The 11 Hilarious Books for the Christmas Season
Book RaiderAs we deck the halls and dust off our Christmas jumpers, the festive season offers us the perfect excuse to kick back, relax and laugh out loud with a great book. But if you're tired of the same old recipe of holiday stories filled with eggnog, mistletoe, and Santa getting stuck in a chimney, you're in for a treat. We're not talking about your grandma’s Christmas tales, these books are set to tickle your funny bone until you're shaking like a bowl full of jelly.
Part of the joy of Christmas is stealing those quiet moments away from the holiday hustle and bustle, nestled in your favourite armchair, sipping hot cocoa and whittling the hours away with a good read. This year, let's huddle up with some hilarious anecdotes designed to make even the grinchiest among us crack a smile. From wince-inducing family holiday mishaps to playful spoofs of Christmas traditions, these books promise festive fun, laughter and a hearty dose of holiday cheer.
Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir
Why Project Hail Mary is on this list: Project Hail Mary will have you chuckling with its well-timed wit and humor, just the way you'd want during the festive Christmas period. Despite being set in the desolation of space, it’ll leave you in high spirits just like a jolly Santa ride.
The book narrates the captivating story of Ryland Grace, an astronaut who wakes up alone on a spaceship, millions of miles away from Earth, with no recollection of his mission or who he is. As he unravels the reason behind his lonely presence in the vast cosmos, the stakes turn out to be humanity itself. The humor is the secret sauce to this unusual and intense sci-fi storyline that will keep you entertained with every page turn.
What readers like: Readers rave about Weir's sharp humor that's brilliantly woven into an intricate plotline. They love the perfect blend of scientific explanation and amusing character interactions, providing both a mind stretch and giggles throughout. The book's fast pace and constant surprises are a hit with readers looking for a thrilling yet hilarious read.
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Born a Crime
by Trevor Noah
Why Born a Crime is on this list: Born a Crime slides perfectly into this Christmas reading list for its hilariously candid narrative and the vividly painted episodes of Trevor Noah's life. His humorous yet poignant anecdotes remind us of the often comical side of life, making us laugh and lighten up during the stress-filled holiday season.
Born a Crime is a memoir that carefully threads aspects of comedy, hardship, and triumph. In this book, Trevor Noah recounts his childhood growing up in South Africa during apartheid, offering a unique perspective as a light-skinned 'colored' in a racially divided society. His descriptions of the comical and exceptional experiences in his life serve as both a gut-busting humor ride and a thoughtful reflection on racism, poverty, and family.
What readers like: Readers love Trevor's witty and engaging storytelling style that made them chuckle even while discussing serious topics. His ability to capture both the absurdity and severity of his circumstances strikes a balance that is both eye-opening and hilariously entertaining. Plus, readers enjoy how Trevor's humor offers an interesting and light-hearted perspective on heavier, more complicated issues.
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Little Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng
Why Little Fires Everywhere is on this list: Even though 'Little Fires Everywhere' isn't your standard festive fare, it will light up your Christmas with a good dose of humor and clever wit. This book is a chaotic Christmas jumper of a novel, wrapping you in knots of laughter.
The book takes you into the mundane suburb of Shaker Heights where everything is orderly and picture perfect. But not for long. Unexpectedly, a single mother and her daughter move in and cause upheaval. The plot is filled with intrigue, suspense, and an undercurrent of wry humor that will tickle your funny bone.
What readers like: Readers cherish the book for its beautiful storytelling, combined with sardonic wit. The humor is sly, creeping up on you when you least expect it. The book has a unique way of addressing serious themes with a light and hilarious touch. If you appreciate tales that subtly blend drama with humor, 'Little Fires Everywhere' may just become your new favorite Christmas read.
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Why Not Me?
by Mindy Kaling
Why Why Not Me? is on this list: Mindy Kaling's wit and humor are exemplary as she thrills us through thought-provoking musings. Why Not Me? is a hilarious book that adds spice to the jovial mood of the holiday season. It's sure to keep you in good spirits and fits perfectly into a selection of books for some Christmas giggles.
Why Not Me? is a collection of essays penned by Mindy Kaling, where she cleverly comments on her personal experiences with Hollywood, relationships, and adulthood. Unrolling her life's journey filled with chucklesome incidents and self-deprecating humor, Kaling's book inspires an enriching yet hearty laughter.
What readers like: Readers love Mindy's authenticity, sharp humor and relatability. Despite her charmed Hollywood life, she is not afraid of showing her human side, insecurities and imperfections, making her narratives deeply moving yet delightfully funny. Reading Why Not Me? feels like engaging in a brazenly honest and hilarious conversation with an old friend.
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Turtles All the Way Down
by John Green
Why Turtles All the Way Down is on this list: The beautifully woven quirkiness of Green's characters and their spot-on banters serves as a delightful icebreaker. This book is the perfect remedy for the holiday grump and will have you chuckling into your hot cocoa.
Turtles All the Way Down is a charming tale about Aza, a young, witty girl dealing with anxiety. When a billionaire goes missing, Aza along with her fearless best friend, Daisy, get tangled up in the investigation. Amidst all the mayhem, there's an unrequited love, an unusual pet, and an abundance of Star Wars fan-fiction.
