Funniest book(s) you've read

A place to discuss your favorite authors and poets, Christian and secular

Funniest book(s) you've read

Postby the_wolfs_howl » Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:49 pm

I didn't see a thread like this, so I thought, why not? What is/are the funniest book(s) you've ever read?

I think I'd have to say A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I love how he keeps on talking about how awful a story it is and how if you read it you'll soon be weeping and tearing out your hair, but all the same it's hilarious. There were so many times in this series that had me laughing out loud, which I don't normally do while reading. This quote is a perfect example:

" wrote:The phrase "in the dark," as I'm sure you know, can refer not only to one's shadowy surroundings, but also to the shadowy secrets of which one might be unaware. Every day, the sun goes down over all these secrets, and so everyone is in the dark in one way or another. If you are sunbathing in a park, for instance, but you do not know that a locked cabinet is buried fifty feet beneath your blanket, then you are in the dark even though you are not actually in the dark, whereas if you are on a midnight hike, knowing full well that several ballerinas are following close behind you, then you are not in the dark even if you are in fact in the dark. Of course, it is quite possible to be in the dark in the dark, as well as to be not in the dark not in the dark, but there are so many secrets in this world that it is likely that you are always in the dark about one thing or another, whether you are in the dark in the dark or in the dark not in the dark, although the sun can go down so quickly that you may be in the dark about being in the dark in the dark, only to look around and find yourself no longer in the dark about being in the dark in the dark, but in the dark in the dark nonetheless, not only because of the dark, but because of the ballerinas in the dark, who are not in the dark about the dark, but also not in the dark about the locket cabinet, and you may be in the dark about the ballerinas digging up the locked cabinet in the dark, even though you are no longer in the dark about being in the dark and so you are in fact in the dark about being in the dark, even though you are not in the dark about being in the dark, and so you may fall into the hole that the ballerinas have dug, which is dark, in the dark, and in the park.
You can find out things about the past that you never knew. And from what you've learned, you may see some things differently in the present. You're the one that changes. Not the past.
- Ellone, Final Fantasy VIII

Image

"There's a difference between maliciously offending somebody - on purpose - and somebody being offended by...truth. If you're offended by the truth, that's your problem. I have no obligation to not offend you if I'm speaking the truth. The truth is supposed to offend you; that's how you know you don't got it."
- Brad Stine
User avatar
the_wolfs_howl
 
Posts: 3273
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:26 pm
Location: Not Paradise...yet

Postby Atria35 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:13 am

Terry Prachett has me in stitches when I read his books! The way he phrases things is definitely out of the norm, and the visual imagery is unforgettable.

Spring had come to Ank-Morpork. It wasn't immediately apparent, but there were signs that were apparent to the cognoscenti. For example, the scum on the river Ankh, that great wide slow waterway that served the double city as reservoir, sewer, and frequent morgue, had turned a particularly irridescent green.
User avatar
Atria35
 
Posts: 6295
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:30 am

Postby Fish and Chips » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:30 am

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and Candide by Voltaire.
Catch-22 wrote:As always occurred when he quarreled over principles in which he believed passionately, he would end up gasping furiously for air and blinking back bitter tears of conviction. There were many principles in which Clevinger believed passionately. He was crazy.

"Who's they?" he wanted to know. "Who, specifically, do you think is trying to murder you?"
"Every one of them," Yossarian told him.
"Every one of whom?"
"Every one of whom do you think?"
"I haven't any idea."
"Then how do you know they aren't?"
"Because …" Clevinger sputtered, and turned speechless with frustration.
Candide wrote:After the earthquake, which had destroyed three-fourths of the city of Lisbon, the sages of that country could think of no means more effectual to preserve the kingdom from utter ruin than to entertain the people with an auto-da-fe, it having been decided by the University of Coimbra, that the burning of a few people alive by a slow fire, and with great ceremony, is an infallible preventive of earthquakes... The same day there was another earthquake, which made most dreadful havoc.
Lot of similarities between these two.
User avatar
Fish and Chips
 
Posts: 4415
Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere.

