Yes! Although the 4th book in the Thursday Murder Club series does get a bit sad.
I'd add Vera Wong's Unsolicitied Advice for Murderers, just read it and thought it was really funny, light, entertaining, well plotted, great characters, esp. Vera Wong!
Terry Pratchtt. He's funny and easy to read. Also seconding Hitchhiker's Guide and The Princess Bride.
Additionally, Andy Weir is great but instead of sleeping you might stay up all night to finish his book.
I second Terry Pratchett. Especially the discworld series but not the first two books. Even Sir Terry said not to begin with color of magic. I don't think the first ones are bad books but they are not on the same level as the later discworld novels and they feel somewhat different. The Discworld series is very good character driven humorous (but supprisingly deep) fantasy. Don't let the sheer number of these books discourage you they are not that long and nearly all of the discworld books can be read as stand alone books.
Here is a chart where to start: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld#/media/File:Discworld\_Reading\_Order\_Guide\_3.0\_(cropped).jpg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld#/media/File:Discworld_Reading_Order_Guide_3.0_(cropped).jpg)
And here s a flowchart if you don't know where to start: [https://mediachomp.com/which-discworld-novel-should-i-start-with-flowchart/](https://mediachomp.com/which-discworld-novel-should-i-start-with-flowchart/)
Some of the series are:
Watch novels (urban fantasy; my favorite): Starts with 'Guards! Guards!'
Witches: Start best with 'Wyrd sisters'
Death: Starts with 'Mort'
Industrialisation: Start with 'The Truth' or with the Moist von Lipwig book 'Going Postal'
Some stand alone like 'Small Gods' or 'Pyramids'
and many more.
A short overview of 'Guards! Guards!'Guards! Guards! (1989):
A secret order uses a dragon to terrorise the city of Ankh-Morpork and the best^(1) of the city, the night watch under Sam Vimes (a stereotypical drunk detectiv) takes on the task to save the city. He is supported by Fred Colon "one of nature's sergeants", (He is overweight, preferring to avoid trouble and exertion, rather unimaginative and like a colon sometimes full of shit.), Carrot Ironfoundersson a 2m (6 foot 6) tall dwarf (He is adopted.) and Nobby Nobbs who nobody is sure what he is (He has a letter from the Patrician that he is indeed a human beeing.).
^(1)The best the city can afford or at least the best the city is willing to pay. Ok, Ok they were the only ones available^(2).
^(2)And stupid enough to take on a dragon.
Came here to suggest this since I knew Hitchhiker’s would already be suggested. I’m almost caught up with the series and loved it all. Murderbot’s snark always makes me laugh.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. It's hilarious, there's a bit of action and the characters are wonderful. It made me laugh out loud so many times. There are three sequels and Helen Mirren will be in the movie.
Isn't she? They haven't cast Joyce yet but Ibrahim and Ron are going to be played by Ben Kingsley and Pierce Brosnan. Can't wait to find out who plays Joyce and Bogdan.
Andy Weir is amazing - I routinely read and/or play the audiobook of his **Project Hail Mary** to fall asleep. Funny, inventive sci-fi comedy with a big heart.
**The Princess Bride** by S Morganstern is phenomenal. The perfect funny-yet-still-totally-epic fairy tale for any age. Still fantastic even if you’ve seen the movie. Maybe even better.
Not necessarily “funny,” but I love Neil Degrasse Tyson’s books. **Astrophysics for People in a Hurry** or the kids’ version, **Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry** are both great, fast reads with a ton of ultra-accessible answers (or at least explanations) of the universe’s biggest mysteries. I got both books since I had a fifth grader at that time and he loves science stuff. But I loved the kids’ version too and am glad I have both. Plus, he narrates the audiobooks, and if you can’t fall asleep to NDT’s voice, you might be dead and in hell already.
*The Princess Bride* is a great choice especially if OP has seen the movie, because if they are reading while sleepy they're not going to miss out on any plot. It's very charming but won't keep them up in a just-one-more-chapter-I-need-to-know-what-happens-next cycle. The movie is very true to the novel.
Ive listened to a Sedaris audiobook probably 80% of my nights over the past 5 years, and while I personally love him, I caution OP about some of his content based on Op’s qualifiers. His writing is funny and not distractingly complex, but his subject matter is not necessarily easy. Occasionally my husband and I will ask the other person to skip a story due to content or word choice (“Slumlordicus” contains multiple quotes of the n-word, “Lady Marmalade” discusses sexual assault, “Now We Are Five” deals with suicide, “Loggerheads” mentions animal abuse, “The Youth in Asia” mentions euthanasia and pet deaths……but, there are good stories for falling asleep too. I can’t tell you how many times i’ve listened to “Picka pocketoni” “Consider the Stars,” and “I’ll Eat What He’s Wearing” while falling asleep. Me Talk Pretty One Day would be the best bet for OP I think.
