This week from Booking Through Thursday:
What’s the funniest book you’ve read recently?
What’s the funniest book you’ve read recently?
My reading list for this year is pretty serious stuff. Much more so than I suspected. Looking back over my "Reviewed in 2009" list there's not a lot of humor on it. It's fairly rare that I laugh out loud while reading a book. I suspect that when I go for laughs I go for television, movies and plays. The funniest thing I've seen lately is The Awful Truth, directed by Leo McCarey and starring Irene Dunn and Carey Grant. If you're looking for laughs, rent it tonight.
I did read two very funny books this year, though neither was intentionally funny. Aliens Among Us by Ruth Montgomery, which I read as part of the Dewey Decimal Challenge, made me laugh out loud several times. Ms. Montgomery believed that spirits from other planets travelled to earth and took possession of important people at crucial times in history in order to guide the human race. The biggest laugh I had while reading all year came from Rider Haggard's She. How that book remains in print is beyond me. My spouse, C.J. and I listened to the book on tape while driving to Lake Tahoe. There is a scene involving a native ceremony in an underground temple that features a priestess shouting "Bring me a black goat! I must have a black goat! Bring me a black goat!" We never laughed so hard. Almost had to pull over.
I did read two genuinely funny books this year. Why We Read What We Read by Lisa Adams and John Heath is a snarky look at the books that make the best seller lists in America. I found lots to laugh at because I do enjoy snarky humor now and then. The Good Doctor by Neil Simon, based on short stories by Anton Chekhov was very funny, too. I was hoping to use the book with my students, but the final scene is "too mature" to get it past the school board.
So, if you're looking for funny books, you've come to the wrong place. In the meantime below is a short scene from The Awful Truth. Cary Grant and Irene Dunn play a sophisticated urban couple getting a divorace due to a complicated misunderstanding. They share custody of their dog, Mr. Smith.
So, if you're looking for funny books, you've come to the wrong place. In the meantime below is a short scene from The Awful Truth. Cary Grant and Irene Dunn play a sophisticated urban couple getting a divorace due to a complicated misunderstanding. They share custody of their dog, Mr. Smith.
15 comments:
I've been curious about Why We REad What We Read...will have to check into that one. Most of my funny books have been audios!
Going through my archives, I find I have done lots of serious reading. It appears, I am dry, drab and dull from my reading list if not an intellectual!
I have decided I will make an effort to read at least one funny book a month. Hope I can make it workout for me.
I am going to check out the books you mentioned here.
Booking through funny bones
That is a hilarious clip! I'm giggling. You know, The Wordy Shipmates, which I reviewed recently, was really laugh out loud, especially with Vowell narrating on the audio. You want humor, she's got it to spare!
Even if they're not funny, your picks look good. I'll have to check them out. Here is my response.
The Awful Truth is a hilarious movie. Irene Dunn is the funniest of the classic movie heroines.
If only they had some black goats in that New York apartment of theirs . . .
I watched The Awful Truth a few years ago and remember really enjoying it.
RE: Why we read
I'm super stoked that you found the book snarky. I purchased it on amazon a while back and sorta forgot about it. As it happened, while glancing at my shelves I noticed it and thought, "Hmm.., I should pick that up."
Might be in my pile for August!
RE: Why we read
I'm super stoked that you found the book snarky. I purchased it on amazon a while back and sorta forgot about it. As it happened, while glancing at my shelves I noticed it and thought, "Hmm.., I should pick that up."
Might be in my pile for August!
JoAnne, I think it easier to be funny if it's performed material, rather than read. Many times I've heard something performed and found it very funny, though I didn't when I read it.
Gautami, I have a similar problem but I'm not going to change it. I think I just go to media other than books for laughs.
Sandy, I think Sarah Vowell, like most of the people who appear on This American Life, is better performed than she is read. The audio format suits her style very well.
Susan, Just be sure to avoid She and Aliens Among Us. They were funny for the wrong reasons and not often enough.
Rose, I'll be looking for more Irene Dunn comedies. She's wonderful in The Awful Truth.
Tower of books, It's a great one. Very under-rated.
Christina, I think you have to be in a snarky mood for Why We Read What We Read, but if you are, it's a lot of fun.
Great post and wonderful clip. I have never heard the word 'snarky' before and I absolutely love it, I may have to borrow it.
I was just thinking about funny books. Why aren't they respected?
I read 13 Clocks by James Thurber this year. It reminded me of The Princess Bride.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/6853287
Great clip! Always thought Cary Grant was a very funny man. Ever seen Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House?
savidgereads, Please borrow away. It's not my word. I'm not sure of its origins either. I've heard it in popular use for just the last few years, maybe five. Anyone know where it comes from.
debnance, It's the same for movies. If you look at what gets nominated for big awards, it tends to be serious movies and serious actors.
I should give Thurber a try.
Frances, Mr. Blandings I have not seen. I should add it to my Netflix queue.
Terrific clip! Mr. Grant & Ms. Dunne were a funny pair!
As for books, I've always thought John Irving was worth a chuckle or two (esp the early books)--and the pageant scene in Owen Meany had me howling...
Thanks for the laughs.
ds, You know, you're right. I think because John Irving can so often make me cry that I forget he also makes me laugh.
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