Coming up on my first time off in 8 months and I’m looking for some book recommendations.
Let me tell you what I’m not interested in reading-
Murder mysteries, true crime mafia books, how-to books, I’m not interested in any history books or anything like that.
In the past my favorite books were mafia books, but I’d read about Whitey and Sammy The Bull and Gotti and I’d lose a little bit of faith in humanity every time I read those true crime books. Not exactly feel good stories.
I’m looking for the male versions of Chelsea Handler- comedy. Last year the Mrs had one of Chelsea’s books and I couldn’t put it down and literally busted out laughing every time I turned the page.
So does anyone have any suggestions for some humorous books for light reading?
Good Morning Gloucester 
So many wonderful books!! Henning Menkel (Sweden) Walander series BBC has done a few of his earlier ones. Nelson Demille – – Great writer!! Lee Child and his “Reacher” character -always a winner!! John Sanford and his Vergil Flowers character!! Could go on forever!! Have them all 100s of books. You are more than welcome to browse and borrow!! May wind up tripping over “Japanese Fabrics but its an easy fall!! I’m generally around so it you are interested send me an e-mail!!!! P.B.Miller AKA Kimono Heaven
LikeLike
Henning Menkel???
Does that sound like light hearted comedy to you?
here is the description of the first two books on his list of nooks-
The Man from Beijing
Italian Shoes
Did you read what I wrote about not wanting crime or wanting light hearted humor?
Then you mention Lee Child and the first novel listed on his website is-
Lee Child
THE AFFAIR
Nothing like a nice comedy about finding a soldiers girlfriend with her throat cut from ear to ear to brighten up my day.
LikeLike
The key is defining humor!! I do not disagree with with you comments in reference to Menkells’ or Childs’ more recent books, however, I can always find a bit of humor in each book I read!!! My intention was not to waste your time. I’ll keep my further comments for those that appreciate them!!
Do enjoy all of your daily rants and photos! Happy New Year!!!!
LikeLike
Thanks PB. happy New year to you as well!
LikeLike
Yorkie Doodle Dandy A memoir by William A. Wynne true story about a 4lb. yorkie her name was Smoky.a WII Hero. Great book you might like.
LikeLike
If you enjoy (or are at least open open to) the fantasy genre, you might enjoy the Rick Riordan books, including the Percy Jackson series. They are juvenile fiction in the fantasy genre, mixing Greek and Roman mythology with modern life, with humor throughout (not to be judged by the movie “The Lightening Thief” which is a lousy adaptation IMHO). However, they are definitely targeted at a young (adolescent) audience. I enjoy them a lot, and try not to think too much about what that might say about my personal maturity level…
For something aimed more specifically at adults, you might try books by P.G. Wodehouse. I’ve mostly read his Jeeves books, but I’ve also read a few other stories by him. He has both short stories and novels. All that I have read are light and humorous, mostly romantic comedy. His works are easy to find because most (if not all) are in the public domain, and are available in electronic formats for free. (For instance, I recently read “Love Among the Chickens”, which you can get for free from the iTunes book store.) A good place to go is the Gutenberg project which has Wodehouse’s works in various formats compatible with the Kindle and other readers.
My mother just mentioned the “Topper” books by James Thorne Smith Jr. as another possibility.
LikeLike
Adam Carolla’s “In Fifty Years We’ll All Be Chicks” Very funny – particularly if you’re a fan.
LikeLike
This might be right in my wheelhouse.
I guess I should elaborate on my definition of funny.
Funny for me does not include murder or dungeons and dragons.
I’m more of an anything to do with boobs and fart jokes kind of guy.
LikeLike
My husband is reading a book he received as a gift from our daughter ” Steve Tyler – Does the Noise in My Head Bother You”. He’s really enjoying it. Here’s his synopsis so far of the book: it’s a story about Steve’s life on the road with Aerosmith, there’s humor, sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. Don’t know if there are any fart type jokes in it though. My husband can’t put the book down, I think you’d like it !!
LikeLike
Anything by Steve Martin. He’s very, very funny and intelligent.
LikeLike
Rob says: http://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Needs-Drink-Irreverent-Parenting/dp/0385339259 Daddy Needs a Drink, which I found hilarious too.
From me: Also, http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Red-Lights-Story-Triplets/dp/0312315260 I Sleep at Red Lights was very funny for parenting-type funny.
If you like mystery, but not gore/murder – and I know you like clever cats like jj jinglenuts – the Cat Who mysteries are very funny and good – though they sound like a bit cat-lady crazy – they don’t make it so, but have charming local characters.
Bill Bryson is informative and laugh out loud. In a Sunburned Country and Thunderbolt Kid were both awesome.
