There’s a time and a place for serious literary fiction but sometimes you just need a book that will make you laugh – especially if you’re looking for a beach read or a new book to dive into this summer.
From comedy novels and memoirs to essays and fantasy, there are so many funny books out there. But which are the funniest? To help you decide, we've created the ultimate list of funny books for adults, including contemporary fiction, satirical reads, and comedic classics, all guaranteed to have you cackling with laughter.
Best funny books for adults
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – best funny fantasy with a deadpan tone. Me Talk Pretty One Day - best for hilarious, autobiographical anecdotes. Bridget Jones’s Diary - best for a flawed, relatable, and self-deprecating protagonist. Right Ho, Jeeves - best for funny dialogue and loveable characters. Lost Lambs– funniest book of 2026, with its madcap plot and wry observations.
The funniest contemporary books
Best British and Irish comedy novels
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (1996)
Best for highlighting the absurdities of modern life, with its flawed but relatable protagonist.
It’s impossible to talk about modern romantic comedy without mentioning Bridget Jones’s Diary. Helen Fielding’s beloved bestseller introduced the world to Bridget – thirty-something, single, self-deprecating and armed with a diary full of resolutions and romantic misadventures. Set against the backdrop of 1990s London, it’s a witty, chaotic and endlessly relatable story of one woman trying (and failing) to get her life together, and it paved the way for a generation of funny, flawed heroines in fiction.
Funniest memoirs and autobiographies
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (2000)
Best for laugh-out-loud anecdotes about everyday life.
In this hilarious essay collection, comedian David Sedaris writes about growing up in America, his family’s dynamics, and, most famously, the humiliation ritual of trying (and failing) to learn a new language as an adult. Each story is told in hilarious detail, and is sure to make you laugh out loud on public transport. We hear it’s particularly good in audiobook format, too, as it’s narrated by the author so is told with his brilliant comedic timing.
Best satirical novels
The funniest fantasy and sci-fi books
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1979)
Best for a sci-fi satire with a witty, deadpan protgonist.
A cult classic and arguably one of the funniest books of all time, Douglas Adams’ science fiction satire follows mild-mannered Arthur Dent as he’s swept off Earth moments before it’s destroyed. Full of absurd wit, intergalactic bureaucracy and questions about the universe, this is the kind of funny novel you can read again and again – and still laugh just as hard.
Books with dark humour
Frequently asked questions
What is the funniest book in the world?
Humour is subjective, but The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is often cited as one of the funniest books of all time. Its absurdist tone, razor-sharp wit and timeless quotability have made it a go-to for readers who love laugh-out-loud books. Others might point to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon or Nora Ephron’s essays in I Feel Bad About My Neck for something observational. The best comedy books tend to be the ones that catch you off guard – and make you snort on public transport.
What are some funny books to read on holiday?
Holiday reads are all about escapism and joy – and comedy books are perfect for that. Try Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding for romantic misadventure, Greta and Valdinby Rebecca K. Reillyfor laugh-out-loud passages, or anything by Marian Keyes or Sophie Kinsella for hilarious books with strong female leads. For memoir fans, Don’t Laugh, It’ll Only Encourage Herby Daisy May Cooper is equal parts surprising and hilarious – a must-read for beach downtime.
