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.

Skippy Dies

by Paul Murray

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Guilt, Childhood & Youth, Death, Friendship

Tags Irish Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor

Skippy Dies, published in 2010, is a tragicomic novel by Irish author Paul Murray. Murray originally wrote the novel as a short story before expanding it into a longform work of fiction, basing the Catholic boarding school where the book is set on the prestigious secondary school the author attended in Dublin.The novel was nominated for the longlists and shortlists of several distinguished awards, including the Booker Prize, the Irish Novel of the Year, and... Read Skippy Dies Summary

Sky Daddy

by Kate Folk

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Fear, Loneliness, Love, Nostalgia, Femininity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Objects & Materials, Friendship, Self Discovery, Fate, New Age, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger

Tags Literary Fiction, Contemporary Literature, Humor

Kate Folk’s 2025 novel, Sky Daddy, is a work of satirical literary fiction. The novel is narrated by Linda, a content moderator in San Francisco who harbors a secret and all-consuming desire: to achieve a spiritual marriage with an airplane by dying in a spectacular crash. The novel uses this surreal premise to explore themes of deep disconnection and The Alienating Nature of Modern Life.Folk is also the author of the acclaimed story collection Out... Read Sky Daddy Summary

Slacker

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Community, Self Discovery, Conflict

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Slacker Summary

Slam

by Nick Hornby

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Future, Coming of Age, Fathers

Tags Magical Realism, Coming of Age, Humor, British Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Slam (2007) is a young adult novel written by Nick Hornby. It tells the story of Sam Jones, a skateboarder who finds out that his girlfriend is pregnant when they are both 16 years old—his mother’s age when she had him. The novel explores themes such as Navigating Teenage Parenthood, How a Few Seconds Can Change Everything, and Relationships, Wisdom, and Growing Up.Nick Hornby is a renowned English writer known for his humorous fiction about... Read Slam Summary

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

by David Lubar

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Appearance & Reality

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Coming of Age, Bullying, Depression & Suicide, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

David Lubar’s young adult novel Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie (2005) was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults in 2006 and a BCCB Blue Ribbon Book. Lubar, a computer programmer-turned-author, has published many books for young readers, including Hidden Talents (1999) and the Weenies series.The story follows 14-year-old Scott Hudson as he navigates his first year of high school with both hilarious and tragic results. Lubar’s novel humorously addresses coming-of-age issues such as changing relationships... Read Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie Summary

Slider

by Pete Hautman

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Disability, Coming of Age, Friendship, Wins & Losses

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Food, Disability, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Slider Summary

Slob

by Ellen Potter

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Memory, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Justice, Science & Technology, Equality, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality, Food, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Family, Siblings, Friendship, Mothers, Teamwork, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Community, Education

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Humor, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Bullying, Grief & Death, Trauma & Abuse

... Read Slob Summary

Smile

by Raina Telgemeier

Publication year 2010

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Nonfiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Childhood & Youth

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

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is an autobiographical graphic novel and the winner of the 2011 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens. It originated as a weekly webcomic in 2004 before Telgemeier expanded it into a book in 2010. Telgemeier is the writer and illustrator, while Stephanie Yue is the colorist. Smile is a coming-of-age tale, set in a San Francisco suburb from 1989 to 1992, in which Telgemeier struggles with preteen life after losing... Read Smile Summary

Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby

by Donald Barthelme

Publication year 1973

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Justice, Friendship, Death

Tags Satirical Literature, Postmodernism, US History, Humor, Classic Fiction

“Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby” is a short story by American author Donald Barthelme. Originally published in a 1973 issue of The New Yorker, it was later included in Barthelme’s 1976 anthology, Amateurs. The narrative follows the extended and absurd deliberation of a group of friends about how to hang their friend for committing an unnamed offense. With the friends embodying a range of logistical roles and viewpoints concerning the act... Read Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby Summary

Son of the Mob

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Humor

Son of the Mob is a young adult novel by Gordon Korman, published in 2002. It is a comedic adventure story that concerns a teenaged boy named Vince Luca, and his attempts to come to terms with his Mafia family.Vince’s life is a mixture of mundane teenaged concerns (girls, grades) and adult criminal activity. This is established in the first chapter of the book, when he takes a girl named Angela out on a date... Read Son of the Mob Summary

Spy Camp

by Stuart Gibbs

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Teamwork, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Trust & Doubt, Self Discovery

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Realistic Fiction, Humor

... Read Spy Camp Summary

Spy School

by Stuart Gibbs

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Loyalty & Betrayal, Friendship, Community, Teamwork, Safety & Danger, Memory, Daughters & Sons, Science & Technology, Childhood & Youth, Education, Power & Greed, Shame & Pride, Fear, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Perseverance, Good & Evil, Justice, Politics & Government, Appearance & Reality, Truth & Lies, Conflict, Fathers, Loneliness

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Humor

... Read Spy School Summary

Squeeze Me

by Carl Hiaasen

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Politics & Government, Social Class, Animals

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor, Politics & Government

... Read Squeeze Me Summary

Squirm

by Carl Hiaasen

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Animals, Fathers, Family, Justice

Tags Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Animals

... Read Squirm Summary