The best books that make me LOL

If you want to spend the day laughing, check out The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s wacky, weird, strangely wise, and very funny. The story begins when the Earth is about to be demolished to make way for a galactic freeway. The main character, Arthur Dent, is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, and together the pair begin a wild and crazy journey through space. They meet a galaxy of fellow travelers who are all unique characters with their own issues and goals. What I like best about this book are the pearls of wisdom that are so cleverly mixed in with the pure silliness and total randomness. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one book, it’d be this one. Oh, and I’d bring a towel too! (The most useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.)

Hyperbole and a Half is like a honey-roasted almond – salty and sweet at the same time. Author Allie Brosh offers snippets of her life growing up, some which are mundane, and others which recount her struggle with depression – and all which are told with brutal honesty, sharp wit, and amazing humor. The illustrated comic-like book explains what it feels like to be human which, let’s face it, isn’t always great. What is great is the absolute hilarity with which Brosh describes ordinary events, such as a letter she wrote to her future self and her love of dogs as a child. I feel like I got to know Brosh so well through this skinny little book, she’s now kind of my imaginary best friend. Hmmm.

I was hooked after the first sentence. The story starts with Colin, the main character, having just been dumped for the 19th time by a girl named Katherine, because he only dates girls with that name. To me, the premise is so funny, and so are Colin’s explanations of each relationship. As Colin embarks on a road trip with his best friend, he hilariously recounts his time with each Katherine, referring to them by their numbers such as Katherine V, Katherine X, and the most current, Katherine XIX, who he hopes will be different. But come on Colin, haven’t the first 18 Katherines taught you anything? I love that Colin is such an oddly adorable insecure teen. I loved following him through this story as he learns a little more about life and a lot more about love.

“Bittersweet” is the best word I can use to describe Finding Audrey. The story is about a fourteen-year-old girl whose life is disrupted by an anxiety disorder. What I like so much about this book is that it’s not depressing. The story brings to light a serious problem with a lot of levity and charm. I can really empathize with Audrey during her trip back to sanity after being bullied out of school. I laughed a lot, teared up a little, and smiled as Audrey is set on a new path, thanks in part to a pretty sweet romantic connection. The romance was totally unexpected and unfolds very naturally. The author’s light tone on this serious subject reminds me of the sage advice from the wise and wonderful Mary Poppins: a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down. 

I admit, I had to take a minute to figure out what it was about this crazy book that I like so much. I mean it’s really just a book filled with useless dribble from two ordinary guys, Phil and Dan, who met at a One Directions concert. The book features excerpts from Phil’s teenage diary, text from Dan’s 12-year-old website, and instructions on how to draw cat whiskers. I think what I like is its serious look at nonsense topics, which are examined in minute detail, complete awkwardness, and abounding humor. You’ll learn absolutely nothing (except why Phil was a weird kid and what Dan looked like in his skater clothes) but you’ll laugh on every page. I consider this “book candy.” Is candy something we need to survive in this world? No, of course not. But once in a while, it’s amazing when you get a great piece.