Postby Atria35 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:09 am

Catch-22 was dark humor, though. I loved it, for the most part thought it was hilarious. But it was very dark humor.
User avatar
Atria35
 
Posts: 6295
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:30 am

Postby Edward » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:10 am

Although he's actually a character in a book, I thought Wit from the The Way of Kings was hilarious. I also like Terry Pratchett and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
[thread=43825]MOES[/thread] One sig to rule them all. One sig to find them. One sig to bring them all, and in 250 px or less bind them. In the land of Mordor, where the sigs do not scroll.

Real men don't sparkle, real men defeat dark wizards.

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."

chatbot 07:24 - Edward asks, do you ever give relevant answers chatty?
My answer: No
User avatar
Edward
 
Posts: 433
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 1:23 pm
Location: Neither here nor there

Postby Ante Bellum » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:22 am

A friend read a section of Catch-22 to me and now I want to read it.
Also, The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. It's actually a play, but I don't care.

I also liked the way A Series of Unfortunate Events was written. I just...never read the last one. So I don't know how it ends.
Image
User avatar
Ante Bellum
 
Posts: 1347
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:59 pm
Location: E U R O B E A T H E L L

Postby Mr. Hat'n'Clogs » Sun Apr 17, 2011 2:10 pm

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher have some pretty hilarious lines, none of which I can repeat on CAA.

Ante Bellum (post: 1472310) wrote:I also liked the way A Series of Unfortunate Events was written. I just...never read the last one. So I don't know how it ends.
This is me.
User avatar
Mr. Hat'n'Clogs
 
Posts: 2364
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 2:16 pm
Location: The Roaring Song-City

Postby Htom Sirveaux » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:09 pm

I'll throw in another vote for Terry Pratchett. The man has never written a bad book.

Also, Paul Neilan's Apathy and Other Small Victories, while as crude and vulgar as is possible to get, is undoubtedly one of the funniest books I've ever read.

And HattenCloggen's post reminded me of Glen Cook's Garret, P.I. series, which I personally prefer to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Same sort of wry, sarcastic humor that gets at least a smirk if not a full laugh.
Image
If this post seems too utterly absurd or ridiculous to be taken seriously, don't. :)
User avatar
Htom Sirveaux
 
Posts: 2429
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 6:00 pm
Location: Camp Hill, PA

Postby Atria35 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:27 pm

Hrm. Forgot to mention Bill Bryson's books I'm a Stranger Here Myself and The Mother Tongue. If I'm not smiling when reading those, I'm cracking up.
User avatar
Atria35
 
Posts: 6295
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:30 am

Postby Nanao » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:05 pm

Probably a book called The Very Bloody History of Britain Without the Boring Bits by John Farman. Basically, the English making fun of their own history. We were reading it in the car years ago, and my dad got to laughing so hard he nearly drove us off the road >_<
[color="RoyalBlue"]My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.[/color] Psalm 121:2
[color="Pink"]@)[/color][color="Green"]}~`,~[/color] Thanks, To All The CAA Moderators.
User avatar
Nanao
 
Posts: 279
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:49 pm
Location:

Postby Htom Sirveaux » Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:29 pm

Oh, also Chuch Pahlaniuk's Fight Club. Dang, that's a good book.
Image
If this post seems too utterly absurd or ridiculous to be taken seriously, don't. :)
User avatar
Htom Sirveaux
 
Posts: 2429
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 6:00 pm
Location: Camp Hill, PA

Postby raider~joseph » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:23 am

Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy?Anyone?Lines from that book series are still being used.Heck chatbot will 42 every once in a while.And come on..."Ford your turning into a penguin.Stop it."Rofl I tend to dislike sci fi books but this book is truely utterly great.
The orbital friendship cannon is gone. But its LEGACY LIVES ON IN US!
FOR PONY, FOR STUFF, FOR LUNA!

