The Greatest Humor Books Since 2000

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 759 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Follow on:

What should I read next?

Get personalized book recommendations based on your reading history and preferences. Our algorithm analyzes your favorite books and reading patterns to suggest your next great read.

Get Recommendations

Genres

Humor

Humor is a category of books that is characterized by its ability to make readers laugh or feel amused. These books often contain witty dialogue, clever wordplay, and humorous situations that are designed to entertain and delight readers. Humor can be found in a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and graphic novels, and can range from light-hearted and silly to dark and satirical. Whether you're looking for a quick laugh or a more in-depth exploration of the human condition through humor, there is something for everyone in the world of humorous books.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

Date Range

Filter books by their publication year. Enter the earliest year (Start) and latest year (End) to find books published within that period. Leave either field empty to search from the beginning of time or up to the present day.

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download

To download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.

Login to Download
View: List Grid Table
Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
  1. 126. The Stalker by Paula Bomer

    Robert Doughten Savile, nicknamed Doughty, is a delusional young man from Connecticut who drifts into early-’90s New York convinced that wealth and status are his birthright. He spins grandiose lies and cons his way into people’s lives while failing professionally and sliding into substance use and risky behavior. The novel is a darkly comic portrait of entitlement, manipulation, and the damage one person can inflict on others.

    The 12562nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  2. 127. Cry For Me, Argentina by Tamara Yajia

    Cry For Me, Argentina is a memoir by Tamara Yajia about growing up between Argentina and the United States in an eccentric, often chaotic family. Balancing early experiences as a young performer with cultural displacement and creative hustle, Yajia writes with sharp, candid humor—sometimes raunchy—about identity, family ties, and coming of age.

    The 12563rd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  3. 128. Boyz Rule by Phil Kettle

    Mega Rich

    "Boyz Rule" is a children's book series that delves into the adventures and misadventures of a group of boys as they navigate the trials and tribulations of childhood. The stories are filled with humor and the spirit of camaraderie, focusing on themes like friendship, sportsmanship, and the various challenges that come with growing up. Each book in the series typically centers around a specific activity or event, from sports competitions to school projects, and showcases the boys working together, often learning valuable life lessons along the way.

    The 12585th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  4. 129. If You Love It, Let It Kill You by Hannah Pittard

    A tightly wrought collection of stories that probes the messy, often destructive edges of love and desire, following ordinary people whose attachments — romantic, familial, and platonic — reveal the quiet violences and betrayals underlying everyday life. With spare, acutely observed prose and a darkly ironic tone, the book moves through moments of longing, obsession, and loss to show how small choices and withheld truths escalate into lasting consequences.

    The 12612th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  5. 130. Don't Trust Fish by Dan Santat, Neil Sharpson

    A short, laugh-out-loud picture book that humorously warns readers never to trust fish. Using absurd examples— they live where we can’t see them, some are enormous, their “schools” are mysterious, and their behavior seems suspicious — it turns a nature guide into a playful, off-the-rails comedy.

    The 12629th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  6. 131. The Complete Letters Of Oscar Wilde by Oscar Wilde

    This compilation is an exhaustive collection of correspondence penned by one of the most celebrated writers of the Victorian era, known for his wit, eloquence, and flamboyant style. The letters provide an intimate glimpse into the author's life, covering his rise to fame, his relationships, his trials, and his time in prison. They reveal his personal thoughts on art, literature, society, and his own creative process. The collection is not only a treasure trove for literary enthusiasts and scholars but also a poignant, revealing portrait of a complex man who was a central figure in the aesthetic movement of the late 19th century.

    The 12658th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  7. 132. You Didn't Hear This From Me by Kelsey McKinney

    Kelsey McKinney, drawing on her experience as the host of the Normal Gossip podcast, blends memoir, reporting, and cultural criticism to explore why we gossip, what we hope to get from it, and when it becomes harmful. Written with wit and personal anecdotes, the book questions how we define gossip, why we obsess over others’ private lives (including celebrities), and how gossip can be used to harm or control people.

