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[Vagabundo]

My wife is looking for a comedy book and I'm hoping GAF could help with some suggestions.

Here are some books she's enjoyed:

Bridget Jones Diary - just the first one,
High Fidelity,
Red Dwarf; the first book.

Any suggestions?

 

[Kano on the Phone]

I've never laughed out loud from a book like I do reading David Sedaris.

Me Talk Pretty One Day is phenomenal.

 

[Machine]

Forrest Gump (I've always liked the book more than the movie, probably because I read the book first).

 

[marrec]

Anything by Christopher Moore. Edit: Dirty Work is fantastic. So is Fool. So is Lamb...

Anything by Terry Pratchett. Edit: Literally anything. Good Omens if you don't want her to get sucked into buying every Discworld book written. Which is like 40.

 

[ymmv]

Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett - Good Omens

 

[the_painted_bird]

It's a book that can be read in a few hours, but Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut is a good one.
If she likes dark humor, then I highly recommend anything by George Saunders.

 

[Apple Sauce]

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

 

[Whimsical Phil]

Has she read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? Her appreciation of Red Dwarf makes me think she would like that.

Also, anything by Terry Pratchett.

Also, John Hodgman's two books (The Areas of My Expertise and More Information Than You Require) are both quite hilarious.

 

[Ceebs]

Anything by Christopher Moore. Edit: Dirty Work is fantastic. So is Fool. So is Lamb...

Anything by Terry Pratchett. Edit: Literally anything.

I'll echo this. I love pretty much everything Christopher Moore has written.

Bloodsucking Fiends and A Dirty Job are great places to start.

 

[Count Dookkake]

How I Became a Famous Novelist - Steve Hely

A dude is invited to an ex-gf's wedding. He has accomplished almost nothing since they last saw each other, so he figures he needs to be more impressive. He embarks on a calculated mission to become a famous novelist.

I did actually LOL at times while reading this.

 

[Vagabundo]

"Thank you, helpful people posting", she says.

Has she read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? Her appreciation of Red Dwarf makes me think she would like that.

Also, anything by Terry Pratchett.

Yeah she read that and thought it very good.

 

[Suikoguy]

Anything by Christopher Moore. Edit: Dirty Work is fantastic. So is Fool. So is Lamb...

Anything by Terry Pratchett. Edit: Literally anything.

You are probably thinking of:
A Dirty Job

Still one of my favorite listens.

 

[Weenerz]

Jim Norton - I Hate Your Guts

It's hilarious.

 

[Socreges]

When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris.

 

[Drey1082]

In 50 years we'll all be chicks.
-Adam Carolla

Pretty entertaining. The audio book is even better.

 

[Apple Sauce]

Anything by Christopher Moore. Edit: Dirty Work is fantastic. So is Fool. So is Lamb...

Anything by Terry Pratchett. Edit: Literally anything. Good Omens if you don't want her to get sucked into buying every Discworld book written. Which is like 40.

I wouldn't say anything. Night Watch was probably the last great Discworld novel.
If you're going to start I'd recommend starting with something like Guards Guards or Mort maybe Equal Rites. Basically any book where major recurring characters are introduced.

 

[marrec]

You are probably thinking of:
A Dirty Job

Still one of my favorite listens.

A Dirty Job, yes. So good.

Also, Night Watch isn't the last good Pratchett novel, Unseen Academicals was great.

 

[Pau]

I know almost every other post has mentioned him, but you need to hear it again: Terry Pratchett. If she doesn't mind jumping into a huge series, I recommend starting with Mort or Small Gods.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller is absolutely hilarious, but I recommend that she read the first couple of pages first to see if she likes that style of humor.

 

[Ceebs]

I would say the Tiffany Aching series is a great jumping off point for Terry Pratchett. They are young adult novels, but I think they are some of the best novels he has ever written (especially The Wee Free Men).

 

[Apple Sauce]

A Dirty Job, yes. So good.

Also, Night Watch isn't the last good Pratchett novel, Unseen Academicals was great.

I trust your opinion. The last book I read was Thud! When I say not great I still mean good but not a great example of the series itself which is excellent.
Although after checking Wikipedia I have high hopes for Snuff which is out in October and stars Sam Vimes!

 

[ianp622]

I second Catch-22.

 

[Vagabundo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I haven't read a lot of them myself.

I wouldn't say anything. Night Watch was probably the last great Discworld novel.
If you're going to start I'd recommend starting with something like Guards Guards or Mort maybe Equal Rites. Basically any book where major recurring characters are introduced.

I'd gone off Disc World novels a few years ago myself, but maybe I'd start with the Light Fantastic and see if she likes that. Good Omens is a great suggestion, I haven't read that in a long time, but I remember it being pretty funny.

EDIT: I think catch-22 might be a little heavy, she is looking for something a little more light hearted. Amazing book though. I'm going to have a look through the books at my Mam's charity shop see what Terry Pratchet books she has. I'd forgotten about him or maybe just thought she wouldn't like him.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

The Bible, the Quran ect.

 

[Dude Abides]

I second Catch-22.

Thirded. You have to get used to the non-linear narrative style though.

 

[Apple Sauce]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I haven't read a lot of them myself.



I'd gone off Disc World novels a few years ago myself, but maybe I'd start with the Light Fantastic and see if she likes that. Good Omens is a great suggestion, I haven't read that in a long time, but I remember it being pretty funny.

The Light Fantastic is a sequel so that may not be the best one to star with. Good Omens is brilliant though, everyone likes that.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

This wasn't a joke suggestion, by the way.
It seems quite YA and it's a quick read but it's quite witty and very British. I first read it as a young teen and a lot of the jokes went way over my head.
Later books where he's an adult can be annoying though.

 

[LQX]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

 

[Vagabundo]

I'll be disappearing to bath, feed and put the baby to bed. Thanks for all your time folks. Feel free to suggest more. I'll check again later.

The Light Fantastic is a sequel so that may not be the best one to star with. Good Omens is brilliant though, everyone likes that.



This wasn't a joke suggestion, by the way.
It seems quite YA and it's a quick read but it's quite witty and very British. I first read it as a young teen and a lot of the jokes went way over my head.
Later books where he's an adult can be annoying though.

Lol, yeah my old brain cells aren't what they used to be. I meant the Colour of Magic.

It must be twenty or so years since I read it. Wow. That's long fricken time.

I think I read through the first adrian mole book. I'll keep it in mind. I'm making a list for her.

 

[AzureRonin]

If she likes Red Dwarf maybe she'll like Incompetence by Rob Grant. I thought it was pretty funny and a great read.

 

[_Isaac]

I found Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer to be pretty funny. I don't find many books funny though.

 

[King Of Fuh]

Catch-22 is great, I loved it.

Has anybody read any of David Cross' books? I absolutely love Mr. Show, AD, and his stand up, I'm wondering if he can also deliver in book form.

 

[Buckethead]

I hear Patton Oswalts' new book is good but not 'funny' per se.

I don't see how it couldn't be, even if it's not overtly trying to be.

So maybe check that out.

 

[pineapple juice]

candide

 

[liquidatedbrains]

Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris

Funny, funny book

 

[BigGreenMat]

It is shocking this wasn't the first reply... A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole is an absolute must read by anyone, but it is also the funniest book I have ever read. It is a must read!