Fiction_L Archives Humor Dates: 3/14/01,4:07 PM  through  4/21/01,3:02 PM  (85 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to March 2001 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:07 PM

I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: "ROBIN BEERBOWER" <[removed]@mail.open.org>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:18 PM

I love Jane Heller, Bill Bryson, and WATERMELON by Marian Keyes (sorry to say I didn't think her follow-up novels were as funny, but there may be those who disagree).

I also love Dave Barry's newspaper columns and books.

Robin Beerbower
Salem (OR) Public Library
[removed]@open.org

>>> Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us> 03/14 1:56 PM >>>
I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:18 PM

My favorite current humor writer is Patrick McManus, who writes a humor
column for Outdoor Life, but does not confine his humor to hunting and
fishing. In one of his older collections, "Rubber Legs and White
Tail-Hairs" he has an essay on "Summer Reading" that anyone who does RA will
enjoy. His latest collection "The Deer on A Bicycle: Excursions into the
Writing of Humor" is not only a short course in writing funny stuff but
includes several of his best pieces, including the one about the deer on a
bicycle and "Mean Tents".

........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac


-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Nagle [[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 4:57 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor


I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:28 PM

Terry Pratchett


Marsha Valance
Regional Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>

>>> [removed]@co.carver.mn.us 03/14/01 03:56PM >>>
I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: "Community Relations Department" <[removed]@orion.org>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:28 PM

The book that had me laughing out loud, tears rolling down my cheek, wanting
to read it aloud to my co-worker but being unable because I was laughing so
hard I couldn't speak was "Naked" by David Sedaris. He has several other
books, but this was the best.

Nancy Parry McCluer
Community Relations Department
Springfield-Greene County Library
Springfield, MO [removed]@orion.org
http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sarah Nagle" <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us>
To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 3:56 PM
Subject: Humor


> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
> Library.
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Erin Saylor - LIBRARYX <[removed]@mail.maricopa.gov>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:39 PM

I think that Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum mystery series (_One for the
Money_, _Two for the Dough_ . . . _Seven Up_ will be out this summer) are
laugh-out-loud funny.

Erin B. Saylor

Adult Services Librarian
North Central Regional Branch
Maricopa County Library System
17811 N. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602)506-0189

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Nagle [[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 2:57 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor


I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: Mary Ann Bakken <[removed]@linc.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:39 PM

As has been said before, humor is a pretty subjective thing, but I always
look for Dave Barry's column in the Sunday paper before I read anything
else. His books don't seem to grab me though. I adore Joan Hess' Maggody
series, but you have to be willing to suspend all belief and be ready to be
taken in by the truly bizarre. A charmingly amusing book that I am currently
recommending to everyone is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross. It's
a droll tale of a somewhat meek woman whose husband, a pillar of
righteousness in a small bible-belt community, dies suddenly. His legacy to
her includes his wrong-side-of-the-tracks mistress, and an illegitimate son.
Not one to wither away, Miss Julia confronts the situation head on, and
comes out on top. Great fun. Bad guys lose, good guys win.

Mary Ann Bakken
St. Charles (IL) Public Library


> ----------
> From: Sarah Nagle[[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
> Reply To: Fiction_L
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 4:00 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Humor
>
> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
> you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
> the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
> funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
> are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
> when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
> Library.
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: Lynne Welch <[removed]@oplin.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:50 PM

Hi Sarah,
I just finished THE TROUBLE WITH MARY by Millie Criswell and it was
a hoot. It simultaneously operates on several fronts and should be popular
with a wide range of patrons. Cooking (Mary starts up her own restaurant
after her boss suddenly dies, and each chapter begins with a yummy-sounding
recipe), chocolate (this woman lives for it, in any form!), family
relationships (what can I say but that you can't pick your relatives, and
Mary is fully & ruefully aware of it) are all mixed up in Mary's search for
a life of her own & her family's attempts to bring her "back home where she
belongs." Highly recommended!
HTH,
Lynne

At 03:56 PM 03/14/2001 -0600, you wrote:
> <beginning snipped> Who is the funniest
>writer today, or what is the funniest book
>you've read recently?

Lynne Welch, Reference Librarian
Herrick Memorial Library - Wellington, OH 44090
tel. 440-647-2120 fax 440-647-2103
e-mail [removed]@oplin.lib.oh.us
<http://www.wellington.lib.oh.us>

FROM: Cathy Reid <[removed]@ccpl.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 4:50 PM

I've read several of Jane Heller's books and find them to be pretty funny.
Jennifer Crusie's books are amusing, too. I haven't read it recently, but
Handling Sin by Michael Malone is absolutely the funniest book I've ever
read--one of the only novels that has caused me to laugh out loud almost
cover to cover.

As for columnists, nobody can make me laugh like Dave Barry! BTW, he's
going to be speaking here in Springfield as part of our library's Speaker
Series on March 27--I can't wait!

Cathy Reid
Clark County Public Library
Springfield, OH

FROM: "Lynn K. Silence" <[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 5:01 PM

Dave Barry can always make me laugh, although I enjoy his columns and his
non-fiction better than his last novel. Will Manley is probably too
librarian to appeal to civilians, but he is a hoot! Anne George's
mysteries with the two sisters are very funny. To recapitulate the recent
string about the Discworld, Terry Pratchett is very witty and funny.

lks


At 03:56 PM 3/14/2001 -0600, you wrote:
>I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
>did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
>Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
>writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
>several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
>combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
>magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
>Library.
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
>
Lynn K. Silence Manager, Collection Development
St. Louis County Library
300 Clarkson Road Ellisville, Missouri 63011
Voice: 636-227-1138 Fax: 636-227-9632
"The librarians of today...are not fiery dragons
interposed between the people and the books."
Sir William Osler

FROM: "JD Schaefer" <[removed]@home.com>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 5:01 PM

Mine are the Inspector Frost series out of England. I'm an oddball and
don't much care for Monty Python but the Frost books bring tears to my eyes.
JD Schaefer
Curator of my own meager 3000 books and growing

FROM: "Lisa Colcord" <[removed]@ci.glendale.az.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 5:11 PM

Speaking of Dave Barry, I recently read Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs and laughed so hard I was hysterical. (I won't mention what else I did!)

I also laugh when I read Janet Evanovich and loved Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Banks for the same reason.

Lisa

>>> [removed]@mail.open.org 03/14/01 15:14 PM >>>
I love Jane Heller, Bill Bryson, and WATERMELON by Marian Keyes (sorry to say I didn't think her follow-up novels were as funny, but there may be those who disagree).

I also love Dave Barry's newspaper columns and books.

Robin Beerbower
Salem (OR) Public Library
[removed]@open.org

>>> Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us> 03/14 1:56 PM >>>
I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: "ROBIN BEERBOWER" <[removed]@mail.open.org>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 5:43 PM

Bringing up Will Manley reminds me that Bill Ott, editor of Booklist, has a wicked sense of humor. I always have to remind myself to read the back page of Booklist as it is easily overlooked. Be sure to read his column in the Editor's Choice issue (January 2001, I think); it is hilarious.

Robin Beerbower
Salem (OR) Public Library
[removed]@open.org

>>> "Lynn K. Silence" <[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us> 03/14 2:27 PM >>>
Dave Barry can always make me laugh, although I enjoy his columns and his
non-fiction better than his last novel. Will Manley is probably too
librarian to appeal to civilians, but he is a hoot! Anne George's
mysteries with the two sisters are very funny. To recapitulate the recent
string about the Discworld, Terry Pratchett is very witty and funny.

lks


At 03:56 PM 3/14/2001 -0600, you wrote:
>I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
>did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
>Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
>writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
>several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
>combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
>magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
>Library.
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
>
Lynn K. Silence Manager, Collection Development
St. Louis County Library
300 Clarkson Road Ellisville, Missouri 63011
Voice: 636-227-1138 Fax: 636-227-9632
"The librarians of today...are not fiery dragons
interposed between the people and the books."
Sir William Osler

FROM: "A Hansen" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 6:26 PM

I recently read the book, Fat Bald Jeff, by Leslie Stella and almost died of
laughter! The main character is a copyeditor for the "National Library
Association" in Chicago (hee hee). She pretty much hates everyone she works
with and, under strange circumstances, teams up with the computer
techie-geek (Fat Bald Jeff) and tries to sabotage the organization.
Hysterical! Numerous library references, and her description of the IT
department includes possibly the funniest passages I've ever read! Of
course, I would never miss any book by David Sedaris and Marian Keyes -
always a joy!

Angela Hansen
Librarian - Davenport Public Library
[removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us


>From: Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Humor
>Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 15:56:56 -0600
>
>I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
>you
>did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
>the
>Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
>funniest
>writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
>several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
>when
>combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
>magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
>Library.
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: "Brenda O'Brien" <[removed]@sls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 6:59 PM

I thought Dave Barry's first novel, Big Trouble, was hilarious. I like
many, but not most of his columns.

Bill Bryson is very funny, most of the time. I'm A Stranger Here Myself
is my favorite to recommend. A Walk in the Woods is funny but a bit
cruder, and In a Sunburned Country is very funny in spots, but more about
how Australia is weirdly dangerous.

Anne George and Jill Churchill are funny mystery writers. Dana Stabenow's
Breakup is hilarious in an otherwise serious Alaskan mystery series, and
Rita Mae Brown's mysteries are funny, but not a patch on Bingo and Six of
One. Janet Evanovich is extremely funny; I love Grandma Mazur and
Stephanie's car problems.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie are funny contemporary
romance writers.

Terry Pratchett is probably the funniest, and he also makes you think.

Great idea, by the way. I have a long running small book display called
"Good For a Laugh" that patrons won't let me take down. It's 12 books,
face out, and I always need new authors to display there. I can always
use more humor in my life, and can't we all?