"I can has roleplaying!"
User avatar
raider~joseph
 
Posts: 245
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:32 pm
Location: In a dive to my heart. After the Luna Keyblade.

Postby Atria35 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:32 am

raider~joseph (post: 1472578) wrote:Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy?Anyone?Lines from that book series are still being used.Heck chatbot will 42 every once in a while.And come on..."Ford your turning into a penguin.Stop it."Rofl I tend to dislike sci fi books but this book is truely utterly great.


Only the first three books. THe others..... not so much >.>
User avatar
Atria35
 
Posts: 6295
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:30 am

Postby bigsleepj » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:43 am

Atlas Shrugged.

Seriously: Terry Pratchett's Moving Pictures was very funny; it was the funniest of the Discworld Novels for me, mostly because I got the jokes.

The Hitchhiker Books as well,
Unwise Toasting Sermon

The Sweet Smell of CAA
The Avatar Christian Ronin designed for me
An Avatar KhakiBlue gave to me
The avatar Termyt made for me

KhakiBlueSocks wrote:"I'm going to make you a prayer request you can't refuse..." Cue the violins. :lol:

Current Avatar by SirThinks2much - thank you very much! :thumb::)
User avatar
bigsleepj
 
Posts: 3432
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 12:00 pm
Location: South Africa - Oh yes, better believe it!

Postby Htom Sirveaux » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:00 pm

[quote="bigsleepj"]Terry Pratchett's Moving Pictures was very funny]

You know, I wholeheartedly agree there. If I had to name a favorite Discworld book so far (and I've read up through Night Watch now), I'd have to say Moving Pictures.
Image
If this post seems too utterly absurd or ridiculous to be taken seriously, don't. :)
User avatar
Htom Sirveaux
 
Posts: 2429
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 6:00 pm
Location: Camp Hill, PA

Postby Mr. Hat'n'Clogs » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:48 pm

So, if I were interested in getting into this Discworld thing, where would be the best place to start?
User avatar
Mr. Hat'n'Clogs
 
Posts: 2364
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 2:16 pm
Location: The Roaring Song-City

Postby Atria35 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:00 pm

Mr. Hat'n'Clogs (post: 1472672) wrote:So, if I were interested in getting into this Discworld thing, where would be the best place to start?


The beginning. Actually, you could probably pick up virtually any book in it and be fine, but I am just obsessive like that. I started off with the first book, The Color of Magic.
User avatar
Atria35
 
Posts: 6295
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:30 am

Postby Htom Sirveaux » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:48 pm

Yeah, that's the way I do it, too. Plus there are occasionally little in-jokes that are self-referential to the series, so when you hit one like that, it's nice to be able to laugh rather than scratch your head in puzzlement or miss it completely.
Image
If this post seems too utterly absurd or ridiculous to be taken seriously, don't. :)
User avatar
Htom Sirveaux
 
Posts: 2429
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 6:00 pm
Location: Camp Hill, PA

Postby Warrior 4 Jesus » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:18 pm

Hmm... I'm struggling to recall funny books I've read. Only four come to mind:
The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher
The Hitch-hiker's Guide the Galaxy series
Paul Jenning's short stories (some of which became the Round the Twist TV series)
Good Omens
User avatar
Warrior 4 Jesus
 
Posts: 4844
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2004 10:52 pm
Location: The driest continent that isn't Antarctica.

Postby rocklobster » Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:31 pm

If you don't laugh at least once while reading any of the Hitchhikers books, you have no funny bone.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. I appointed you to be a prophet of all nations."
--Jeremiah 1:5
Image
Hit me up on social media!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007205508246<--Facebook

I'm also on Amino as Radical Edward, and on Reddit as Rocklobster as well.


click here for my playlist!
my last fm profile!
User avatar
rocklobster
 
Posts: 8903
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:27 pm
Location: Planet Claire

Postby MomentOfInertia » Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:09 pm

Hitchhikers, Discworld and Dresden.

