Why am I passionate about this?

I’m primarily a music composer for film and TV, but I’ve also ventured into filmmaking, with one of my films being featured at an international film festival, so my journey in storytelling spans many years, and comedy has always been at its heart. Growing up, my father worked as a pit musician, which gave me exposure to the comedy acts of the time. Humor was a constant in our home, so when I started writing fiction, it felt only natural my writing would find a home in comedy.


I wrote...

It's All About Teddy

By Lee Darkin-Miller,

Book cover of It's All About Teddy

What is my book about?

TC is desperate to find his green-eyed angel. But after haplessly killing a promising lead with a fork, he’s sent…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Money: A Suicide Note

Lee Darkin-Miller Why did I love this book?

This book is an unyielding portrayal of the excesses of 1980s consumerism, hedonism, and self-destruction. Amis pulls no punches in his depiction of John Self, a 35-year-old director of TV commercials who lives a life of excess driven by his appetites—primarily for food, drugs, alcohol, sex, and, of course, money. Through John Self’s descent, the novel delivers a harsh commentary on the culture of greed and indulgence that characterized the decade.

The novel's portrayal of greed, addiction, and sexism rubbed some readers and critics the wrong way. Some saw it as too nihilistic or excessively grim in its critique of 1980s culture, where everything seemed for sale, including morality. However, in this age of trigger warnings, safe spaces, and pervasive purity spirals, I personally found its unapologetically gritty satire a breath of fresh air.

This book will appeal not only to fans of dark humor and satire but also to lovers of literary fiction. Amis showcases his witty, complex, and sometimes challenging style, using sophisticated prose, wordplay, and often pure metaphoric gold. His experimentation with language was particularly intriguing, reminding me of the Blue Jam monologues by comedy writer and satirist Chris Morris. Like Morris, Amis often mashes together unusual combinations of words and parts of words to create surreal yet cohesive ideas or descriptions—something that has influenced my own writing.

Amis pushes the boundaries so hard that it becomes difficult to look away from John Self, this sad and darkly mean character, as he metaphorically and methodically drives himself over the edge of a cliff that has been inching closer since page one.

By Martin Amis, Bert Krak (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Money as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One of Time's 100 best novels in the English language-by the acclaimed author of Lionel Asbo: State of England and London Fields

Part of Martin Amis's "London Trilogy," along with the novel London Fields and The Information, Money was hailed as "a sprawling, fierce, vulgar display" (The New Republic) and "exhilarating, skillful, savvy" (The Times Literary Supplement) when it made its first appearance in the mid-1980s. Amis's shocking, funny, and on-target portraits of life in the fast lane form a bold and frightening portrait of Ronald Reagan's America and Margaret Thatcher's England.

Money is the hilarious story of John Self,…


Book cover of Wilt

Lee Darkin-Miller Why did I love this book?

This is an absolute classic of the comic novel genre, so popular that it found its way onto the big screen. This dark comedy plays out more like a farce as we follow the misadventures of Henry Wilt, an underappreciated and frustrated teacher. His life spirals out of control due to a series of absurd and ridiculous misunderstandings. The novel’s momentum is driven by these absurdities and gross misinterpretations, all skillfully woven together by the flawed actions of a cast of colorful characters, each caricatured to deliver maximum comedic impact.

Tom Sharpe imbues his characters—whether it's the incompetency of the police, Wilt’s oppressive wife, or Wilt himself—with wit and cynicism. His writing is a blend of slapstick, satire, and dark comedy, frequently veering into the absurd and ridiculous. Despite the over-the-top plot, the novel maintains a consistent pace and a dry, ironic tone. As a comic novelist myself, who values both humor and investment in the story, this balance is something I pay close attention to, and Sharpe handles it masterfully throughout.

It was well-received for its humor, satire, and farcical plot. Readers and critics alike praised Tom Sharpe’s ability to blend dark themes with laugh-out-loud absurdity. The novel’s popularity led to several sequels, including The Wilt Alternative and Wilt in Nowhere, cementing Sharpe’s reputation as a master of British comic fiction. If you enjoy classic British humor filled with wit, absurdity, and farce, it is a perfect choice for you.

