A.J. at J.A. Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 I need some light-hearted, funny (not stupid) reading. All of my reading lately has been "self-help", "improvement", how to teach better, live better, be better, etc. I just want to sit down and enjoy myself reading a good book. NOT a drama! NOT a heart-break! NOT a love found, lost and found again. YUCK! I get too emotionally invested. Thanks, Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 One of my favorite memoirs of all time - Enslaved by Ducks by Bob Tarte. Seriously, I love that book. It's like comfort food for my soul :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socalmom Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson Margie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett :iagree: Also, anything by A.J. Jacobs (The Guinea Pig Diaries; The Year of Living Biblically; etc...). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose The History of the World According to Facebook. I almost never laugh out loud and this had me serioulsy LOLing. (I should caution this book has both language and irreverant moments so don't hand it out to the kiddies.) Fields & Pastures New: My First Year as a Country Vet by John McCormack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 The Don Camillo books are a light enjoyable read. They are a series of about six books about an Italian priest and his nemesis the Communist mayor set in the 1950s in Italy. The priest sometimes talks to Christ on the cross who talks back. The first in the series is The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi. There are a number of equally enjoyable sequels. Books by Bill Bryson are another possibility. He writes non-fiction that is usually entertaining; lots of travel books as well as books about language and a recent biography of Shakespeare. One of my favorites is The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got that Way. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose The above was an intriguing, amusing, and thought provoking read; I'll second the suggestion. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson Margie :iagree: Also, anything by A.J. Jacobs (The Guinea Pig Diaries; The Year of Living Biblically; etc...). I'd love to add something more but these are three of my favorites. A night curled up with any of these authors will keep things light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWOB Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro. It's hilarious, completely inappropriate, and awesome. I have never laughed so hard while reading a book. Bad language and inappropriate situations, but nothing gratuitous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett :iagree: FUNNY!! David Sedaris is also funny but his books are funny essays rather than novels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 any of the Jeeves books by PG Wodehouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 various Jeeves books by Wodehouse David Sedaris - funny but some adult content I remember having to suppress the urge to laugh out loud when I read the various All Creatures Great and Small books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro. It's hilarious, completely inappropriate, and awesome. I have never laughed so hard while reading a book. Bad language and inappropriate situations, but nothing gratuitous. Seconded. And in the same vein, any of Jen Lancaster's memoirs (her novel, not so much). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Roughing It by Mark Twain is one of the funniest things I've ever read, and definitely not stupid. :D I'm :bigear: for more suggestions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. at J.A. Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 YEAH! Thanks so much everyone. My library has several of these and I can't wait to get them tomorrow! Many blessings, Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 One for the money by Janet Evanavich. Think Sandra Bullock in Miss. Congeniality. If you liked that movie, you will like Stephanie Plum. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of action, a couple of hot guys (no teA (first book at least)) and a lot of laughs! Grandma Mazur made me laugh out loud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K Jerome Birds, Beasts, and Relatives or My Family and Other Animals, by Durrell Tom Jones Heart of a Dog (short and very funny, early 20th cen Russian parody) The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald P.J O"Rourke is funny if you don't mind some sex, and drugs, and rock and roll. S.J Perelman if you do. I roared through Innocence Abroad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Any books by Dave Barry or Erma Bombeck.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I just thought of another author--Thomas Hale. His tales of life as a Christian missionary in Nepal are funny and poignant. http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Goats-Loquat-Trees/dp/0310213010/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327180621&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 84 Charing Cross Road The Last Coin Three Men in a Boat, to Say Nothing of the Dog Right Ho, Jeeves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro. It's hilarious, completely inappropriate, and awesome. I have never laughed so hard while reading a book. Bad language and inappropriate situations, but nothing gratuitous. "A drunk girl is never a pretty girl." :lol: Sh!t My Dad Says is funny but there is a lot of bad language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I just finished 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith. Very nice. Light, funny, captivating. He wrote it as a serial for a newspaper, as Dickens used to do, so the chapters are short and always