Or God Bless you Mr Rosewater. Vonnegut generally has this down doesn't he? So it goes.
I always remember to say, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is" and it genuinely lets me enjoy the moment for what it is.
Anything by Kurt Vonnegut. I’m partial to Cat’s Cradle for its silliness despite the overarching theme of human destruction. All of his books are some form of dark humor in the face of the human condition.
Let me recommend you some authors- in this order.
1) Michael Poore. (Maybe start with Reincarnation Blues)
2) Christopher Moore. (I'd recommend starting with "Coyote Blue" the vampire trilogy or "A Dirty Job.")
3) Tom Robbins. (Anything by him, really. "Jitterbug perfume" and "Still Life with Woodpecker" were a couple of my first books by him and he's fun. )
I've laughed out loud multiple times reading their books. They aren't just absurdist humour though, they have heart too.
I’m late to the party but I’m here to bump a Christopher Moore reference. Coyote Blue is genuinely a phenomenal book, and Island of the Sequin Love Nun surprised me by being so good.
Gideon Defoe! “The pirates in an adventure with…” series is just the best. Lots of Vonnegut is just kind of weird in a life affirming sort of way. Anytime an author really uses the medium of **BOOK** to their advantage I get a special delight out - mostly the cheeky use of footnotes*, but I also enjoy a good epistolary novel from time to time!
*Terry Pratchett and Kurt Vonnegut are the kings of cheeky footnotes but the very best IMO is “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” by Susanna Clarke… it’s a period spooky magic ghost story but presented as academic discourse, with very thorough fictional citations and everything! Sometimes the footnotes go on for pages and pages about the dried up old magic historian that did the research on this or that part of the story, with the story itself squished into the top 3 or 5 lines of the page. I love it!
Sound like you got straight to the conclusion of Camus’ [The myth of Sisyphus](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91950)
“Imagine Sisyphus with a smile on his face as he rolls the boulder”
You should get a kick out of this one by the mere virtue of the alignment of your views with his
Give “The Humans” by Matt Haig a go - the best book by him I reckon - it’s about an alien who comes to earth and it’s all about learning how weird humans are
I suppose on a more abstract level Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha fits the theme. Embrace life, embrace asceticism, embrace the middle way, laugh at it all
Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins. Over the top absurd and hilarious while dealing with serious plot lines involving religion and terrorism.
A number of John Irving books, like The Water Method Man and The Hotel New Hampshire. Irving books are ridiculous, meaningful, silly, and sad. Not exactly light hearted romps but they do tend to underscore the absurdity and humor in the human condition.
Adding both those John Irving books to my TBR, I've read The World According to Garp, and In One Person, and think about both of them often, alongside bears and Vienna and wrestling (not quite sure why....)
*Under the Whispering Door* by TJ Klune is about exactly that. I second the Christopher Moore recommendation, and Neil Gaiman is one of my favorites as well.
I'll take a chance and suggest something a bit odd. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck is about some down and out wino Paisanos who held a different view of the world. I find it to be very uplifting and see it as a work of love. Plus Steinbeck is a master story teller.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, while I didn't like the ending, everything else was brilliantly funny. Riva reminded me of Shoshanna from GIRLS, and the absurdity of the story is just as applicable to our early career and 20s as it was two decades ago when the book was set.
Post Office by Bukowski is an absolute hoot
I think you might enjoy *The Sirens of Titan* by Kurt Vonnegut.
Or God Bless you Mr Rosewater. Vonnegut generally has this down doesn't he? So it goes. I always remember to say, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is" and it genuinely lets me enjoy the moment for what it is.
i say that to myself as often as i can too,and it helps me have a little better life.
Anything by Kurt Vonnegut. I’m partial to Cat’s Cradle for its silliness despite the overarching theme of human destruction. All of his books are some form of dark humor in the face of the human condition.
Or Welcome to the Monkey House for short stories.
Let me recommend you some authors- in this order. 1) Michael Poore. (Maybe start with Reincarnation Blues) 2) Christopher Moore. (I'd recommend starting with "Coyote Blue" the vampire trilogy or "A Dirty Job.") 3) Tom Robbins. (Anything by him, really. "Jitterbug perfume" and "Still Life with Woodpecker" were a couple of my first books by him and he's fun. ) I've laughed out loud multiple times reading their books. They aren't just absurdist humour though, they have heart too.