By Tom Sharpe,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Wilt as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

La más famosa novela de Tom Sharpe, en la que el autor no deja títere con cabeza. El protagonista, Henry Wilt, encadenado a un empleo demencial como profesor en un politécnico, acaba de ver postergado su ascenso una vez más. Mientras, las cosas no marchan mejor en casa, donde su maciza esposa, Eva, se entrega a imprevisibles arrebatos de entusiasmo por la meditación trascendental, el yoga o la última novedad recién olfateada. Wilt, que se siente impotente con respecto a su empleo, no vacila en entregarse a fantasías cada vez más asesinas y concretas acerca de su mujer, con la…


Book cover of How I Escaped My Certain Fate

Lee Darkin-Miller Why did I love this book?

It is part memoir, part commentary on the art of stand-up comedy, offering insight into Stewart Lee’s career as a comedian, his relationship with the industry, and his personal development as a performer. The title refers to his “escape” from the confines of mainstream comedy and a comedic style he no longer found fulfilling. It also alludes to the gaggle of bible-thumpers who managed to cancel his multi-award-winning show, Jerry Springer: The Opera.

The book is structured around transcripts of Lee’s live performances, annotated with his reflections on each routine. He occasionally and hilariously rips into his own flaws and shortcomings as a stand-up comedian, all while delving deep into the craft of comedy—why certain jokes work, how audiences respond, and the importance of timing, structure, and pacing. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the intellectual and emotional processes that go into creating a comedy show.

Stewart Lee is one of the most enduring comedians and comedy writers of recent times, though not necessarily one of the most well-known. He’s been dubbed the comedian’s comedian and hailed as a master in the art of stand-up comedy, which makes his book a must-read for those interested in comedy, particularly stand-up.

By Stewart Lee,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How I Escaped My Certain Fate as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Experience how it feels to be the subject of a blasphemy prosecution! Find out why 'wool' is a funny word! See how jokes work, their inner mechanisms revealed, before your astonished face!

In 2001, after over a decade in the business, Stewart Lee quit stand-up, disillusioned and drained, and went off to direct a loss-making musical, Jerry Springer: The Opera. Nine years later, How I Escaped My Certain Fate details his return to live performance, and the journey that took him from an early retirement to his position as the most critically acclaimed stand-up in Britain, the winner of BAFTAs…


Book cover of Damned

Lee Darkin-Miller Why did I love this book?

Madison Spencer is a fourteen-year-old girl who dies of a drug overdose, only to discover that she has been condemned to Hell. However, she soon realizes that the damned souls in Hell are not punished in the classic sense but are instead subjected to a monotonous, soul-crushing existence where they are forced to relive their worst experiences. With the help of a few allies she meets in Hell, Madison sets out to unravel the mysteries of her afterlife, challenge the status quo, and find a way to escape her eternal torment.

Yes, another dark comedy. But Chuck Palahniuk has a particular talent for taking what makes humans squirm and serving it with a wholesome dollop of relatable ontology. In Damned, he explores themes of the afterlife, societal norms, and human behavior, all set against the backdrop of a reimagined Hell. This Hell is not just a place of eternal suffering but a corporate-like dystopia where bureaucracy and red tape ensure inefficiency.

The book features existential dread, while Palahniuk uses humor to address serious themes, creating a novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The satire is biting, targeting various aspects of contemporary life and culture. As with most of Palahniuk’s writing (such as Choke and Fight Club), he likes to push buttons, and as the paragraphs pass, you can feel him prodding away.

But I like that. It feels like a genuine writer/reader interaction, even if uncomfortable at times. As I said, he has a talent for finding the things that make people recoil. But he knows what he’s doing. You’re in safe hands.

By Chuck Palahniuk,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Damned as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Are you there, Satan? It's me, Madison'

Meet Madison, whip-tongued daughter of a narcissistic film star and a billionaire, abandoned at a Swiss boarding school over Christmas while her parents are off adopting more orphans. Madison dies of a marijuana overdose and awakes to find herself in Hell, sharing her cell with a motley crew of young sinners that's almost too good to be true.