    The 12697th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  8. 133. Actress Of A Certain Age by Jeff Hiller

    A collection of autobiographical essays in which Jeff Hiller traces his path from growing up “profoundly gay” in 1980s Texas through work as a social worker to decades of struggling as a working actor. With sharp humor and candid reflection, he recounts bullying, odd jobs, failed auditions, and the small triumph that brought wider recognition, offering a warm, relatable look at aging, resilience, and chasing a dream.

    The 12706th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  9. 134. The Nimbus by Robert P. Baird

    On a Chicago university campus, a toddler begins to emit a mysterious light called the nimbus. The unexplained phenomenon, visible to some but not others, upends the lives of his parents—Adrian, a divinity school professor, and Renata—and draws in Adrian’s graduate student Paul Harkin and a former alumnus, Warren Kayita. As attention on the child grows, the characters are forced to confront questions of faith, family, ambition, and the search for meaning.

    The 12910th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  10. 135. Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton

    In a fading Italian village, newly installed Mayor Delizia Miccuci presides over shuttered businesses, disgraced townsfolk, and a bar where locals nurse old grievances. When truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza discovers an enormous, mysteriously potent truffle in the nearby woods, the발 find threatens to upend the community’s fortunes and relationships—forcing residents to reckon with hope, greed, and what it means to save a place they call home.

    The 12934th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  11. 136. Sky Daddy by Kate Folk

    Linda leads a quiet life moderating comments and renting a small garage in the Bay Area, but each month she takes a round‑trip flight to indulge a deep, private obsession with airplanes. Convinced one of them is her soulmate, she guards the secret until an opportunity appears that could bring her dream within reach — forcing her to choose between maintaining a semblance of normalcy and pursuing the unconventional love she longs for.

    The 12965th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  12. 137. Female Fantasy by Iman Hariri-Kia

    Joonie, a devoted romance-reader, is obsessed with Ryke, the merman hero from her favorite series. When she discovers he’s modeled on a real person, she sets off on a road trip to find him—bringing her brother’s irritating but attractive best friend along—and discovers that turning fantasy into reality comes with unexpected complications. A playful, steamy romantic comedy that also explores fandom and the tropes of the genre.

    The 13060th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  13. 138. Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

    When her daughter Sana is arrested for the murder of a neighborhood landlord, widowed Kausar Khan returns to Toronto and refuses to accept the charges. Relying on sharp observation, old friends and her plucky granddaughter, Kausar digs into local secrets and a string of unsolved crimes to find the truth in this cozy, twisty whodunnit.

    The 13062nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  14. 139. Mailman by Stephen Starring Grant

    After losing his corporate job and facing health challenges, Steve Grant becomes a rural letter carrier in his Appalachian hometown. As he delivers mail and supplies, he reconnects with neighbors, confronts family and identity issues, and finds renewed purpose, community, and meaning through the routine and relationships of daily postal work.

    The 13095th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  15. 140. Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen

    A boy goes from shop to shop asking for everyday things but keeps being given animals that trail along with him. Playful rhymes and lively illustrations turn the misunderstandings into a funny, read-aloud story with a lighthearted twist at the end.

    The 13165th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  16. 141. What Happens Online by Nathanael Lessore

    Fred is Existor@stmarks online — a confident, popular gamer — but in real life he’s ignored and unhappy. When his gaming persona becomes known at school he starts spreading outrageous rumours to gain attention, only for the lies to escalate and cause real harm. The story follows the fallout and Fred’s struggle to be accepted for who he truly is, without revealing major plot twists.

    The 13177th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 142. Hyperbole And A Half by Allie Brosh

    Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

    "Hyperbole And A Half" is a humorous and deeply personal memoir that combines witty anecdotes and colorful illustrations to explore the author's experiences with mental health, childhood, and adulthood. Through a series of hilarious and relatable stories, the book offers a unique perspective on life's challenges and the power of humor in navigating them.

    The 13215th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  18. 143. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

    The novel centers around Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially awkward genetics professor who has never been on a second date. Convinced he is simply not wired for romance, he embarks on the Wife Project - a scientific test to find the perfect partner. Enter Rosie Jarman, who is everything Don is not looking for: she's impulsive, fiery, and working as a barmaid while searching for her biological father. When Don agrees to help Rosie with her own project, his orderly, evidence-based approach to life is turned upside down. Through a series of unconventional encounters, the pair embarks on an endearing journey that challenges Don's perceptions of love, partnership, and what it means to be "normal."