Brenda O'Brien
Woodridge Public Library
[removed]@sls.lib.il.us

FROM: Melissa Norton <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 6:59 PM

Carl Hiaasen (newspapers & fiction)
Janet Evanovich (mystery)
Susan Elizabeth Phillips (contemporary romance)
Dave Barry (newspapers & humor)
John Gould (regional humor)
Helen Fielding's BRIDGET JONES books
David Sedaris (essays)

Rick Reilly's columns in Sports Illustrated can be
both hysterical and heartbreaking.

Melissa


--- Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us> wrote:
> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which
> you all posted. As you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another
> question (again for the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to
> present). Who is the funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've
> read recently? There are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to
> be a popular topic when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop
> at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks,
> Sarah Nagle, Carver County
> Library.
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

FROM: "Karla Steffen" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 8:45 PM

The consistently funniest thing in the world right now is a parody
newspaper, "The Onion" out of Madison, Wisconsin (although I've heard rumors
they're moving to New York City). The weekly paper is available free in
cities near Wisconsin (Chicago, etc.), by subscription, or online at
www.theonion.com with a new issue every Wednesday. They've also published a
collection called The Onion's Finest News Reporting, and have an amazing
collection of original articles in the book Our Dumb Century, which is far
and above one of the funniest books I've ever seen, and which I believe was
a bestseller for a period. The writing is extremely intelligent and
original, and never fails to make me laugh out loud, no matter how bad my
mood or how austere my surroundings. Their current events reports prove
that truth really is stranger than fiction. I often get my news from The
Onion, and save The Times for the crossword puzzle.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: Sharon Weinberg <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 9:05 PM

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby was one of the funniest books
that I had read in a long time.
Sharon
On Wed, 14 Mar 2001, Sarah Nagle wrote:

> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
> Library.
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

--
Sharon Weinberg
Skokie Public Library <http://www.skokie.lib.il.us>
Phone: (847) 673-7774
E-mail: [removed]@skokie.lib.il.us

FROM: "Janet Lawson" <[removed]@BookBrowser.com>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 9:05 PM

:> High Fidelity by Nick Hornby was one of the funniest books
:>that I had read in a long time.

And a great movie with John Cusack!

-janet


Janet Lawson, Proprietor
BookBrowser: The Guide for Avid Readers
http://www.BookBrowser.com <http://www.BookBrowser.com>

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/14/01, 10:29 PM

Here's some titles I found laugh-out-loud funny:

1. <Holidays on Ice> by David Sedaris -- only the part about his
experiences as a Macy's Santa Claus
2. the first <Bridget Jones> book, as read on audio tape--I loved it. I
rolled. I cried. The narrator reads with a British accent, and quite
dramatically-- adds quite a bit to the text. I was driving back from a
library conference in Columbus, and it was the best drive I've ever had.
3. <Letters From a Nut> by Ted Nancy (actually Jerry Seinfield). If you
haven't read this one, treat yourself. You must, you must, you must.
4. the Janet Evanovitch "Stephanie Plum" books
5. some of the Junie B. Jones books (yes, these are children's books)
6. Blabber Mouth by Morris Gleitzman (also a children's book)

Maggie Bollar
Youth Services Librarian
New Carlisle Public Library
111 East Lake Avenue
New Carlisle, Ohio 45344
937-845-3601 (voice)
937-845-0908 (fax)
"Play is not necessarily frivolous. It's not a synonym for the trivial."
-Tom Robbins

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/14/01, 11:00 PM

In a message dated 3/14/2001 4:59:37 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[removed]@co.carver.mn.us writes:

<<
I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library. >>

One of the funniest books I've ever read is Jennifer Crusie's ANYONE BUT YOU.
It was written for the Love & Laughter line (Harlequin or Silhouette),
before she started making the bestseller lists. I laughed so hard I cried.
And then I bought 7 more copies of the book and sent them to friends. I told
them not to give the books back - just to keep them circulating to anyone who
needed a lift to their spirits. Outstanding!

BTW - the book had a basset hound named Fred. The hero & heroine's names
were slightly less memorable - although I'm sure their ears were shorter. <g>

Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarain

FROM: Spencer Ms Martha <[removed]@usmc-mccs.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 7:37 AM

I think The Onion is available online. My son introduced me to it. And the
narrator for Bridget Jones's Diary is Barbara Rosenblat, who is one of the
very best female narrators.

Martha

-----Original Message-----
From: Karla Steffen [[removed]@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 6:36 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: funniest writers


The consistently funniest thing in the world right now is a parody
newspaper, "The Onion" out of Madison, Wisconsin (although I've heard rumors

they're moving to New York City). The weekly paper is available free in
cities near Wisconsin (Chicago, etc.), by subscription, or online at
www.theonion.com with a new issue every Wednesday. They've also published a

collection called The Onion's Finest News Reporting, and have an amazing
collection of original articles in the book Our Dumb Century, which is far
and above one of the funniest books I've ever seen, and which I believe was
a bestseller for a period. The writing is extremely intelligent and
original, and never fails to make me laugh out loud, no matter how bad my
mood or how austere my surroundings. Their current events reports prove
that truth really is stranger than fiction. I often get my news from The
Onion, and save The Times for the crossword puzzle.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: "Karen A.K. Keller" <[removed]@tln.lib.mi.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 7:59 AM

The two titles I would suggest include humor and some seriousness though
the humor is high caliber and the book overall is not depressing.

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
The Watson Go To Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library

FROM: "JD Schaefer" <[removed]@home.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 7:59 AM

The Donald Westlake stories about Dortmunder are very funny, especiall "Hot
Rock" and the "Bank Job", the former was made into a movie that had limited
appeal.

JD Schaefer

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 8:09 AM

I'd like to recommend three of humor's Old Masters: Robert Benchley, S.J.
Perelman, and P.G. Wodehouse. Some of their stuff is a little dated, but
they can still brighten a dreary day. Perelman's "Acres and Pains" should
be read by anybody who decides to get a nice place in the country, and his
essay "Anna Trivia Pluralized" takes the scholarship of James Joyce to an
interesting extreme. Benchley was always generous and good-natured, and his
essay "Christmas Afternoon" in the manner of Dickens is priceless. And
Wodehouse's stories have a certain inspired daftness about them that defies
description.

None of the three is edgy, in-your-face, or any of the similar contemporary
terms of praise, but they're good reads anyway.

If you go in for the slightly more curmudgeonly, Florence King's
"Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady" has much to recommend it. Somewhere
in there she describes what happened to a librarian acquaintance every time
some genealogy ladies got of some new ideas about Mary Queen of Scots from
historical novels or popular biographies.
........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

FROM: "Archer, Ann" <[removed]@library.ottawa.on.ca>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 8:40 AM

I've just finished reading My LIfe on a Plate by India Knight, very
amusing, in the vein of Bridget Jones's Diary. As well another very funny
recent British novel is Lucy Sullivan's Getting Married by Marian Keyes. A
bit pat in the endings (in all cases), but riotously funny getting there.

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Nagle
To: Fiction_L
Sent: 14/03/01 4:56 PM
Subject: Humor

I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver
County
Library.

FROM: "Wendy Garmatter" <[removed]@oplin.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 9:01 AM

Another vote for McManus.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathleen Stipek [[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 5:07 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Humor


My favorite current humor writer is Patrick McManus, who writes a humor
column for Outdoor Life, but does not confine his humor to hunting and
fishing. In one of his older collections, "Rubber Legs and White
Tail-Hairs" he has an essay on "Summer Reading" that anyone who does RA will
enjoy. His latest collection "The Deer on A Bicycle: Excursions into the
Writing of Humor" is not only a short course in writing funny stuff but
includes several of his best pieces, including the one about the deer on a
bicycle and "Mean Tents".

........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac


-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Nagle [[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 4:57 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor


I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: "Denese Young" <[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 9:32 AM

"Who is the funniest writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently?"

Humor is MY genre, so even though I've not done this before, and may be doing it wrong, i had to reply. Terry Pratchett is, by far, the greatest, but there's also Dave Barry, Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, Anne George, Floyd Kemske (humorous horror), Helen Fielding, Christopher Buckely, Douglas Adams, Tom Holt, Robert Asprin, Barry Hughart, Spider Robinson, Dorothy Cannell, and Carl Hiaasen. I just finished a book called MY LIFE ON A PLATE by India Knight that made me laugh out loud, and I just started reading Donald E. Westlake's Dortmunder books. I'm sure I could think of more, but I think this is enough.

Denese Young
[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us

FROM: "Lynn K. Silence" <[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:04 AM

I thought of one more book that never fails to make me laugh...THE JOYOUS
SEASON, by Patrick Dennis. It describes a disastrous Christmas that ends
in divorce and mayhem. It is old and out of print, but if your library has
a copy, hang onto it--it's fetching huge prices on Bibliofind.


Lynn K. Silence Manager, Collection Development
St. Louis County Library
300 Clarkson Road Ellisville, Missouri 63011
Voice: 636-227-1138 Fax: 636-227-9632
"The librarians of today...are not fiery dragons
interposed between the people and the books."
Sir William Osler

FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:25 AM

For Old Masters, I second Wodehouse, and add James Thurber, Damon Runyon, Jerome K. Jerome, and Stella Gibbons--I laugh out loud every time I read "Cold Comfort Farm".


Marsha Valance
Regional Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>

>>> [removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us 03/15/01 08:03AM >>>
I'd like to recommend three of humor's Old Masters: Robert Benchley, S.J.
Perelman, and P.G. Wodehouse. Some of their stuff is a little dated, but
they can still brighten a dreary day. Perelman's "Acres and Pains" should
be read by anybody who decides to get a nice place in the country, and his
essay "Anna Trivia Pluralized" takes the scholarship of James Joyce to an
interesting extreme. Benchley was always generous and good-natured, and his
essay "Christmas Afternoon" in the manner of Dickens is priceless. And
Wodehouse's stories have a certain inspired daftness about them that defies
description.

