Books that make you laugh -- recommendations

[GA Russell]

Originally Posted by cassidym

If you liked Otley Victorious, I expect you'd like the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser. Fraser borrowed the character, Harry Flashman, from the book Tom Brown's School Days and puts him in the British Army in the Victorian era. Like Otley, he is a reluctant spy and gets up to hilarious adventures. Also, these are VERY accurate historical fiction.

cassidym, two years ago for Christmas my sister gave me the Flashman book about the military adventure in Abyssinia. I would rate it very highly except that it was loaded with pornographic episodes. Too bad.

[Bob T]

Originally Posted by MelC

Also, Bill Bryson's travel books are always good for a chuckle for me.

Mel

Yes me too...anything by Bryson is very funny....

Bob

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This is one sad thread. yet again, the ultimate series has not been mentioned.

If you want some real good laughs, go for the entire Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/terry-pratchett/

The Discworld series is the reason I had to buy an ebook reader. I own all the books, but they are the only books I consistently re-read, and they were in danger of falling apart.

Now they can sit happily on my shelves, to be taken down only occasionally and lovingly caressed...


Also agree with the poster who suggested Good Omens (Gaiman/Pratchett) - a great read.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

cassidym, two years ago for Christmas my sister gave me the Flashman book about the military adventure in Abyssinia. I would rate it very highly except that it was loaded with pornographic episodes. Too bad.

I love the Flashman books. I wouldn't class the more salacious passages as 'pornography'; just good honest smut - and totally in keeping with Flashman's character.
He is a cad and a coward; hardly likely to behave chivalrously if he catches a glimpse of a well-turned ankle.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I love the Flashman books. I wouldn't class the more salacious passages as 'pornography'; just good honest smut - and totally in keeping with Flashman's character.
He is a cad and a coward; hardly likely to behave chivalrously if he catches a glimpse of a well-turned ankle.

This finally pushed me into trying a Flashman book. I had no idea they were that racy
(And no, I still don't think they are - but I want to see what it's about Research and all that...)

[ShellShock]

Originally Posted by Ea

This finally pushed me into trying a Flashman book. I had no idea they were that racy
(And no, I still don't think they are - but I want to see what it's about Research and all that...)

Me too--nothing wrong with a bit of smut.

[mores]

hmmm ... porn with words ... must check out!!

[LazyScot]

I'd recommend some of the books by Robert Sheckley, Mindswap particularly, if you like a somewhat surreal sci-fi based humour (translation: his writing may well not be to everyones taste!).

And, of course, Douglas Adams to add to Terry Pratchett.

I would also add the Isabel Dalhousie Sunday Philosophers Club books by McCall Smith; its not that they're funny, it just I grew up in Edinburgh and they are some cuttingly observed that I can't help laughing. From time to time.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

I would also add the Isabel Dalhousie Sunday Philosophers Club books by McCall Smith; its not that they're funny, it just I grew up in Edinburgh and they are some cuttingly observed that I can't help laughing. From time to time.

Christopher Brookmyre is another Scottish novelist worth checking out. The novels are full of dark humour - and I love his titles.
(They do contain strong language.)

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Christopher Brookmyre is another Scottish novelist worth checking out. The novels are full of dark humour - and I love his titles.
(They do contain strong language.)

Oh, and there is the adoptive Scot Charlie Stross and his Laundry novels -- there is a free sample short story on the tor website available for free download in a variety of formats.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by mores

hmmm ... porn with words ... must check out!!

You just revealed your gender

[MickeyC]

Originally Posted by Fiona

The Discworld series is the reason I had to buy an ebook reader. I own all the books, but they are the only books I consistently re-read, and they were in danger of falling apart.

Thanks for the tip. I just downloaded the first in the series from the DC Public Library (love borrowing eBooks), and will read it on vacation.

[nohmi2]

Originally Posted by tech_au

Anyone growing up in the UK or Australia(not sure about the US) during the late 1980's will remember the hilarious narration of a troubled teenager by the name of Adrian Mole.
I was delighted to find out the other day that Sue Townsend has continued to chronicle the events of Adrian's life and last month released the 6th book.
Unfortunately I have found that only the 2 most recent books are available at UK(Wh smiths) and Australian(ReadWithoutPaper) ebook stores. Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction(2004) and Adrian Mole : The Prostate Years(2009).
I am currently reading the 2004 ebook where Adrian is 34 and struggling as an educated but quite neurotic guy living a lower class existence in London and its a crackup. Well worth reading.

I loved the Adrian Mole stories.

I joined (ReadWithoutPaper) and have downloaded the last two books which you mentioned.

Very subtle English humour, which are a hoot.

Now if I could just get some Erma Bombeck in ebooks.

Cheers.

[Lbooker]

A Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole.
The Pickwick Papers, by Charles Dickens.
And if you are intelligent on top of having a great sense of humor, you can also appreciate the human and philosophical depths of these books.

[Idoine]

Keeping in mind my mother language is french, I found "Undead and unwed" (by MaryJanice Davidson) pretty funny. I laughed out loud several times, even publicly !