I know I'm forgetting something....
MAL - CAA MAL club - Avatar from Hyouka
"DaughterOfZion 06:19 - forget love, fudge conquers all. xD"
"Written assignments are never finished, only due." -me
-Speak not unless you can improve the silence.-
MOES: Members Observing Efficient Sigs
User avatar
MomentOfInertia
 
Posts: 1316
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:21 pm
Location: Around

Postby TWWK » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:06 am

All you people and your selections of witty, vulgar, or dark humor. What about something silly? As a kid, I couldn't get enough of Sideway Stories from Wayside School, and they still get to me today.
Beneath the Tangles: Where Manga Meets the Maker

In the colors of Your goodness/In the scars that mark your skin/In the currency of Grace/Is where my song begins
~ "Economy of Mercy," Switchfoot
User avatar
TWWK
 
Posts: 610
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:34 pm
Location: Texas

Postby Atria35 » Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:02 am

TWWK (post: 1473228) wrote:All you people and your selections of witty, vulgar, or dark humor. What about something silly?


I still have a children's book from when I was a kid that I did (and still do) adore: Something Good. Sideways Stories were also pretty good, although some of those were also incredibly dark and surreal. Remember the one about the 22nd floor, and the kid who got stuck in that classroom? That one nearly gave me nightmares!
User avatar
Atria35
 
Posts: 6295
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:30 am

Postby rocklobster » Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:24 pm

Dave Barry also wrote funny books. I'd recommend any of them.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. I appointed you to be a prophet of all nations."
--Jeremiah 1:5
Image
Hit me up on social media!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007205508246<--Facebook

I'm also on Amino as Radical Edward, and on Reddit as Rocklobster as well.


click here for my playlist!
my last fm profile!
User avatar
rocklobster
 
Posts: 8903
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:27 pm
Location: Planet Claire

Postby MomentOfInertia » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:17 pm

TWWK (post: 1473228) wrote:All you people and your selections of witty, vulgar, or dark humor. What about something silly? As a kid, I couldn't get enough of Sideway Stories from Wayside School, and they still get to me today.

Bah! That's what CAA is for!

Ante Bellum (post: 1392827) wrote:No, no, you don't understand! Mordor has terrible reception, I can't call anyone! The Eagles are too far away, and Sauron's after us! I don't know how long the Weasley Twins can hold them off. Hopefully Picard will come up with something but Spock's just being useless.
MAL - CAA MAL club - Avatar from Hyouka
"DaughterOfZion 06:19 - forget love, fudge conquers all. xD"
"Written assignments are never finished, only due." -me
-Speak not unless you can improve the silence.-
MOES: Members Observing Efficient Sigs
User avatar
MomentOfInertia
 
Posts: 1316
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 7:21 pm
Location: Around

Postby TWWK » Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:54 am

rocklobster (post: 1473361) wrote:Dave Barry also wrote funny books. I'd recommend any of them.


Dave Barry's a riot - I used to love his column (though I haven't read any of his books).

Though Barry's a journalist, not a comedian, he reminds me of the few books I've read which were written by comedians. The best and funniest were by Paul Reiser - Babyhood, particularly.
Beneath the Tangles: Where Manga Meets the Maker

In the colors of Your goodness/In the scars that mark your skin/In the currency of Grace/Is where my song begins
~ "Economy of Mercy," Switchfoot
User avatar
TWWK
 
Posts: 610
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:34 pm
Location: Texas

Postby rocklobster » Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:02 pm

If you've read his columns, you've read his books. Many of them are just collections of his columns, although he has written some that weren't.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. I appointed you to be a prophet of all nations."
--Jeremiah 1:5
Image
Hit me up on social media!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007205508246<--Facebook

I'm also on Amino as Radical Edward, and on Reddit as Rocklobster as well.


click here for my playlist!
my last fm profile!
User avatar
rocklobster
 
Posts: 8903
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:27 pm
Location: Planet Claire


Return to Book Corner

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 78 guests