Laugh-out-Loud Books

Our Laugh-out-Loud Books Collection highlights titles that bring levity to literature through satire, dark humor, or hilarious dialogue. Representing genres ranging from romantic comedies to classic children's titles, this Collection features titles to tickle every reader's funny bone.

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Sexuality, Identity: Gender, Self Discovery

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Satire, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor

Invisible Monsters is the third novel by bestselling novelist Chuck Palahniuk. Published in 1999, the novel was intended to be Palahniuk’s first published novel but was rejected for its disturbing content. Invisible Monsters is a contemporary work in the first person with a non-linear narration. The main characters include a former model and transgender woman focused on the search for identity in a society where beauty defines a person’s self-worth.Content Warning: Please be advised that... Read Invisible Monsters Summary


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Midlife, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Romance, Humor, LGBTQ, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2011

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Biography, Humor


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Self Discovery, Life/Time: Aging

Tags Romance, Humor


Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Immigration, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Relationships: Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Self Discovery, Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Tags Romance, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2019

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Identity: Race, Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Biography, Humor, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: African , Social Justice


Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings

Tags Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor


Publication year 1961

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, Magical Realism, Animals, Action / Adventure

James and the Giant Peach by British author Roald Dahl was first published in 1961. This critically acclaimed children’s novel was made into an award-winning film in 1996. It tells the story of a giant peach that magically grows in a young boy, James’s, back garden—big enough for him to enter the center of the peach and have adventures with the insects who live in there. Dahl is known as one of the 20th century’s greatest... Read James And The Giant Peach Summary


Publication year 1984

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Fantasy, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Humor, Classic Fiction

In Jitterbug Perfume, published in 1985, Tom Robbins combines realism with fantasy and comedy to tell his tale of intertwined lives across centuries. His works have reputations as cult classics that tweak conventional notions of the novel while seeking to reinforce new conventions of their own. The story spans both centuries of time and nearly the entirety of the globe. Other works by Robbins include Another Roadside Attraction, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and Still... Read Jitterbug Perfume Summary


Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family

Tags Humor, Children's Literature, Disability, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a children’s novel, was written by Jack Gantos. The book was initially published in 1998 by Square Fish, a trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group; the work was a National Book Award Finalist, an American Library Association notable children’s book, and the School Library Journal’s book of the year. The novel’s 10-year-old protagonist, Joey Pigza, deals with an unnamed hyperactive disorder, abandonment, and academic problems before finding some stability after his... Read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key Summary


Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature


Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings

Tags Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Humor


Publication year 2021

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Coming of Age

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Humor, Animals, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Relationships, Children's Literature


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Equality

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2000

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Identity: Mental Health, Natural World: Food, Relationships: Teams

Tags Food, Arts / Culture, Humor

Kitchen Confidential is a nonfiction work by chef, author, and travel television host Anthony Bourdain, based on his 1999 essay, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” published in The New Yorker. In part a memoir of Bourdain’s years in the restaurant industry, it is also a candid exposé of New York City’s restaurant scene in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. Bourdain takes his readers on a wild ride through his career journey while providing a realistic... Read Kitchen Confidential Summary


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Humor, Animals, Fantasy, Children's Literature


Publication year 1991

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Humor, Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature


Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Fathers

Tags History: U.S., History: World, French Literature, Biography, American Revolution, Humor, Politics / Government

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States is a 2015 history of America written by Sarah Vowell. Vowell uses the perspective of the Marquis de Lafayette—a Frenchman who longed to fight with the Americans and win military glory—to give an irreverent, timely history of the United States, with relevant implications for America’s modern political situation.When Lafayette came to America, he was only 19. He was a wealthy, educated orphan who wanted to acquire personal honor and... Read Lafayette in the Somewhat United States Summary


Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Community

Tags Historical Fiction, Humor, Fantasy, Absurdism, Religion / Spirituality, History: World