In no particular order, these are a few books that have stood out for their humour. Comedy can be subjective – what one person finds funny, another doesn’t. These show the kind (and range) of sense of humour I have – what I have appreciated and admired in other people’s work.
Check back as this is still a work in progress.
![]() | The Rosie Project is the first book in a series of three. I was instantly hooked. Such an intelligent comedy/romance from a male protagonist’s point of view. Utterly original treatment of a love story. Read all three! | |
![]() | Skinny Dip is the first Carl Hiaason book I read. Dry, dark humour with a plot not to be taken seriously (or you won’t enjoy the ride). His other books are just as funny! | |
![]() | Wilt is the first Tom Sharpe book I read, many many years ago. Another beautifully written book with dry (and his special brand of) humour. Other books of his that I’ve read are also outrageously funny. | |
![]() | The Mystery of Mercy Close has a nice balance of humour and some very touching moments. A good mix of light and shade. | |
![]() | The Flirt is an outrageously funny novel. Perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but it stood out for me as an unusual treat. | |
![]() | An Eligible Bachelor is the first Veronica Henry book I read and, perhaps, my favourite because of the level of humour. I have read many of her touching romances. | |
![]() | One Plus One is the first Jojo Moyes book I read. I’ve included it because of the skilful mix of story, life’s mess-ups, humour and characters trying to survive with some very touching moments. | |
![]() | Anansi Boys is the first Neil Gaiman book I read. Neil Gaiman has created a work that has so many genres I felt this project definitely broke the mould. Probably everything about this story grabbed me, and I loved the humour. I also loved the fact that I hadn’t got a clue where the plot was going; it was full of surprises. | |
![]() | I could have probably picked any Georgette Heyer novel for her fun stories and feisty heroines. These Old Shades is a particular favourite. Devil’s Cub, the second in the Alastair-Audley Series, is also a hot favourite. I would recommend them all to romantic comedy lovers – particularly for those fond of period settings. | |
![]() | The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared I loved the dark humour. It was great to have an elderly character who wanted more from life, more adventures. And, boy, did he get them! | |
![]() | CATalogue This is a brilliant short book for cat lovers – which I am! In fact, I wish I’d written it… (a bit of author envy here). If you love cats and are in need of a laugh, look no further. | |
![]() | 20,000 Steps You don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to get something from this book in terms of increasing activity. It’s a fun and quick read, even for a couch potato. The author has a great sense of humour. | |
![]() | Scantily Clad Truths: Essays on Life with Clothes (and without) Strange cover and strange title… An intelligent and amusing quick read of snippets from the author’s life. I was moved by the first story. Due to the US references, this would appeal to American readers more. | |
![]() | The Pacifist Assassin How do you destroy a pro-gun person without physically harming them? This is a satire that is not meant to be taken seriously yet grapples with extremely serious issues. The humorous, subtly mocking tone suited me completely. | |
![]() | Peter’s Pence Some bungling guys try to steal from a Vatican vault but end up being on the same floor as the pope, who went to the Vatican library to get a book as he was finding it hard to sleep. When the pope spots them they have no choice but to kidnap him… It’s been ages since I read it but I enjoyed it immensely at the time and hopefully you will too. According to Wikipedia, the book won Best Novel at the 1975 Edgar Awards | |