Good for:<\/strong> Young learners<\/p>\n This book is simple and clever. It is about two boys, George and Harold, who like to draw comics. They are famous pranksters in their school.<\/p>\n One day their principal catches them and makes them do his chores. The boys hypnotize their principal and make him into a superhero they drew\u2014Captain Underpants.<\/p>\n The story reveals a lot about the relationship between adults and children. The book is filled with funny cartoons and jokes that are sometimes disgusting but always entertaining.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “George and Harold were usually responsible kids. Whenever anything bad happened, George and Harold were usually responsible.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n Have you ever wondered about the love stories of gazelles or oxen? This book proves that if such a relationship ever became real, then it would be hilarious!<\/p>\n The story is told through a collection of letters where a love-struck Ox tries to impress a celebrity Gazelle. The joyful illustrations make the book truly memorable.<\/p>\n This may seem like it is a book for children, but adults can understand the theme of unrequited love and appreciate the way the author plays with language.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “You are so graceful and fine. Even when you are running from tigers you are like a ballerina who is running away from tigers.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Upper-intermediate to advanced students<\/p>\n Considered one of the funniest turkey tales in American literature<\/a>, Twain recounts a true incident where he tries to shoot a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.<\/p>\n The story is a humorous account of his failure. It also relates to the American holiday of Thanksgiving, where turkey is the main dish in the feast.<\/p>\n Since the story was written in 1906, you might read some words which are not commonly used anymore. For instance, the word “swindler” means “cheat” or “fraud.”<\/p>\n It might be helpful to have access to a good English dictionary while you read this.\u00a0You can also read the story online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Lie low, keep still, don’t expose yourself; I shall be back soon as I have beguiled this shabby swindler out of the country.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Mature intermediate learners<\/p>\n Have you ever felt that you did not fit in, or that you were strange, weird or awkward? The author of this book felt like that throughout her life.<\/p>\n There are tales about her sister going to school in a bird costume, her “message-board” cat, her relationship and more. Her story is equal parts funny and enlightening (something which makes you aware).<\/p>\n The core message is that the moments that embarrass us are really the ones that define us. If you are still unsure about the book, you can read this article<\/a>\u00a0by The Washington Post<\/em>\u00a0to see if you’re interested.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Also, I stapled a picture of us from our wedding day to the cat’s left leg. Don’t we look happy? We can be that way again.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n Eva, the main character, is frustrated with her family. When her children leave home, she climbs into bed and stays there.<\/p>\n She refuses to be a dutiful wife to her indifferent husband, and she stops being an ideal mother to her careless children.\u00a0Soon, unexpected things start happening. The true face of every person in the household starts to come out.<\/p>\n The novel is comical but also seeks to question traditional family roles. For a more detailed overview, read this review<\/a>\u00a0by The Guardian<\/em>.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Brian kept the photograph inside an old Bible. He knew it would be safe there. Nobody ever opened it.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Mature intermediate students<\/p>\n Madness is usually seen as a very clinical topic. Mad people are distant and mysterious. They are reduced to their disorders and their humanity is often ignored.<\/p>\n This novel narrates a story about a woman who lives with bipolar disorder. The narrator is her son who is trying to figure out what is happening while exploring his parents’ past.<\/p>\n The unique characters and interesting observations about the family and their way of coping with Em, the mother, make the book humorous while also keeping the human element of all the characters.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Honestly, I don’t understand Zen. It seems if you don’t answer properly, or if you are rude, people get enlightened.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n This is a satire that won the prestigious Booker Prize<\/a> in 2016. It is a sharp, witty story about an African American protagonist (main character) who was born in a middle-class family.<\/p>\n Raised by a single father, he dreams of making his life better. But when his father is killed in a police shooting, he decides he needs to take a radical step.<\/p>\n The novel is funny and goes deep into the heart of American society. To know why it won one of the most famous awards in the world, read this review<\/a>.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “If New York is the ‘city that never sleeps,’ then Los Angeles is the ‘city that’s always passed out on the couch.'”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Mature intermediate learners<\/p>\n This story is about killing a 14-year-old girl to build a new one. It is not literally about murder, but rather, it is a story about growing up as a girl.