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"Why are you smiling?"
"Hey, stop giggling."
Ever heard people complain along these lines while you are immersed deep in your book. Sometimes it is the protagonists. On other occasions, it is their chemistry, or a hilarious plotline, or even the narration: the oneliners, the banter, the quirks, and the repartee like the one below.
"There's a door," he whispered.
"Where does it go?"
"It stays where it is, I think," said Rincewind.
- Faust Eric by Terry Pratchett
And trust me, you wouldn't want to be caught with your pants down, giggling with a book in hand.
"There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself,' Do trousers matter?'"
"The mood will pass, Sir."
- The Code of the Woosters by P.G.Wodehouse
Hmm, maybe. Why not? "Ahem." Clear throat. Put the breaks on those filthy thoughts. Focus.
It may not be any of this. A simple twisting mundane word-smithery can wind you up and, at the full stop, unfurl the lips, springing the smile out on your face.
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
- Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
What are some of the most epic fun characters you have met in your reading life? What surprises have authors sprung on you to make your eyes shine with joy or your lips quiver in delight? For me, it started with P.G Wodehouse in my teenage. Jeeves fascinated me, hooking me to an insane addiction to comic characters.
"Everything in life that's any fun, as somebody wisely observed, is either immoral, illegal, or fattening."
- P.G. Wodehouse
A book can provide comic relief in any situation— friends giving each other sh*t, the banter between romantic interests, snobbish sarcasm, or satire. You can have your pick of the fun poison.
The best are books that combine all or most of these traits. In the last couple of years, I have read a few. I list them here for a tease. Have a look.
Beauty and the Beefcake is hilarious. Book 3 of The Copper Valley Thrusters by Pippa Grant has unforgettable main characters. Ares- the grump who uses more words with his pet monkey than with people. The sports jock is as alpha as they get. He is forced to stay with Felicity, who does enough talking for both of them. Why? Because she is a ventriloquist. And before I forget, there is something fishy about the house they share.
Lucy Lennox is one of my favorite authors for MM romance books. Her latest series with May Archer takes us on a rollicking ride to the small town of Licking Thicket. Fakers (book 1) & Fools (book 3) introduces a crazy family and a crazier town who are all up in each other's business. The entire cast of characters is fun. They will make you smile every second line, and your cheeks will ache from smiling by the time you finish the book. While you are visiting the town, don't forget to participate in the outrageous festivals the not-so-subtle townfolks celebrate.
Ever met two infuriating characters whose angry outbursts make you smile, then you will like Only when it is us (Bergman Brothers Book 1) by Chloe Liese. A classic enemy to lover's trope with an angsty soccer girl and an injured flannel addicted jock; who can't decide whether they hate each other or … (er, cough, cough). You will giggle, smile, and hate – Willa and Ryder's jostling match. This story is one hell of a roller coaster ride from laughter to anger to grief and love.
Hailey, a sane, hard-working baker girl, meets an equally hard at work William. A billionaire and a thief. He has an uncontrollable addiction to stealing knick-knacks. Her Cherry (Objects of attraction- book 2) by Penelope Bloom will keep you cackling all through the pages. Add a kooky grandma to the mix with her innuendos; you might end up with a stomach ache.
Flirting and sexting are against office policy. Don't get reported to Human Resource for messing with your bosses. However, it doesn't matter for the protagonists in Whitney G's Office Party (Novella) and Two Weeks Notice. And definitely not for Holly Winter in Jana Aston's The Boss Who Stole Christmas. Despite her letter to Santa wishing for a new boss.
If romance novels don't tickle you, how about anecdotes from real life. Hey, come on, don't roll your eyes. Real-life is fun too. Read these short story books from Indie authors from India.
It's Punny Oops, I mean Funny by Namita Das takes you into the banter of married life. Each chapter starts with a fun quote that will surely make you smile. Radhika Acharya takes you into the hilarious world of an Indian family in The Adventures of the JP Family
The fast-paced, easy read real-world shenanigans of this family will surely bring some comic relief or make you reminiscence incidents from your life.
"I always advise people never to give advice."
- P.G. Wodehouse
Against this advice and my better judgment, if life has you swirling around in a tangled mess, pick up a book with quirky characters and banter, curl up in bed or on your comfy chair and let it-
- Matt Blake (Funny Books for Troubling Times)
If you have a recommendation, leave it in the comments. We could all do with a laugh.
While you are here, I will let you in on a secret. I did write some crazy characters. If you are up for reading a geeky, adrenaline junkie orthopedic surgeon, force a fumble on a footballer, have a look at 'All the Lines to Cross.'
A sneak peek at Jon, the player, is available on the Galantines day blog post ( The Infinite Limits of Love). You will find some fun quick reads from romance writers in the post.
Pic Credits:
Banner- Canva
Ventriloquist- pjharvis at Pixabay
Bakery- Ulysse Pointcheval at Unspalsh
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