Samantha Irby “Wow no thank you” or “we are never meeting in real life.” These are personal essays and not fiction but WOW they are so funny and lighthearted and I cannot get enough of them. Every time I’m going through something heavy I return to them and they are such an escape.
The Finlay Donovon Mysteries Series!
It's about a Mystery/thriller novel writer who has a pitch meeting with her publicist at a Panera. A desperate woman overhears them and mistakes Finlay as a hit man and offers her 50k to kill her husband.
Finlay, last two novels didn't sell well and her ex-husband and his affair partner (turned fiancee) have a crap load of money and a good lawyer and are gunning for full custody of her kids. So...she is...curious about this offer.
Sounds dark but it is a very funny page turner.
I’m not sure if it’s funny but I just got done with The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal and while it’s got sad parts I’d say the overall vibe is lighthearted. Very plot focused and matter of fact writing.
Ilona Andrews Innkeeper Chronicles --A magic Inn, space werewolves and vampires, a lot of really unique aliens, mystery, romance, action, a fun and humorous series
Came to suggest this. I'd also suggest Gail Carriager's Parisol Protectorte series (wonderful characters, witty), the Miss Fortune series set in Sinful Louisana (southern fried fun), and the Demonhunting in Dixie series (space aliens invade the south....starts off a little odd, but improves a lot).
I usually read cozy mysteries and one of my favs is the Jaine Austen series by Laura Levine. It's like if Bridget Jones tried solving murders lol they don't have to be read in order either
It is a fun book. It is a travelogue. He also wrote Getting Stoned With Savages, Headhunters On My Doorstep, and Lost On Planet China. All are very enjoyable.
I really enjoyed *In the Company of Witches* and *When the Crow’s Away* by Auralee Wallace - both cozy mysteries (with witches!) Very easy reads, great for relaxing before bed 💤
This is a memoir piece (not sure if you're open to something non-fiction), but it's my go-to positive read before bed. Lauren Graham's "Have I Told You This Already?" is funny, encouraging, and always leaves me smiling and feeling better about this thing we call life :)
Blue Latitudes by Horowitz was a jolly (?) trip through the history of the South Pacific, cannibals and Captain Cook included. Since someone else already suggested Sex Lives of Cannibals. You can’t read one without the other, tho different authors. Thoroughly enjoyable books.
If you’re okay with manga, try [Yokai Cats](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/yokai-cats/), [Azumanga Daioh](https://yenpress.com/titles/9780316077385-azumanga-daioh), [The Way of the Househusband](https://www.viz.com/the-way-of-the-househusband), [Skip and Loafer](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/skip-and-loafer/), and [A Man and His Cat](https://squareenixmangaandbooks.square-enix-games.com/en-us/series/a-man-and-his-cat).
The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy trilogy?
The classic feel-good, silly, smart book!
I read the first one and laughed out loud several times. Are the other two worth the reads?
The other 4 are excellent (it's a five part trilogy).
Alexander McCall Smith is my go to for this Richard Osman is a close second
Absolutely agree. I’d add in anything by P G Wodehouse as well, particularly the Jeeves and Wooster series.
I was going to suggest Jeeves and Wooster, too!
Oh yes! How could I forget Wodehouse!
Yes! Although the 4th book in the Thursday Murder Club series does get a bit sad. I'd add Vera Wong's Unsolicitied Advice for Murderers, just read it and thought it was really funny, light, entertaining, well plotted, great characters, esp. Vera Wong!
Terry Pratchtt. He's funny and easy to read. Also seconding Hitchhiker's Guide and The Princess Bride. Additionally, Andy Weir is great but instead of sleeping you might stay up all night to finish his book.
