How literary do you want it? Kurt Vonnegut is entertaining and funny and quirky though his subjects are heavy. If you want bro/jock books, Michael Lewis writes about sports and stuff, really excellent page-turning narrative non-fiction, though he’s no comedian he’s got a light attitude, I think?
All of Patrick F McManus books. He compiles his humorous columns from Outdoor Life into books like: They Shoot Canoes, Don’t They?…A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony…Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson…Another Fine Myth by Robert Lynn Aspirin…Phule’s Company by Robert Lynn Aspirin… Holidays in Hell: In Which Our Intrepid Reporter Travels to the World’s Worst Places and Asks, “What’s Funny About This?” by P J O’Rourke…anything by Dave Barry…
I love the Tom Holt books..they have fantasy and you have to have a certain sense of humor to enjoy them but my adult son enjoys them. I particularly enjoyed Who’s Afraid of Beowulf and Expecting Someone Taller. I also enjoyed David Duchovny’s Holy Cow. Humor is such a hard thing since we have such different things that we think are funny. I love all the Bertie Wooster and Jeeves books and my son does to. Good luck!
Mrs. Fletcher. I really didn’t love it, but I wonder if a guy would enjoy it more? This is my review. This is the story of Eve Fletcher, executive director of a senior citizen center, divorced, lonely and raising her son, Brendan, who is about to begin college. Brendan has a hard time in college as he discovers a world where not everyone wants to have sex and party all the time. Eve struggles with her empty nest and trying to figure out how to communicate with her son at this new stage of life. One evening, Eve gets an anonymous text that says, “U R my MILF”. When she searches for the meaning of this acronym (Mother I’d Like to Fuck), Eve discovers a whole world of pornography and begins to spend many an intimate night with her laptop in bed. By the end of the story Eve discovers who her fan is and Brendan discovers that there is a value to hard work and that, sometimes, the path we thought we should be taking isn’t really meant for us.
I love my Goodreads account. I keep track of the books I’ve read and the ones I want to read. I currently have 236 books in my “To Read” tab. There is never enough time! The only problem with Goodreads is that there is no way to track how I learn about a book (if you know how to do so, kind reader, please let me know). So, I don’t know how or where I found this book, but I do know that I had to wait about 2 months to get it from my library. I wish I could go back to the person, magazine, book list or wherever I got this book recommendation and tell them just how much I didn’t enjoy this book (that is putting it mildly). It reads like the fantasy of a middle-aged man that includes porn, casual sex, college partying practices and threesomes (yes, I’m pointing a finger at you, Mr. Perrotta). But more importantly, it isn’t particularly well-written and the characters aren’t compelling or likeable.
Fool is one of my favorite books, Moore’s humor mixed with King Lear- yes, please! My husband also thought it was great despite his never reading any Shakespeare, but much better if you are able to catch those jokes, too.
@Sharon I started 1 book by him, I think it was his first book. It was depressing and not at all funny. I swore to never read another of his books. Are they all like that?
@Diane Sedaris’ early books have an edge. To me, he comes across as bitter. But as he’s matured, he’s gained insight and tolerance and he has the ability to laugh at himself. I’ve read all his later work, and his last one, in particular, I found moving. (He talks about a sister’s suicide.)
The Sex Lives of the Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost–not about sex lives or cannibals, that I can recall. It’s nonfiction about the author following his wife to a Pacific Island; she has a new job, and he plans to write. It’s not quite a paradise, but it is hilarious. I remember reading the passage about the Great Beer Crisis to anyone who would listen. So funny!
If youre into horror, the John Dies in the End series! Such a bro story but I absolutely loved it. My book club has read the 1st two books so far, one left.
Two suggestions. Gangsterland by Tod Goldberg and huge recommendation, Metzger’s Dog by Thomas Perry. Thomas Perry has a few books with great humor.
Ready Player One
The Martian.
How literary do you want it? Kurt Vonnegut is entertaining and funny and quirky though his subjects are heavy. If you want bro/jock books, Michael Lewis writes about sports and stuff, really excellent page-turning narrative non-fiction, though he’s no comedian he’s got a light attitude, I think?
