Humorous Authors for the Funny Times We Live In

This list was inspired by a reference question. The customer wanted humor and he didn’t mind if it was fiction or non-fiction. He was up for anything! The Gilded Giraffe and I went back and forth with authors, and found him a few things he liked.

I wanted to go ahead and do a list so next time I could just look here, rather than randomly comb the catalog or browse the 817s. I tried to write a little about each humorists style so that I could show this to the customer next time and then comb the catalog with a little more of a guide.

I’m including websites and blogs where I can, because as I was trying to find out a bit about each authors style, I found alot of interesting information. Comedians, humorists, satirists, I’m grateful to them all for making the world just a bit better with their wit. I hope you’ll find something you like!

Adams Douglas
Author of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, Adams mixed science fiction with a sense of the absurd. There is an official web site devoted to his work.

Anderson, Louie
Stand up comedian Anderson is also well loved for his book “Dear Dad: letters from an adult child”. Louie's site includes video clips.

Anthony, Piers
Prolific fantasy author Piers Anthony is perhaps most loved for his Xanth series of novels, set in a pun-laden land. The first novel in the series is "A Spell for Chameleon". First published in 1977, this is still in print. The 32nd book in the series is "Two to the Fifth" published in October 2008. Visit Anthony's web site for more about the author and his delightful work.

Barry, Dave
Columnist and author Dave Barry writes outrageous hyperbole and profoundly silly takes on any topic within reach. His recent book of essays is “Dave Barry’s history of the millennium (so far). Dave's site has columns, message boards and a blog.

Blount, Roy
A columnist with humorous observations of all things Southern, Blount covers topics from food to music to poetry. His latest book is “Alphabet Juice” to be published in October 2008. His web site features information on his life and work.

Bodett, Tom
Popular NPR and beyond radio commentator and author of “Norman Tuttle on the Last Frontier: a novel in stories” Tom's site has book and biographical info and a really fun to read blog.

Bombeck, Erma
Columnist Bombeck wrote for many years about the lot of suburban housewives and mothers with both humor and pathos. One of her last books was “All I know about animal behavior I learned in Loehmann’s dressing room”.

Boyle, T. C.
Intelligent, edgy and a bit kinky, his novel "The Women" will be published in February of 2009. T. C. Boyle's site offers reviews, biography, and a pretty active message board.

Buckley, Christopher
Christopher Buckley is a political satirist whose latest novel is “Supreme Courtship”

Crusie, Jennifer
A Romance novelist who writes with breezy humor. Her latest novel is “Agnes & the Hitman.” Jennifer Crusie's blog Argh Ink is chatty and personable.

Ephron, Nora
Essayist, screenwriter and novelist Nora Ephron writes about women's lives and issues. Her most recent book is “I feel bad about my neck: and other thoughts on being a woman”. Nora Ephron blogs on the Huffington Post.

Evanovich, Janet
Mystery and romance author Janet Evanovich writes laugh out loud descriptions of the exploits of her floundering bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Her novel “Plum Spooky” is due out in January 2009. Janet Evanovich has a web site with fun things to see and do, including monthly contests.

Feig, Paul
Comedian, actor and director of "Freaks and Geeks", Paul has made portaying geekdom his stock in trade. His comedic writings include "Kick Me: adventures in adolescence" and "Superstud, or how I became a 24-year-old virgin." Visit his website to get comedy tips, his career background, and a general feeling of time warp. Whatever you do, don't ask him about Mr. Poole!

Flagg, Fannie
Fannie Flagg is an author and former actress who writes about small town life in the south. Her most recent work is “Can’t wait to get to heaven”.

Grizzard, Lewis
Columnist and essayist Lewis Grizzard wrote absurd takes on small town southern life, featuring his idealized town of Moreland. My favorite of his titles was “Don’t bend over in the garden, granny, you know them taters got eyes.” A site is maintained in memory of Grizzard.

