A year ago, I asked for recommendations of humor books. Something to make me laugh. And I got a gazillion recommendations. Without further ado, here they are:
A Way of Life Like Any Other - Darcy O'Brien
Douglas Adams (can confirm) (specific mention: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galax)
Terry Pratchett (yep)
Christopher Moore (oh, yeah) (specific mention: Practical Demonkeeping, It's a Dirty Job, Biff)
Good Omens (haven't read it, but watched the show)
The Stephanie Plum series - Janet Evanovich (I consume these in a day when they come out, and they make me laugh out loud)
The Sellout - Beatty
Dave Barry (of course!)
Jeff Strand (I've recommended books by him before) (specific mention: It's a Good Day for Voodoo, Benjamin's Parasite)
Tim Dorsey (I've read two by him, and really enjoyed them. He is super fun in person.)
Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
The Jeeves and Wooster series
Chelsea Handler (agreed)
Jen Lancaster (I'm iffy on her)
Bill Bryson (specific mention of A Walk in the Woods)
Jeremy F. Lewis's vampire series
The City Boy - Herman Wouk
John Connolly's Samuel Johnson vs. the Devil series (specific mention: The Gates (book 1)
Joe R. Lansdale (specific mention: Hap and Leonard series, Best of Short Stories, Bubba Ho-Tep) (I enjoy his horror; have not read his comedy)
Becky Clark (Fiction Can be Murder) (absolutely)
Mario Acevedo (definitely)
John Dies at the End (Enjoyable)
The Longmire novels
The Dresdan Files - Jim Butcher
The Bobby Dollar series by Tad Williams
Body - Harry Crews
Gary Reilly's Asphalt Warrior series
Nobody' Fool - Richard Russo
The Lives and Loves of a She-Devil - Fay Weldon (read this due to the recommendation - dark humor)
The Sex Lives of Cannibals
Drew Hayes
Robert Holt (specific mention: Tanzia, There are No Zombies in America)
Jeff O'Brien
Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series
Company - Max Barry
Tom Robbins
Janitor 51: Saving the World, From Midnight to Eight - Richard Griffith
Money - Martin Amis
Carl Hiaasen
Flavia de Luce books
A Simple Favor
Donald Westlake Dortmunder books
The Wicked Witches of the Midwest - Amanda Lee
In looking at my memories at this time last year, I was really struggling. Depression-wise, health-wise, etc. It's no wonder I asked for recommendations of funny books/authors. I haven't made it through half the list, but of the ones I've read, I've enjoyed them. I figure maybe someone else out there can use the mood boost I was looking for last year.
Speaking of mood boosts, the books I read this week were:
Furiously Happy, by Jenny Lawson.
If you've never read The Bloggess, a hysterical blog, you're missing out! The creator of said blog has written a couple books consisting of essays on various subjects. She's genuine, open about her mental illnesses, insane in the best way, and funny. This was just what I needed right now.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed the World, by Erik Larson.
Admittedly, I thought this one was mostly about H.H. Holmes. That's how it was recommended to me. It turned out to be far more about the Chicago World's Fair and its organizers, with snippets about Holmes. Part of me was disappointed, but the writing was good and the fair was fascinating. I was surprised at all the things first introduced at the fair, such as the Ferris Wheel and spray paint.
Since I've been down, it's been a week of familiar shows and movies. I like to pull out old favorites when I'm like this, because they provide comfort. I may write more about all of that next week. For now, I don't have any show/movie recommendations.
I spent yesterday evening putting together giveaway bundles for the big Women in Horror Month event we're putting on this Friday. So exciting! Here's hoping some people actually show up.
Now for some links. Bear in mind I'm not endorsing these, merely passing them along. Always do your own due diligence when submitting your work.
Accepting Submissions:
Dream of Shadows is seeking fantasy and horror short stories. Up to 1500 words. Pays 20 pounds.
Reckoning is seeking short speculative fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Up to 45,000 words. Pays $.08/word.
Filthy Loot is seeking stories for three anthologies: No (transgressive), Fucked Up Stories to Read in the Daytime (bizarro), and Teenage Grave (splatterpunk). Up to 3000 words. Pays $5. Closes once full.
Funny Times is seeking funny stories and cartoons. Stories should be 500-700 words. Pays $30-$60, depending upon submission.
Terse Journal is seeking poetry, essays, creative nonfiction, science fiction, flash fiction, and more. Up to 7000 words. Pays $10.
11 comments:
Sorry to hear you've been down. That sucks. I've been there. I'll have to check out The Stephanie Plum series. I've heard of it, but never got around to reading it. And I'll look into Jenny Lawson too. Thanks for sharing what you gathered!
I think you have enough humor books to keep you going for a while. Hope you don't need that list again.
I hear you about turning to familiar shows and movies when feeling down. I've got my comfort TV sitcoms that have been on a rotation lately. Hang in there!
Thank you for reminding me about Jenny Lawson, Shannon. She is a boost in such an original way. And remember spring is coming. I'm holding on to hope of change ahead.
My wife read Devil in the White City and loved it.
I'm beginning to think it must be the time frame. Maybe I should expect it each year at this time? We'll see next year. Both Evanovich and Lawson are so fun. I hope you enjoy them!
Same here! But a humor book will always find a welcome reader!
Same to you! Sounds like you need a break, too.
We're starting to see some signs of spring here, though we've got another two months worth of snow. The good thing is we'll have some gorgeous days mixed in there, too.
Are you not interested in reading it?
Good Omens is sitting in my physical TBR pile as we speak!
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