Bill Bryson books
If he enjoys outdoorsy stuff I like Patrick McManus.
I just came here to say that! So funny!
Dear Bob and Sue
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.
Winter dance by Gary Paulsen. Laughed so hard my husband said I couldn’t read it in bed anymore. I shook the whole bed.
James Herriot
Carl Hiassen, his books are set in South Florida, funny crime fiction.
Seconded
ditto!!!
Bill Bryson’s books.
H Jon Benjamin’s Failure Is An Option
What’s a “guy type book?”
Christopher Moore
Nick Hornby
Agree, Nick Horby!
A Walk in the Woods. Bill Bryson has actually written several that my husband enjoyed.
Sh*tvMy Dad Says by Justin Halpern. It’s surprisingly good, funny and poignant!
A friend suggested Calypso by David Sedaris to my husband, but I can’t give a first hand recommendation as I haven’t read it myself.
I should also add, I don’t have a clue what a “guy” book would actually be…? Whatever the guy likes, I would imagine!! ?
What age?
Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods.
All of Patrick F McManus books. He compiles his humorous columns from Outdoor Life into books like: They Shoot Canoes, Don’t They?…A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony…Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson…Another Fine Myth by Robert Lynn Aspirin…Phule’s Company by Robert Lynn Aspirin… Holidays in Hell: In Which Our Intrepid Reporter Travels to the World’s Worst Places and Asks, “What’s Funny About This?” by P J O’Rourke…anything by Dave Barry…
Anything by aj jacobs
Money by Martin Amis. Warning: NOT hilarious. it’s disgusting.
Check out Nick Hornby.
Anything by Barry Eisler – start with the John Rain Series – I loved them! Fast paced, very slick, smart.
Anything by Christopher Moore.
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
Christopher Moore
Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series: action, adventure & humor.
Anything by Carl Hiassen
Clarts and calamities by Henry Brewer.
Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer.
I loved Hope Never Dies.
Tom sawyer abroad is a classic that had some humor in it
My husband loves Twain.
Also, the Harry Dresden series (urban fantasy)
I love the Tom Holt books..they have fantasy and you have to have a certain sense of humor to enjoy them but my adult son enjoys them. I particularly enjoyed Who’s Afraid of Beowulf and Expecting Someone Taller. I also enjoyed David Duchovny’s Holy Cow. Humor is such a hard thing since we have such different things that we think are funny. I love all the Bertie Wooster and Jeeves books and my son does to. Good luck!
The Spectacular Now.
Off to be the Wizard by Scott Meyer
Mrs. Fletcher. I really didn’t love it, but I wonder if a guy would enjoy it more? This is my review. This is the story of Eve Fletcher, executive director of a senior citizen center, divorced, lonely and raising her son, Brendan, who is about to begin college. Brendan has a hard time in college as he discovers a world where not everyone wants to have sex and party all the time. Eve struggles with her empty nest and trying to figure out how to communicate with her son at this new stage of life. One evening, Eve gets an anonymous text that says, “U R my MILF”. When she searches for the meaning of this acronym (Mother I’d Like to Fuck), Eve discovers a whole world of pornography and begins to spend many an intimate night with her laptop in bed. By the end of the story Eve discovers who her fan is and Brendan discovers that there is a value to hard work and that, sometimes, the path we thought we should be taking isn’t really meant for us.
I love my Goodreads account. I keep track of the books I’ve read and the ones I want to read. I currently have 236 books in my “To Read” tab. There is never enough time! The only problem with Goodreads is that there is no way to track how I learn about a book (if you know how to do so, kind reader, please let me know). So, I don’t know how or where I found this book, but I do know that I had to wait about 2 months to get it from my library. I wish I could go back to the person, magazine, book list or wherever I got this book recommendation and tell them just how much I didn’t enjoy this book (that is putting it mildly). It reads like the fantasy of a middle-aged man that includes porn, casual sex, college partying practices and threesomes (yes, I’m pointing a finger at you, Mr. Perrotta). But more importantly, it isn’t particularly well-written and the characters aren’t compelling or likeable.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir by Bill Bryson
Anything by Christopher Moore.