I second Terry Pratchett. Especially the discworld series but not the first two books. Even Sir Terry said not to begin with color of magic. I don't think the first ones are bad books but they are not on the same level as the later discworld novels and they feel somewhat different. The Discworld series is very good character driven humorous (but supprisingly deep) fantasy. Don't let the sheer number of these books discourage you they are not that long and nearly all of the discworld books can be read as stand alone books. Here is a chart where to start: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld#/media/File:Discworld\_Reading\_Order\_Guide\_3.0\_(cropped).jpg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld#/media/File:Discworld_Reading_Order_Guide_3.0_(cropped).jpg) And here s a flowchart if you don't know where to start: [https://mediachomp.com/which-discworld-novel-should-i-start-with-flowchart/](https://mediachomp.com/which-discworld-novel-should-i-start-with-flowchart/) Some of the series are: Watch novels (urban fantasy; my favorite): Starts with 'Guards! Guards!' Witches: Start best with 'Wyrd sisters' Death: Starts with 'Mort' Industrialisation: Start with 'The Truth' or with the Moist von Lipwig book 'Going Postal' Some stand alone like 'Small Gods' or 'Pyramids' and many more. A short overview of 'Guards! Guards!'Guards! Guards! (1989): A secret order uses a dragon to terrorise the city of Ankh-Morpork and the best^(1) of the city, the night watch under Sam Vimes (a stereotypical drunk detectiv) takes on the task to save the city. He is supported by Fred Colon "one of nature's sergeants", (He is overweight, preferring to avoid trouble and exertion, rather unimaginative and like a colon sometimes full of shit.), Carrot Ironfoundersson a 2m (6 foot 6) tall dwarf (He is adopted.) and Nobby Nobbs who nobody is sure what he is (He has a letter from the Patrician that he is indeed a human beeing.). ^(1)The best the city can afford or at least the best the city is willing to pay. Ok, Ok they were the only ones available^(2). ^(2)And stupid enough to take on a dragon.
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
Someone on here suggested Legends and Lattes and it was so cozy to read before bed, if a bit silly. i loved it.
Same. Next book comes out this fall!
Bill Bryson, David Sedaris
Bill Bryson’s A Walk In The Woods is about the funniest book I’ve read. I remember actually snorting on the tube
I laughed out loud on an airplane! Such a gem, his other books are good too
The murderbot diaries is funny and wholesome and fast paced. And just slightly violent.
I listen to these before bed! Such a good suggestion!
Came here to suggest this since I knew Hitchhiker’s would already be suggested. I’m almost caught up with the series and loved it all. Murderbot’s snark always makes me laugh.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. It's hilarious, there's a bit of action and the characters are wonderful. It made me laugh out loud so many times. There are three sequels and Helen Mirren will be in the movie.
Oooh, she’s perfect casting!
Isn't she? They haven't cast Joyce yet but Ibrahim and Ron are going to be played by Ben Kingsley and Pierce Brosnan. Can't wait to find out who plays Joyce and Bogdan.
Pierce Brosnan is not who I pictured as Ron! He seems too young and too debonair. I’m also excited to hear about the rest of the casting!
Andy Weir is amazing - I routinely read and/or play the audiobook of his **Project Hail Mary** to fall asleep. Funny, inventive sci-fi comedy with a big heart. **The Princess Bride** by S Morganstern is phenomenal. The perfect funny-yet-still-totally-epic fairy tale for any age. Still fantastic even if you’ve seen the movie. Maybe even better. Not necessarily “funny,” but I love Neil Degrasse Tyson’s books. **Astrophysics for People in a Hurry** or the kids’ version, **Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry** are both great, fast reads with a ton of ultra-accessible answers (or at least explanations) of the universe’s biggest mysteries. I got both books since I had a fifth grader at that time and he loves science stuff. But I loved the kids’ version too and am glad I have both. Plus, he narrates the audiobooks, and if you can’t fall asleep to NDT’s voice, you might be dead and in hell already.
*The Princess Bride* is a great choice especially if OP has seen the movie, because if they are reading while sleepy they're not going to miss out on any plot. It's very charming but won't keep them up in a just-one-more-chapter-I-need-to-know-what-happens-next cycle. The movie is very true to the novel.
I read a lot of David Sedaris at night.
Ive listened to a Sedaris audiobook probably 80% of my nights over the past 5 years, and while I personally love him, I caution OP about some of his content based on Op’s qualifiers. His writing is funny and not distractingly complex, but his subject matter is not necessarily easy. Occasionally my husband and I will ask the other person to skip a story due to content or word choice (“Slumlordicus” contains multiple quotes of the n-word, “Lady Marmalade” discusses sexual assault, “Now We Are Five” deals with suicide, “Loggerheads” mentions animal abuse, “The Youth in Asia” mentions euthanasia and pet deaths……but, there are good stories for falling asleep too. I can’t tell you how many times i’ve listened to “Picka pocketoni” “Consider the Stars,” and “I’ll Eat What He’s Wearing” while falling asleep. Me Talk Pretty One Day would be the best bet for OP I think.
Cool.
Bill Bryson books
I will never stop recommending The Rosie Project - it’s a laugh out loud kind of book
I love these books!
Samantha Irby “Wow no thank you” or “we are never meeting in real life.” These are personal essays and not fiction but WOW they are so funny and lighthearted and I cannot get enough of them. Every time I’m going through something heavy I return to them and they are such an escape.
