: "Since the libraries are closed I've been relying on my in home collection of books for my monthly tag reads. I thought my only option was Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. But after perusing my collection..."

I'd vote for A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (though I agree with annapi that some parts bog down ...) and Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

And Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine was a wonderful book, with some funny scenes, but basically NOT a comedy.

I loved Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore but not sure I'd consider it "comedy" ...

[NancyJ]

DianeMP wrote: "Since the libraries are closed I've been relying on my in home collection of books for my monthly tag reads. I thought my only option was Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. But after perusing my collection..."

I loved Eleanor Oliphant. It has some very funny moments and some very dark moments (linked to childhood trauma), and it's very uplifting. I highly recommend it.

Mr Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore is pretty good. It's tagged comedy, but it's more of a mystery involving old tech (early printing presses) and new tech.

A few of us will be reading Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows this month.

[NancyJ]

Robin wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I have a lot of options, but the wait times for library ebooks are getting longer. No surprise.

I have a lot of library books, and I'm checking tags. I have a lot of books with hum..."

Robin, I have a book from Bowen's Molly Murphy series, called Muphy's Law. I'm wondering if it's funny too.

[NancyJ]

I plan to read:
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

I have
The Kiss Quotient
The Lager Queen of Minnesota
Wishes and Wellingtons
Unlovable
Young Jane Young
Persuasion - it has comedy tags!

Others that I can get, if the timing works out:
Just the Funny Parts: ... And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking Into the Hollywood Boys' Club
Yes Please
Fried Green Tomatoes
Phryne Fisher series
Donna Andrews series
David Sedaris' new book.
Howl's Moving Castle
After I Do
Catch me if you can
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Dog Rough
Princess Bride
My Grandmother asked me to tell you..
Will Grayson Will Grayson
Dear Edward
Such a fun age

[Amy]

Check out my review for After I Do. I loved all four of those books, and sort of read them as a set.

[Joanne]

If anyone is having a tough time, and likes a classic- I found Gulliver's Travels tagged Comedy 37 times~

[Robin P]

One of the many daily book-related emails I get had a short list of funny books which reminded me I have on audio an anthology of P.G. Wodehouse. I read a lot of them when I was young, and I think they would still be humorous.

[Sabrina]

I have a couple of options that I might use for this tag:

The Martian

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

The Color of Magic

The Importance of Being Earnest

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

[Joi]

I'm looking into reading one (or more!) of these:

-Blame It on Bianca Del Rio: The Expert on Nothing with an Opinion on Everything- My favorite comedy drag queen
-Red, White & Royal Blue, I think everyone on PBT has given this 5 stars, and it fits my mood right now
-The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee, Sarah Silverman's memoir

Or something by
Jen Lancaster
Chelsea Handler
David Sedaris

[Hebah]

Joi wrote: "I'm looking into reading one (or more!) of these:

-Blame It on Bianca Del Rio: The Expert on Nothing with an Opinion on Everything- My favorite comedy drag queen
-[book:Red, White ..."

Red, White, and Royal Blue! Such a lovely read, and if you need a happy read right now, I think that would suit the bill nicely.

[Nicole R]

Joi wrote: "-Red, White & Royal Blue, I think everyone on PBT has given this 5 stars, and it fits my mood right now."

YES! I really think you will like this one.

Or something by
Jen Lancaster

Have you read Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer? I highly recommend it!

[Rachel N.]

I'm not sure where the best place is to post this but I love the monthly header image. Seals are one of my favorite animals and every time I've seen this image today it made me smile.

[Nikki]

Rachel N. wrote: "I'm not sure where the best place is to post this but I love the monthly header image. Seals are on of my favorite animals and every time I've seen this image today it made me smile."

Yes! I was just coming to say the same thing - even if I don't read a single book that makes me laugh this month, the tag will have done its job because of that image :-)

[Olivermagnus]

This is one of PBTs "best of all times" headers!

[annapi]

Thanks, ladies! I had to work on that seal image to get it to fit the masthead space and I'm glad my efforts paid off!

[Jgrace]

annapi wrote: "Thanks, ladies! I had to work on that seal image to get it to fit the masthead space and I'm glad my efforts paid off!"

It's perfect, Anna. I always look forward to the 'reveal' of the new header each month. This one made me laugh.

[Joanne]

Anna, I wasn't sure where to put my comments on the header so I threw them in Directions For Posting-It is, as Oliver said, the best of all times. That little guy has made me smile every time I look at him

[Theresa]

Joanne wrote: "Anna, I wasn't sure where to put my comments on the header so I threw them in Directions For Posting-It is, as Oliver said, the best of all times. That little guy has made me smile every time I loo..."

Same here. Love this guy!

[LibraryCin]

Like others, the seal makes me smile every time... :-)

[Book Concierge]

Rachel N. wrote: "I'm not sure where the best place is to post this but I love the monthly header image. Seals are one of my favorite animals and every time I've seen this image today it made me smile."

YES ... brings a smile to my face every time I open up the group page.