<\/p>\n The protagonist is named Johanna. She renames herself Dolly Wilde when she decides to change her life. She goes through a very intimate journey to become the woman she wants to be.<\/p>\n This is a witty story about being free and what it means to be free. You can read a fantastic review<\/a> of this book here.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “There’s no point in drinking if no one’s watching.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced students<\/p>\n P.G. Wodehouse’s novels are always filled with humorous characters, and plots with as many twists as the number of holes in Swiss cheese.<\/p>\n In this tale, a series of events are set into motion when a precious art piece is stolen from the castle of Mr. J. Preston Peters. There are detectives, imposters and marriages that go wrong.<\/p>\n This is a classic story that never fails to be funny and interesting.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “It’s very kind of you to keep offering me your dead mouse; but honestly I have no use for it.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Upper-beginner learners<\/p>\n This is a fantasy book that takes place in Britain. Jane Eyre, one of the most famous literary heroines in history, has been kidnapped. A detective is asked to save her before it is too late.<\/p>\n The story is set in a world where people can literally enter novels, time travel is real and cloning is commonplace.<\/p>\n The novel manages to be funny while talking about a society under the rule of a dictator. Here is a brief review<\/a> of the book.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “I shouldn’t believe anything I say if I were you. And that includes what I just told you.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate to advanced students<\/p>\n Adults often treat children as people who are less intelligent. In this story, Nicholas easily tricks his strict aunt and outsmarts her throughout the story.<\/p>\n Saki is famous for writing about characters who are not only funny but also use their minds to change the situation they are stuck in.<\/p>\n There are some advanced words in the story. “Obstinacy” means “stubbornness,” or the quality of being stubborn. “Debarred” means to exclude or ban someone from doing something.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “The dramatic part of the incident was that there really was a frog in Nicholas’s basin of bread-and-milk; he had put it there himself, so he felt entitled to know something about it.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Upper-beginner students<\/p>\n Ivan Matveich is swallowed alive when he goes to see a crocodile with his wife and a friend.<\/p>\n He finds himself quite comfortable inside the animal and refuses to come out. What follows is a hilarious story which has become a classic.<\/p>\n Originally published in 1865 in Russian, the story might contain some confusing words. For instance, “arcade” is an old word used for a covered passage where people used to go for entertainment.<\/p>\n This tale can be read online<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “‘Alive and well,’ answered Ivan Matveitch, ‘and, thanks to the Almighty, swallowed without any damage whatever.'”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n “The Nose” is a satirical story about a person named Kovalyov whose nose leaves his face and decides to have a life of its own.<\/p>\n In a hilarious series of events, the nose actually moves above Kovalyov in official ranks to become his senior in the government.<\/p>\n This was written in 1836 to comment on how Russian society was obsessed with social status. You might notice uncommon words like “propriety,” which means to have good manners and act according to social rules.<\/p>\n This story can also be found online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “The nose looked at the Major and frowned a little.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n Two men kidnap a boy who turns out to be so mischievous that they ultimately return him to his father and give their own money to his family instead.<\/p>\n Originally published in 1907, this story still makes readers laugh out loud.\u00a0O. Henry managed to create a story that is remembered throughout generations.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “‘If you don’t behave,’ says I, ‘I’ll take you straight home. Now, are you going to be good, or not?’ (This was said by the kidnapper.)”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Upper-beginner students<\/p>\n This book was originally intended to be a serious memoir, but the funny elements soon took over and the writer decided to publish it as a humorous tale.<\/p>\n The story is about three men who take a boat ride on the river Thames in England and describe funny things they encounter throughout the journey.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “George goes to sleep at a bank from ten to four each day, except Saturdays, when they wake him up and put him outside at two.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Upper-intermediate to advanced students<\/p>\n This book was published after the author died and won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize<\/a>.<\/p>\n This novel is about Ignatius Reilly, a fat man with a funny hat.\u00a0The story includes a parrot attack, a revolt to impress a girlfriend and many accidents.<\/p>\n It is best for advanced English learners. The word “dunce” refers to a stupid person and the word “confederacy” means a union or group of people who agree to work together.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “I mingle with my peers or no one. And since I have no peers, I mingle with no one.