None of the three is edgy, in-your-face, or any of the similar contemporary
terms of praise, but they're good reads anyway.

If you go in for the slightly more curmudgeonly, Florence King's
"Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady" has much to recommend it. Somewhere
in there she describes what happened to a librarian acquaintance every time
some genealogy ladies got of some new ideas about Mary Queen of Scots from
historical novels or popular biographies.
........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

FROM: Carol <[removed]@netzero.net>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:36 AM

I'll give a plug for Connecticut based web site and newsletter
Shylibrarian
url http://www.shylibrarian.com

One quote from the philosophy link states:

" THE SHY LIBRARIAN will create a working environment filled with
positive
energy, understanding, creativity, good humor, and optimism".

I have always found the publisher-founder, Joseph Cadieux, to have a
good sense of humor while promoting libraries and the profession of
librarian.

Take a look at the site. It's fun and informative!.

Carol Kubala
Adult Services Librarian
Saxton B. Little Free Library
Columbia, CT
860 228-0350 Fax 860 228-1569


Shop online without a credit card
http://www.rocketcash.com
RocketCash, a NetZero subsidiary

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:36 AM

Also his LITTLE ME, the autobiography of fictional movie star Belle
Poitrine. It's OP but worth tracking down. Once you read it, you will
never be able to read any performer's memoirs with a straight face.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac


-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn K. Silence [[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us]
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 10:58 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor


I thought of one more book that never fails to make me laugh...THE JOYOUS
SEASON, by Patrick Dennis. It describes a disastrous Christmas that ends
in divorce and mayhem. It is old and out of print, but if your library has
a copy, hang onto it--it's fetching huge prices on Bibliofind.


Lynn K. Silence Manager, Collection Development
St. Louis County Library
300 Clarkson Road Ellisville, Missouri 63011
Voice: 636-227-1138 Fax: 636-227-9632
"The librarians of today...are not fiery dragons
interposed between the people and the books."
Sir William Osler

FROM: Sherri Lazenby <[removed]@dallaslibrary.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:47 AM

If you don't mind a YA title I would definitely suggest "Angus, Thongs and
Full-Frontal Snogging" by Louise Rennison.


Sherri L. Lazenby
[removed]@dallaslibrary.org <[removed]@dallaslibrary.org>
Branch Manager
Audelia Road Branch Library
Dallas Public Library System
10045 Audelia Road
Dallas, TX 75238
(214) 670-1350
(214) 670-0790 FAX

"TV is great, won't complain about it, but it's great to turn off the TV and
have a book as a companion when you're alone on the road."
Phil Jackson, Coach LA Lakers

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:57 AM

In a message dated 3/15/2001 11:00:08 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us writes:

<<
I thought of one more book that never fails to make me laugh...THE JOYOUS
SEASON, by Patrick Dennis. It describes a disastrous Christmas that ends
in divorce and mayhem. It is old and out of print, but if your library has
a copy, hang onto it--it's fetching huge prices on Bibliofind.
>>

Well, heck - I remember laughing myself silly at AUNTIE MAME. I assume we're
talking about the same Patrick Dennis?

Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: "Lisa Colcord" <[removed]@ci.glendale.az.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 11:07 AM

If you are including children's books, I must add *The Cybil War* by Betsy Byars. Again, I laughed until I cried, especially the part where the main character, Simon, has to write the *saddest sentence* for a school assignment.

Lisa

Lisa Colcord
Librarian
Glendale Public library
Glendale, AZ

....my views are my own....

-The secret to life is enjoying the passage of time- James Taylor

>>> [removed]@aol.com 03/14/01 09:22PM >>>
Here's some titles I found laugh-out-loud funny:

1. <Holidays on Ice> by David Sedaris -- only the part about his
experiences as a Macy's Santa Claus
2. the first <Bridget Jones> book, as read on audio tape--I loved it. I
rolled. I cried. The narrator reads with a British accent, and quite
dramatically-- adds quite a bit to the text. I was driving back from a
library conference in Columbus, and it was the best drive I've ever had.
3. <Letters From a Nut> by Ted Nancy (actually Jerry Seinfield). If you
haven't read this one, treat yourself. You must, you must, you must.
4. the Janet Evanovitch "Stephanie Plum" books
5. some of the Junie B. Jones books (yes, these are children's books)
6. Blabber Mouth by Morris Gleitzman (also a children's book)

Maggie Bollar
Youth Services Librarian
New Carlisle Public Library
111 East Lake Avenue
New Carlisle, Ohio 45344
937-845-3601 (voice)
937-845-0908 (fax)
"Play is not necessarily frivolous. It's not a synonym for the trivial."
-Tom Robbins

FROM: "Pat Ferguson" <[removed]@smlnet.sml.lib.la.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 11:17 AM

I have to agree re: Breakup by Dana Stabenow. I rarely get a big laugh from
mysteries, but I was literally rolling over this book, particularly the
first half.

Pat Ferguson
Shreve Memorial

FROM: <[removed]@ci.austin.tx.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 11:27 AM

Anything by Clyde Edgerton - particularly, Walking Across Egypt.

> -----Original Message-----
> [removed]@aol.com [[removed]@aol.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 10:57 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Re: Humor
>
> In a message dated 3/14/2001 4:59:37 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> [removed]@co.carver.mn.us writes:
>
> <<
> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
> you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
> the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
> funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
> are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
> when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver
> County
> Library. >>
>
> One of the funniest books I've ever read is Jennifer Crusie's ANYONE BUT
> YOU.
> It was written for the Love & Laughter line (Harlequin or Silhouette),
> before she started making the bestseller lists. I laughed so hard I
> cried.
> And then I bought 7 more copies of the book and sent them to friends. I
> told
> them not to give the books back - just to keep them circulating to anyone
> who
> needed a lift to their spirits. Outstanding!
>
> BTW - the book had a basset hound named Fred. The hero & heroine's names
> were slightly less memorable - although I'm sure their ears were shorter.
> <g>
>
> Binnie Syril Braunstein
> romance novelist/former librarain
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Susanne Clower <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 11:27 AM

Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast has always stuck
in my mind as one of the funniest books I've read. The
humor is pretty gentle.
I would also second the suggestion of Janet Evanovich.


Susanne Clower
CPL Express/Harold Washington Library Center
Chicago Public Library


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

FROM: Sandy Westbrook <[removed]@crlc.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 11:38 AM

Who is the funniest
>writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? Don't
stop at books - can be
>magazine or newspaper writers as well.
Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
>Library.
>

Sarah -
My vote goes to Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum mysteries. I've
not read any of her books without laughing out loud.
Second best is Dave Barry.


Sandy Westbrook
Adult Services Librarian
South Windsor Public Library
South Windsor, CT 06074
Ph 860-644-1541
e-mail [removed]@crlc.org

FROM: [removed]@carmel.lib.in.us (Lisa Dick)
REC'D: 3/15/01, 12:00 PM

I agree on Clyde Edgerton and also recommend Michael Lee West, another
funny Southern writer. Crazy Ladies, She Flew the Coop and American Pie
are her first three.

Lisa

At 10:52 AM 3/15/01 -0600, you wrote:
>Anything by Clyde Edgerton - particularly, Walking Across Egypt.
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> [removed]@aol.com [[removed]@aol.com]
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 10:57 PM
>> To: Fiction_L
>> Subject: Re: Humor
>>
>> In a message dated 3/14/2001 4:59:37 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>> [removed]@co.carver.mn.us writes:
>>
>> <<
>> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
>> you
>> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
>> the
>> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
>> funniest
>> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
>> are
>> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
>> when
>> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
>> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver
>> County
>> Library. >>
>>
>> One of the funniest books I've ever read is Jennifer Crusie's ANYONE BUT
>> YOU.
>> It was written for the Love & Laughter line (Harlequin or Silhouette),
>> before she started making the bestseller lists. I laughed so hard I
>> cried.
>> And then I bought 7 more copies of the book and sent them to friends. I
>> told
>> them not to give the books back - just to keep them circulating to anyone
>> who
>> needed a lift to their spirits. Outstanding!
>>
>> BTW - the book had a basset hound named Fred. The hero & heroine's names
>> were slightly less memorable - although I'm sure their ears were shorter.
>> <g>
>>
>> Binnie Syril Braunstein
>> romance novelist/former librarain
>>
>> ......................................................................
>> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
Lisa Dick
Readers' Advisory Librarian
Carmel Clay Public Library
55 - 4th Ave. SE
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 814-3948
[removed]@carmel.lib.in.us

"Rosenberg's First Law of Reading: Never apologize for your reading tastes"

FROM: "Kate Gillette" <[removed]@tln.lib.mi.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 12:42 PM

I just finished a new British novel in Bridget Jones-type diary format
called "Hens Dancing" by Raffaella Barker. Instead of being a
single young woman in the city, the narrator is a newly divorced
mother of three living in the English countryside. Hilarious!

I'd also second "My Life on a Plate" by India Knight.

Kate Gillette
Novi Public Library
Novi, MI


From: Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us>
To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Subject: Humor
Date sent: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 15:56:56 -0600
Send reply to: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>

I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted.
As
you did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question
(again
for the Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present).
Who is
the funniest writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read
recently? There are several booklists in the Archives, and this
seems to
be a popular topic when combined with single women and fiction.
Don't
stop at books - can be magazine or newspaper writers as well.
Thanks,
Sarah Nagle, Carver County Library.

......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives? Everything
Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: "Karen McGrath" <[removed]@lori.state.ri.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 12:53 PM

Bill Bryson is my #1 favorite. Another ridiculous travel book is Round
Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks. Tony accepted a bar bet that he
couldn't hitchhike around the circumference of Ireland (& N. Ireland) with a
fridge in 30 days or less.

