When we think “beach reads,” we think about thrillers and mysteries and the like. But it turns out there are lots of new books that are less pee-your-pants scary and more pee-your-pants funny. Here, nine new (or new-ish) books to pick up immediately for a good laugh.
The Funniest New Books to Read This Summer
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Published Aug 6, 2018
Cover: Atria Books; Background: Twenty20
my Life As A Goddess By Guy Branum
In this essay collection, comedian Branum talks about everything from the pitfalls of being typecast as the “Sassy Gay Friend” to how going to law school made him decide to try stand-up.
Cover: Touchstone; Background: Twenty20
my Beautiful Despair By Kim Kierkegaardashian
Based on a popular Twitter account, this slim volume contains mashups of Kim Kardashian tweets and Soren Kierkegaard’s philosophy. Think: “I have majorly fallen off my workout-eating plan! AND it's summer. But to despair over sin is to sink deeper into it.”
Cover: Gallery Books; Background: Twenty20
unwifeable By Mandy Stadtmiller
Candid, messy and outrageously funny, Unwifeable is a memoir by witer and comedian Stadtmiller. Come for the wild, name drop-y stories about high-profile hookups and stay for the author's roundabout path to self-discovery.
Cover: St. Martin's Press; Background: Twenty20
so Close To Being The Sh*t, Y'all Don’t Even Know By Retta
The hilarious star of Parks and Recreation and Good Girls, Retta knows how to get a laugh. Her debut essay collection tackles everything from abandoning her med school plans to stalking the cast of Hamilton.
Cover: Little, Brown and Company; Background: Twenty20
calypso By David Sedaris
With his trademark dark wit, Sedaris confronts middle age and mortality through the experience of buying a beach house with the intention of learning to relax.
Cover: Atria; Background: Twenty20
i Can't Date Jesus By Michael Arceneaux
Growing up black and gay in Houston, Texas, writer Arceneaux had to learn to accept himself in a world that wanted him to change. In his debut book, he touches on everything from coming out to his mom to how he almost ended up in the priesthood.
Cover: Wednesday Books; Background: Twenty20
30 Before 30 By Marina Shifrin
Fresh out of college and working in NYC, Shifrin was uninspired. That is, until she made—and completed—a list of 30 things she wanted to do before turning 30. From riding a bike over the Brooklyn Bridge to becoming internet famous, her new memoir is funny and inspiring.
Cover: Little, Brown and Company; Background: Twenty20
hits And Misses By Simon Rich
In this 18-story collection, former Saturday Night Live writer Rich reflects on the absurdity of fame and realities of a world dominated by social media influencers and real housewives.
Cover: Penguin Books; Background: Twenty20
maeve In America By Maeve Higgins
Higgins was a best-selling memoirist and comedian in her native Ireland when, at 31, she moved to NYC for a change of pace. Her essays are a funny and smart look at everything from renting a gown for her first New York ball and learning to love yourself to dating someone who’s a loud clapper.
