I sometimes find that when I tell people that I love to read, they instantly put me or my books into a serious and somber category. People look to movies and television first when finding something to make them laugh. Classics like Jane Eyre aren’t exactly for everyone, according to my pre-med housemates. Luckily, not all books center around orphans turned governesses turned runaway-almost-brides. I’ve read my fair share of serious books that send me into a fit of tears, but I also have read books that put me in the awkward situation of snorting from laughter in public places (think silent nail salon). Some of these have given me the ab workout I thought I would never muster the energy to put myself through, and others were less aggressive, but equally entertaining reads. I’ve left out a few of the more obvious choices (everyone knows Bossypants is funny, okay?) and tried to include some less well known options too.
Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne
I think everyone should read this book, especially high school or even college students. One thing I love about Youth in Revolt is that its length seems extremely daunting, yet it manages to entertain throughout. This book is a great coming of age story about Nick Twisp, whom I lived vicariously through for a while. His alter ego forces him to do everything he secretly wants to do, and it sort of works out. This is a good book for people who “don’t like to read” because it’s an entertaining story about a boy who does what he wants when he wants. It’s certainly possible that I just liked the book so much because I’ve always had a dream of letting my alter ego take over my life, but just read it. It’s definitely a lighter (if physically heavy) option amidst all the textbooks and other assignments for college and high school students. A movie version of this book exists and I do not recommend it, which is part of the reason the picture I have included features the original book cover. I also really dislike when books-turned-movies update their book covers to reflect the movie, but I will save that rant for another time.
Is that an arm or a saxophone? We will never know.
A Time to be Born by Dawn Powell
This book is interesting because the story actually gets quite serious and even sad sometimes, but the characters are all ridiculous and funny in their own ways. A Time to be Born has a cynical humor to it, exposing the characters’ selfishness and greed in an entertaining and humorous way. The basic premise involves a kind of pathetic woman who moves to New York City after her boyfriend betrays and leaves her. She reconnects with an old friend from her hometown who is now a best selling author and a royal bitch.
All of the sass. Source: The Library of America
I read A Time to be Born for an American Fiction class my sophomore year of college and loved it. Powell narrates the story beautifully and managed to keep me laughing at very unexpected times. The humor here is more of a product of the writing and situations in which the characters find themselves, and I wouldn’t necessarily call the book a comedy. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the funniest and most entertaining books I’ve read. If my love-hate relationships with the characters in this book aren’t real, then I don’t know what is. An interesting note about the author: Dawn Powell’s work actually didn’t become very popular until after her death. She was also known to be a pretty wild alcoholic according to one of my professors, so that should throw in another excitement factor.
Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
The title plays off a bestselling Judy Blume book that I am embarrassed to say I still haven’t read
I love this book and have recommended it to almost all my friends. This is the one work of non-fiction I included in this list. Though I’m sure some of the stories are exaggerated, Handler kept me laughing from beginning the end. The book itself is just a simple book of different events in Handler’s life. Stories range from a trip to Costa Rica with her father to her experiences as a waitress in LA. I especially love Handler’s descriptions of the people she interacts with and her commentary on everything. Chelsea Handler sometimes gets written off as “too raunchy,” but I think she’s great and applaud her ability to hold her own in the comedy world. I think this book and her other work dispel the common notion that women aren’t as funny as men, or that women can’t joke about the same topics that men can. This book can definitely be read in a day or two, and always proves to be a good addition to a vacation or trip. Definitely take it with you for spring break. I actually picked up my copy in an airport. I have also enjoyed her other books, but Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea is my favorite.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Here lies another example of a book that isn’t an explicit comedy but includes many humorous and recognizable scenes. Set in New Jersey and the Dominican Republic, Díaz tells the story of Oscar, an awkward Dominican-American boy trying to live a fulfilling life and avoid being a loser. It’s impossible not to root for Oscar and his happiness as he faces a series of uncomfortable, dangerous, and embarrassing situations. If you’re Latino American like I am, you will probably love this book. Though I’m not Dominican, I found myself relating a lot to Oscar’s experience identifying with his culture and heritage on top of just trying to be a normal, functional human being. The book includes a lot of words and phrases in Spanish, but don’t let this stop you from reading if you don’t speak the language. The story is well worth looking up a few words in my opinion.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
I decided to end with a (perhaps) more well known book that I believe tends to get overlooked sometimes. The Hitchhiker’s Guide can be found in the science fiction section of the bookstore or library, but don’t think that you have to be obsessed with the genre to enjoy this book. I found this short read to be very refreshing and funny. The basic plot involves Arthur Dent’s journey through space after Earth has been destroyed. I also recommend this read to people who “don’t like to read” because it’s short, light, and very funny. This book definitely helped encourage me to take things less seriously and dial back my dramatic reactions to everything from a 10/10 to a 9.5. I also think The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy proves that books can be accessible and easy to read and still be enjoyable and rich. Read it! I enjoyed the movie version of this book more than I did Youth in Revolt, though I still recommend reading the book first.
(Actually) Lost in Translation 