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n Puckoon is a novel set in 1924. That year, Ireland was divided into Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. You can read the historical background here<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the novel, the border cuts through the middle of a village named Puckoon and divides a house into two.<\/p>\n What follows is a comical journey. In fact, the protagonist is so lazy that the narrator has to intervene to make sure he does something in the story!<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Many people die of thirst but the Irish are born with one.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Young learners<\/p>\n This charming and darkly amusing book is for beginners, and specifically younger learners.<\/p>\n The story is simple, engaging and very funny.\u00a0There are several animals, personalities and settings you can experience in this short story.<\/p>\n There are also some live readings<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0animations<\/a> available online as well.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “‘Have you seen my hat?’ asks the bear. ‘What is a hat?’ the animal replies.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n This collection contains four Dr. Seuss short stories. It include the hilarious poem “Too Many Daves,” which is a silly tale about a mother who names all of her 23 sons Dave.<\/p>\n This story is great for phonetic practice, as some of the names contain unfamiliar words and sounds, which can be challenging but still fun to read.<\/p>\n Many native English speakers grow up reading Dr. Seuss books, so this is a great way to experience a style of writing that many people are familiar with.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “She often wishes that, when they were born, she had named one of them Bodkin Van Horn.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate students<\/p>\n This surreal yet engaging short story is great for intermediate learners who want a vocabulary challenge.<\/p>\n It is about a strange and unbelievable creature. There are some excellent words and descriptions in this entertaining tale.<\/p>\n Note that this story does require a little extra patience, because it is a fiction (not true) story.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “But we can’t expect blood from a turnip or any intelligence whatsoever from journalists.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate students<\/p>\n Here is another great short story for intermediate learners. This tale is amusing from the opening line (see the quote below) right until the end.<\/p>\n The story focuses on a game of Scrabble between a man and his wife. The tense feeling builds up to an unexpected ending.<\/p>\n The game Scrabble<\/a> involves building words out of letter tiles to earn points. Both the game and the story are great ways to practice and learn vocabulary.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “It’s a hot day and I hate my wife.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Intermediate learners<\/p>\n This story may be too difficult for absolute beginners, but the subject matter is engaging for language students.<\/p>\n It touches on the difficulties of traveling without knowing a language\u2014a topic many language learners can relate to!<\/p>\n While it is not the funniest story on the list, you may understand the feelings of the characters who cannot speak directly to each other.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “The boy named a price which was five times what he would have got for it locally.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Upper-beginner business students<\/p>\n This is an interesting and thought-provoking tale about the English language. The points about grammar and creativity are things that all English students can relate to.<\/p>\n It is a particularly good story for business English students because the setting is a corporate business. The main character wants to invent a machine to do the job of a writer.<\/p>\n The story is especially relevant today with the rise of AI technology. There is some technical vocabulary, but don’t worry\u2014it’s still an entertaining tale.<\/p>\n You can also read it online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Why doesn’t he stand up straight? He looks like a bent stick.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n This book might be about a school boy, but you can enjoy it even if you haven’t been in school for years.<\/p>\n “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is about a middle school boy who deals with school and family issues.<\/p>\n The easy writing and cute illustrations (drawings) make this a great book for easy English language reading.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “First of all, let me get something straight: This is a JOURNAL, not a diary.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n “Calvin and Hobbes” is not a regular book: It’s a comic book!<\/p>\n The adventures of little boy Calvin and his imaginary tiger friend Hobbes are classics, loved by many over the years.<\/p>\n Even if you don’t like comic books, give this one a try\u2014you might be surprised at how clever and thoughtful the humor is.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “So long, pop! I’m off to check my tiger trap!”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Upper-beginner learners<\/p>\n Roald Dahl (already mentioned above) is known for his many children’s stories. You might have heard of “James and the Giant Peach” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” in fact.<\/p>\n In “The BFG,” Dahl creates another charming and slightly scary world in which a girl and a giant team up to protect children from becoming dinner.