Funny books
recommended by comedians, novelists and scholars
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Marian Keyes’ Books, In Order
A new TV adaptation of Marian Keyes’ beloved book series about the Walsh family has brought a fresh flush of readers to the Irish author’s warm and funny domestic novels. We put together a list of Keyes’ full back catalogue to assist those searching for a new-to-them book to sink into the sofa with.
The best books on The Comic Novel, recommended by Allen MacDuffie
Literature teacher from the University of Texas says the intelligence behind the confusion in comic novels must be essentially benign – like being tickled.
The Best PG Wodehouse Books, recommended by Sophie Ratcliffe
A prolific writer sometimes oblivious to events going on around him, PG Wodehouse remains so well loved because of his enduring characters and inimitable style, says Sophie Ratcliffe, professor of English at Oxford University and editor of his letters.
Funny Books for Kids, recommended by Elys Dolan
Elys Dolan, author of Mr Bunny’s Chocolate Factory and rising star of the picture book world, on the funniest illustrated books for reading at bedtime—and why children’s characters needn’t always set good moral examples.
The best books on Jewish Humour, recommended by Ruth Wisse
Ruth Wisse, Martin Peretz Professor of Yiddish Literature and Comparative Literature Emerita at Harvard and author of No Joke: Making Jewish Humour, identifies Tevye the Dairyman as the first standup comic and Sigmund Freud as Jewish humour’s greatest analyst.
The best books on Comic Writing, recommended by Larry Doyle
What makes for great comic writing? Is it possible to say? The author and former Simpsons writer gives us his personal choice of five pitch-perfect examples
The best books on Comedy, recommended by Maz Jobrani
Actor and comic chooses five books on comedy. One choice is The Comedy Bible, which explains that every comedian is either saying, “It is hard to…” or, “I love being…” – and you need to fill in the blanks.
