Aside from writing, stand up is a hobby of mine. I love comedy because it can make us laugh and express very poignant and honest thoughts. For that reason, I always love picking up the latest book written by comedians in the Humor section of the book store. Here are some great books to get you started on loving comedians, comedy, and reading:
1. Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin
Born Standing Up is technically an autobiography but in my opinion reads as a hilarious and heartfelt story told by one of stand up’s greats. Steve Martin was the funniest man in the US at the height of his career and this book solidifies his writing and humor as extraordinary.
Source: Amazon
2. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Known for SNL and 30 Rock, Tina Fey came out with a funny memoir in the form of Bossypants. Part comedy, part biography and part life lessons, this book can delightfully bring a smile to any reader through Fey’s guidance on how to effectively manage people.
Source: Amazon
3. Egghead by Bo Burnham
Written by one of my favorite comedians, Bo Burnham, his book, Egghead, is a series of short poems, thoughts, and ideas with illustrations by Chance Bone. This book is very versatile since you can pull it out anywhere, flip to a random page and enjoy a quick musing by one of comedy’s unique voices.
4. America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Stewart
Much like Jon Stewart’s previous work on The Daily Show, this book is a satire on American politics and media. The book is a parody of a United States high school textbook, complete with study guides, questions, and classwork.
Source: Amazon
5. Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt
Although very short and easy to consume, this quirky book brings to light Patton Oswalt’s unique style of humor. This book is part stories from his life, part graphics, and part hilarity. I believe that if you love absurdity and interesting concepts, this book will be a good escape.
Source: Amazon
6. Last Words by George Carlin
A posthumous release of a book written by the legend of stand up himself, George Carlin. He gave us multiple classics, like Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television, but in this book he steps beyond comedy and tells us the very introspective journey of his life and the inevitable truth that we all will make loads of mistakes.
Source: Amazon
You will surely have a good laugh with these books! Have any other comedy book recommendations?
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