Difference between revisions of "Top Ten Funniest Books"
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When it's cold and bleak outside, when the news is grim and depressing, when everything sucks, there's only one thing to do: open up a funny book, lose yourself in the humour, and laugh until your sides hurt. These are the books that amuse us and raise our spirits. There are spoof novels, collections of hilarious trivia, and of course, the always excellent [[:Category:Alan Bennett|Alan Bennett]]. When you've wiped the tears of laughter away from your eyes, why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites? | When it's cold and bleak outside, when the news is grim and depressing, when everything sucks, there's only one thing to do: open up a funny book, lose yourself in the humour, and laugh until your sides hurt. These are the books that amuse us and raise our spirits. There are spoof novels, collections of hilarious trivia, and of course, the always excellent [[:Category:Alan Bennett|Alan Bennett]]. When you've wiped the tears of laughter away from your eyes, why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites? | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=David Rose | |author=David Rose | ||
|title=They Call Me Naughty Lola | |title=They Call Me Naughty Lola | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=A collection of adverts from ''The London Review of Books'' Lonely Hearts column will leave you spluttering with laughter. It's a book to dip into rather than read cover-to-cover but there's something for everyone and it would make a good present. | |summary=A collection of adverts from ''The London Review of Books'' Lonely Hearts column will leave you spluttering with laughter. It's a book to dip into rather than read cover-to-cover but there's something for everyone and it would make a good present. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1861978294 |
| + | |genre=Humour | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Frank Portman | |author=Frank Portman | ||
|title=King Dork | |title=King Dork | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=Hugely funny, inventive, sexy and sharply observed, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story about a bright boy in the lower echelons of the high school pecking order. The dramatic conflict lacks a little tension, but the book is so funny, they'll be happy to forgive it. | |summary=Hugely funny, inventive, sexy and sharply observed, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story about a bright boy in the lower echelons of the high school pecking order. The dramatic conflict lacks a little tension, but the book is so funny, they'll be happy to forgive it. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0141322802 |
| + | |genre=Humour | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Bob Servant | |author=Bob Servant | ||
|title=Delete This at Your Peril: One Man's Fearless Exchanges with the Internet Spammers | |title=Delete This at Your Peril: One Man's Fearless Exchanges with the Internet Spammers | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=An often hilarious extended leg-pull. Its deserving victims - email fraudsters - get their come-uppance at the hands of Bob Servant, a creation of comic genius. | |summary=An often hilarious extended leg-pull. Its deserving victims - email fraudsters - get their come-uppance at the hands of Bob Servant, a creation of comic genius. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1841589195 |
| + | |genre=Humour | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Christopher Moore | |author=Christopher Moore | ||
|title=Lamb | |title=Lamb | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=Irreverent hilarity following a re-take on the life of Christ as it might have been. Mary Magdalene is rehabilitated as the smart gal she must have been, the disciples, parents, brothers and sisters of all the key characters get their due recognition in this witty and intelligent tale. Even some of the Romans come over as good guys. | |summary=Irreverent hilarity following a re-take on the life of Christ as it might have been. Mary Magdalene is rehabilitated as the smart gal she must have been, the disciples, parents, brothers and sisters of all the key characters get their due recognition in this witty and intelligent tale. Even some of the Romans come over as good guys. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=Moore_Lamb |
| + | |genre=Fantasy | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Russell Ash | |author=Russell Ash | ||
|title=Potty, Fartwell and Knob | |title=Potty, Fartwell and Knob | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=If you've ever trawled aghast through the 'births' column of your local paper, pitying the kiddies lumbered with fanciful or illiterate names, take heart. It's not a new phenomenon. This book proves that idiocy, cruelty or carelessness has blighted the lives of thousands over the centuries - all because of a name. | |summary=If you've ever trawled aghast through the 'births' column of your local paper, pitying the kiddies lumbered with fanciful or illiterate names, take heart. It's not a new phenomenon. This book proves that idiocy, cruelty or carelessness has blighted the lives of thousands over the centuries - all because of a name. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=075531655X |
| + | |genre=Humour | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Terry Pratchett | |author=Terry Pratchett | ||
|title=Mort | |title=Mort | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=Many consider Mort to be the finest of Pratchett's Discworld novels and this reviewer is no exception. It's funny, it's meaningful and it's interesting. In this book, in the Discworld, and in our world, it all comes back to DEATH. Don't miss it. | |summary=Many consider Mort to be the finest of Pratchett's Discworld novels and this reviewer is no exception. It's funny, it's meaningful and it's interesting. In this book, in the Discworld, and in our world, it all comes back to DEATH. Don't miss it. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=Pratchett_Mort |
| + | |genre=Fantasy | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=P K Munroe | |author=P K Munroe | ||
|title=The Thursday Night Letters: A Stamp in the Wrong Hands... | |title=The Thursday Night Letters: A Stamp in the Wrong Hands... | ||
|rating=3.5 | |rating=3.5 | ||
|summary=Actual letters to, and replies from, everyone from the Pope to Prince Philip. There's occasional wicked fun to be derived from the tone and content of the letters, and the variety of the responses. Although the idea is hardly new, there are offbeat ideas and genuinely funny moments. | |summary=Actual letters to, and replies from, everyone from the Pope to Prince Philip. There's occasional wicked fun to be derived from the tone and content of the letters, and the variety of the responses. Although the idea is hardly new, there are offbeat ideas and genuinely funny moments. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1845377486 |
| + | |genre=Humour | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Jon Canter | |author=Jon Canter | ||