What readers like: Readers enjoy the humorous dialogues, the relatable struggles of a teenager, and the exploration of friend relationships. John Green's unique sense of humor stands out, making this a book you might accidentally start reading out loud in the silent section of a library.
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Where'd You Go, Bernadette
by Maria Semple
Why Where'd You Go, Bernadette is on this list: Nothing beats the holiday blues like laughing until you cry. 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' is splendidly quirky and full of wit, making it a perfect book to add a dash of humor to your Christmas season.
Bernadette Fox is notorious in her community for her outlandish antics. She disappears before a family trip to Antarctica, leaving her 15-year-old daughter Bee to piece together her mother's past and find her. The book unveils the story through emails, memos and other correspondence, which adds to its comic timing and appeal.
What readers like: Readers love Bernadette's eccentric character and the unconventional narrative style. The clever observations and humorous writing offer a refreshing take on life, relatable to anyone who's ever felt a bit misunderstood. Throw in some family drama and mystery, and 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette' becomes a festively strange journey to navigate during the Christmas season.
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Anxious People
by Fredrik Backman
Why Anxious People is on this list: Anxious People has all the elements that make for a perfect Christmas read. Full of humor, humanity and unpredictability that will keep you more hooked than that gooey Christmas pudding. It's not about Santa, reindeers or Christmas shopping, but it will definitely make your season brighter with its hilarious plot elements.
Anxious People is a wildly funny yet deeply empathetic story about a botched bank robbery that turns into a hostage situation. The captives? A colorful group of people attending an apartment open house. Backman expertly finds the humor in the chaos, and weaves a tale around unlikely friendships. A perfect reflection on human behavior and all our collective anxieties.
What readers like: Readers have found Anxious People to be a laughter inducing, tear jerking kind of read. Complimented for its wry humor and skilful portrait of humanity, the book is also a masterclass in capturing raw emotions. Readers have appreciated how it makes you laugh out loud one moment and think deeply about life the next. It's this balance of humor and profundity that makes it a great read for the holiday season.
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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
Why Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is on this list: Nothing screams Christmas cheer like a dash of dark humor, a pinch of wit, and a lead character who is as relatable as they come. Eleanor's journey is perfect for cuddling up with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoying a holiday laugh.
This book journeys us through the very ordinary yet extraordinary life of Eleanor Oliphant - who is completely fine, thank you very much. Or is she? As we discover her quirky routines, her aversion to social interactions, and her somewhat unhealthy crush on the local musician, we can't help but laugh and maybe even shed a tear. Her blunt honesty and surprisingly poignant observations of the world will leave you chuckling and reflecting at the same time.
What readers like: Readers love Eleanor Oliphant for her unique, quirky charisma and hilarious inner monologues, finding the humour hiding in the mundane aspects of life. They also appreciate the delicate balance of comedy and deep insights about loneliness and human connections. Plus, Eleanor's discovery of friendship warms the cockles of their heart - a perfect read for a season of love and laughter.
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You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain
by Phoebe Robinson
Why You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain is on this list: Christmas is a time for joy, laughter, and a bit of light-hearted soul-searching. This book by Phoebe Robinson fits the bill perfectly with its rib-tickling anecdotes and wry insight.
Deftly straddling the fine line between hilarious and thought-provoking, 'You Can't Touch My Hair' is a collection of essays where Robinson dishes out her experiences as a black woman in America. From hair-petting strangers to racial issues in pop culture, she covers all and more, her humor never missing a beat.
What readers like: Readers love Robinson's effortless wit, edgy humor, and unapologetic honesty that make you laugh till you cry and leave you with a fresh perspective. It's an engaging read that is full of laughs, and just right for the festive spirit.
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Calypso
by David Sedaris
Why Calypso is on this list: If there's anything that perfectly sums up the silly, eccentric, and completely unpredictable nature of the festive season, it's 'Calypso' - a fabulous, snort-inducing, relatable read.
Calypso sees the author wrestling with middle age, mortality and everything that makes his otherwise 'normal' family, a crew of hilariously unique individuals. With a location of a vacation cottage on the Carolina coast thrown onto the mix, the tales of eccentricity and funny anecdotes are beyond perfect for the Christmas season.
What readers like: Readers love Sedaris's merciless wit, unexpected turns of tales, and illustrations of rather 'interesting' family dynamics that make you feel not so alone during those 'chestnuts roasting on an open fire' moments. This book will have you chuckling into your eggnog and questioning your own fun family quirks.
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Let's Pretend This Never Happened
by Jenny Lawson
Why Let's Pretend This Never Happened is on this list: Nothing fits the yuletide vibes better than diving into a funny and crazy real-life book like this. Stay in, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, sip on hot cocoa, and laugh out loud to Lawson's hilarious anecdotes.
This book is an autobiography of Jenny Lawson with a comic twist. It unfolds a catalogue of her childhood memories that are so ridiculously unbelievable; tales from her upbringing in rural Texas, where she grew up with a taxidermist for a father to her adulthood filled with anxiety and wonderfully awkward moments. It's a unique blend of humor and tragedy where Lawson courageously narrates her battle with mental health.
What readers like: Readers have particularly enjoyed the joyride of Lawson's eccentric life. They found it insanely hilarious, excellently written, and relatable. The book is especially applauded for being a humorous yet respectful conversation about mental illness. A perfect read to lighten the mood during the festive season!
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