    The 13215th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  19. 144. One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry

    None

    This graphic novel is a vibrant exploration of personal history and emotional growth, presented through a series of interconnected vignettes. The narrative delves into the author's past, capturing moments of joy, pain, and self-discovery, as she confronts her own "demons"—metaphorical representations of life's challenges and traumas. Through a blend of humor, honesty, and poignant storytelling, the book offers a deeply relatable and introspective look at the complexities of human experience, all illustrated with distinctive, colorful artwork that enhances the emotional depth of each story.

    The 13221st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  20. 145. The True Account by Howard Frank Mosher

    A Novel of the Lewis & Clark & Kinneson Expeditions

    Set in the early 18th century, this captivating tale follows the adventurous journey of two brothers, Charles and Oliver, as they embark on a daring expedition to explore the uncharted wilderness of the American frontier. Their quest is driven by a royal commission to map the vast and mysterious lands, but as they delve deeper into the untamed territories, they encounter a series of unexpected challenges and colorful characters that test their resolve and ingenuity. Through a blend of historical fiction and imaginative storytelling, the narrative weaves a rich tapestry of adventure, humor, and the enduring spirit of exploration.

    The 13260th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org
  21. 146. Redshirts by John Scalzi

    A Novel with Three Codas

    In this satirical science fiction novel, the story follows the adventures of a group of ensigns aboard the Universal Union's flagship Intrepid. They quickly realize that their ship's officers are frequently embroiled in dramatic and dangerous missions, while the lower-ranked crew members—often clad in red shirts—have a startlingly high mortality rate. The ensigns come to the shocking conclusion that they are actually characters in a badly written television show, and they must navigate a metafictional quest to confront their creators and change their fates to avoid being expendable casualties in the next away mission. The novel plays with the tropes of classic space operas and the concept of narrative determinism, delivering both humor and existential inquiry into the nature of free will and destiny.

    The 13322nd Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  22. 147. Candyfreak by Steve Almond

    A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America

    In this delightful memoir, the author embarks on a nostalgic journey through the world of candy, exploring the sweet treats that have shaped his life and the lives of countless others. With humor and a touch of sentimentality, he delves into the history and production of beloved confections, visiting small, independent candy factories across America. Along the way, he reflects on the cultural significance of candy and its power to evoke childhood memories, offering a heartfelt tribute to the simple joys and indulgences that candy represents.

    The 13341st Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  23. 148. Si by Bob Ong

    Walang Kwentang Kwento ng Walang Kwentang Tao

    Set against the backdrop of a nostalgic Filipino landscape, this novel weaves a poignant tale of love, loss, and self-discovery. The narrative follows the protagonist's journey through the complexities of life, exploring themes of identity and the passage of time. Through a series of reflective anecdotes and vivid memories, the story captures the essence of human emotions and the bittersweet nature of relationships. The reader is taken on an introspective voyage, where the past and present intertwine, revealing the profound impact of personal experiences on one's sense of self.

    The 13354th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Amazon
  24. 149. Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez

    In a quirky blend of horror and humor, the story follows Earl, a vampire, and Duke, a werewolf, as they stumble upon a diner plagued by supernatural occurrences. The unlikely duo is hired by the diner's owner to fend off a series of bizarre and otherworldly threats, including zombies, ghosts, and a teenage sorceress with sinister plans. As they navigate the chaos, Earl and Duke form an unexpected friendship, using their unique abilities and wit to uncover the mystery behind the diner’s paranormal disturbances, all while dealing with their own personal demons.

    The 13514th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
  25. 150. Indecision by Benjamin Kunkel

    The novel follows Dwight Wilmerding, a twenty-eight-year-old New Yorker who is paralyzed by indecision and uncertainty about his future. Stuck in a dead-end job and struggling with a lack of direction, Dwight embarks on a spontaneous journey to Ecuador after being fired. There, amidst the backdrop of a vibrant and unfamiliar culture, he encounters a series of quirky characters and experiences that challenge his worldview. Through this adventure, Dwight grapples with existential questions and the complexities of modern life, ultimately seeking clarity and purpose in a world filled with endless possibilities.

    The 13514th Greatest Book of All Time
    Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download

To download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.

Login to Download