Books To Make You Laugh Out Loud

During these dire times of isolation, we are reaching for any books that can make us laugh. We asked our writers to contribute books that have made them laugh out loud in the past or present. Perhaps you'll find something here to pick up when you're feeling low during quarantine. Stay safe, friends. What books make you laugh?

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Ok, this book is not sold as one that is going to make you laugh hysterically, but as a dramedy. Then why am I choosing it? Because Eleanor is a character that is going to surprise you and you’ll want to befriend her. Let me explain a little better! Eleanor is an eccentric character, used to her solitude and routines, and she is completely fine with that. But one day things start to change in Eleanor's life, forcing her to change too, which is not an easy process for her. So we get to follow her journey of self-knowledge and development and the biggest lesson you are going to learn from this is the importance of empathy.

But seriousness aside, Eleanor is so funny, with her witty and sarcastic sense of humor, and she puts herself in some situations that you can’t help yourself but laugh out loud—yes, I did it publicly and I'm not ashamed of it. So do yourself a favor and get to know Eleanor Oliphant and her beautiful life story. - Alexandra

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Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

If you need something that feels familiar but fresh, and can make you laugh out loud at the modern (albeit pre-Covid) world, I recommend Sittenfeld’s Pride and Prejudice update that I gleefully read over a day or two. And then repeated the exercise again a year later. It’s a stellar, fun book to return to and its short chapters are great for picking up and reading a bit as you need it. And I’m nearing the point of needing it again… - Jessica Maria

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Enter the Aardvark by Jessica Anthony

This is an awesome, ultra-weird, trippy little political satire that had me cackling all the way through. - Nikki

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Labels by Louis de Bernières

This teeny short won’t take up too much of your time but it is brilliant for its light comedic writing, absurd story, and perfect delivery. The story follows a man who becomes obsessed with collecting the labels from cat food tins and creating meticulous scrapbooks noting all the specific details. His passion project escalates to magnificent proportions over his life with disastrous and hilarious consequences. The ending will perhaps leave you questioning some of the gourmet delights to be found in the artisanal aisle of your local supermarket, but will definitely have you smiling. - Elaine

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Made For Love by Alissa Nutting

This book is absolute insanity. It is nuts. Absurd. Bizzare. Wildly entertaining. It has a dude who is sexually turned on by dolphins and tries to kidnap one from the zoo. It has a cancer-stricken grouchy father who has a girlfriend named Diane who is a blow-up sex toy. And it has a woman named Hazel whose tech CEO hubby has implanted a chip into her brain to track her every move. It’s creative, unique, and a full-blown knee slapper that undeniably displays the importance of human connection. - Maggie

(I second Made for Love. it is a riot! - Cat)

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Meaty by Samantha Irby

I had a heart attack while reading Samantha Irby’s book. Read them both. She writes hilariously about what it’s like living with Crohn’s disease, realizing she’s gay, and pooping her pants. Irby said in an interview “I share these stories because someone has to.” No matter how raunchy, how ridiculous, it is relatable. I don’t know why we as people pretend we aren’t freaky or funny or wild or embarrassing because when we drum up some of the most humiliating moments… we laugh the hardest as they are some of our best stories. Read this book if you want to escape the dreary world for a bit and poop your pants laughing. - Maggie

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The Princess Bride by William Goldman

You’ve probably seen the movie, but have you read the book? The two are different beasts, but both incredibly entertaining. The story being told is essentially the same—a girl, Buttercup, and a ‘farm boy’, Westley, fall in love. Westley goes off to make his fortune, and what follows is a very silly tale full of giants (both human and rodent), fighting, magic and mayhem. But the framing devices employed by the film and the novel are quite different—and I much prefer the latter. Do yourself a favour and don’t Google the author until you’ve read at least a little of the book. It makes it so much funnier. - Cat

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Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray

Really, anything by Jeanne Ray is bound to at least make readers smile. But Step-Ball-Change made me laugh out loud. I’m partial to stories that center around family, and this one tells the tale of a ragtag bunch coming together during a particular tumultuous time. Caroline and Tom are the main characters, looking forward to their retirement when their house suddenly becomes flooded with a dramatic sister, a contractor working on the house who has basically moved in, and Caroline and Tom’s daughter, with her fiance. Oh, and it wouldn’t be a Jeanne Ray story without a temperamental dog in the mix. - Melissa

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We Are Never Meeting In Real Life by Samantha Irby

This book made me laugh until I cried. I had Jack Daniels on a plane flying out of my nose from snort laughing so hard. I truly think this is the funniest book I’ve ever read in my entire life. It’s a book of essays where she gives excruciating details about the funniest most humiliating moments of her life. She also talks about her cat and it made me cry because I have an asshole cat who I love more than anything. - Maggie

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The full list of ABOVE books are available in our UK & US bookshopS. each purchase supports local bookstores who desperately need our help right now. Sending love to all of you that need A LAUGH right now. xxx