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Recommendations for humorous books, please?

(52 Posts)
NotTooOld Mon 08-Nov-21 22:33:53

Life is rather difficult for me at the moment and I like to 'escape' through reading. I don't want to read sad or depressing books as they only make me feel sad and depressed, so can anyone recommend funny books that would keep me cheerful? I like Jenny Eclair's books but I've read all hers and I also enjoyed the Jeeves books but I think I've read all those, too. Other funny books I've enjoyed in the past are Cold Comfort Farm and Diary of a Nobody also Sue Townsend and Nina Stibbe's books, but again I've now read them all. Any ideas, please?

SpringyChicken Fri 10-Dec-21 21:25:42

Peter Kaye's autobiography, The Sound of Laughter, is hilarious.

mrswoo Fri 10-Dec-21 21:21:35

I remember reading Maureen Lipman’s autobiography “How was it for you?” and literally crying with laughter. I was living in a flat with pretty poor sound proofing and my upstairs neighbour came down to make sure I was alright. She thought I was howling in pain.

Apologies to the person who recommended The Hundred Year Old Man - I absolutely hated it!

Ladyleftfieldlover Fri 10-Dec-21 21:15:00

I don’t think anyone’s mentioned Clive James’ early volumes of biography.

GrandmaKT Fri 10-Dec-21 21:05:17

I'm a big fan of Bill Bryson too.
Being a keen cyclist I've made a note of the 'One more Croissant' book.
I'd like to add Narrow Dog to Carcassonne by Terry Darlington. It's about a couple who renovate a canal barge and then decide to take it over the channel and through France - very funny!

grannydarkhair Fri 10-Dec-21 20:38:01

Aldom and Greyduster, I agree about David Niven, his two books are without doubt the funniest I’ve ever read. I only have to think of the burial scene and I start to laugh.

Allsorts Fri 10-Dec-21 20:29:00

Bill Bryson for me, favourite Walk in The Woods, I didn’t enjoy his one on Australia much though, every other one good.

Elegran Tue 09-Nov-21 18:59:56

If you are moderately broadminded, you might like " The Archivist of Duntisbourne Hall by L.P. Fergusson ^"BS Moreton has a perfect life. Archivist to the Earl of Duntisbourne, he is admired by his colleagues for his intellect and steely morality, but when Sam Westbrook arrives from the British Museum to create a new exhibition from a unique hoard of erotic artefacts, he is appalled, believing the collection will corrupt the minds of the visitors to Duntisbourne Hall." There are some lovely portrayals of the eccentric owners, staff and volunteer guides of the stately home - and of the chief character, the high-minded archivist.
There is an equally funny sequel ^" The Golden Hand".

In the same vein, there is "The Mating Call of the Racket-Tailed Drongo"by Michael Tobert
"The August and Venerable Golf Club of St Magnus is in trouble. Under an ancient deed, the members discover that their beloved Clubhouse will revert to the daughter of the local fishmonger if, on her eighteenth birthday, she is still a virgin. The birthday is imminent . . . ." St Magnus is a thin disguise for a better-known ancient and venerable Scottish Golf Club.

Greyduster Tue 09-Nov-21 18:44:16

Aldom I agree with you that “The Moon’s a Balloon” is a very funny book. Also it’s follow up “Bring on the Empty Horses”. I expect it’s still in print somewhere.

Greyduster Tue 09-Nov-21 18:39:18

Plus plus plus for Bill Bryson. His wit is a joy. Recently, I read Jay Rayner’s “My Last Supper”; erudite, informative and, yes, laugh out loud!

Trisha57 Tue 09-Nov-21 17:52:20

Aldom, I agree with you - the Gervase Phinn books are just priceless! I laughed out loud more than once on my commute into work on the train grin

NotTooOld Tue 09-Nov-21 17:03:40

Thank you so much everyone. Lots to be going on with there. Thanks also for the good wishes - much appreciated. Wouldn't life be harder without books.

Calistemon Tue 09-Nov-21 15:37:12

Down Under by Bill Bryson
I must read it again, highlanddreams, still laughing about Bill asking if he could have salad with his steak in an outback pub ?

Calistemon Tue 09-Nov-21 15:33:44

This series of books is for parents but I laughed out loud when reading some excerpts on FB:

The Hurrah for Gin series by Katie Kirby

AGAA4 Tue 09-Nov-21 15:27:03

The Wimbledon Poisoner was hilarious. I read it years ago but may give it another go.

lemongrove Tue 09-Nov-21 14:09:51

The Clothes They Stood Up In by Alan Bennet.....I nearly had an accident reading this book.?

JackyB Tue 09-Nov-21 14:08:44

I am addicted to Caimh McDonnell's books - they do contain swearing and violence, but they are so funny. I've never admitted this before because I wanted to keep this guilty pleasure to myself. Now his fanbase is growing fast so it won't be a secret much longer. Start with A Man With One Of Those Faces.

mumski Tue 09-Nov-21 13:32:20

I was thinking exactly the same thing NottooOld. Stuck in bed self isolating after a positive test. I've just downloaded One More Croissant for the Road onto my Kindle, so looking forward to being cheered up by that.
I hope the suggestions cheer you too flowers

Bellanonna Tue 09-Nov-21 13:23:07

Tom Sharpe again. Also David Lodge. I love his humour.

highlanddreams Tue 09-Nov-21 13:12:41

Oopsadaisy1

The tent, the bucket and me. Absolutely hilarious.

I would second this it's really funny

Down Under by Bill Bryson

Dead Lovely by Helen Fitzgerald - so good, very witty but also dark & twisty

MandL Tue 09-Nov-21 13:10:27

Seconding “The tent the bucket and me” by Emma Kennedy.
Others that have also had me crying with laughter include “Dear Lupin” by Roger and Charlie Mortimer
And “Extra Virgin” by Annie Hawes

Visgir1 Tue 09-Nov-21 13:03:53

If you are not offended by bad language.
The Why Mummy series is very funny.
Why Mummy Drinks and Why Mummy Swears by Gill Sims.

Witzend Tue 09-Nov-21 11:45:48

Ditto to Bill Bryson’s ‘Small Island’. I well remember my mother laughing until she cried on reading just the first few pages of that!

VioletSky Tue 09-Nov-21 11:00:11

Terry pratchett? Actually very relevant and funny

Scones Tue 09-Nov-21 10:52:19

Oh SueDonim I loved 'One More Croissant for the Road' too. I felt like I was travelling with her.

I can recommend The Man Who Hated Walking: The South West Coast Path by Overend Watts who was the founder member of Mott the Hoople. My husband read it and laughed so much I read it as soon as he put it down.

Now I'm reading Boogie Up the River by Mark Wallington. Inspired by Jermome's journey it's his story of a boat trip with a crazy hound and is making me cry with laughter.

Hope life becomes easier soon NotTooOld. Books are such a comfort in difficult times.

Witzend Tue 09-Nov-21 10:46:15

Sorry, forgot that you’d already said Cold Comfort Farm!