|title=A Short Gentleman | |title=A Short Gentleman | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=Robert Purcell is a civil law barrister, modelled on his polite and restrained father, a High Court judge. Robert maps out his own adult life in advance, with the personal and professional accolades he expects to garner. However, his controlled and well measured life unravels in this humorous spoof biography. An enjoyable read. | |summary=Robert Purcell is a civil law barrister, modelled on his polite and restrained father, a High Court judge. Robert maps out his own adult life in advance, with the personal and professional accolades he expects to garner. However, his controlled and well measured life unravels in this humorous spoof biography. An enjoyable read. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0099492857 |
| + | |genre=Humour | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Kyle MacDonald | |author=Kyle MacDonald | ||
|title=One Red Paperclip: How a Small Piece of Stationery Turned into a Great Big Adventure | |title=One Red Paperclip: How a Small Piece of Stationery Turned into a Great Big Adventure | ||
|rating=4.5 | |rating=4.5 | ||
|summary=Kyle MacDonald takes us on his journey of bartering things you don't want until you're left with the one thing you do want, in 21 st century version of the game "Bigger and Better". His success is astonishing, and his story will make you "LOL" with all the 'awesome' and 'cool' things and people along the way. | |summary=Kyle MacDonald takes us on his journey of bartering things you don't want until you're left with the one thing you do want, in 21 st century version of the game "Bigger and Better". His success is astonishing, and his story will make you "LOL" with all the 'awesome' and 'cool' things and people along the way. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0091914523 |
| + | |genre=Traval | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Alan Bennett | |author=Alan Bennett | ||
|title=Three Stories | |title=Three Stories | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=''Three Stories'' is, well, a book containing three stories written by Alan Bennett. They are, as you would expect, very funny. The observation is, as you would expect, sublime. The dialogue is, as you would expect, spot on. The unravelling of snobbery and prejudice is, as you would expect, downright vicious. There may not be any surprises, but it's a book by Alan Bennett. It gets, as you would expect, five stars from Bookbag. | |summary=''Three Stories'' is, well, a book containing three stories written by Alan Bennett. They are, as you would expect, very funny. The observation is, as you would expect, sublime. The dialogue is, as you would expect, spot on. The unravelling of snobbery and prejudice is, as you would expect, downright vicious. There may not be any surprises, but it's a book by Alan Bennett. It gets, as you would expect, five stars from Bookbag. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=186197633X |
| + | |genre=Literary Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:17, 1 February 2024
When it's cold and bleak outside, when the news is grim and depressing, when everything sucks, there's only one thing to do: open up a funny book, lose yourself in the humour, and laugh until your sides hurt. These are the books that amuse us and raise our spirits. There are spoof novels, collections of hilarious trivia, and of course, the always excellent Alan Bennett. When you've wiped the tears of laughter away from your eyes, why not tell us about your favourites?
|
|
Review ofThey Call Me Naughty Lola by David RoseA collection of adverts from The London Review of Books Lonely Hearts column will leave you spluttering with laughter. It's a book to dip into rather than read cover-to-cover but there's something for everyone and it would make a good present. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofKing Dork by Frank PortmanHugely funny, inventive, sexy and sharply observed, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story about a bright boy in the lower echelons of the high school pecking order. The dramatic conflict lacks a little tension, but the book is so funny, they'll be happy to forgive it. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofDelete This at Your Peril: One Man's Fearless Exchanges with the Internet Spammers by Bob ServantAn often hilarious extended leg-pull. Its deserving victims - email fraudsters - get their come-uppance at the hands of Bob Servant, a creation of comic genius. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofLamb by Christopher MooreIrreverent hilarity following a re-take on the life of Christ as it might have been. Mary Magdalene is rehabilitated as the smart gal she must have been, the disciples, parents, brothers and sisters of all the key characters get their due recognition in this witty and intelligent tale. Even some of the Romans come over as good guys. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofPotty, Fartwell and Knob by Russell AshIf you've ever trawled aghast through the 'births' column of your local paper, pitying the kiddies lumbered with fanciful or illiterate names, take heart. It's not a new phenomenon. This book proves that idiocy, cruelty or carelessness has blighted the lives of thousands over the centuries - all because of a name. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofMort by Terry PratchettMany consider Mort to be the finest of Pratchett's Discworld novels and this reviewer is no exception. It's funny, it's meaningful and it's interesting. In this book, in the Discworld, and in our world, it all comes back to DEATH. Don't miss it. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Thursday Night Letters: A Stamp in the Wrong Hands... by P K MunroeActual letters to, and replies from, everyone from the Pope to Prince Philip. There's occasional wicked fun to be derived from the tone and content of the letters, and the variety of the responses. Although the idea is hardly new, there are offbeat ideas and genuinely funny moments. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofA Short Gentleman by Jon CanterRobert Purcell is a civil law barrister, modelled on his polite and restrained father, a High Court judge. Robert maps out his own adult life in advance, with the personal and professional accolades he expects to garner. However, his controlled and well measured life unravels in this humorous spoof biography. An enjoyable read. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofOne Red Paperclip: How a Small Piece of Stationery Turned into a Great Big Adventure by Kyle MacDonaldKyle MacDonald takes us on his journey of bartering things you don't want until you're left with the one thing you do want, in 21 st century version of the game "Bigger and Better". His success is astonishing, and his story will make you "LOL" with all the 'awesome' and 'cool' things and people along the way. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThree Stories by Alan BennettThree Stories is, well, a book containing three stories written by Alan Bennett. They are, as you would expect, very funny. The observation is, as you would expect, sublime. The dialogue is, as you would expect, spot on. The unravelling of snobbery and prejudice is, as you would expect, downright vicious. There may not be any surprises, but it's a book by Alan Bennett. It gets, as you would expect, five stars from Bookbag. Full Review |
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