<\/p>\n As a children’s book, it’s simple enough for beginning English speakers, but as an older<\/i> children’s book, it can also be a little challenging in parts.<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Don’t gobblefunk around with words.”<\/p>\n Good for:<\/strong> Beginner learners<\/p>\n Pippi’s full name is Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Efraim\u2019s Daughter Longstocking.<\/p>\n She lives in a huge mansion with her pet horse and friend monkey, and dreams of the day her father will return from the ocean.<\/p>\n Pippi’s many adventures and stories are as crazy as they are funny. She’s a lovable child who will remind you how to be a child yourself!<\/p>\n Funny quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n “I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that.”<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/61fM9j2P8KL.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n2.\u00a0“XO, OX: A Love Story”<\/a> by Adam Rex<\/h2>\n
![\"XO,](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51gBLDddPLL.jpg\" "\\"XO,")
<\/a><\/p>\n3.\u00a0“Hunting the Deceitful Turkey”<\/a> by Mark Twain<\/h2>\n
![\"Hunting](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/41d0UFxCtNL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"Hunting")
<\/a><\/p>\n4.\u00a0“Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir”<\/a> by Jenny Lawson<\/h2>\n
![\"Let's](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/517W5q2iQSL.jpg\" "\\"Let's")
<\/a><\/p>\n5.\u00a0“The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year”<\/a> by Sue Townsend<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51l6-R3MhnL.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n6.\u00a0“Em and the Big Hoom”<\/a> by Jerry Pinto<\/h2>\n
![\"Em](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51HQexrSJIL.jpg\" "\\"Em")
<\/a><\/p>\n7.\u00a0“The Sellout: A Novel”<\/a> by Paul Beatty<\/h2>\n
![\"SELLOUT\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51VAxSg4OWL.jpg\" "\\"SELLOUT\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n8.\u00a0“How to Build a Girl”<\/a> by Caitlin Moran<\/h2>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/519bogS1iVL.jpg\" "\\"How")
<\/a><\/p>\n9.\u00a0“Something Fresh”<\/a> by P.G. Wodehouse<\/h2>\n
![\"Something](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/418kXcm52jL.jpg\" "\\"Something")
<\/a><\/p>\n10.\u00a0“The Eyre Affair”<\/a> by Jasper Fforde<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51AunppapL.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n11.\u00a0“The Lumber Room”<\/a> by Saki<\/h2>\n
![\"cover](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/4\/the-lumber-room-saki-cover.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n12.\u00a0“The Crocodile”<\/a>\u00a0by Fyodor Dostoyevsky<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/41aqLautH0L._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n13.\u00a0“The Nose”<\/a> by Nicholas Gogol<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/610vznc2u8L._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n14. “The Ransom of Red Chief”<\/a> by O. Henry<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/510lBa3CgPL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n15.\u00a0“Three Men in a Boat”<\/a> by Jerome K. Jerome<\/h2>\n
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/416M9KKWTXL.jpg\" "\\"Three")
<\/a><\/p>\n16.\u00a0“A Confederacy of Dunces”<\/a> by John Kennedy Poole<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/51GWPeG58-L._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/a><\/p>\n17.\u00a0“Puckoon”<\/a> by Spike Milligan<\/h2>\n
![\"Puckoon\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/51S8IjYhEyL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"Puckoon\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n18. “I Want My Hat Back”<\/a> by Jon Klassen<\/h2>\n
![\"I](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/41MhKkisOEL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"I")
<\/a><\/p>\n19. “The Sneetches and Other Stories”<\/a> by Dr. Seuss<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51hFefzfWNL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n20. “The Ushuaia Rabbit”<\/a>\u00a0by Fernando Sorrentino<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/4\/ushuaia-rabbit-cover.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n21. “Death by Scrabble”<\/a>\u00a0by Charlie Fish<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/4\/death-by-scrabble-cover.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n22. “Do You Speak English?”<\/a> by Simon Collings<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/4\/do-you-speak-english-cover.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n23. “The Great Automatic Grammatizator”<\/a>\u00a0by Roald Dahl<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/41dKgF-JFaL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n24. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”<\/a>\u00a0by Jeff Kinney<\/h2>\n
![\"Diary](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/41bVEw5Md5L._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"Diary")
<\/a><\/p>\n25. “Calvin and Hobbes”<\/a>\u00a0by Bill Watterson<\/h2>\n
![\"Calvin](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51SZ-ByklwL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"Calvin")
<\/a><\/p>\n26. “The BFG”<\/a>\u00a0by Roald Dahl<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51qXUJv2GsL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\n27. “Pippi Longstocking”<\/a>\u00a0by Astrid Lindgren<\/h2>\n
![\"Pippi](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/51AJzl2N0VL._SL500_.jpg\" "\\"Pippi")
<\/a><\/p>\n28. “An Abundance of Katherines”<\/a>\u00a0by John Green<\/h2>\n