Heller, Joseph
Author of the darkly humorous “Catch 22”, he wrote other novels, short stories and essays.

Hiassen, Carl
A satirical novelist for adults and teens, Hiassen bases his fiction and newspaper columns in Florida. His new book is “The Downhill lie: a hacker’s guide to a ruinous sport”. Carl Hiassen's site has information on his books for children and adults.

Keillor, Garrison
The host of the Prairie Home Companion live radio show is also an author of many books for adults and children. His Lake Wobegon novels with their gentle humor and keen observations of humanity continue in September of 2008 with "Liberty: a Lake Wobegon Novel." Visit the Prairie Home Companion web site for "Posts to the host" a Q & A with Keillor, audio clips of past Prairie Home Companion episodes, and take a peek at the "ridiculous joke machine".

Landvik, Lorna
Landvik is an author, actress and stand up comedian. Her next book will be “Tis the season” due out in December of 2008. Lorna has a page on the Random House site.

Leonard, Elmore
Leonard’s mystery and crime fiction resonates with sharp dialogue and black humor. His recent novel is “Up in Honey’s Room”. Leonard has a site and blog all in one.

Martin, Steve
One of the original “wild and crazy guys” Steve Martin has had a long career in acting and stand up comedy. He became a novelist with “Shop Girl”. His recent autobiography is “Born standing up, a comic’s life”. A cleverly designed site has information about the author, occasional posts by Martin, and message board.

McManus, Patrick F.
Outdoorsman and sportswriter Patrick McManus writes mysteries, and humorous short stories and articles for such magazines as Outdoor Life and Field and Stream. The latest novel in his Sheriff Bo Tully mystery series is “Avalanche”. Designed to sell his books it appears, but not taking orders, check the link for Pat's blog.

Moore, Christopher
Author of “You suck, a love story” Christopher Moore’s off beat humor often features supernatural themes, with plenty of love and lust tossed in. His site has news, blog, and biographical information.

Pratchett, Terry
Pratchett, author of the Discworld novels writes fantastic fiction with quirky good humor. Terry has book information, message boards and links to Pratchett fan sites.

Pym, Barbara
Gently ironic stories of life in the English countryside. Try her later works “Quartet in Autumn” and a “Few Green Leaves”. A scholarly society was formed in her memory.

Robbins, Tom
Sixties counterculture and philosophy is the basis for Robbin’s wacky humor. His new book “B is for Beer” is due out in February 2009.

Sedaris, David
Playwright and NPR commentator Sedaris finds humor in his family and the world in general. His current collection of essays is “When you are engulfed in flames”.
No web site that I can find, but here are some of his essays for NPR.

Vonnegut, Kurt
Vonnegut was a darkly humorous writer who used science fiction themes but was never categorized as a science fiction writer. He satirized war and politics and religion. His last work was “Armageddon in retrospect, and other new and unpublished writings on war and peace.”

Westlake, Donald
Mystery writer Westlake’s novels feature incompetent crooks and bumbling law enforcement officials in novels that move at breakneck speed. His latest novel is “What’s so funny?” News, notes on his work under the Richard Stark name as well as his Westlake titles.

Willis, Connie
Willis writes science fiction that can be very serious such as the Doomsday Book, or it can be pure comedy of errors as in “To Say Nothing of the Dog; or, How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last”. “The Winds of Marble Arch” a collection of short stories, is her most recent work. The Connie Willis site is mostly news about her work and appearances.

Wodehouse, P. G.
Novelist and playwright Wodehouse wrote about the English upper classes and their foibles. Complex plots and playful use of language have helped him remain popular.


....Thanks to the Floating Lush for suggesting I add Paul Feig.
....Thanks to the Gilded Giraffe for suggesting I add Garrison Keillor.

November 18, 2008 Updated T.C. Boyle's entry to add the new book "The Women"
November 18, 2008 Added Piers Anthony and his Xanth series as suggested by commenter Kim. Thanks, Kim!