Funny books to read
Not sure which funny books to read? We ranked 96 of them using 57,810 reader ratings; the average is 7.8/10. Below: three books to start with, then short reads, series starts, and classics.
If you read only one, make it Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (8.9/10). If you prefer a series: Discworld starts with The Colour of Magic.
Start here
Three funny books that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.
Born a CrimeTrevor Noah recounts a South African childhood that was, under apartheid law, illegal from the moment of his birth, and he does it as a comedian would.
Short reads: under 300 pages
For a weekend or a commute. 44 of the rated funny books are this short; these score best.
Series worth starting
The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.
Classics from before 1976
Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.
How long are the rated funny books?
83 of 96 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: under 300 pages.
Narrow it down with “Find a book”
“Find a book” holds 68 funny books. Pick a shortcut — the filters are already set:
Questions readers ask
What funny books should I read first?
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah: 8.9/10 from 1,304 ratings, and it needs no earlier book. Next on our list: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Good Omens.
What is a good funny book under 300 pages?
Animal Farm (128 pages, 8.3/10) is the highest-rated one under 300 pages.
Which funny book series should I start?
Discworld: begin with The Colour of Magic, the first of 41 books. The reading order page lists every volume.
How are these books chosen?
Only books with enough reader ratings to be ranked (at least 50) are picked. The score is a weighted average across independent rating sources, pulled toward the category average when ratings are few.