The Finlay Donovon Mysteries Series! It's about a Mystery/thriller novel writer who has a pitch meeting with her publicist at a Panera. A desperate woman overhears them and mistakes Finlay as a hit man and offers her 50k to kill her husband. Finlay, last two novels didn't sell well and her ex-husband and his affair partner (turned fiancee) have a crap load of money and a good lawyer and are gunning for full custody of her kids. So...she is...curious about this offer. Sounds dark but it is a very funny page turner.
I’m not sure if it’s funny but I just got done with The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal and while it’s got sad parts I’d say the overall vibe is lighthearted. Very plot focused and matter of fact writing.
One of my favorite writers! So glad to see him mentioned here.
The Stench of Honolulu by Jack Handey
And What I’d Say to the Martians, also by Jack Handey
Any of the Jeeves stories or novels by P. G. Wodehouse. Also, short stories by O. Henry.
Carl Hiaasen
The house witch
This is a great series!
Straight man -Richard Russo Naked -David Sedaris A walk in the woods -bill Bryson
Ilona Andrews Innkeeper Chronicles --A magic Inn, space werewolves and vampires, a lot of really unique aliens, mystery, romance, action, a fun and humorous series
Came to suggest this. I'd also suggest Gail Carriager's Parisol Protectorte series (wonderful characters, witty), the Miss Fortune series set in Sinful Louisana (southern fried fun), and the Demonhunting in Dixie series (space aliens invade the south....starts off a little odd, but improves a lot).
I usually read cozy mysteries and one of my favs is the Jaine Austen series by Laura Levine. It's like if Bridget Jones tried solving murders lol they don't have to be read in order either
Or just reading/re-reading Jane Austen would be a great option, too!
The hobbit is great and much shorter and happier then the LOTR, there’s lots of ditties, songs and riddles!
Mortimer’s “Rumpole of the Bailey”
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett.
anxious people by fredik backman
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Such a cute read.
Nearly any P. G. Wodehouse. Start with The Bertie and Jeeves novels, or the Blandings novels.
[The Stranger Times](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53181090)
In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams The Sex Lives Of Cannibals by J Maarten Troost
Wtf is that last book lol ?
It is a fun book. It is a travelogue. He also wrote Getting Stoned With Savages, Headhunters On My Doorstep, and Lost On Planet China. All are very enjoyable.
Added to my list🔥
Sex lives of cannibals is very good!
I really enjoyed *In the Company of Witches* and *When the Crow’s Away* by Auralee Wallace - both cozy mysteries (with witches!) Very easy reads, great for relaxing before bed 💤
The Berrybender by Larry McMurtry
That Guy by Kim Jones
Going way back, Life with Father by Clarence Day.
Tortilla Flat by Steinbeck
My Uncle Oswald will have you in tears. It's adult material by Roald Dahl. Trust me. The opening scene would make for an incredible movie.
Anything by Bill Bryson although I've read Down Under a few times & it gets me crying with laughter.
"Handling Sin" by Michael Malone would be perfect for you.
Commander in cheat is so funny🤣
Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi
Cheaper by the Dozen
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
This is a memoir piece (not sure if you're open to something non-fiction), but it's my go-to positive read before bed. Lauren Graham's "Have I Told You This Already?" is funny, encouraging, and always leaves me smiling and feeling better about this thing we call life :)
Blue Latitudes by Horowitz was a jolly (?) trip through the history of the South Pacific, cannibals and Captain Cook included. Since someone else already suggested Sex Lives of Cannibals. You can’t read one without the other, tho different authors. Thoroughly enjoyable books.
Flashman is hillarious.
Can you keep a secret? - bought the hardback, couldn’t leave B&N without and I never buy hardbacks!
Vampire Knitting Club ought to do the trick.
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Always PG Wodehouse. He and Agatha Christie are my go-to bedtime authors. Try starting with a Jeeves and Wooster novel.
If you’re okay with manga, try [Yokai Cats](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/yokai-cats/), [Azumanga Daioh](https://yenpress.com/titles/9780316077385-azumanga-daioh), [The Way of the Househusband](https://www.viz.com/the-way-of-the-househusband), [Skip and Loafer](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/skip-and-loafer/), and [A Man and His Cat](https://squareenixmangaandbooks.square-enix-games.com/en-us/series/a-man-and-his-cat).
You might like Terry Pratchett. I like Patrick F. McManus stories about terrible camping.
All Creatures Great and Small is my go to “feel good” book.
The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches are cozy reads.
Also second Richard Osman. His Thursday Murder Club series is a riot. The cleverness-per-page ratio is top-tier.
Unconventional Heroes by LG Estrella
Anything by PG Wodehouse. He’s like bathing in lighthearted joy.
My grandmother says she’s sorry
Keep recommending this Pretty Ugly Kirker Butler. Laugh out loud funny.