Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Love, Coming of Age, Family, Self Discovery
Tags Romance, Humor
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 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Love, Coming of Age, Family, Self Discovery
Tags Romance, Humor
Publication year 2015
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Forgiveness
Tags World History, Dramatic Literature, Humor
Between Riverside and Crazy, a 2014 play in two acts by Stephen Adly Guirgis, won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This work is widely considered a New York play written by a New York playwright, as it captures the particular spirit of this unique city in its story about an ex-cop facing eviction from his rent-controlled apartment and his efforts to understand and adapt to his changing world. Stephen Adly Guirgis, a native of New York City, grew up on... Read Between Riverside And Crazy Summary
Publication year 1929
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Beauty, Femininity, Marriage, Mental Health
Tags Relationships, Depression & Suicide, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Humor, Classic Fiction
“Big Blonde” is a short story written by Dorothy Parker. It was first published in 1929 in The Bookman (a prestigious New York City literary magazine) and won the O. Henry competition for the best story that same year. It was later published in Parker’s 1930 short-story collection Laments for the Living.This study guide refers to the online flipbook version of “Big Blonde.”Content Warning: The source text contains references to domestic violence, alcohol addiction, and... Read Big Blonde Summary
Publication year 2025
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Coming of Age, Family, Social Class, Fame
Tags Humor, Memoir & Autobiography
Publication year 1998
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Fathers
Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Humor
Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions, a novel by Daniel Wallace, presents the story of the life of Edward Bloom, as told and retold by his son, William. William recounts Edward’s life as Edward lays dying of an unnamed terminal illness. The truth of Edward's past has always eluded William, as his father's anecdotes tend toward the unbelievable, and he seems incapable of being serious. Using tall tales, dreams, and allusions to Greek mythology... Read Big Fish Summary
Publication year 2010
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Friendship, Fate, Shame & Pride, Fame
Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Mental Health, Truth & Lies, Marriage, Sexual Identity
Tags LGBTQ+, Love & Sexuality, Romance, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 1994
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Literature, Perseverance, Grief, Language
Tags Self-Improvement, 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 2026
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Birth, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt
Tags Health, Humor, Self-Improvement
In Birth Vibes: Stories and Strategies for an Empowered Birth (2026), labor and delivery nurse Jen Hamilton offers a practical guide to navigating pregnancy and childbirth within the hospital system. This book combines childbirth education, patient advocacy, and personal narrative with a focus on informed decision-making, communication, and emotional preparation for birth. Hamilton argues that a positive birth experience is defined not by adhering to a rigid plan but by feeling heard, respected, and in... Read Birth Vibes Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Race, Nation, Politics & Government
Tags US History, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Politics & Government, African American Literature, World History, Humor
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Race, Colonialism, Economics
Tags Satirical Literature, Humor, Race & Racism, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 1931
Genre Novel, Fiction
Tags Satirical Literature, Harlem Renaissance, Race & Racism, Science 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 Loyalty & Betrayal, Marriage, Gender Identity, Love
Tags Comedy & Satire, British Literature, Gender & Feminism, Grief & Death, Love & Sexuality, Dramatic Literature, 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 Religion & Spirituality, Good & Evil, Family
Tags Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Humor
Publication year 2008
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Fear, Gratitude, Love, Shame & Pride, Disability, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Justice, Literature, Order & Chaos, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies
Tags Science & Nature, Love & Sexuality, Health, Psychology, Humor
Publication year 2016
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Race, Colonialism, Coming of Age
Tags Coming of Age, 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 Coming of Age, Fathers, Self Discovery, Fame, Music, Truth & Lies, 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 Gender Identity
Tags Gender & Feminism, Humor, Women`s Studies, 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, Social Class, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor
Publication year 1984
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Memory, The Past, Childhood & Youth, Good & Evil, Justice, Nostalgia, 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