Bibliotherapy: Books to Make You Laugh

Book Buzz is a blog produced in collaboration with neighborhood librarians from Houston Public Library, Harris County Public Library and the Bellaire Library.

Since I am a librarian, it makes perfect sense that when I am stressed out or depressed or bored, I turn to a funny book to help elevate my mood. It’s a prescription that I highly recommend for anyone!

Of course, this is not something that I made up for myself. Bibliotherapy is therapy that uses reading specific texts as an act of healing. Through bibliotherapy, you could choose books or have books recommended to you that would have a calming effect or connect you with a kindred spirit or open your eyes to the beauty of the world. It all depends on your circumstances. 

Since I look for laughter to cure most of my problem moods, I enjoy a broad range of humor in books for all age groups and different formats. Here are some of my favorites:

Picture Books:
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

Chapter Books:
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt
Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka

Teen Books:
Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Adult Books:
Hyperbole and a Half: unfortunate situations, flawed coping mechanisms, mayhem, and other things that happened by Allie Brosh
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

No matter your mood, stop by your local public library’s building or website to pick up your funny book. Librarians are always on hand to help you find the right match for your sense of humor. 

Do you have a funny book to recommend?