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With April Fools Day kicking off the month, this felt like a good time to share some of the books that have made us laugh. The only problem with recommending humor books is that people can have wildly different ideas of what’s funny. There are books that have some people rolling on the floor while others barely crack a smile. So with that caveat out of the way, here is a look at some of the titles that have amused us.
Amanda’s Humor Suggestions
You’ve Been Volunteered by Laurie Gelman
4.0 our of 5
You’ve Been Volunteered is the second in a series. It’s a fun, light-hearted read. Jen Dixon is class mom for her son’s third grade class. She once again picks up with her sarcastic emails to parents. In this book she’s also coordinating student crossing guards. This novel certainly doesn’t take any deep dives into characters and doesn’t take much seriously. But if you’re looking for some humor pick this one up. While you gain some context by reading Class Mom, which I reviewed in fall 2019 as part of our Back to School Books, this book can also be read as a stand alone.
As class mom, Jen is in charge of making sure parents sign up to bring things for class parties and parent volunteers attend field trips. This school year she also finds herself in charge of fifth grade students and coordinating their being crossing guards before and after school. Throughout the year the reader learns what her older daughters are up to and how she has handled her own mother’s cancer treatment. And her husband is looking into starting a fitness franchise which has him working long hours and tightening the pocketbook.
A third book in this series is scheduled to be released in the fall.
How to Mars by David Edenbach
2.5 out of 5
I received an advance reader copy of this book through Bettie’s Pages and supplied a review.
What happens when a group of six people decide to take a one-way ticket to Mars? They’re tasked with research. They’re also tasked with being part of a reality TV show where they’ll be recorded and their plight will be shown to people on Earth. The group is able to communicate with Earth and even receive supplies (even though it takes six months for them to arrive after being shipped).
The six people hail from different countries and have different personalities. They also have different reasons for wanting to take part in this mission. After living together in close quarters the honeymoon period is bound to wear off. The book does have some quirky, weird, event witty humor throughout. And sometimes things don’t seem to make sense. I was left with an odd, “how do I feel about this book?” feeling after finishing it. I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it. But I think it’s one of those books that most will love or hate.
I wish there was more digging into the characters. I also had to get used to being in the flow of one chapter only to be jolted into something entirely different. Some chapters reveal the handbook the group is to use as a guide or even perhaps rules. Some chapters are written in report form from the point of view of one of the characters.
If you like reading offbeat things take a look at How to Mars. If you’d rather stick with something more standard you may want to pass.
Dog Man Series by Dav Pilkey
5 out of 5
Dog Man is humorous series for kids is probably one you’ve heard of if you have a child in early elementary. While the series could be read by boys and girls, it’s also filled with potty humor, which hopes to encourage boys to enjoy reading at this age. Being a graphic novel, it also appeals to boys because it’s more fun to read if you think you’re reading a comic, right? However, even as an adult I’ve read some of the books in this series and have chuckled. There are books geared toward kids that can be entertaining for kids.
The 10th book in this series was released in March. This author has also penned the Captain Underpants series, which I have not read, as well as a new Cat Kid Comic Club series introduced last fall.
Maryalene’s Humor Suggestions
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
2 out of 5 stars
Ok, you may be looking at that star rating and having some questions. I am not recommending this book because I loved it but because it seems to be near the top of every funny book list and maybe I’m just the odd man out. I enjoyed the movie, but I simply couldn’t get into the book. My GoodReads review simply says:
I did not like this one nearly as much as I wanted to, and that makes me sad.
Again, it could be just me, and you will love it. You’ll have to read it for yourself and let me know what you think.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy follows along as Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect travel through space. You see, Earth is slated for demolition and right before it is wiped off the galaxy, Ford — who is actually a researcher for the latest edition of the guide — grabs his mild-mannered human friend Arthur and skedaddles. Arthur has no clue what’s going on, but he and Ford travel across the galaxy, getting into all sorts of mischief and meeting quirky characters along the way. It’s all a bit absurd so if you like your humor grounded in reality, be forewarned.
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
4 out of 5 stars
Several years ago, I was caring for an elderly aunt who lived at an assisted living facility in Hastings. One of the not-so-funny aspects of the health care system is that whenever she needed to go to the hospital, insurance would pay for her ambulance ride there but would not cover the cost of the trip home. So I would end up driving down to the hospital at all hours, and it was on one such late night visit that I began this book. I remember sitting in the ER hoping no one would walk in while I was laughing at this unexpectedly funny story (my aunt was sleeping).
A Walk in the Woods recounts the adventure of Bill Bryson, a journalist and author, who decides to enlist an old friend to walk the Appalachian Trail with him. The first half of the book is devoted to the men’s experience on the trail and is definitely where the story shines. It loses steam during the second half although there are some interesting parts such as about Centralia, Pennsylvania where an underground fire meant the city had to be abandoned.
By the end, I was slightly annoyed with Bryson, but overall, this one was a winner for me. There is also a movie, but I didn’t think it had quite the same charm as the book.
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
4 out of 5 stars
When I think about books that made me laugh out loud, Where’d You Go Bernadette always comes to mind. I think it will be best appreciated by women who are juggling multiple responsibilities and secretly wishing they could run away from it all. I read this one back in 2016, and here’s my GoodReads review from that year:
I found this book to be absolutely, and unexpectedly, hilarious. It’s a well-done satire of families whose lives revolve around school, work and denial. If you’re looking for realism, this isn’t for you.
Most of the book is set up as a series of emails, notes and memos between the characters. I know not everyone loves this set-up for a book but it worked for me. It made for a quick and enjoyable read.
It slowed down near the end where it moved away from letters and turned into more of a narrative. That and two small sections I found to be in bad taste knocked this from 5 to 4 stars for me.
We are always looking for new books to add to our reading list! Share your favorite mystery in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
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