Books That Make You Laugh Out Loud

Charmila M Sankar
4 min readAug 7, 2021
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Books build a whole new world for us to explore and take us on an unforgettable voyage. In tough times, they provide us comfort and reassure us of happiness. Here are some books that divert your mind, relieve stress, and make you laugh out loud in these pandemic times.

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde:

This book is a laugh riot and is deserved to be on any list. It is literally titled ‘A trivial comedy for serious people’ This comedy of mistaken identity is set in the Victorian Era and takes a dig at members of the high society in that period. You will laugh out loud so much at the comical outcomes of the situations, and if people are around you, they are bound to think you have gone crazy. This book has also been adapted to the screen many times. Many movies, too, had scenes inspired by this book.

You can download ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ from Project Gutenberg for free. If you do not know about Project Gutenberg, it is a library of free ebooks, and there are Kindle and Epub options for download. You can also read the HTML version online.

If you liked ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, you can also check out ‘The Ideal Husband’ and ‘The Woman od No Importance’ by the same author.

‘The Code of the Woosters’ by P.G. Wodehouse:

P.G. Wodehouse’s books are the perfect medicine for any bad mood that might be disturbing you. Please read them, laugh out loud and get yourself better almost instantaneously. ‘The Code of the Woosters’ is one of the best to get started with when it comes to Wodehouse’s books. I believe there is a play version of this book on Storytel, and if you use Storytel, it’s worth checking it out. With ‘The Code of The Woosters’, you will get hooked on Wodehouse and want to read them all. I also recommend that you check out ‘Right Ho Jeeves’, ‘Thank You Jeeves’, and ‘Jeeves and the Yule-Tide Spirit and Other Stories’, also by the same author.

‘Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome:

First published in 1889 and funny to date, this book is a hilarious account of Jerome, George and Harris on their boat expedition. They also have a dog (Montmorency). The first time I read this book, I had no idea that Montmorency was a dog, and I kept wondering why are there four men, and only when I read the word barking next to Montmorency did I realise. Funny for me that way too. This book is a gem. You’ll laugh out loud in a lot of places, and it is a quick read too. You can download it for free from Amazon, Goodreads and Project Gutenberg.

‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams:

The first in a series of books, this one starts with Arthur Dent’s house about to be demolished. While he is keen on saving his house, he learns that his friend is really an alien. The Earth is about to be destroyed, and his friend takes him on a journey or rather hitchhiking through the galaxy. The adventures, the extraordinary characters they meet, and their experiences form the rest of the plot. This book is quirky, fun and enjoyable, so give it a try and forget what’s happening around you for a while.

‘Good Omens’ — Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman:

Neil Gaiman’s books make you smile, laugh and transport you to a different world, and Terry Pratchett is a master of comedy, fantasy and satire; needless to say, their combo is just amazing. This book starts with ‘The End of Days’ being set in motion; an angel and a demon put their hands together to do what they can to save it from happening. The antichrist is misplaced as well. If you think about how can that account for comedy, you have to read it to find out. Good Omens is also available as a series to watch on Amazon Prime.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite:

Dark, funny and engrossing, you will feel that you haven’t read anything like this before. Of the two sisters, one is a nurse, and the other is a…well, it’s in the title. It is tough to explain the plot without any spoilers. Give it a read, and please share your experience.

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding:

Not your typical leading lady, but you’ll end up loving her as Bridget Jones is relatable and funny. This adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is probably the best among many others who attempted the retelling. Give this a read and laugh out loud.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella:

Revolving around Rebecca Bloomwood, who is a compulsive shopaholic, this book is a light read. Typically a rom-com, it is easy to navigate through this book. This is an excellent book if you want to start a reading habit or need a diversion.

There are many more books that give a good laugh, and these are only some. You might have your favourites too. If you do, please feel free to share in the comments. If you like this article, please share it with your friends who might like it.

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