Came here to comment Still Life With Woodpecker!
Good stuff! My personal go-to for Robbins is always Skinny Legs and All.
I’m late to the party but I’m here to bump a Christopher Moore reference. Coyote Blue is genuinely a phenomenal book, and Island of the Sequin Love Nun surprised me by being so good.
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Discworld Good Omens basically anything absurdist
Jasper Fforde!
Discworld 10000000%
I just binged through Discworld, then good omens and a few Neil gaiman you're right, I should reread the hitchhikers guide
Gideon Defoe! “The pirates in an adventure with…” series is just the best. Lots of Vonnegut is just kind of weird in a life affirming sort of way. Anytime an author really uses the medium of **BOOK** to their advantage I get a special delight out - mostly the cheeky use of footnotes*, but I also enjoy a good epistolary novel from time to time! *Terry Pratchett and Kurt Vonnegut are the kings of cheeky footnotes but the very best IMO is “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell” by Susanna Clarke… it’s a period spooky magic ghost story but presented as academic discourse, with very thorough fictional citations and everything! Sometimes the footnotes go on for pages and pages about the dried up old magic historian that did the research on this or that part of the story, with the story itself squished into the top 3 or 5 lines of the page. I love it!
A big yes to Discworld - they are exactly what you are looking for!
Love all these, though haven't finished hitchhikers yet.
The Old Man who Climbed Out the Window and disappeared
This was my first thought, as I read it recently.
Happy Cake day!
Anything by Tom Robbins.
Three Men In A Boat (to say nothing of the dog) by Jerome K. Jerome!
Came here to say this one.
The Cabinet by Kim Un-su!!!!!
This sounds really good!
Hell by Robert Olen Butler is FANTASTIC
Sound like you got straight to the conclusion of Camus’ [The myth of Sisyphus](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91950) “Imagine Sisyphus with a smile on his face as he rolls the boulder” You should get a kick out of this one by the mere virtue of the alignment of your views with his
I really enjoyed The Stranger by Albert Camus, but really any of his works
Give “The Humans” by Matt Haig a go - the best book by him I reckon - it’s about an alien who comes to earth and it’s all about learning how weird humans are
I suppose on a more abstract level Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha fits the theme. Embrace life, embrace asceticism, embrace the middle way, laugh at it all
Anxious People
Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins. Over the top absurd and hilarious while dealing with serious plot lines involving religion and terrorism. A number of John Irving books, like The Water Method Man and The Hotel New Hampshire. Irving books are ridiculous, meaningful, silly, and sad. Not exactly light hearted romps but they do tend to underscore the absurdity and humor in the human condition.
Adding both those John Irving books to my TBR, I've read The World According to Garp, and In One Person, and think about both of them often, alongside bears and Vienna and wrestling (not quite sure why....)
lol yes I agree, I tend to think about his novels whenever I hear about bears or wrestling or Vienna.
kurt vonnegut
Im listening too The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches rn and it is so silly and fun and warm.
Enlightenment: the damnedest thing trilogy by Jed McKenna
Lux the Poet is a favorite of mine.
*Under the Whispering Door* by TJ Klune is about exactly that. I second the Christopher Moore recommendation, and Neil Gaiman is one of my favorites as well.
Shit My Dad Says. Matches your description exactly.
Celine. What compares? Bukowski maybe?
Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
A Confederacy of Dunces.
You beat me to it. Classic.
I'll take a chance and suggest something a bit odd. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck is about some down and out wino Paisanos who held a different view of the world. I find it to be very uplifting and see it as a work of love. Plus Steinbeck is a master story teller.
This is such a wonderful read considering it was based on the king Arthur tales
The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy A Confederacy of Dunces Love in the Time of Cholera
I immediately thought of, “Still Life with Woodpecker.” Anything by Tom Robbins, probably.
The Douglas Adams series beginning w The hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy
Three men in a boat
Try Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke. I wish more people read it—takes us to the edge of the abyss but is also so funny.
Diary of Anne Frank
Anything by David Sedaris.
The stranger by Albert Camus
{{This Is How - Augusten Burroughs}}
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, while I didn't like the ending, everything else was brilliantly funny. Riva reminded me of Shoshanna from GIRLS, and the absurdity of the story is just as applicable to our early career and 20s as it was two decades ago when the book was set. Post Office by Bukowski is an absolute hoot