Whether you’ve got the giggles or are looking for something to break you out of the doldrums, humor is a great genre to explore. Humor ranges across both fiction and nonfiction, graphic novels, poetry, and plays. And it can even infuse other genres, such as horror, adventure, science fiction, and more. If you’re looking for a good time, consider checking out Humor!
What is Humor and Why Do We Like It?
Humor (or comedy) books can best be described as “stories that make you laugh”. The whole purpose of the story is to entertain the reader in a way that is uplifting and comedic. Comedies by definition have happy endings, so readers can feel safe knowing that regardless of what happens during the story, everything will work out alright in the end. In a world where everything is so uncertain, it’s nice to enjoy a comfortable tale, confident that you won’t be blindsided by tragedy in the final pages.
Of course, we enjoy comedy for more than just a happy ending. Humor is also a big part of it. And who doesn’t love a book that makes you laugh? Laughter reduces stress, decreases pain, relaxes tight muscles, and can improve our self-image! And that’s no joke!
Comedic Subgenres
Everyone has a different sense of humor. Here are a few types of stories to make you laugh out loud!
- Dark Comedy: Horrible things happen and its hilarious!
- Comedy of Errors: Mistaken identity and misunderstandings abound!
- Parody: A comic story that lampoons or makes fun of another work
- Satire: Comic stories meant to ridicule its subject
Related Genres:
Humor is a genre that plays well with others. Here are some of the hilarious crossovers that can occur when humor partners up with your favorite genres:
- Caper: A light-hearted crime adventure where you root for the criminals
- Horror-Comedy: The story is scary and horrible things happen, but you’ll laugh anyway
- Tragicomedy: A story that includes elements of both comedy and tragedy; it will make you laugh and cry
- Tall Tales: Adventure stories featuring over-the-top and larger-than-life characters
Reading Recommendations:
Carry On, Jeeves (P.G. Wodehouse) For me, you can’t talk about humor without bringing up PG Wodehouse! While technically the third book in the series, this collection of short stories also introduces readers for the first time to Bertie’s superlative gentlemen’s personal gentleman, Jeeves. The stories are a collection of madcap adventures as lazy aristocrat, Bertie Wooster finds himself in pickle after pickle (some his own doing and some the result of meddling aunts, besotted friends, and pushy women who feel that Bertie would be so much better if only he’d give up all the things that make him happy and work on “improving himself”). Enter Jeeves, a man of extreme intellect who constantly manages to pull Bertie from the proverbial soup. Full of mistaken identity, lost love, unfortunate engagements and feigned madness, these stories are absolutely hilarious. Wodehouse has the distinction of being one of the few authors that actually makes me “laugh out loud”!
Hyperbole and a Half (Allie Brosh) Allie Brosh’s ridiculous collection of autobiographical essays is a real hoot-and-a-half. Each chapter is a madcap adventure, all illustrated in Brosh’s iconic art style. Stories include the time she tried to convince her mother to take her to a birthday party (which she was still recovering from anesthesia after having her wisdom teeth removed) or the time she decided to eat an entire cake (that her mother had explicitly told her not to touch). I’m personally a fan of the chapters about her dogs (who appear to be sharing a single brain cell between the two of them), while many other readers were deeply touched by her insightful chapters on the nature of depression, as told from Brosh’s own personal experiences. If you’re looking for more in this vein, consider also checking out the sequel book, Solutions and Other Problems. Fair warning, however: the second book is not quite as funny and deals with some very difficult topics, including the death of Brosh’s sister.
I Work at a Public Library (Gina Sheridan) I have the best job in the world, and I can’t imagine doing anything else for a living. That being said, any time you work with the public, you’re bound to have some interesting encounters. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in the life of a librarian, consider checking out this book by Gina Sheridan, a library from St. Louis, MO. The stories here are both hilarious and shocking, and while I would never say that this book reflects my own personal experiences at Westlake Porter Public Library, there were definitely relatable moments! Whether you’re a librarian yourself or just a passionate book lover, this is a great little book that will have you in stitches!
A Walk in the Woods (Bill Bryson) One day, author Bill Bryson gets the strangest idea into his head. He’s going to walk the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. But, there are of course issues with a plan like this. The Appalachian Trail is over 2,000 miles long. There are plenty of dangers along the way, including, but not limited to hungry bears. And his new traveling companion (and former friend) Stephen Katz is going to be the death of him. If you’re looking for a hilarious memoir about the outdoors, or if you’ve thought about taking on the Appalachian Trail yourself, then this is the book to read. Nature lovers will enjoy the descriptions of Bryson’s travels, while humor lovers will find plenty of laughs in the misadventures he gets into, including a few run-ins with fellow travelers and a few bears!
Dear Committee Members (Julie Schumacher) I never thought a book about college admissions would be so funny! Told entirely through letters of recommendation, this book had me hooked from page one. Jason Fitger is an unlikable, grumpy, middle-aged English professor whose personal life and professional life have intertwined in all the wrong ways. Now, while the school is updating the Econ department, the English department is sinking into a deeper and deeper state of disrepair. And all Jason wants is to write off a few letters of recommendation for a gaggle of students who may or may not deserve the things he says about them. If you enjoy reading about flawed, but likeable characters, academia, and dark humor, then you’ll find a lot to like about this book, which has all of these things in spades. There’s also two sequels if you’re interested in finding out what happens next!
