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Find out moreOur new humour section is filled with books with elements of humour. Books that will make you laugh, chortle and chuckle as you read.
April 2017 Debut of the Month. Oh my word, this is an eyebrow raising, mouth openingly good read. A contemporary tale about three women, muddling and battling their way through this world as best they can. Emotional growing pains can occur at any age, life doesn't run smoothly, and these three women hold out the hand of friendship to all of us. We see and feel deeply hidden thoughts, witness shockingly embarrassing moments, and I found myself wincing at their pain, snorting with laughter, and cheering them on. Dawn O’Porter has written a stonkingly good read, I stayed up well past my bedtime into the early hours in order to finish it in one sitting. My feelings went into free fall and occasionally tied themselves up in knots as I read. ‘The Cows’ slams with impact, slaps adversity in the face, and offers supportive understanding in our modern world. Highly recommended! ~ Liz Robinson
Hettie Bagshot has bitten off more than any cat could chew. As soon as she launches her No. 2 Feline Detective Agency, she's bucketed into a case: Furcross, a home for slightly older cats, has a nasty spate of bodysnatching, and three of the residents have been stolen from their graves.Hettie and her sidekick, Tilly, set out to reveal the terrible truth. Is Nurse Mogadon involved in a deadly game? Has the haberdashery department of Malkin & Sprinkle become a mortuary? And what flavour will Betty Butter's pie of the week be?
I wasn't too sure about this book based on the opening few pages. Initially, I thought the sentence structure was clumsy and the prose was unnecessarily "wordy". As the book progressed, however, these issues disappeared and I soon started to enjoy this book. It's a good story, amusing and entertaining, so it's easy to read, perfect for relaxing in the sunshine. Not all of the characters are particularly deep but the narrator, Beth, comes across as a lovely person, someone you would be happy to spend time with. I would have enjoyed more interaction between Beth and her mother who clearly have some issues which could be explored. It's well-constructed,and mostly very well written. I particularly liked the way the chapters are named and constructed. I've not read any books by Kirsty Olliffe before but I will definitely read any other books that Kirsty writes. Pauline Braisher, A LoveReading Ambassador
This is a book for parents to share with their children and indeed for parents to indulge in themselves as they bring back memories of their childhood adventures with the irrepressable Rupert Bear. This is a complete history of Rupert, beautifully presented that provides a fascinating story of how one little bear became a national treasure. It begins with Rupert's first appearance in The Express newspaper and charts his journey to the present day, paying particular attention to the writers and artists who have brought him to life over the years. In his ninetieth year, Rupert Bear is still one of the most popular characters in literature, beloved by generations of children. This book gives a unique insight into the secrets of his success.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 19 November 2009. Always topical, Ben Elton centres his new book around the credit crunch. Following his characters from their days at university, through the highs of their careers and domestic lives and up to the point where financial crisis hits and turns their pampered, blissful lives around. Brilliantly crafted characters and Elton's scathing wit make for another very funny and well observed novel.
This feels more like the Ben Elton from the days of Gridlock and Stark so if you are a fan you’ll know that this is going to give you a bit more to get your teeth into than perhaps the last few of his modern satires have. There will be inevitable comparisons to Orwell’s 1984 but Elton writes with his own inimitable style and humour. This storyline is a scary idea that doesn’t seem too far from a possible reality.
The story is told in a series of emails. Not a new phenomenon and perhaps quite reflective of the way people tend to communicate with each other nowadays but this is a very funny book and for anyone who does communicate via email it will all seem very familiar. Due to the format this will be a quick read but thoroughly enjoyable
The third novel in the “Merde” series is the best one yet. You don’t have to have read the first two to thoroughly enjoy Paul West’s exploits as he and his French girlfriend travel across the States. English, French and American points of view all clashing together make for a brilliantly funny read and his cheeky style makes for a refreshing read.The books so far in this series are as follows:-1. A Year in the Merde2. Merde Actually3. Merde Happens
A good read for all those grown up naughty school boys who wish they could have got away with everything. Imagine being sent to a school where you are encouraged to hone all those mischievous skills you were previously punished for demonstrating. You will find yourself routing for the characters even though you know you shouldn’t but just enjoy the guilty pleasure.
Back to his modern satires, for his last novel The First Casualty was historical, very special and unusual. With this one he returns to the familiar social territory of Dead Famous and Past Mortem. It centres around the TV Pop Idol shows and the backbiting celebrity world surrounding it. Some quirky characters and amusing ideas, but not his best, although very clever, and as a Ben Elton fan it’s a ‘must read’.Similar this month: None but try Kevin Sampson.Comparison: Stephen Fry, Rupert Morgan, Christopher Buckley.
Another wacky collection of irritating letters covering such diverse subjects as purchasing, filteration “heads” for filteration of ant seed, getting sponsorship for the world’s biggest quiz, (all participants to be over seven feet tall), to enquiring what tennis whales might be. It’s all good Christmas giggle stuff that should end up in the loo for the rest of the year.
A brilliant portrayal of growing up and being young, about sex and love and rock and roll and about the dreams of youth colliding head-on with the grown-up world. A pivotal moment in many a young person's life and for the author, this time in question was 1977, the year Elvis died. And yet, the youth of today will find much in the book that resonates with their life now just as it will for the youth of the '70s and '80s.
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