David Sedaris is hilarious. Naked features this story where someone in the family would put poo on the brown towels which is not discovered until after the shower hair rubbing… very funny!
There, that should have you all set and getting some good laughs in. Your welcome! 🙂
LikeLike
Now that I think about it, some of the David Sedaris is very laughable and some of it is a bit dark humor. He has OCD and the challenges can be very poignant and the humorous parts somewhat bittersweet…
LikeLike
If you’re looking for the male version of Chelsea Handler it is definitely Tucker Max. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell is hilarious if you’re into crude humor.
LikeLike
Thank you all so much! I have made my decisions!
Tucker Max and Adam Carolla it is!
I’ll probably take the other Chelsea Handler books that i haven’t read yet as well.
Perfect!
Thanks so much for your suggestions!
LikeLike
Joey, For your back-up list–actually, I suggest you read it first– thank me later!
Following is taken from Google:
Book Description: ‘City of Thieves’ by David Benioff
Publication Date: May 15, 2008
As wise and funny as it is thrilling and original—the story of two young men on an impossible adventure.
A writer visits his retired grandparents in Florida to document their experience during the infamous siege of Leningrad. His grandmother won’t talk about it, but his grandfather reluctantly consents. The result is the captivating odyssey of two young men trying to survive against desperate odds.
Lev Beniov considers himself “built for deprivation.” He’s small, smart, and insecure, a Jewish virgin too young for the army, who spends his nights working as a volunteer firefighter with friends from his building. When a dead German paratrooper lands in his street, Lev is caught looting the body and dragged to jail, fearing for his life. He shares his cell with the charismatic and grandiose Kolya, a handsome young soldier arrested on desertion charges. Instead of the standard bullet in the back of the head, Lev and Kolya are given a shot at saving their own lives by complying with an outrageous directive: secure a dozen eggs for a powerful colonel to use in his daughter’s wedding cake. In a city cut off from all supplies and suffering unbelievable deprivation, Lev and Kolya embark on a hunt to find the impossible. A search that takes them through the dire lawlessness of Leningrad and the devastated surrounding countryside creates an unlikely bond between this earnest, lust-filled teenager and an endearing lothario with the gifts of a conman. Set within the monumental events of history, City of Thieves is an intimate coming-of-age tale with an utterly contemporary feel for how boys become men.
LikeLike
I swear no one reads what I wrote about not having any interest in death or murder mysteries.
I’m exhausted.
It’s been a grueling year of 7 days a week down the dock and I finally have some time off to chill out and get rid of the stress in my shoulders and neck.
I want light.
I want funny.
I don’t want to think about death or money or deprivation.
I want to laugh out loud.
thanks for writing in but really did you read any of this????
LikeLike
Joey,
You can get away from dark stuff by looking into my 7:29 AM suggestion of the Jeeves series by P.G. Wodehouse. Here’s what some others think:
“Wodehouse is the funniest writer—that is, the most resourceful and unflagging deliverer of fun—that the human race, a glum crowd, has yet produced.” (The New Yorker )
“A brilliantly funny writer—perhaps the most consistently funny the English language has yet produced.” (The Times [London] )
“I don’t know if I’ve ever derived such an immediate sense of calm and well-being from any book as I did from Right Ho, Jeeves. It was like I was Pac-Man and the book was a power-up.” (Lev Grossman, in Time Magazine )
Good luck,
Dave
LikeLike
Joey,
For light comedy reading, take a step back in time and read some Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse. Jeeves, the British butler, and Bertie, the bumbling playboy, are sort of like Abbot and Costello/ Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, except the humor is much more sophisticated, the plot’s are clever, and and there’s no slapstick.You could begin with a short story or two rather than a full-length novel.
Dave
LikeLike
Don’t leave home without taking a Carl Haaisen book along. l recommend “Lucky You”. Look it up.
LikeLike
In A Place Like No Other, A Novel by Ed Touchette. It’s the seventies. It’s wild. You’re there.
It’s about a bartender who works at a hotel in Rocky Neck. Funny.
LikeLike
I know you made your choice BUT for next time you should really try the Mr. and Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocey. It’s very funny and rings so true to the humor in your own life.
LikeLike
Joey – So glad you asked! Best book I’ve read in a while — The Art of Fielding by Chad Harback. First time novelist. Story about a small Midwestern college, the baseball team, and growing up even when you’re in your sixties. You will love it. I guarantee it. And, if you haven’t yet read “Cutting for Stone” read that, too. Neither one is all that funny but there are some funny parts and the authors have a sense of humor… Bonnie
LikeLike
Try a book by Steve Almond
LikeLike
This is on my to-read list. It’s supposed to be a good read, light and comical with his writing style.
Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography
by Rob Lowe
LikeLike