Comedy-Related Book Recommendations

You know when I posted alllllll those book recommendations for noir, magical realism, and pulp a couple weeks ago, and I said I'd post if any of the other book recommendation posts I've done before came up as a memory? Well, guess what?! One did.

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.

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday (Klingon Rock) & Helpful Links

Stephen Tremp will be guest posting tomorrow, so I will be posting the Thursday helpful links today, following the [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday photo.

In celebration of my first ever time as a chaperone on one of my son's field trips, today's [Mostly] Wordless Wednesday is representing the place we'll be going: Garden of the Gods! I've previously posted a photo of one of the shapes I like to seek out. This one is no different:

I like to call this one Klingon Rock, because I see a specific kind of profile. It doesn't necessarily look like a Klingon, but that's what came to mind anyway. Or a dinosaur.

Now for the links!

Ladies, it's time to get your horror on! Dark Moon Books is taking submissions for a women's horror anthology, written by women, any horror subject. Click the link for guidelines.

THIS sounds interesting to me. I would like to note that I have not done research on this and can't swear to the validity. It is a three-month residency project for writers, where you would live in a writer-friendly building with other writers somewhere in L.A. There are costs involved.

Funny Books is taking submissions for a My Funny Road Trip anthology. This is a non-paying anthology.

I'm too old to participate in this one (I can't tell if I'm offended or amused by that), but social platform Ether is holding a contest for short stories, flash fiction, essays or poetry, less than 3000 words. There is an app for people to vote for the winner, who will then get a contract with Ether. You must be 18-25 years old to enter.

That's all for today! Tomorrow I will be posting my Getting to Know You Post on the A to Z Challenge Blog. Want to know something shocking about me? Check it out!

What do you see in the rock formation above? Any helpful links you want to pass along?

May you find your Muse.