The classic Patrick McManus!!! Hysterically funny short stories about outdoor adventures gone wrong. Guy humor at its best. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1092991.Never_Sniff_A_Gift_Fish?from_search=true
Carl Haissen
Three Men In A Boat
Patrick McManus on audio is great for long commutes. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/905474.They_Shoot_Canoes_Don_t_They_?from_search=true
Christopher Moore anything, but I’d start with A Dirty Job
Fool is one of my favorite books, Moore’s humor mixed with King Lear- yes, please! My husband also thought it was great despite his never reading any Shakespeare, but much better if you are able to catch those jokes, too.
Fool is so good! IMHO, everything Christopher Moore writes is gold.
The Hike, Drew Magary
Doc Sidhe, Aaron Allston
Any Kinky Friedman…
Anything by Tucker Max is R-rated is okay
A Walk in the Woods by @Bryson
Yes, most anything by Bryson.
Catch 22…Joseph Heller
Marley and Me ?❤️
David Sedaris?
@Sharon I started 1 book by him, I think it was his first book. It was depressing and not at all funny. I swore to never read another of his books. Are they all like that?
@Diane Sedaris’ early books have an edge. To me, he comes across as bitter. But as he’s matured, he’s gained insight and tolerance and he has the ability to laugh at himself. I’ve read all his later work, and his last one, in particular, I found moving. (He talks about a sister’s suicide.)
@Elaine Thank you, I should give him another shot.
Any book by A.J. Jacobs. He’s a hoot!
Define “Guy type” please
Christopher Moore – “you suck”, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman “good Omens”…actually any books by these authors
TIM DORSEY!!
Carl Hiaasen books.
@Alison these are hilarious.
Princess bride
Dave Barry is old school, but funny.
A Walk in the Woods.
Anything by Bill Bryson. In a Sunburned Country was hilarious.
Most anything written by Patrick McManus
Guy type suggestions…,A Higher Loyalty, by James Comey. The Martian, and The Curious Incident of the Dog In theNight Time.
Farley Mowatt: The Boat Who Wouldn’t Float, Owls In The Family, The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be.
For something a bit meatier, The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett
Hope Never Dies. The fictional Biden/Obama bromance mystery (VERY little politics in it)
Anything by Carl Hiassen.
Anything by Bill Bryson, Aming Thugs or Heat by Bill Buford
Carl Hiaasen’s books are a fun read.
The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow by A.J. Mackinnon
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Boomsday by Christopher Buckley
Carl Hiassen
Douglas Coupland Worst.Person.Ever.
Anything by Dave Barry.
Great, fun non-fiction: “Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Hook Has Gone Before” by Tony Horwitz.
Jim Gaffigan’s Food: A Love Story kept me and my husband laughing all the way through.
Cooking with Fernet Branca
My husband loves all the Adam Carolla books.
The Sex Lives of the Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost–not about sex lives or cannibals, that I can recall. It’s nonfiction about the author following his wife to a Pacific Island; she has a new job, and he plans to write. It’s not quite a paradise, but it is hilarious. I remember reading the passage about the Great Beer Crisis to anyone who would listen. So funny!
Carl Hiassen and Christopher moore, are my go to for comedy with a male perspective. Highly suggest!
I agree.
A man called Ove
‘A Walk in the Woods’ (skip the movie – it’s horrible!) The book is so funny – I woke my husband up laughing out loud while reading in bed!
The General Danced at Dawn by George Macdonald Fraser.
Christopher Moore is wonderful. So so funny.
Anything by Nick Hornby. Very humorous, very guy-ish.
High Fidelity or About a Boy are my favorites.
@Kris Aren’t they wonderful? I just got How to be Good and will begin it as soon as I finish Liane Moriarty’s 9 Perfect Strangers.
@Elaine I have not tried that one. I really liked A Long Way Down as well.
@Kris Haven’t read that. I’ll put it on my list!
If youre into horror, the John Dies in the End series! Such a bro story but I absolutely loved it. My book club has read the 1st two books so far, one left.
by David Wong.
Joe Ide wrote IQ and Righteous. I loved them, my husband did too.
Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt. Freaking hilarious. Listen to the audiobook. It’s a gold mine.
Still Foolin Em by Billy Crystal