Comedy is a highly under-appreciated genre in books. Most often, humour is thought to be secondary to other genres, such as romance or memoir. But that is a very simplistic way of categorizing. Books characterized by humour are some of the most enjoyable experiences of reading. So here’s a list of books from 2021 that make you smile. These are best humorous books of 2021.
Books From 2021 That Make You Smile | Best Humorous Books of 2021:
She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson
This collection of essays by the comedian Quinta Brunson reveals a life infused with humour. Drawing on her experiences of viral internet media, Instagram fame through videos and memes and millennial observations, she crafts a terrific book about modernity. As always, her content is rib-ticklingly funny.
Yearbook by Seth Rogen
Stand-up comedian Rogen comes out with his extremely humorous book fashioned like a yearbook. Here, he talks about his experiences as a Jewish teenager stand-up comedian, using religion and profession to laugh at himself. Also present in the book are his travel experiences, which enhance his humour to the next level.
Penny Pinching Tips for the Morally Bankrupt by Libby Marshall
This collection of short stories and essays will definitely make you laugh until your stomach and cheeks hurt. As the title suggests, they’re infused with wry, sarcastic and punny humour. One story follows an unhappy housewife hiring a garden hermit like in the 18th century. Another follows an elderly serial killer in a nursing home finding renewed purpose after his high school nemesis moves across the hall.
You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar
This book by the sister comedian duo Ruffin and Lamar flips the racism seriousness into a light hearted satire on racists. The wildly funny performers on The Amber Ruffin Show and Late Nights With Seth Meyers bring to the table heartly laughter on real life anecdotes. These stories are insightful yet at the same time light enough to warrant laughs.
Big Time by Jen Spyra
The writer of this short story collection is also the writer of The Late James Colbert Show – and both are a riot of laughter. In these, a bride joins a workout class to get in shape, a rude snowman comes to life at a child’s wish and an aspiring Hollywood treads her way through glamour.
Notes from the Bathroom Line edited by Amy Solomon
This anthology is a collection of pieces of humour from the best female comedians of the current day and age. These include Aisling Bea, Margaret Cho, Rhea Butcher, Jo Firestone and more. This is also a mishmash of cartoon works, essays, stories, anecdotes and more in a ground-breaking mix.
I am Not a Wolf by Dan Sheehan
In this fantastic humour book, a wolf in the guise of a man attempts to do life. He tries to climb up the corporate ladder, engage in online dating and navigate social media. As much as this is a hilarious book full of situational comedy, it is a poignant story about fitting in where you’re different. It’s an attempt to make sense of an alien world, from the perspective of a lonely predator.
New Teeth by Simon Rich
This collection of short stories about growing up, childhood and parenting is an intimate and hugely humorous book by the comedian Rich. Two pirates kidnap a baby and struggle with babysitting, a woman raised by wolves prepares for her parents’ Thanksgiving and a corporate leader bashes a superhero.
Act Like You Got Some Sense by Jamie Foxx
This is the memoir of popular entertainer Jamie Foxx, which combines humour and hearty laughter with poignance and silent tears. It gives a look into a life of glamour – Academy and Emmy awards, dinners with presidents and a more personal life – as a daughter to two wonderful young women.
Also Read: 10 Best Books by African Authors in 2021
