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.

One in a Millennial

by Kate Kennedy

Publication year 2024

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Memory, Nostalgia, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Childhood & Youth, Self Discovery

Tags World History, Humor, Arts & Culture, Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies

... Read One in a Millennial Summary

One Last Stop

by Casey McQuiston

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Love, Memory, Future, The Past, Sexual Identity, Trust & Doubt, Gender Identity

Tags Romance, LGBTQ+, Science Fiction, Humor, Magical Realism, Modern Classic Fiction

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One Thousand Dollars

by O. Henry

Publication year 1919

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Gender Identity

Tags Classic Fiction, Humor, American Literature

William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, published “One Thousand Dollars” in his 1908 collection of short stories The Voice of the City: Further Stories of the Four Million. The stories explore New York City at the turn of the 20th century. Believing every person had a story to tell, O. Henry wrote about the poor and the rich and the shared experience of being human. This study guide references the 1908 edition of... Read One Thousand Dollars Summary

Open Throat

by Henry Hoke

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Animals, Equality, Climate, Loneliness, Gender Identity, Environment, Social Class

Tags Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Humor, Dramatic Literature

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Operation Bounce House

by Matt Dinniman

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Memory, Indigenous Identity, Future, Appearance & Reality, Place, Space, Friendship, Teamwork, Colonialism, Community, War, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Humor

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Our Man in Havana

by Graham Greene

Publication year 1959

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Nation, Loyalty & Betrayal, Appearance & Reality

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Satirical Literature, Military & War, Politics & Government, Cold War, Horror & Suspense, British Literature, World History, Humor, Classic Fiction

Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana, a 1958 satirical spy novel, evokes the political atmosphere in Cuba on the cusp of the Communist takeover and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Relevant and well-received, the novel has been adapted into a film, a play, and an opera. Greene was himself a member of M16, the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service, and his background allowed him to portray both accurately and comically the behind-the-scenes espionage antics that make... Read Our Man in Havana Summary

Packing for Mars

by Mary Roach

Publication year 2010

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Space, Equality, Teamwork, Place, Gender Identity, Science & Technology

Tags Science & Nature, Humor, US History, Technology, World History

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void is one of several bestselling nonfiction works by science writer and humorist Mary Roach. Published in 2010, the work focuses on the human side of space travel and offers behind-the-scenes accounts of peculiar and taboo topics such as sex, vomit, and toilets in space. Roach writes from a candid, outsider’s point of view and demystifies some of the grandeur of space travel by reporting... Read Packing for Mars Summary

Peter and the Starcatchers

by Dave Barry

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Teamwork, Loyalty & Betrayal, Friendship, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Power & Greed, Community

Tags Fantasy, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Action & Adventure, Humor, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Relationships, Trauma & Abuse, Poverty, American Literature

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Pickwick Papers

by Charles Dickens

Publication year 1836

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Justice, Politics & Government, Community, Self Discovery, Order & Chaos, Literature, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Family, Marriage

Tags Classic Fiction, Victorian Period, Action & Adventure, Humor, Travel Literature, Social Class, European History, Politics & Government, Social Justice, Sports, British Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Victorian Era

The debut novel of British author Charles Dickens, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (commonly known as The Pickwick Papers) was first published as a series by Chapman and Hall between 1836 and 1837. The Pickwick Papers chronicles the adventures of the members of the Pickwick Club, a group of travelers who journey around England and share their experiences. Because of the original serial format of the novel, the chapters contain individual but interconnected... Read Pickwick Papers Summary

Pippi Longstocking

by Astrid Lindgren

Publication year 1945

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Truth & Lies, Childhood & Youth

Tags Humor, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Scandinavian Literature

Pippi Longstocking is a middle grade fiction novel written by Astrid Lindgren and originally published in Sweden in 1945. It was first translated into English and published in the United States in 1950. Pippi’s bold spirit and fiery nature were endearing and appealing in the post-war era and through many decades afterward. Her story illuminates the Imagination and Ingenuity of childhood, the Strength of Body and Mind embodied by young girls, and the importance of... Read Pippi Longstocking Summary

Player Piano

by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Publication year 1952

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Science Fiction, American Literature, World History, Fantasy, Humor, Classic Fiction

Originally published in 1952, Player Piano is Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel. Set in a dystopian future where humanity has given control of almost all of its decisions and jobs to machines, Player Piano details the struggles and ironies of humanity’s attempt at a reclamation of human purposefulness.Doctor Paul Proteus serves as the head of the Ilium plant—one of many such plants across the United States that have popped up after the Third World War. Everything... Read Player Piano Summary