My Favorites - Edition 3

My first post in this series was my all time favorite books that changed my life.  

My second post in this series was my all time favorite fiction books that changed my life.

This post is:  All Time Favorite Funny Books (I wouldn't necessarily say that changed my life)

In order of when I first discovered the goodness...

1.  Safe Baby Handling Tips - By David and Kelly Sopp

I discovered this gem several years ago with my best friend.  We wandered through Books-A-Million and into the the humor section.  We somehow found this book and nearly wet ourselves (literally) laughing at the contents.  Some examples are provided below.  Naturally when I found out she was pregnant with her first child, I bought this book as a gift.  I unveiled the gift the night of our monthly book club at a local Indian restaurant and so it was passed around the table of cackling ladies.  To top off the moment of hilarity, the Indian owner’s wife saw the book and told us in India they don’t need a book like this, they have a natural maternal instinct. 

2.  All Creatures (Series) - By James Herriot

These books were introduced to me in my book club.  We had a rule (when we still read books at our book club) that if you didn’t like the book after 25 pages you were rightly entitled to quit reading.  When my friend suggested we read All Creatures Great and Small about a British veterinarian I was convinced I would only make it to the 25 page mark.  I have since read the first and second books and listened to them both on audio.  I have made it partially through the third but have abandoned it twice now because of other obligations.  The books are fascinating and quite humorous.  Herriot tells of many adventures and absurdities in his work with animals as well as his eccentric coworkers.     

3.  84, Charing Cross Road - By Helene Hanff

I read this book earlier this year.  It is based on a series of actual letters between the author and a used-book dealer in England.  Ms. Hanff, in search of some rare books begins a 20 year correspondence with Frank, the book dealer.  She is quite a piece of work and doesn’t think twice about berating poor Frank when the shipments take too long or the book does not meet her expectation.  It is all light-hearted banter of an odd New York writer.  Ms. Hanff eventually makes friends with the other staff and Frank’s family and regularly sends packages of good will to them.  It is a short, easy and humorous read.