Bookkaholic Q&A: Funny Books

Bookkaholic Q&A is a weekly feature where we all share our answers to a bookish question. Think of it as a conversation over coffee with friends!

“What is the most laugh-out-loud funny book you’ve ever read? What made the book so hilarious?”

Lucy

The most laugh-out-loud funny book I’ve read recently would have to be How To Be A Woman by British journalist Caitlin Moran. As well as being a superb illustration of modern feminist thought and theory, it’s absolutely bleedin’ hilarious, to the point of snorting out loud and waking my long-suffering other half. Yes, the first thing I desperately want to do when I get home each day is throw my bra across the room, but the way Moran tells it is so graphic and sardonic it’ll have you laughing for days.

Tara

I read a lot of funny books, but the best one was probably Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison. It is a YA book about a ridiculous British girl named Georgia Nicholson who is over-the-top and dramatic. The book is actually quite well written and Georgia’s voice is spot-on, but her perception of her life inspires fits of giggles and deep belly laughs. I also have to give a shout-out to Tina Fey’s Bossypants for being a great laugh-filled experience.

Rebecca

I can always count on Bill Bryson, Nick Hornby, or David Lodge for a laugh. Some other hilarious reads I’ve reviewed here are Heartburn by Nora Ephron, Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway, Gerald Durrell’s Corfu trilogy (on my list of favorite family memoirs), and the two collections of Roger Mortimer’s letters, Dear Lumpy and Dear Lupin. But one book I chuckle just thinking about is Ibid by Mark Dunn, a novel told entirely through the ludicrous medium of footnotes.

William

Unfortunately, I think the books I find funny cross some lines. The latest one was The Alphabet of Manliness by Maddox. It was funny due to taking stereotypes to the next level. I never read it all since I thought it was pretty offensive, but I did get a laugh or two. Otherwise I’d say How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You by The Oatmeal. The cartoons are well done and the ideas are thought out in a witty way.

Lauren

Tina Fey’s Bossypants is such a “funny because it’s true” nonfiction title that addresses topics such as body image, pressures for women, career advice, and the apparent truth behind men leaving cups of urine around their place of business. The audiobook is voiced by Fey herself and she has just the right delivery for full, laugh-out-loud hilarity.

So now we want to share our conversation with you! Tell us about the funniest book you’ve ever read in the comments!