lou's library

I don’t know about you, but every now and then I need something light and funny to read, particularly if I’ve been reading lots of classics or other heavy stuff (or if the state of the world makes me wanna forget about everything for a little while). And even if what I’m reading deals with heavy topics, I’m always glad for a little comic relief. So, if you’re looking for a bit of fun, I’ve got some books for you!

The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

This book was gifted to me by a friend, so I went into it without a clue what it is about. Turns out, it’s on of the funniest books I’ve ever read. It follows the life of an Irish boy who gets separated from his mother and grows up in the UK. Throughout his life, he faces lots of trials and tribulations, a lot of which are quite sad. I’m aware none of this sounds particularly funny, but The Heart’s Invisible Furies is one of the most uplifting books you will ever come across. The protagonist is so ridiculously lovable and the narrator has this dry wit that made me chuckle out loud multiple times. I really enjoyed this balance between tenderness and lightness and even though it’s been years since I’ve read this book, I still think about it frequently. This is a great choice if you’re looking for something engaging and touching that’s not too heavy (or simply if you enjoy reading amazing books!).

This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Key

In 2019, while studying English Literature, I had to read an English classic every single week for three months. Suffice to say, by the time I was done all I wanted to read was something light and funny. This Is Going To Hurt admittedly features heavy topics, seeing as it is a junior doctor’s diary, but it is told with such heart and humour that even the hardest aspects of his job seem endurable. I have never laughed out loud as much when reading than when I read this book, so please do give it a try. It also taught me a lot about the British health system and, more importantly, that it is absolutely essential to never lose your sense of humour, no matter what life throws at you.

The Martian by Andy Weir

You may be familiar with this story of an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars because it was adapted into a movie starring Matt Damon a few years ago. Given the subject matter, I wasn’t sure how heavy this book would be. Being stranded on Mars would give one lots of pause for negative, spiralling thoughts, one would think. However, our protagonist has such a cheery nature that not even the thought of quite possibly dying all alone on a faraway planet can dampen his spirits. He seems like the kind of guy who makes every team project better simply by being there (which is probably part of the reason he was selected for the mission). His sense of humour turns The Martian from what could have been a very dark and anxiety-inducing read into one that is still highly engaging, but also just very fun to read. And I do think that his refusal to give into despair makes him so much more likeable and definitely contributed to me being more invested in his attempt to save his life.

The House In The Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

Oh, T J Klune, master of writing lovable characters that refuse to leave your heart long after you’ve finished the book. The House in the Cerulean Sea is full of whimsical characters that are so vivid and unusual, I would give anything to get a glimpse into the author’s mind. It must be such a fun place! The writing is so funny and fast-paced, you simply fly through the book. The characters include a garden gnome, a wyvern, sprites and a little creature who wants to be a bellhop when they grow up (my personal favourite! Chauncey, you have my heart <3). Oh yeah, and let’s not forget about the Antichrist! I hope you get the gist by now. This book is unlike any I’ve read. It’s cosy and hilarious but it will also leave you heavily invested in these characters’ lives and I thought about this book for weeks after I had finished it!

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

I know, I know. Funny perhaps isn’t the first word that comes to mind when thinking of the masterpiece that is Piranesi. But hear me out. There’s something so endearing about the protagonist’s naivety that is (perhaps often unwilllingly) funny and highly entertaining to me. Don’t get me wrong, this story is incredible touching and often quite sad, but Piranesi is an incredible character with lots of wit and humour. It’s sort of hard to explain all of this without giving anything away, but I do believe that Piranesi’s funny streaks are generally underrated. I would say the first half is definitely funnier than the second, but the protagonist’s outlook on life and general attitude not only make him extremely lovable, but also bring a lightness to the story that would otherwise be lacking.

I hope you found something on this list that tickled your fancy! Let me know if you give any of these a try and if you liked them ❤