Katie Fforde writes wonderfully funny contemporary Bristish romances. Susan
Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie are great.

In addition to Douglas Adams and Tom Holt, try Diana Wynne Jones. A Sudden
Wild Magic is very funny with an environmental message.

Carl Hiassen is great. Dog Days by Daniel Lyons is about a Boston software
developer who starts a vendetta with a local mafioso by abductng his prized
greyhound. George Constable's Where You Are is about a thirty-something man
who inherits a large home and the money to maintain it from an elderly aunt.
The one hitch is that the will stipulates that he take care of her beloved
springer spaniel. His attempts to rid himself of this dog are hilarious.

My patrons, staff and I can't get enough of Janet Evanovich. Donald
Westlake's Dortmunder is terrific. Elizabeth Peters' Jacqueline Kirby,
Vicky Bliss and Amelia Peabody series have wonderful touches of humor -
especially when read by Barbara Rosenblat.

Karen McGrath
Auburn Branch Librarian
Cranston (RI) Public Library

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sarah Nagle
> To: Fiction_L
> Sent: 14/03/01 4:56 PM
> Subject: Humor
>
> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
> you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
> the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
> funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
> are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
> when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver
> County
> Library.

FROM: Cecilia Cygnar <[removed]@nileslibrary.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 1:36 PM

The funniest book I've read in a long time was Straight Man by Richard
Russo. In addition to the infamous "duck" scene, the entire novel is filled
with sarcastic wit and crazy experiences.

Cecilia Cygnar
Niles Public Library District

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Nagle [[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 3:57 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor


I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: "MartiKaye" <[removed]@home.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 1:36 PM

Cecilia,

I love this book! I bought extra copies of it to give to friends. Have you
read The Risk Pool, Nobody's Fool or Mohawk -- also written by Russo? I
have not.........yet.

Marti


Subject: RE: Humor


> The funniest book I've read in a long time was Straight Man by Richard
> Russo. In addition to the infamous "duck" scene, the entire novel is
filled
> with sarcastic wit and crazy experiences.
>
> Cecilia Cygnar
> Niles Public Library District
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sarah Nagle [[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 3:57 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Humor
>
>
> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
> Library.
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Ann Chambers Theis <[removed]@co.chesterfield.va.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 1:46 PM

A few personal favorites (that I haven't seen mentioned) include Redmond
O'Hanlon (Into the Heart of Borneo, etc. - travel nonfiction) and William
Marshall's Yellowthread Street Hong Kong police procedurals novels which
mix in some slapstick humor. I also always enjoyed Ross Thomas's sense of
humor in his crime fiction.

Someone did mention HANDLING SIN by Michael Malone and Terry Pratchett's
books but I feel compelled to mention them again!

Also, here is a rather varied black humor fiction list
(http://www.overbooked.org/blackhumor.html) -
which I hope to update soon.

Cordially,
Ann


Ann Chambers Theis ~ [removed]@co.chesterfield.va.us
Collection Management Administrator, Chesterfield County Public Library (VA)
Overbooked, a resource for ravenous readers - http://www.overbooked.org

FROM: [removed]@mln.lib.ma.us
REC'D: 3/15/01, 1:58 PM

I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley. He's got two other
novels which I also liked.

A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by
Mark Salzman.


Megan Flynn
Wellesley Free Library
Wellesley MA

FROM: Spencer Ms Martha <[removed]@usmc-mccs.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 2:08 PM

Handling Sin by Michael Malone is side-splittingly funny.

Martha Spencer

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@mln.lib.ma.us [[removed]@mln.lib.ma.us]
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 11:45 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Humor


I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley. He's got two other
novels which I also liked.

A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by
Mark Salzman.


Megan Flynn
Wellesley Free Library
Wellesley MA

FROM: "MartiKaye" <[removed]@home.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 2:19 PM

Megan,

The Easy Way Out and The Man of the House are also by Stephen McCauley. I
did not read TMOTH yet, as I am waiting for him to write book number four.

Like Cecilia, I am also waiting for Richard Russo to write another book.

Marti


From: <[removed]@mln.lib.ma.us>
To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 12:45 PM
Subject: Re: Humor


> I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley. He's got two other
> novels which I also liked.
>
> A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by
> Mark Salzman.
>
>
> Megan Flynn
> Wellesley Free Library
> Wellesley MA
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: Greta Ulrich <[removed]@nileslibrary.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 2:19 PM

I thought "God is My Broker: A Monk-Tycoon Reveals the 7 1/2 Laws of
Spiritual and Financial Growth" by Brother Ty was pretty funny.

Greta Ulrich
Niles Public Library
Niles, IL

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Nagle [[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 3:57 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor


I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: "Sheffield, Beth" <[removed]@ci.greensboro.nc.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 2:29 PM

Managing Ignatius by Jerry Strahan is a hilarious memoir about Strahan's
management of a group of transient and very eccentric hot dog vendors in New
Orleans' famed French Quarter.
------------------------------------
Beth Sheffield
Popular Materials Coordinator
Greensboro Public Library
219 N. Church Street
Greensboro, NC 27402-3178
336-373-3617
fax:336-335-5415
Visit our website: www.greensborolibrary.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Spencer Ms Martha [[removed]@usmc-mccs.org]
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 2:55 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: RE: Humor
>
> Handling Sin by Michael Malone is side-splittingly funny.
>
> Martha Spencer
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@mln.lib.ma.us [[removed]@mln.lib.ma.us]
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 11:45 AM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Re: Humor
>
>
> I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley. He's got two other
> novels which I also liked.
>
> A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by
> Mark Salzman.
>
>
> Megan Flynn
> Wellesley Free Library
> Wellesley MA
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Jean Langlais <[removed]@linc.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 2:50 PM

Will you please post the list on Fiction-L when you are done? Thanks!

> ----------
> From: Sarah Nagle[[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
> Reply To: Fiction_L
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 2:25 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Humor
>
> I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
> you
> did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
> the
> Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
> funniest
> writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
> are
> several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
> when
> combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
> Library.
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>

FROM: Margaret Elwood <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 3:01 PM

I have a pretty dark sense of humour so these may not
appeal to everyone...

I just finished Turbulent Priests by Colin Bateman
(journalist goes to investigate the reported second
coming on a remote island).

Christopher Brookmyre, Not the end of the world, and
One fine day in the middle of the night

Lately I've been completely captivated by the juv
series "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony
Snicket (Bad Beginning, Reptile Room, Wide Window,
etc). (I've always been a sucker for alliteration!)

Margaret

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

FROM: Tammy <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 3:22 PM

Dave Barry is definitely the one that I laugh the
loudest at. (After I read the Captain Underpants
books by Dav Pilkey to my son I've decided that Pilkey
is the juvenile equivalent of Dave Barry.)

I also like M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series. I
find these very funny although somewhat dark.

Tammy


--- JD Schaefer <[removed]@home.com> wrote:
> The Donald Westlake stories about Dortmunder are
> very funny, especiall "Hot
> Rock" and the "Bank Job", the former was made into a
> movie that had limited
> appeal.
>
> JD Schaefer
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html


=====
Tammy Jones [removed]@YAHOO.COM
Forest Public Library, Forest, MS

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices.
http://auctions.yahoo.com/

FROM: "Celia Villagran" <[removed]@ci.amarillo.tx.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 3:22 PM

Is that the same Ignatius of Confederacy of Dunces? I found that book
incredibly funny.

Celia
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Sheffield, Beth
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 2:19 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Humor


Managing Ignatius by Jerry Strahan is a hilarious memoir about Strahan's
management of a group of transient and very eccentric hot dog vendors in New
Orleans' famed French Quarter.
------------------------------------
Beth Sheffield
Popular Materials Coordinator
Greensboro Public Library
219 N. Church Street
Greensboro, NC 27402-3178
336-373-3617
fax:336-335-5415
Visit our website: www.greensborolibrary.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Spencer Ms Martha [[removed]@usmc-mccs.org]
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 2:55 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: RE: Humor
>
> Handling Sin by Michael Malone is side-splittingly funny.
>
> Martha Spencer
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@mln.lib.ma.us [[removed]@mln.lib.ma.us]
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 11:45 AM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Re: Humor
>
>
> I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley. He's got two other
> novels which I also liked.
>
> A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by
> Mark Salzman.
>
>
> Megan Flynn
> Wellesley Free Library
> Wellesley MA
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Dennis Lien <[removed]@tc.umn.edu>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 3:32 PM

Terry Pratchett is my contemporary favorite, by a wide margin. Runners-up
include (besides several already named by others) Spike Milligan and
maybe Sparkle Hayter, plus Joe Lansdale (for some of his work, anyway).

Among older authors, besides Benchley, Perelman and that crowd (already
named by others), I'd add Will Cuppy and Don Marquis (the "archy and
mehitabel" guy). Oh, and Corey Ford, but only for his parodies, not
the later hunting/fishing stuff. And Flann O'Brien.

Likely would have several more to list if my brain were not fighting a
cold at the moment,

Dennis Lien / U of Minnesota Libraries // [removed]@tc.umn.edu

FROM: Barry Trott <[removed]@mail.wrl.org>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 3:43 PM

Remembering that humor is completely subjective, some contemporary writers
that I enjoy are:

Andrei Codrescu -- Dark humor
Calvin Trillen -- Witty essayist (his food writing is particularly funny)
Bailey White -- Southern small town life

As for older writers:

James Thurber
P.G. Wodehouse (probably my favorite when I need a laugh)

Barry

*******************************************************************************
Barry Trott 7770 Croaker Rd.
Adult Services Director Williamsburg VA 23188
Williamsburg Regional Library Phone: 757-259-4053
[removed]@mail.wrl.org FAX: 757-259-4079
http://www.wrl.org/REF/Bookweb_Main.html
*******************************************************************************

FROM: Ann Chambers Theis <[removed]@co.chesterfield.va.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 4:04 PM

>
>Calvin Trillin -- Witty essayist (his food writing is particularly funny)
>Bailey White -- Southern small town life
>James Thurber , P.G. Wodehouse (probably my favorite when I need a laugh)

I like Barry's list of authors as well! I have all the Bailey White
essays and books on tape.

