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.

The Third Policeman

by Flann O'Brien

Publication year 1967

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Death, Appearance & Reality, Justice

Tags Irish Literature, Fantasy, Humor, Absurdism

The Third Policeman is the second novel by Flann O’Brien, the pseudonym for Irish writer Brian O’Nolan, written in 1939/1940 but only published posthumously in 1967. It was originally rejected by the publishers of his acclaimed first novel, At Swim-Two-Birds (1939) and was largely forgotten until after his death. The novel is an absurdist, darkly comic novel narrated by an unnamed rural Irish “scholar” whose obsession with the eccentric thinker de Selby intersects with him... Read The Third Policeman Summary

The Twits

by Roald Dahl

Publication year 1980

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Teamwork, Justice

Tags Humor, Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction

The Twits (1980) by Roald Dahl is a fantastical and absurd children’s story about a mean couple and how they are eventually outsmarted by the animals they mistreat. The Big Read listed The Twits as one of the 200 greatest books of all time according to the British public in 2003, and in 2012, the Twits appeared on a commemorative postage stamp. The book was adapted for the stage in 2007, and an animated feature... Read The Twits Summary

The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett

Publication year 2007

Genre Novella, Fiction

Tags Humor, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

British author Alan Bennett’s 2007 satirical novella The Uncommon Reader, set in modern-day Britain, focuses on the “uncommon reader”—Queen Elizabeth II—who narrates the story as she becomes passionate about reading after a random encounter with a mobile library. As she becomes more interested in reading than with the duties of the monarchy, her fascination with books has major consequences for her, her council of advisors, her family, and her position as monarch. She begins questioning... Read The Uncommon Reader Summary

The Unteachables

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Shame & Pride, Education

Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Education, Diversity, Bullying, Relationships, American Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Unteachables Summary

The Vendor of Sweets

by R. K. Narayan

Publication year 1967

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Asian Literature, Indian Literature, Children`s Literature, Asian Literature, Dramatic Literature, Humor, Classic Fiction

In R.K. Narayan’s novel The Vendor of Sweets, the tension between old and young India is the backdrop against which a father and son clash. Jagan, a 55 year old man who is steeped in tradition, is a bundle of contradictions. He is a passionate follower of Gandhi, embracing non-violent cooperation and an ascetic lifestyle. However, he is also boastful when it comes to his own self-control. It is not enough that he has renounced... Read The Vendor of Sweets Summary

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

Publication year 1700

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Social Class, Power & Greed

Tags Classic Fiction, Comedy & Satire, Restoration, British Literature, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature, Humor

The Way of the World is a play by William Congreve, first performed in 1700 at Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The Way of the World is a Restoration comedy, meaning it is a comedy written and performed in the boom of theater following the restoration of the Stuart Dynasty after the Interregnum period in England. As with many Restoration comedies, Congreve focuses his satire on the upper classes, but The Way of the World is notable... Read The Way of the World Summary

The Wednesday Wars

by Gary D. Schmidt

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, War, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, US History, Vietnam War, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, World History, Humor

Gary Schmidt’s middle grade novel, The Wednesday Wars, follows seventh grader Holling Hoodhood as he navigates the difficulties of junior high in the late 1960s. Published in 2007, Schmidt’s novel blends historical fiction with a coming-of-age theme, and was given the Newbery Medal in 2008. Other works by Schmidt include Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (2004), Okay for Now (2011), and The Labors of Hercules Beal (2023).This guide refers to the Clarion Books 2009... Read The Wednesday Wars Summary