Welcome to the afterlife as only Palahniuk could imagine it - he makes eternal torment, well, simply divine.


Book cover of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

Lee Darkin-Miller Why did I love this book?

The story literally begins with a 100-year-old man climbing out of his window and disappearing into the night. But this is no ordinary man. No, this is Allan Karlsson, a Swedish man who has lived a long and incredibly eventful life. With only a suitcase in hand, he heads to the local bus station, where, much like in Tom Sharpe’s Wilt, he inadvertently becomes involved in a series of absurd and unpredictable events with equally absurd and unpredictable characters.

Unlike the darker tones of Palahnuik or Amis, Jonas's humor is gentle and charming, making for a much lighter read. On the surface, the story might sound rather humdrum, but as we learn more about Allan and his past, the book quickly becomes a glorious page-turner. The narrative alternates between present-day escapades and flashbacks to Allan's involvement in major historical events, including encounters with famous leaders at pivotal moments in history.

The story has a good pace, and the way Jonas weaves past and present together is incredibly well-crafted. He clearly researched his history, which is not something often seen in comedic novels. Seeing this done so well influenced my decision to start a historical comic novel rather than pursuing other ideas I had at the time. The research side of writing can be a fascinating journey—a joyous blend of creative and academic pursuits, especially when delving into history.

This book received widespread acclaim for its originality and charm. It became a bestseller in Sweden and internationally, eventually leading to a film adaptation—and quite rightly so!

By Jonas Jonasson,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


A larger-than-life old man with a fondness for vodka goes on an unexpected adventure in this whimsical novel -- perfect for fans of Forrest Gump and A Man Called Ove.

The international publishing sensation -- more than six million copies sold worldwide!

A reluctant centenarian much like Forrest Gump (if Gump were an explosives expert) decides it's not too late to start over . . .

After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he's still in good health, and in one…


Explore my book 😀

It's All About Teddy

By Lee Darkin-Miller,

Book cover of It's All About Teddy

What is my book about?

TC is desperate to find his green-eyed angel. But after haplessly killing a promising lead with a fork, he’s sent spiraling ever deeper into the criminal underworld. After stumbling upon a powdery brick of a new and dangerous drug, he acquires the help of a pair of hyper-competent siblings, tracking the source.

Things go from bad to much worse when they discover that the gang responsible for the proliferation of the drug is headed by crazed psychopath, Dexter. Now TC must take down Dexter or risk losing his green-eyed angel forever.

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The Open Road

By M.M. Holaday,

Book cover of The Open Road

M.M. Holaday Author Of The Open Road

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up a fan of an evening news segment called “On the Road with Charles Kuralt.” Kuralt spotlighted upbeat, affirmative, sometimes nostalgic stories of people and places he discovered as he traveled across the American landscape. The charming stories he told were only part of the appeal; the freedom and adventure of being on the open road ignited a spark that continues to smolder. Some of my fondest memories from childhood are our annual family road trips, and I still jump at the chance to drive across the country.

M.M.'s book list on following the open road to discover America

What is my book about?

Head West in 1865 with two life-long friends looking for adventure and who want to see the wilderness before it disappears. One is a wanderer; the other seeks a home he lost. The people they meet on their journey reflect the diverse events of this time period–settlers, adventure seekers, scientific expeditions, and Indigenous peoples–all of whom shape their lives in significant ways.

This is a story of friendship that casts a different look on a time period which often focuses only on wagon trains or gunslingers.

The Open Road

By M.M. Holaday,

What is this book about?

After four years of adventure in the frontier, Win Avery returns to his hometown on the edge of the prairie and tracks down his childhood friend, Jeb Dawson. Jeb has just lost his parents, and, in his efforts to console him, Win convinces his friend to travel west with him―to see the frontier before it is settled, while it is still unspoiled wilderness.

They embark on a free-spirited adventure, but their journey sidetracks when they befriend Meg Jameson, an accomplished horsewoman, lost on the Nebraska prairie. Traveling together through the Rocky Mountain foothills, they run into Gray Wolf, an Arapaho…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in satire, stand-up comedy, and presidential biography?

Satire 168 books
Stand-Up Comedy 12 books