I just got my hold copy of Eric Garcia's CASUAL REX, the follow up to
ANONYMOUS REX. These books are about Vincent Rubio, a PI who is also part
of the dinosaur underground in L.A.. The website is
http://www.casualrex.com/. These are pretty amusing, especially when Garcia
outs high profile dinos in our culture.

Also there is a nifty Lemony Snicket web site:
http://www.lemonysnicket.com/index.html

And, Richard Russo has a new book coming out this May called EMPIRE FALLS -
it supposedly has more of the feel of his earlier work.

Well, I suppose I should get back to my excell spreadsheet and finish
costing out a DVD budget add back order. . . not much fun.

Ann, easily amused

Ann Chambers Theis ~ [removed]@co.chesterfield.va.us
Collection Management Administrator, Chesterfield County Public Library (VA)
Overbooked, a resource for ravenous readers - http://www.overbooked.org

FROM: "Lynn K. Silence" <[removed]@imail.slcl.lib.mo.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 4:36 PM

After this one last author, I am not, never, no, not on your life, going to
mention another one, but since someone opened the door to juvenile
literature....

Judith Viorst: Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!)
Going To Move
My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures
Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins or Things
And her adult poetry is delightfully funny also:
How Did I Get To Be Forty....And Other Atrocities
Suddenly Sixty And Other Shocks Of Later Life


Lynn K. Silence Manager, Collection Development
St. Louis County Library
300 Clarkson Road Ellisville, Missouri 63011
Voice: 636-227-1138 Fax: 636-227-9632
"In the beginning there was the book, and the book inspired
and angered others to write books, and when the people could
no longer cope...they begat libraries, and the Lord said, 'I don't
know what else we can do.' " Anonymous

FROM: "Sheffield, Beth" <[removed]@ci.greensboro.nc.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 4:56 PM

Celia,
It's not the original Ignatius J. Reilly but Strahan draws on the fictional
Ignatius in describing the cast of charcters who really worked for him (and
for the title of his book.)
Beth
You are right, Confederacy of Dunces is really funny.

Is that the same Ignatius of Confederacy of Dunces? I found that
book
incredibly funny.
------------------------------------
Beth Sheffield
Popular Materials Coordinator
Greensboro Public Library
219 N. Church Street
Greensboro, NC 27402-3178
336-373-3617
fax:336-335-5415
Visit our website: www.greensborolibrary.org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Celia Villagran [[removed]@ci.amarillo.tx.us]
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 4:17 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: RE: Humor
>
>
> Is that the same Ignatius of Confederacy of Dunces? I found that book
> incredibly funny.
>
> Celia
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
> [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Sheffield, Beth
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 2:19 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: RE: Humor
>
>
> Managing Ignatius by Jerry Strahan is a hilarious memoir about Strahan's
> management of a group of transient and very eccentric hot dog vendors in
> New
> Orleans' famed French Quarter.
> ------------------------------------
> Beth Sheffield
> Popular Materials Coordinator
> Greensboro Public Library
> 219 N. Church Street
> Greensboro, NC 27402-3178
> 336-373-3617
> fax:336-335-5415
> Visit our website: www.greensborolibrary.org
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Spencer Ms Martha [[removed]@usmc-mccs.org]
> > Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 2:55 PM
> > To: Fiction_L
> > Subject: RE: Humor
> >
> > Handling Sin by Michael Malone is side-splittingly funny.
> >
> > Martha Spencer
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [removed]@mln.lib.ma.us [[removed]@mln.lib.ma.us]
> > Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 11:45 AM
> > To: Fiction_L
> > Subject: Re: Humor
> >
> >
> > I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley. He's got two other
> > novels which I also liked.
> >
> > A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by
> > Mark Salzman.
> >
> >
> > Megan Flynn
> > Wellesley Free Library
> > Wellesley MA
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Jean Meadors <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 5:40 PM

Yes, please post.
Jean


Jean Langlais wrote:

> Will you please post the list on Fiction-L when you are done? Thanks!
>
> > ----------
> > From: Sarah Nagle[[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
> > Reply To: Fiction_L
> > Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 2:25 PM
> > To: Fiction_L
> > Subject: Humor
> >
> > I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
> > you
> > did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
> > the
> > Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
> > funniest
> > writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There
> > are
> > several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
> > when
> > combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
> > magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
> > Library.
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
> >
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: Jennifer Obee <[removed]@jefferson.lib.co.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 6:12 PM

In fact, I heard Barbara Rosenblat speak not so long ago, and she said that
her absolute favorite book she's ever narrated was Bridge Jones' Diary, and
that she laughed out loud through the whole thing. Not on the tape, though.
I listened to it and enjoyed her performance immensely.
Jennifer

Jennifer [removed]@jefferson.lib.co.us
Patron Services Librarian 8485 Kipling St.
Standley Lake Branch Arvada, CO 80005
Jefferson County Public Library (303)456-0806

How many reference librarians does it take to screw in a light bulb?
--Just a minute, I'll look that up for you.

-----Original Message-----
From: Spencer Ms Martha [[removed]@usmc-mccs.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 6:27 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: funniest writers


I think The Onion is available online. My son introduced me to it. And the
narrator for Bridget Jones's Diary is Barbara Rosenblat, who is one of the
very best female narrators.

Martha

-----Original Message-----
From: Karla Steffen [[removed]@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 6:36 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: funniest writers


The consistently funniest thing in the world right now is a parody
newspaper, "The Onion" out of Madison, Wisconsin (although I've heard rumors

they're moving to New York City). The weekly paper is available free in
cities near Wisconsin (Chicago, etc.), by subscription, or online at
www.theonion.com with a new issue every Wednesday. They've also published a

collection called The Onion's Finest News Reporting, and have an amazing
collection of original articles in the book Our Dumb Century, which is far
and above one of the funniest books I've ever seen, and which I believe was
a bestseller for a period. The writing is extremely intelligent and
original, and never fails to make me laugh out loud, no matter how bad my
mood or how austere my surroundings. Their current events reports prove
that truth really is stranger than fiction. I often get my news from The
Onion, and save The Times for the crossword puzzle.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: Melissa Norton <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 6:53 PM

EMPIRE FALLS by Richard Russo is scheduled for May
2001, according to Amazon.
Melissa

--- MartiKaye <[removed]@home.com> wrote:
> Megan,
>
> The Easy Way Out and The Man of the House are also
> by Stephen McCauley. I
> did not read TMOTH yet, as I am waiting for him to
> write book number four.
>
> Like Cecilia, I am also waiting for Richard Russo to
> write another book.
>
> Marti
>
>
> From: <[removed]@mln.lib.ma.us>
> To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 12:45 PM
> Subject: Re: Humor
>
>
> > I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen
> McCauley. He's got two other
> > novels which I also liked.
> >
> > A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up
> Absurd in Suburbia by
> > Mark Salzman.
> >
> >
> > Megan Flynn
> > Wellesley Free Library
> > Wellesley MA
> >
> >
>
......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the
> archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L:
> http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
> >
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

FROM: Melissa Norton <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 7:03 PM

EMPIRE FALLS by Richard Russo is slated for May 2001,
according to Amazon.
Melissa

--- MartiKaye <[removed]@home.com> wrote:
> Megan,
>
> The Easy Way Out and The Man of the House are also
> by Stephen McCauley. I
> did not read TMOTH yet, as I am waiting for him to
> write book number four.
>
> Like Cecilia, I am also waiting for Richard Russo to
> write another book.
>
> Marti
>
>
> From: <[removed]@mln.lib.ma.us>
> To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 12:45 PM
> Subject: Re: Humor
>
>
> > I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen
> McCauley. He's got two other
> > novels which I also liked.
> >
> > A very funny memoir is Lost in Place: Growing Up
> Absurd in Suburbia by
> > Mark Salzman.
> >
> >
> > Megan Flynn
> > Wellesley Free Library
> > Wellesley MA
> >
> >
>
......................................................................
> > Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the
> archives?
> > Everything Fiction_L:
> http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
> >
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html


=====
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Norton [removed]@bridgton.lib.me.us
Asst. Librarian & Webmaster
Bridgton Public Library http://www.bridgton.lib.me.us
65 Main St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
207-647-2472

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

FROM: "Adrienne Furness" <[removed]@rochester.rr.com>
REC'D: 3/16/01, 7:01 AM

I don't *think* anyone has mentioned Anne Lamott. Her non-fiction is better
than her fiction, but it is all funny.

Adrienne Furness
Maplewood Community Library
Rochester, NY

FROM: "Adrienne Furness" <[removed]@rochester.rr.com>
REC'D: 3/16/01, 7:11 AM

As soon as I sent the last message, I remembered _The Sweet Potato Queens'
Book of Love_ by Jill Conner Browne and _Little Altars Everywhere_ and
_Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood_ by Rebecca Wells. Everything is
funny in Browne's book, and _Little Altars Everywhere_ has one chapter that
is the funniest I've ever read.

Adrienne Furness
Maplewood Community Library
Rochester, NY

FROM: "Pat Ferguson" <[removed]@smlnet.sml.lib.la.us>
REC'D: 3/16/01, 9:38 AM

Please don't forget Jill Connor Browne in the list. Both of her books are
riotous. She spoke
at one of the book luncheons during Louisiana Library Assoc. annual
conference and had us falling
out of our chairs.

