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 2010
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Fame
Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Relationships: Marriage, Identity: Sexuality
Tags LGBTQ, Love / Sexuality, Romance, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 1994
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Identity: Language
Tags Self Help, Humor, Arts / Culture, Biography
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott was originally published in 1994. Many of Lamott’s books have been on the New York Times bestsellers list, which qualifies her to offer advice about how to write. She also taught at writing conferences and at UC Davis, received a Guggenheim Fellowship, and was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Bird by Bird is a combination of memoir, self-help book, and writing... Read Bird By Bird Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government
Tags History: U.S., Race / Racism, Social Justice, Politics / Government, African American Literature, History: World, Humor
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Society: Colonialism, Society: Economics
Tags Satire, Humor, Race / Racism, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 1931
Genre Novel, Fiction
Tags Satire, Harlem Renaissance, Race / Racism, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, American Literature, Humor, Classic Fiction
George S. Schuyler’s novel, Black No More: Being an Account of the Strange and Wonderful Workings of Science in the Land of the Free, A.D. 1933-1940, is a satirical novel first published in 1931 by the Macaulay Company. The novel was reissued in 2015 by Martino Publishing, based in Mansfield Centre, Connecticut. Some contemporary scholars categorize this work retrospectively as one of the earliest pieces of literary Afrofuturism, a kind of science fiction unique to... Read Black No More Summary
Publication year 1941
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Marriage, Identity: Gender, Emotions/Behavior: Love
Tags Play: Comedy / Satire, British Literature, Gender / Feminism, Grief / Death, Love / Sexuality, Drama / Tragedy, Fantasy, Humor, Classic Fiction
Blithe Spirit is a 1941 farce written by the English playwright, composer, and actor Noël Coward. Known for his wit and style, Coward’s theatrical career lasted for nearly six decades. Blithe Spirit, one of his most popular and enduring works, was first performed in the West End, running for 1,997 performances, before transferring to Broadway for 657 performances. It was adapted into the musical High Spirits in 1964. To this day, the play continues to... Read Blithe Spirit Summary
Publication year 1991
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Family
Tags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Humor
Publication year 2016
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Identity: Race, Society: Colonialism, Life/Time: Coming of Age
Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Race / Racism, History: African , Humor, Biography
Born a Crime is a comedic autobiographical work chronicling Trevor Noah’s childhood growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. Published in 2016, it became a New York Times bestseller, and it is currently being adapted into a film. Born a Crime doesn’t follow a linear timeline; rather, the narrative jumps in time, offering anecdotes from Noah’s past. Before each chapter begins, there is a prologue that’s related to the content of the upcoming... Read Born a Crime Summary
Publication year 2006
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Relationships: Family
Tags Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Music, Humor
Gordan Korman’s 2006 young adult coming-of-age novel Born to Rock follows teenager Leo Caraway as he sets out to get to know his biological father—the frontman of a legendary punk rock band—hoping to fund his college tuition while navigating the foreign world of punk rock and gets to know his roots. The novel, which was written for and dedicated to Korman’s son, also named Leo, explores themes of genetics, identity, self-expression, and lying.Korman is a... Read Born to Rock Summary
Publication year 2011
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Identity: Gender
Tags Gender / Feminism, Humor, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Biography
Bossypants is a humorous memoir published in 2011 by actor and writer Tina Fey. Fey describes growing up as an awkward, smart-mouthed girl and traces the process by which she enters show business, from working at a theater summer camp, to taking night improv classes, to writing for Saturday Night Live, and finally to creating her own television sitcom, 30 Rock. Fey writes of the discrimination and double standards to which women in show business... Read Bossypants Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Tags Romance, LGBTQ, Relationships, Love / Sexuality, Class, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor
Publication year 1984
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family
Tags Humor, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction, Biography
IntroductionMany readers are familiar with Roald Dahl (1916-1990) as the author of popular stories such as James and the Giant Peach (1961) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964). Dahl published 19 novels and short story collections for children. He was born in Wales to a Norwegian family and spent most of his life in England. He was an intelligence officer and fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II and suffered... Read Boy: Tales of Childhood Summary
Publication year 1998
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: War
Tags Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, LGBTQ, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Irish Literature, Modern Classic Fiction
Breakfast on Pluto is a novel by the distinguished Irish writer Patrick McCabe, who is known for his experimental style and controversial themes. First published in 1998, the book contains elements of fantasy and historical fiction. It presents the narrative of “the life and times” of Patrick Braden, a transgender person growing up in Ireland and London during the 1960s and 1970s. Through Braden’s journey of self-discovery, McCabe portrays a country amid turbulent political, national... Read Breakfast on Pluto Summary
Publication year 1996
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery
Tags Romance, Humor, British Literature
Written by Helen Fielding in 1996, Bridget Jones’s Diary is a romance novel with a comedic twist. In 1998, it was named the British Book of the Year, and in 2003, it placed at number 75 on a BBC survey of favorite novels. A film adaptation was released in 2001. Renee Zellweger played the titular character and received an Academy Award nomination for her performance.This guide refers to the 1996 MacMillan Publishers print edition. Content... Read Bridget Jones's Diary Summary
Publication year 1984
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Siblings
Tags Play: Drama, Play: Comedy / Satire, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Love / Sexuality, Great Depression, WWII / World War II, Poverty, Relationships, Religion / Spirituality, Education, Education, American Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Humor, Classic Fiction
Brighton Beach Memoirs is a semi-autobiographical play by American playwright Neil Simon. It is the first play in Simon’s Eugene Trilogy and follows its young protagonist as he grapples with adolescence and identity in the midst of the Great Depression. Its initial 1983 Broadway run enjoyed critical acclaim and won several awards. Most notably, actor Matthew Broderick won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor for originating the role of Eugene. Despite its initial success... Read Brighton Beach Memoirs Summary
Publication year 2014
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Relationships: Teams
Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Scandinavian Literature, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Midlife, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal
Tags Romance, Humor, New Adult
Publication year 1963
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Class
Tags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Humor
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community
Tags Humor, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction