15 Funny Books You Should Read, Because Sometimes Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine

Kurt Vonnegut is king of comedy when it comes to literature. Breakfast of Champions is a wacky view of 1970s America, as seen by a brutal, old writer. This classic satire and will definitely make you LOL.

Whenever I’m sad, I turn to Nick Hornby for a laugh. In this classic and humorous tale of protagonist Rob Flemming (a guy who just can’t seem to grow up), Hornby pulls out all the stops. It’s a comical coming of age story that will make you want to read all of Hornby’s witty classics.

If you haven’t spent hours watching and laughing at Miranda Sings on YouTube, you are sooo missing out. In her debut book, this YouTube star offers hysterical advice on how to live your life. Heartwarming and hilarious, you won’t be able to put this book down.

Obviously David Sedaris is one today’s funniest writer, so it’s no surprise that Me Talk Pretty One Day is the ultimate humor classic. Sedaris moves to Paris and tries to learn French (and comically adapt). You might wet your pants while you read this one.

Oh aging, something (for some stupid reason) we dread as women. Funny gal Nora Ephron hits all the right notes in this book about being a woman. Including worrying about a wrinkled neck … eek!

Chelsea Handler’s super absurd life will have you doubled over, laughing and crying. Her insane (and very funny) book will lift your heart as you follow her through a series of family problems, relationships, and success. You just might want to be besties with Handler ASAP.

The first time I read this book I laughed so loudly on the subway that people thought I was mad. A story of a drunken college professor making his way through uppity English society will have you slapping your knees. This book is considered by many to be the funniest book of the later half of the 20th century.

Written by SNL funny man Jack Handley, The Stench of Honolulu doesn’t disappoint. It’s a hilarious adventure about tourism and the absurdity of life. You may or may not want to plan a tropical adventure after you finish this book.

Why should you read this classic? Because making fun of Victorian society is always funny. Oscar Wilde comedic outlook on the people and places of his time are impeccably accurate and funny.

While Lena Dunham’s collection of essays will give you the feels, she’s got a perfectly funny outlook on life. Her wit and humor come so naturally as she tells the story of her life – making relationship troubles and growing up that much more bearable.

Main character John Self is an indulgent man living for money, sex, drugs, and fast food. It’s an extremely funny book that will make you laugh until you cry. You might even gain some perspective on your own bad habits and absurdities.

Seriously…this is not just a wildly funny book, but it’s a warm and uplifting read (as warm as you’d imagine Ellen to be). She’s the most lovable human on TV and in these funny stories, she describes ups and downs – and more importantly why she left American Idol. Spoiler: She just couldn’t be mean! Aww, Ellen.

Seems simple enough right? Just be yourself. Hah! In this amusing book, Caitlin Moran tackles feminism and how to navigate sexuality today. She shares her personal stories about relationships, the workplace, and obnoxious celeb magazines. It’s funny and powerful.

Sarah Silverman wet the bed until her teens. And, that’s not even the funny part. This book is full of funny genitalia jokes and pee humor, but more importantly, it’s about overcoming self-doubt. So, yep, it’s a good read.