Laugh-out-Loud Books

Our Laugh-out-Loud Books Collection highlights titles that bring levity to literature through satire, dark humor, or hilarious dialogue. Representing genres ranging from romantic comedies to classic children's titles, this Collection features titles to tickle every reader's funny bone.

The Taming of the Shrew

by William Shakespeare

Publication year 1593

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Gender Identity, Social Class

Tags Elizabethan Era, Comedy & Satire, Humor, Education, Education, Dramatic Literature, Romance, Classic Fiction

The Taming of the Shrew is one of William Shakespeare’s earliest comedies, probably first performed around 1593. While the play’s depiction of women is the subject of much debate among modern readers and scholars, its popularity endures, and the play continues to be reproduced in various mediums. Notable adaptations include the 1967 film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and the 1999 romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You.This guide refers to the 2014... Read The Taming of the Shrew Summary

The Tao Of Pooh

by Benjamin Hoff

Publication year 1982

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Philosophy, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Humor, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff, is an introduction to the philosophy of Taoism. Hoff uses Winnie-the-Pooh and other characters from A.A. Milne’s well-known children books to exemplify and explain these principles. The primary character, Pooh, exhibits many qualities that produce contentment. The literal meaning of Tao is “the way,” and the goal of the way is the kind of contentment that Pooh possesses.Many of the book’s passages are devoted to Taoist concepts such... Read The Tao Of Pooh Summary

The Teacher's Funeral

by Richard Peck

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Future, Family

Tags Humor, Children`s Literature, World History, Historical Fiction

In The Teacher’s Funeral (2004), Richard Peck gives a humorous, heartwarming look back at a changing time in America’s history. Narrator Russell Culver, a mischievous 15-year-old living in rural Indiana, reveals how his delight turned to dismay when his teacher died in August 1904. Peck draws on both his father’s childhood memories and his own recollections of visits to his grandparents’ farm as inspiration for the novel, which won a 2005 Christopher Award. Page citations... Read The Teacher's Funeral Summary

The Terrible Two

by Mac Barnett, Jory John

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Conflict, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Perseverance, Revenge, Forgiveness, Teamwork, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Wins & Losses, Family, Appearance & Reality, Animals, Hate & Anger, Childhood & Youth, Education

Tags Action & Adventure, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education

... Read The Terrible Two Summary

The Twits

by Roald Dahl

Publication year 1980

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Teamwork, Justice

Tags Humor, Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction

The Twits (1980) by Roald Dahl is a fantastical and absurd children’s story about a mean couple and how they are eventually outsmarted by the animals they mistreat. The Big Read listed The Twits as one of the 200 greatest books of all time according to the British public in 2003, and in 2012, the Twits appeared on a commemorative postage stamp. The book was adapted for the stage in 2007, and an animated feature... Read The Twits Summary

The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett

Publication year 2007

Genre Novella, Fiction

Tags Humor, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

British author Alan Bennett’s 2007 satirical novella The Uncommon Reader, set in modern-day Britain, focuses on the “uncommon reader”—Queen Elizabeth II—who narrates the story as she becomes passionate about reading after a random encounter with a mobile library. As she becomes more interested in reading than with the duties of the monarchy, her fascination with books has major consequences for her, her council of advisors, her family, and her position as monarch. She begins questioning... Read The Uncommon Reader Summary

The Unteachables

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Shame & Pride, Education

Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Education, Diversity, Bullying, Relationships, American Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Unteachables Summary

The Vendor of Sweets

by R. K. Narayan

Publication year 1967

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Asian Literature, Indian Literature, Children`s Literature, Asian Literature, Dramatic Literature, Humor, Classic Fiction

In R.K. Narayan’s novel The Vendor of Sweets, the tension between old and young India is the backdrop against which a father and son clash. Jagan, a 55 year old man who is steeped in tradition, is a bundle of contradictions. He is a passionate follower of Gandhi, embracing non-violent cooperation and an ascetic lifestyle. However, he is also boastful when it comes to his own self-control. It is not enough that he has renounced... Read The Vendor of Sweets Summary

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

Publication year 1700

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Social Class, Power & Greed

Tags Classic Fiction, Comedy & Satire, Restoration, British Literature, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature, Humor

The Way of the World is a play by William Congreve, first performed in 1700 at Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The Way of the World is a Restoration comedy, meaning it is a comedy written and performed in the boom of theater following the restoration of the Stuart Dynasty after the Interregnum period in England. As with many Restoration comedies, Congreve focuses his satire on the upper classes, but The Way of the World is notable... Read The Way of the World Summary