leave you wanting more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 One for the money by Janet Evanavich. Yes! This is what I was going to recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 any of the Jeeves books by PG Wodehouse You took the words right out of my mouth (in a manner of speaking). Jan Karon books are also lighter reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigitte Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Anything by P.G. Wodehouse. I love all the Wooster and Jeeves stories. Or, Dorothy Sayers Lord Peter Wimbley stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 James Thurber is one of my favorite humorists. I now keep copies at home. Secret Life of Walter Mitty is one of his most well know but I like the ones he does about the battle of the sexes best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 James Thurber is one of my favorite humorists. I now keep copies at home. Secret Life of Walter Mitty is one of his most well know but I like the ones he does about the battle of the sexes best. The Night the Ghost Got In and The Night The Bed Fell are so funny. I love Grampa, who thought the police were deserters from Meade's army. "Back to the lines, ye lilly-livered cattle!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I would suggest both the Mrs. Pollifax series and the #1 Woman Detective Agency series. They are not comedic, but are light-hearted and sweet. The Mrs. Pollifax series does have funny, laugh-out-loud parts. The #1 Woman Detective Agency series has some deeper, poignant scenes it is as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.J. at J.A. Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 This is awesome! Thank you so much everyone. DH is enjoying Good Omens, DS#1 is enjoying Enslaved by Ducks and I am bouncing between a couple of them. Blessings, Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I love Dave Barry and have been adding suggestions here to my wish list. These threads are great. :D One I loved and laughed my head off is Funny in Farsi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 This has been my favorite fun book lately: Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Whatever-You-Do-Dont-Run/dp/0762745657/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1 The sequel is good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I, too, like the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. http://www.amazon.com/No-1-Ladies-Detective-Agency-Movie/dp/0307456625/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1327237993&sr=8-12 The books are light, enjoyable reading with a few poignant moments, and lots of folk wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Rose Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 One for the money by Janet Evanavich. Think Sandra Bullock in Miss. Congeniality. If you liked that movie, you will like Stephanie Plum. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of action, a couple of hot guys (no teA (first book at least)) and a lot of laughs! Grandma Mazur made me laugh out loud! Janet Evanavich is my go-to author when I want something light and fluffy. Stick with her "number" books and stay away from the books where she co-authors with another woman. I can't think of the woman's name, but imo, they stink. "One for the Money" has been made into a movie with Katherine Heigl as Stephanie. I think it comes out this month. I wish they would have picked someone else as Stephanie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnionJack Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Am I too late? I enjoyed this thread! Here are a few books that I've loved (the writing and the stories) and have made me laugh out loud: The Princess Bride I love the movie and the book is even better! The Brothers K by David James Duncan. Amazing. Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 The Egg & I or Onions in the Stew, by Betty MacDonald (she wrote the Piggle-Wiggle books for kids) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 A Walk in the Woods or I'm A Stranger Here Myself, both by Bill Bryson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 A funny book that I read recently: Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton-Paterson. It's a parody of all the move-to-Tuscany/wish-you-were-here-travel-memoirs/foodie books. Very entertaining, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 I agree with Princess Bride. Also, for something a little weird, The Three Musketeers. That book cracks me up for some reason, but ymmv. Bossypants by Tina Fey was quite enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Lots of great suggestions. I don't see Real Ponies Don't Go Oink mentioned yet. Very funny short stories. any of the Jeeves books by PG Wodehouse :iagree: I'm listening to these as an audiobook right now and enjoying them. The Martin Jarvis reading are perfect. Any books by Dave Barry or Erma Bombeck.:lol: :iagree: A funny book that I read recently: Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton-Paterson. It's a parody of all the move-to-Tuscany/wish-you-were-here-travel-memoirs/foodie books. Very entertaining, imo. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 This has been my favorite fun book lately: Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Whatever-You-Do-Dont-Run/dp/0762745657/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1 The sequel is good too. Yes, this was a fun read! There is one more serious chapter where he gets into the history of Botswana, but as I am enchanted with the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series I enjoyed that part as well. Didn't know there was a sequel. Off to check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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