Book Recommendations – Funny Books That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud

In case you’re new to the Pond’s book recommendation posts, the recommendation posts are brought to you by Varian, the Pond’s very own Toadshifter who is knowledgeable in all kinds of magic! One of Varian’s ambitions is to get better at sewing, hence why whenever Varian has come up with their latest costume, they will always recommend a few books that inspired them!

Sometimes, I think we can all do with a book that makes you laugh.

Nothing feels better than reading a book that is just so charming and funny that it pulls you into the character’s world – and helps you escape the rush and mess, even if it’s for a little while. I’ve had the privilege of reading some truly hilarious books this year, so I thought I would put together a list of the books that literally made me laugh out loud – a feat, since I’m actually a very stoic reader!

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

One of my fondest memories as a teenager was watching the K-drama, Boys Over Flowers, for the first time. From the outrageous drama to the iconic exaggerated moments, I was a fan. A backlist gem, I Believe in a Thing Called Love is a tribute to tropey k-drama, and if you love that kind of comedy? You’ll love I Believe In A Thing Called Love.

• Follows Desi, a Korean-American, straight A-student, but an absolute disaster in all things in love and romance. To get elusive artist teen, Luca, to fall in love with her, she studies Korean dramas – and learns that love may be more than what she sees on the screen.
• This book is absolutely outrageous, over-the-top, and silly – but in a way that is so quirky and charming. I love the tropes, love how funny and self-depreciating the story is, and if you like that sort of exaggerated humour, then you’ll love this.
• Come for the comedy, and stay for Desi’s appa – who is probably one of the best dads in YA fiction.

Add I Believe In Thing Called Love on Goodreads.

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Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Sweet, warmly funny, and the embodiment of the word ‘delightful’, Get a Life, Chloe Brown is the perfect romantic comedy that will just brighten your day and make you smile from ear to ear.

• Follows the eponymous Chloe Brown, a chronically-ill Black woman, who, after a near-death experience, declares her life to be boring and makes a list of things that she wants to do. Shenanigans and love ensures when she recruits her mysterious and handsome superintendent, Redford, to teach her.
• If you decide to read this, if possible, please try and listen to the audiobook! Adjoa Andoh is one of the best narrators I’ve had the pleasure to listen to, and her comedic timing is phenomenal – paired with the wonderful narrative, Andoh made me burst out laughing so many times!
• The romance in this is stunning. I loved this so much; Chloe and Redford have so much chemistry.

Add Get a Life, Chloe Brown on Goodreads.

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Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

This middle-grade is absolutely adorable, and the warm and funny writing got so many genuine chuckles out of me!

• Follows Yumi, a shy young Korean girl who loves stand-up comedy! When she stumbles on a comedy camp led by her idol, Jasmine Jasper, she is mistaken for another camp-goer and accidentally leads a double-life.
• On top of being just really light-hearted and sweet, I also loved the core message of this book: how fear of failure, not failure itself, is our greatest obstacle.
• The family aspect of this book is wonderful! Yumi’s parents own a Korean BBQ restaurant and, as immigrant parents, put a lot of pressure on Yumi to succeed. The story also honestly portrays how these pressures can conflict with what children want.

Add Stand Up, Yumi Chung! on Goodreads.

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Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn

I read Heroine Complex, an adult superhero story, back in 2017 and I have very fond memories of reading it – and having so much fun and laughing at all the melodrama!

• Follows Evie Tanaka, a Japanese-American who is the personal assistant to Aveda Jupiter – superheroine and childhood best friend, who has to pose as her boss for one night, revealing a secret: that she has powers too.
• This book is just such a fun and cool read, and you’ll love how refreshing the story is, how funny it is (especially the melodrama and Aveda’s diva complex)!
• In between solving demon mysteries and kicking demon butt, it’s also a great book about friendship, love, finding yourself, and courage.

Add Heroine Complex on Goodreads.

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Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Not only is this probably my favourite book of 2020, Sal and Gabi Break the Universe is also probably the funniest book I’ve ever read! I laughed so much and had such a good time while reading this, and if you need a laugh, please read this book.

• Follows Sal, a Cuban-American and diabetic boy, who magically places a dead chicken in his classmate’s locker. While at the principal office, in comes Gabi, a Cuban-American girl who barges in and announces herself as the bully’s lawyer. From there, the two kindle a friendship – and chaos ensues.
• It’s hard to describe this book, but it’s about friendship, it’s about family, it’s about grappling with grief, and it’s about parallel universes. This book throws you into the deep end (or, Sal’s third day in his new school) and takes you for a wild ride.
• This book is just incredibly clever and witty. This is also a book where the children are absolutely smarter than the adults, and it is glorious and hilarious.

Add Sal and Gabi Break the Universe on Goodreads.

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Friend, I hope you enjoyed my list of books that made my day a little brighter or got a chuckle or a laugh from me! These books made my day, and I hope that it will make your day too.

• Have you read any of the books that we recommended? What did you think of them?
• Do you have any books that you could recommend to us?

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