July Genre Discussion Help

[kio]

Humorous Fiction and Non-Fiction all have one thing in common: they're funny. A lot of books could fit under this category, but in general these are the guidelines most use:

Fiction:

1. Usually exaggerated humor

2. Tend to poke fun at a genre or subject (ex. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is a book that pokes fun at science fiction, Terry Pratchett books poke fun at fantasy elements)

3. This genre is a genre that sets out to evoke a humorous response in the reader

4. Anything that is a satire

Non-Fiction:

1. Same elements of fiction, but is a true story.

2. Frequently told by a comedian or a celebrity, but not required (Yes, Please by Amy Poehler, Bossypants by Tina Fey, Alan Alda's books)

3, Truth may be exaggerated to evoke a laughter response


Example of Titles (fiction and non-fiction)

1. Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
2. Yes, Please! by Amy Poehler

3. Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda

4. Books by Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams (fiction)

5.Barking Goats and the Redneck Mafia by Dolores Wilson (fiction)

6. Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

7. Shakespeare's comedies like Taming of the Shrew (a personal favorite I'd highly recommend)



For more ideas, visit http://www.findmeanauthor.com/comedy_fiction_genre.htm, https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/humor, or the review forums on onlinebookclub.

[Heidi M Simone]

I've been wanting to read Crowning Glory: An Experiment in Self-Discovery Through Disguise by Stacy Harshman. It's a memoir and is said to be funny, so I think I'll go with this for this month.

I have read Tina Fey's Bossypants before and found it very entertaining. Should be a fun month!

[Gravy]

I think I'll read Something Missing by Matthew Dicks. I read his Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend for magical realism, so this seems to fit

A career criminal with OCD tendencies and a savant-like genius for bringing order to his crime scenes, Martin considers himself one of the best in the biz. After all, he’s been able to steal from the same people for years on end—virtually undetected. Of course, this could also be attributed to his unique business model—he takes only items that will go unnoticed by the homeowner. After all, who in their right mind would miss a roll of toilet paper here, a half-used bottle of maple syrup there, or even a rarely used piece of china buried deep within a dusty cabinet?

Even though he's never met these homeowners, he's spent hours in their houses, looking through their photo albums and reading their journals. In essence, Martin has developed a friendship of sorts with them and as such, he decides to interfere more in their lives—playing the part of a rather odd guardian angel—even though it means breaking many of his twitchy neurotic rules.

Along the way Martin not only improves the lives of others, but he also discovers love and finds that his own life is much better lived on the edge (at least some of the time) in this hilarious, suspenseful and often profound novel about a man used to planning every second of his life, suddenly forced to confront chaos and spontaneity.

[kio]

That looks good, I might try that one too @gravy

[Gravy]

Awesome

I'm hoping I'm able to get to it soon

[Insomniac07]

I think I might just re-read the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams but this time do it in audiobook format. Would that be ok?

[lily_kh87]

I once read a book about self-development that was so funny. I read a translated version that was called How to ruin your life. It was hilarious.