Pat Ferguson
Shreve Memorial Library

FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <[removed]@libby.org>
REC'D: 3/16/01, 10:40 AM

I love Jill Conner Browne's book, but there again...it is pretty raunchy at
times! Jeanne


-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Adrienne Furness
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2001 5:58 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor


As soon as I sent the last message, I remembered _The Sweet Potato Queens'
Book of Love_ by Jill Conner Browne and _Little Altars Everywhere_ and
_Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood_ by Rebecca Wells. Everything is
funny in Browne's book, and _Little Altars Everywhere_ has one chapter that
is the funniest I've ever read.

Adrienne Furness
Maplewood Community Library
Rochester, NY

FROM: "Katherine Merrill" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/16/01, 11:27 AM

Jill McCorkle's collection of short stories, FINAL VINYL DAYS is hilarious!
Each story is a gem.

Kate


******************************************
Katherine Merrill
Reference Librarian
Literature & Media Division
Rochester Public Library
Rochester, NY 14604
******************************************

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: Dierdre Morley <[removed]@tln.lib.mi.us>
REC'D: 3/16/01, 1:00 PM

I recently enjoyed Lipshtick by Gwen Macsai, which is non-fiction.

Vicki Iovine has written some pretty funny books, The Girlfriends' guide
to pregnancy, The girlfriends' guide to surviving the first year of
motherhood, and The Girlfriends' guide to toddlers. Though, it probably
will not appeal to those who are not in any of these situations. I
believe she also writes a column for one of the parenting magazines.

Dierdre Morley
Northville District Library

FROM: LaVista <[removed]@suffolk.lib.ny.us>
REC'D: 3/16/01, 3:06 PM

Hi, Sarah,
I love anything written by Olivia Goldsmith or Janet Evanovich. They make
me laugh out loud!
Susan LaVista
Westhampton Free Library

FROM: Nancy Martinez <[removed]@htls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/17/01, 11:32 AM

Don't forget Sparkle Hayter and Paula Boyd, both authors are on my
Evanovich read alike list. I haven't seen any mention of the passing of
Anne George. A quote from her web page: "Anne George passed away on March
14, 2001 while undergoing cardiac surgery." She will be missed.

http://members.home.net/annegeorgebooks/

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Nagle [[removed]@co.carver.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 3:57 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Humor

I am compiling the list of biography favorites which you all posted. As
you
did SUCH a good job, I would like to ask you another question (again for
the
Readers Advisory workshop that I'm helping to present). Who is the
funniest
writer today, or what is the funniest book you've read recently? There are
several booklists in the Archives, and this seems to be a popular topic
when
combined with single women and fiction. Don't stop at books - can be
magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
Library.

FROM: Jeanne Etling <[removed]@ccs.nsls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/17/01, 12:14 PM

Another thoroughly funny author is Van Reid whose characters can get into
strange situations. Set in Maine in 1890's these are very gentle reads.
Titles so far:

Cordelia Underwood or the Marvelous Beginnings of the Moosepath League
Mollie Peer or the Underground Adventure of the Moosepath League
Daniel Plainway or the Holiday Haunting of the Moosepath League

Daniel Plainway is the most recent. These are very popular at my library
and will satisfy those who prefer gentle reads.

Jeanne Etling
Dundee (IL) Township Public Library District

FROM: "Leser, Debra" <[removed]@rolling-meadows.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/17/01, 1:44 PM

Here's some titles that gave me a chuckle or two.

Practical Demonkeeping- Christopher Moore
Anonymous Rex- Eric Garcia
To Say Nothing of the Dog- Connie Willis
The Mammy- Brendan O'Carroll
Cordelia Underwood- Van Reid
Bachelor Brother's Bed and Breakfast- Bill Richardson
Evolution Man or How I Ate My Father- Roy Lewis

Debbie Leser
Rolling Meadows Library
Rolling Meadows, IL

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/17/01, 2:15 PM

>From: Mary Ann Bakken <[removed]@linc.lib.il.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Humor
>Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 16:17:40 -0600
>
>I adore Joan Hess' Maggody
>series, but you have to be willing to suspend all belief and be ready to be
>taken in by the truly bizarre.

I don't read much humor, but I do enjoy Charlotte MacLeod's Sarah
Kelling/Max Bittersohn mysteries. The eccentric relatives are delightful.
_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/18/01, 11:41 AM

>From: Dennis Lien <[removed]@tc.umn.edu>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Humor
>Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 15:17:56 -0800
>
>

>
>Among older authors, besides Benchley, Perelman and that crowd (already
>named by others), I'd add Will Cuppy and Don Marquis (the "archy and
>mehitabel" guy). Oh, and Corey Ford, but only for his parodies, not
>the later hunting/fishing stuff. And Flann O'Brien.
>

I'll second Will Cuppy. "The Decline & Fall of Practically Everybody," "How
to Tell Your Friends From the Apes," "How to Become Extinct." Also Richard
Armour. And "Three Men in a Boat," by Jerome.

If we're going back in time, my favorite ancient humor book (I have no idea
how many times I've read my copy) is "Through the Alimentary Canal With Gun
& Camera." Sort of a humorous early version of Asimov's "Fantastic Voyage."

For poetry, Ogden Nash hands down.

_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/18/01, 12:11 PM

I've mentioned these on other threads before: if nonfiction is allowed,
Gerald Durrell! All his books about animal-collecting are spiced with
moments of humor. Best of all in this regard would be his first two, "The
Overloaded Ark" and "The Bafut Beagles." (Not Politically Correct, but
wryly, dryly funny.)
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FROM: Dennis Lien <[removed]@tc.umn.edu>
REC'D: 3/19/01, 10:15 AM

Don't stop at books - can be
>magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
>Library.


I'd missed this note the first time around; having now seen it, I'd add
James Lileks, P.J. O'Rourke, Molly Ivins, and Joe Bob Briggs to my list.

Lileks has had two humorous detective stories and two collections of his
earlier newspaper columns published, but these days appears only as a
columnist for the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE and the proprietor of a
wonderful website:

http://www.lileks.com/index2.html

(see especially the "Gallery of Regrettable Food")

But since I also missed the fact that you asked for a *single* funniest
book/writer read *recently,* I'll plump for Terry Pratchett as author
and THE FIFTH ELEPHANT as book (as I preferred it to his more recent THE
TRUTH).

Dennis Lien / U of Minnesota Libraries // [removed]@tc.umn.edu

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 3/19/01, 11:08 AM

Donald Westlake and Brian Garfield wrote Gangway! which is a bawdy romp
through the wilds of Barbary Coast San Francisto

Bill Gulick's Hallelujah Trail is good, too, if you track it down. It was
also made into one of the funnier Western movies ever made.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac


-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Lien [[removed]@tc.umn.edu]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 11:03 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Humor


Don't stop at books - can be
>magazine or newspaper writers as well. Thanks, Sarah Nagle, Carver County
>Library.


I'd missed this note the first time around; having now seen it, I'd add
James Lileks, P.J. O'Rourke, Molly Ivins, and Joe Bob Briggs to my list.

Lileks has had two humorous detective stories and two collections of his
earlier newspaper columns published, but these days appears only as a
columnist for the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE and the proprietor of a
wonderful website:

http://www.lileks.com/index2.html

(see especially the "Gallery of Regrettable Food")

But since I also missed the fact that you asked for a *single* funniest
book/writer read *recently,* I'll plump for Terry Pratchett as author
and THE FIFTH ELEPHANT as book (as I preferred it to his more recent THE
TRUTH).

Dennis Lien / U of Minnesota Libraries // [removed]@tc.umn.edu

FROM: Kelly Joyce <[removed]@japl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 3/19/01, 1:18 PM

I thought Geek Love was awfully funny (about a circus family), though it's
not for the faint of heart.

- Kelly

FROM: "Waznis, Betty" <[removed]@sdcl.org>
REC'D: 3/19/01, 3:02 PM

Before this thread is over, I want to mention The Boyfriend School, by Sarah
Bird. This title came up in a recent discussion of novels with romance
writers as main characters. I want to thank whoever suggested it. It is
extremely funny, very much in a Janet Evanovich style, and is an
affectionate send-up of romance writers and novels, with a surprise romance
cleverly mixed in.

Betty Waznis
San Diego County Library

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/20/01, 8:39 AM

>From: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Humor
>Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 11:54:16 -0500
>
>Bill Gulick's Hallelujah Trail is good, too, if you track it down. It was
>also made into one of the funnier Western movies ever made.
>

Second that, on the book and the movie (though the movie, being visual, is
probably the better of the two). Gulick also wrote "The Liveliest Town in
the West," spoofing the dime-novel culture of the day.

_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 3/20/01, 10:03 AM

Thanks for the tip. If our shop doesn't own it, I'll put on my ILL hat and
get it that way.

ks

-----Original Message-----
From: christine jeffords [[removed]@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 9:25 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Humor

>From: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Humor
>Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 11:54:16 -0500
>
>Bill Gulick's Hallelujah Trail is good, too, if you track it down. It was
>also made into one of the funnier Western movies ever made.
>

Second that, on the book and the movie (though the movie, being visual, is
probably the better of the two). Gulick also wrote "The Liveliest Town in
the West," spoofing the dime-novel culture of the day.

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us>
REC'D: 4/21/01, 2:41 PM

Here is the compiled list, in several parts. If anyone wants this list in
Word, please e-mail me privately. Thanks for your suggestions!

HUMOR FAVORITES OF FICTION-L POSTERS


The most frequently-mentioned authors were:

DAVE BARRY
JANET EVANOVICH.
TERRY PRATCHETT
JENNIFER CRUSIE
CARL HIAASEN
DAVE SEDARIS
BILL BRYSON

Other frequent mentions were for the humor "newspaper" THE ONION and for
Bridget Jones and her "Clones".


The comments, in no particular order:

The two titles I would suggest include humor and some seriousness though
the humor is high caliber and the book overall is not depressing:
Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourt
The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
(juvenile title)

I've just finished reading My Life on a Plate by India Knight, very amusing,
in the vein of Bridget Jones's Diary. As well another very funny recent
British novel is Lucy Sullivan's Getting Married by Marian Keyes. A bit pat
in the endings (in all cases), but riotously funny getting there.

I love Jane Heller, Bill Bryson, and Watermelon by Marian Keyes (sorry to
say I didn't think her follow-up novels were as funny, but there may be
those who disagree).

I also love Dave Barry's newspaper columns and books.

My favorite current humor writer is Patrick McManus, who writes a humor
column for OUTDOOR LIFE, but does not confine his humor to hunting and
fishing. In one of his older collections, Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs,
he has an essay on "Summer Reading" that anyone who does Readers Advisory
work will enjoy. His latest collection The Deer on a Bicycle: Excursions
Into the Writing of Humor is not only a short course in writing funny stuff
but includes several of his best pieces, including "Mean Tents" and the one
about the deer on a bicycle.

The book that had me laughing out loud, tears rolling down my cheek, wanting
to read it aloud to my co-worker but being unable because I was laughing so
hard I couldn't speak was Naked by Dave Sedaris. He has several other
books, but this is the best.

I think that Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" mystery series are
laugh-out-loud funny (One for the Money, etc.).

As has been said before, humor is a pretty subjective thing, but I always
look for Dave Barry's column in the Sunday paper before I read anything
else. His books don't seem to grab me though. I adore Joan Hess' "Magody"
series, but you have to be willing to suspend all belief and be ready to be
taken in by the truly bizarre. A charmingly amusing book that I am
currently recommending to everyone is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B.
Ross. It's a droll tale of a somewhat meek woman whose husband, a pillar of
righteousness in a small bible-belt community, dies suddenly. His legacy to
her includes his wrong-side-of-the-tracks mistress, and an illegitimate son.
Not one to wither away, Miss Julia confronts the situation head-on, and
comes out on top. Great fun. Bad guys lose, good guys win.

I just finished The Trouble With Mary by Millie Criswell and it was a hoot.
It simultaneously operates on several fronts and should be popular with a
wide range of patrons. Cooking (Mary starts up her own restaurant after her
boss suddenly dies, and each chapter begins with a yummy-sounding recipe),
chocolate (this woman lives for it, in any form!), family relationships
(what can I say but that you can't pick your relatives, and Mary is fully
and ruefully aware of it), are all mixed up in Mary's search for a life of
her own and her family's attempts to bring her "back home where she
belongs". Highly recommended!

I've read several of Jane Heller's books and found them to be pretty funny.
Jennifer Crusie's books are amusing too. I haven't read it recently, but
Handing Sin by Michael Malone is absolutely the funniest book I've ever read
- one of the only novels that has caused me to laugh out loud almost cover
to cover. As for columnists, no one can make me laugh like Dave Barry!

Dave Barry can always make me laugh, although I enjoy his columns and his
nonfiction better than his last novel. Will Manley is probably too
librarian to appeal to civilians, but he is a hoot! Anne George's mysteries
with the two sisters are very funny. Terry Pratchett is very witty and
funny.

Bringing up Will Manley reminds me that Bill Ott, editor of BOOKLIST, has a
wicked sense of humor. I always have to remind myself to read the back page
of BOOKLIST as it is easily overlooked.

Mine are the "Inspector Frost" series out of England. I'm an oddball and
don't much care for Monty Python but the Frost books bring tears to my eyes.

I recently read the book Fat Bald Jeff by Leslie Stella and almost died of
laughter! The main character is a copyeditor for the "National Library
Association" in Chicago (hee hee). She pretty much hates everyone she works
with, and, under strange circumstances, teams up with the computer
techie-geek (Fat Bald Jeff) and tries to sabotage the organization.
Hysterical! Numerous library references and her description of the IT
department includes possibly the funniest passages I've ever read! Of
course, I would never miss any book by David Sedaris and Marian Keyes -
always a joy!

Speaking of Dave Barry, I recently read Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs and
laughed so hard I was hysterical (I won't mention what else I did!). I also
laugh when I read Janet Evanovich and loved Girl's Guide to Hunting and
Fishing by Melissa Bank for the same reason.

I thought Dave Barry's first novel, Big Trouble, was hilarious. I like
many, but not most, of his columns.

Bill Bryson is very funny, most of the time. I'm a Stranger Here Myself is
my favorite to recommend. A Walk in the Woods is funny but a bit cruder,
and In a Sunburned Country is very funny in spots, but more about how
Australia is weirdly dangerous.

Anne George and Jill Churchill are funny mystery writers. Dana Stabenow's
Breakup is hilarious in an otherswise seirous Alaskan mystery series, and
Rita Mae Brown's mysteries are funny, but not a patch on Bingo and Six of
One. Janet Evanovich is extremely funny; I love Grandma Mazur and
Stephanie's car problems.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie are funny contemporary romance
writers.

Terry Pratchett is probably the funniest, and he also makes you think.

Great idea, by the way. I have a long-running small book display called
"Good For a Laugh" that patrons won't let me take down. It's 12 books, face
out, and I always need new authors to display there. I can always use more
humor in my life, and can't we all?

Carl Hiaasen (newspapers & fiction)
Janet Evanovich (mystery)
Susan Elizabeth Phillips (contemporary romance)
Dave Barry (newspapers & humor)
John Gould (regional humor)
Helen Fielding's BRIDGET JONES books
David Sedaris (essays)

Rick Reilly's columns in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED can be both hysterical and
heartbreaking.

The consistently funniest thing in the world right now is a parody
newspaper, "The Onion" out of Madison, WI (although I've heard rumors
they're moving to New York City - ed. Note, they have). The weekly paper is
available free in cities in and near Wisconsin (Chicago, etc), by
subscription, or online at www.theonion.com with a new issue severy
Wednesday. They've also published a collection called The Onion's Finest
News Reporting, and have an amazing collection of original articles in the
book Our Dumb Century, which is far and above one of the funniest books I've
ever seen, and which I believe was a bestseller for a period. The writing
is extremely intelligent and original, and never fails to make me laugh out
loud, no matter how bad my mood or how austere my surroundings. Their
current events reports prove that truth really is stranger than fiction. I
often get my news from "The Onion", and save the "New York Times" for the
crossword puzzle.

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FROM: Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us>
REC'D: 4/21/01, 2:51 PM

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby was the funniest books that I had read in a
long time.

Here's some titles I found laugh-out-loud funny:
1. Holidays on Ice by Dave Sedaris - only the part about his
experiences as a Macy's Santa Claus
2. The first Bridget Jones book as read on audio tape - I loved it. I
rolled. I cried. The narrator reads with a British accent, and quite
dramatically - adds quite a bit to the text. I was driving back from a
library conference, and it was the best drive Ive ever had.
3. Letters from a Nut by Ted Nancy (actually Jerry Seinfeld). If you
haven't read this one, treat yourself. You must, you must, you must.
4. The Janet Evanovich "Stephanie Plum" books
5. Some of the Junie B. Jones books (yes, these are children's books)
6. Blabber Mouth by Morris Gleitzman (also a children's book)


One of the funniest books I've ever read is Jennifer Crusie's Anyone But
You. It was written for the Love & Laughter (Harlequin or Silhouette),
before she started making the bestseller lists. I laghed so hard I cried.
And then I bought 7 more copies of the book and sent them to friends. I
told them not to give the books back - just to keep them circulating to
anyone who needed a lift to their spirits. Outstanding!

If you go in for the slightly more curmudgeonly, Florence King's
Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady has much to recommend it. Somewhere
in there she describes what happened to a librarian acquaintance every time
some genealogy ladies got (?) of some new ideas about Mary Queen of Scots
from historical novels or popular biographies.

Another vote for Patrick McManus.

Humor is MY Genre, so even thought I've not done this before, and may be
doing it wrong, I had to reply. Terry Pratchett is by far the greatest, but
there's also Dave barry, Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, Anne George,
Floyd Kemske (humorous horror), Helen Fielding, Christopher Buckley, Douglas
Adams, Tom Holt, Robert Asprin, Barry Hughart, Spider Robinson, Dorothy
Cannell, and Carl Hiaasen. I just finished a book called My Life on a Plate
by India Knight that made me laugh out loud. And I just started reading
Donald E. Westlake's "Dortmunder" books. I'm sure I could think of more,
but I think this is enough.

I thought of one more book that never fails to make me laugh . . . The
Joyous Season by Patrick Dennis. It describes a disastrous Christmas that
ends in divorce and mayhem. It is old and out of print, but if your library
has a copy, hang onto it - it's fetching huge prices on Bibliofind.

Also his Little Me, the autobiography of fictional movie star Belle
Poitrine. It's OP but worth tracking down. Once you read it, you will
never be able to read any performer's memoirs with a straight face.

Well, heck - I remember laughing myself silly at Auntie Mame. I assume
we're talking about the same Patrick Dennis?

If you don't mind a YA title I would definitely suggest Angus, Thongs and
Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison.

If you are including children's books, I must add The Cybil War by Betsy
Byars. Again, I laughed until I cried, especially the part where the main
character, Simon, has to write the "saddest sentence" for a school
assignment.

I have to agree re Breakup by Dana Stabenow. I rarely get a big laugh from
mysteries, but I was literally rolling over this book, particularly the
first half.

Anything by Clyde Edgerton - particularly, Walking Across Egypt.

I agree on Clyde Edgerton and also recommend Michael Lee West, another funny
Southern writer. Crazy Ladies, She Flew the Coop, and American Pie are her
first three.

I just finished a new British novel in Bridget-Jones-type diary format
called Hens Dancing by Raffaella Barker. Instead of being a single young
woman in the city, the narrator is a newly-divorced mother of three living
in the English countryside. Hilarious! I'd also second My Life on a Plate
by India Knight.

Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast has always stuck in my mind as one of
the funniest books Ive read. The humor is pretty gentle. I would also
second the suggestion of Janet Evanovich.

My vote goes to Janet Evanovich and her "Stephanie Plum" mysteries. I've
not read read any of her books without laughing out loud. Second best is
Dave Barry.

The Donald Westlake stories about Dortmunder are very funny, especially Hot
Rock and
The Bank Job. The former was made into a movie that had limited appeal.

I'd like to recommend three of humor's Old Masters; Robert Benchley, S.J.
Perelman, and P.G. Wodehouse. Some of their stuff is a little dated, but
they can still brighten a dreary day. Perelman's Acres and Pains should be
read by anybody who decides to get a nice place in the country, and his
essay "Anna Trivia Pluralized" takes the scholarship of James Joyce to an
interesting extreme. Benchley was always generous and good-natured, and his
essay "Christmas Afternoon" in the manner of Dickens is priceless. And
Wodehouse's stories have a certain inspired daftness about them that defies
description. None of the three is edgy, in-your-face, or any of the similar
contemporary terms of praise, but they're good reads anyway.

Bill Bryson is my #1 favorite. Another ridiculous travel book is Round
Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks. Tony accepted a bar bet that he
couldn't hitchhike around the circumference of Ireland (and N. Ireland) with
a fridge in 30 days or less.

Kattie Fforde writes wonderfully funny contemporary British romances. Susan
Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie are great.

In addition to Douglas Adams and Tom Holt, try Diana Wynne Jones. A Sudden
Wild Magic is very funny with an environmental message.

Carl Hiaasen is great. Dog Days by Daniel Lyons is about a Boston Software
developer who starts a vendetta with a local Mafioso by abducting his prized
greyhound. George Constable's Where You Are is about a thirty-something
man who inherits a large home and the money to maintain it from an elderly
aunt. The one hitch is that the will stipulates that he take care of her
beloved springer spaniel. His attempts to rid himself of this dog are
hilarious.

My patrons, staff, and I can't get enough of Janet Evanovich. Donald
Westlake's Dortmunder is terrific. Elizabeth Peter's Jacqueline Kirby,
Vicky Bliss, and Amelia Peabody series have wonderful touches of humor -
especially when read by Barbara Rosenblat.

The funniest book I've read in a long time was Straight Man by Richard
Russo. In addition to the infamous "duck" scene, the entire novel is filled
with sarcastic wit and crazy experiences.

I love this book (title above)! I brought extra copies of it to give to
friends. Have you read The Risk Pool, Nobody's Fool, or Mohawk - also
written by Russo? I have not . . . yet.

Richard Russo has a new book coming out this May called Empire Falls - it
supposedly has more of the feel of his earlier work.

A few personal favorites (that I haven't seen mentioned) include Redmond
O'Hanlon (In the Heart of Borneo, etc, - travel nonfiction) and William
Marshall's Yellowthreat Street Hong Kong Hong Kong police procedurals novels
which in some slapstick humor. I also always enjoyed Ross Thomas's sense of
humor in his crime fiction.

Handling Sin by Michael Malone is side-splittingly funny.

Someone did mention Handling Sin by Michael Malone and Terry Pratchett's
books but I feel compelled to mention them again!

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FROM: Sarah Nagle <[removed]@co.carver.mn.us>
REC'D: 4/21/01, 3:02 PM

Here is a rather varied humor fiction list
(www.overbooked.org/blackhumor.html) which I hope to update soon.

I loved Object of My Affection by Stephen McCauley. He's got two other
novels which I also liked.

The Easy Way Out and The Man of the House are also by Stephen McCauley. I
did not read TMOTH yet, as I am waiting for him to write book number four.

A very funny memor is Lost in Place: Growing up Absurd in Suburbia by Mark
Salzman.

I thought God is My Broker: A Monk-Tycoon Reveals the 7 ½ Laws of Spiritual
and Financial Growth by Brother Ty was pretty funny.

Managing Ignatius by Jerry Strahan is a hilarious memor about Strahan's
management of a group of transient and very eccentric hot dog vendors in New
Orleans' famed French Quarter.

Is that the same Ignatius of Confederacy of Dunces? I found that book
incredibly funny. (Note: that book was by John Kennedy Toole)

I have a pretty dark sense of humor so these may not appeal to everyone . .
. I just finished Turbulent Priests by Colin Bateman (journalist goes to
investigate the reported second coming on a remote island). Christopher
Brookmyre, Not the End of the World, and One Fine Day in the Middle of the
Night.

Lately I've been completely captivated by the juvenile series "A Series of
Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket (Bad Beginning, Reptile Room, Wide
Window, etc. - I've always been a sucker for alliteration!)

There is a nifty Lemony Snicket web site: www.lemonysnicket.com/index.html.

Dave Barry is definitely the one that I laugh the loudest at. (After I read
the "Captain Underpants" books by Dav Pilkey to my son I've decided that
Pilkey is the juvenile equivalent of Dave Barry.)

I also like M.C. Beaton's "Agatha Raisin" series. I find these very funny
although somewhat dark.

Terry Pratchett is my contemporary favorite, by a wide margin. Runners-up
include (besides several already named by others) Spike Milligan and maybe
Sparkle Hayter, plus Joe Lansdale (for some of his work, anyway).

Among older authors, besides Benchley, Perelman, and that crows (already
named by others) I'd add Will Cuppy and Don Marquis (the "archy and
mehitabel" guy). Oh, and Corey Ford, but only for his parodies, not the
later hunting/fishing stuff. And Flann O'Brien.

I'll second Will Cuppy - The Decline & Fall of Practically Everybody, How to
Tell Your Friends From the Apes, How to Become Extinct. Also Richard
Armour. And Three Men In a Boat by Jerome.

If we're going back in time, my favorite ancient humor book (I have no idea
how many times I've read my copy) is Through the Alimentary Canal With Gun &
Camera. Sort of a humorous early version of Asimov's Fantastic Voyage.

For poetry, Ogden Nash hands down.

I'd add James Lileks, P.J. O

Remembering that humor is completely subjective, some contemporary writers
that I enjoy are:
· Andrei Codrescu - dark humor
· Calvin Trillin - witty essayist (his food writing is particularly
funny)
· Bailey White - southern small town life.

As for older writers: James Thurber and P.G. Wodehouse (probably my
favorite when I need a laugh).

I just got my hold copy of Eric Garcia's Casual Rex, the follow-up to
Anonymous Rex. These books are about Vincent Rubio, a PI who is also part
of the dinosaur underground in L.A. The website is www.casualrex.com.
These are pretty amusing, especially when Garcia outs high-profile dinos in
our culture.

I am not, never, no, not on your life, going to mention another one, but
since someone opened the door to juvenile literature - Judith Viorst:
· Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
· Alexander Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move
· My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures,
Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins or Things
And her adult poetry is delightfully funny also:
· How Did I Get to Be Forty . . . And Other Atrocities
· Suddenly Sixty and Other Shocks of Later Life

I don't think anyone has mentioned Anne Lamott. Her nonfiction is better
than her fiction, but it is all funny.

I just remembered The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love by Jill Connor
Browne and Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells. Everything is funny
in Browne's book, and the Wells book has one chapter that is the funniest
I've ever read.

Please don't forget Jill Connor Browne in the list. Both of her books are
riotous. She spoke at one of the book luncheons during the Louisiana
Library Association annual conference and had us falling out of our chairs.

I recently enjoyed Lipstick by Gwen Macsai, which is nonfiction.

Vicki Iovine has written some pretty funny books - The Girlfriend's Guide
to Pregnancy. The Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the First Year of
Motherhood, and The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers - though they probably
will not appeal to those who are not in any of these situations. I believe
she also writes a column for one of the parenting magazines.

Jill McCorkle's collection of short stories, Final Vinyl Days, is hilarious!
Each story is a gem.

I love anything written by Olivia Goldsmith or Janet Evanovich. They make
me laugh out loud!

Don't forget Sparkle Hayter and Paula Boyd - both authors are on my
Evanovich read-alike list.

Practical Demonkeeping - Christopher Moore
Anonymous Rex - Eric Garcia
To Say Nothing of the Dog - Connie Willis
The Mammy - Brendan O'Carroll
Cordelia Underwood - Van Reid
Bachelor Brother's Bed and Breakfast - Bill Richardson
Evolution Man or How I Ate My Father - Roy Lewis

I adore Joan Hess's "Maggody" series, but you have to be willing to suspend
all believe and be ready to be taken in by the truly bizarre.

I don't read much humor, but I do enjoy Charlotte MacLeod's Sarah
Kelling/Max Bittersohn mysteries. The eccentric relatives are delightful.

I usually snicker my way through Lauren Henderson's mysteries - Black Rubber
Dress, Freeze My Margarita, and Strawberry Tattoo - but they are not for the
prudish.

I'd add James Lileks, P.J. O'Rourke, Molly Ivins, and Joe Bob Briggs to my
list. Lileks has had two humorous detective stories and two collections of
his earlier newspaper columns published, but these days appears only as a
columnist for the STAR TRIBUNE and the proprietor of a wonderful website,
www.lileks.com/index2.html (see especially the "Gallery of Regrettable
Food). But as for the "single funniest book/writer read recently", I'll
plump for Terry Pratchett as author and The Fifth Elephant as book (as I
preferred it to his more recent The Truth).

Donald Westlake and Brian Garfield wrote GANGWAY! which is a bawdy romp
through the wilds of Barbary Coast San Francisco.

Bill Gulick's Hallelujah Trail is good, too, if you track it down. It was
also made into one of the funnier Western movies ever made.

I thought Geek Love was awfully funny (about a circus family), though it's
not for the faint of heart.

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