Stay Laughing While Social Distancing: 13 Books to Read Right Now

'Meddling Kids,' by Edgar Cantero

In 1977, four friends (and their dog) spent the summer solving mysteries, but now they’ve reunited to complete some unfinished business. Haunted houses and lake monsters, anyone? P.S. get your “scooby snacks” ready. 

'Well Met,' by Jen Deluca

Emily is a Renaissance faire newbie who volunteers as a tavern wench expecting a fun time, while Simon is a Renaissance Faire fanatic frustrated by Emily’s anachronistic mistakes and changes. Sparks fly, but will love reign supreme before the faire ends?

This book also fills the Debut Author category in the 2020 DMPL Reading Challenge!

'Mythos,' by Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry uses both tongue-in-cheek wit and irreverant respect as only the British can in this canonical catalogue of the Greek myths and heroes we all know (or don’t know) and love (or don't love). Don’t worry, there won’t be a test. 

'Heart of Junk,' by Luke Geddes

A hilarious debut novel about an eclectic group of merchants at a Kansas antique mall who become implicated in the kidnapping of a local beauty pageant star.

'Honestly, We Meant Well,' by Grant Ginder

How far would you go to put your family back together? Sue Ellen Wright believes she has the perfect life, but family always comes with baggage. When she finds out both her husband and son are keeping secrets, Sue Ellen does the only rational thing. She takes her family to Greece to put things back together. 

'Wow, No Thank You,' by Samantha Irby

A collection of humorous essays highlighting the ups and downs of aging, marriage and living with stepchildren in small-town Michigan. Irby's hilarious telling of her everyday life will help distract you from yours, and give you a lot of good laughs. 

'The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters,' by Balli Kaur Jaswal

Three British-born Punjabi sisters travel to India to fulfill their mother’s dying wish, revealing long-kept secrets and discovering truths about themselves while on the journey. Part travelogue and part familial saga, Jaswal offers a touching and humorous exploration of culture clash and sisterhood. 

'How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems,' by Randall Munroe

If you want to laugh as you learn, pick up this one. Taking you to the far reaches of the possible, this book gives highly impractical advice on anything from how to fly a plane to digging a hole. 

Sourdough, by Robin Sloan

Lois is bequeathed a sourdough recipe from sibling bakers who are forced to close their shop, a gift that leads to a new vocation and a venture into a secret market that fuses food with technology. Delightful and magical!

'Here for It,' by R. Eric Thomas

From the creator of Elle's Eric Reads the News comes a heartfelt and hilarious memoir-in-essays about growing up seeing the world differently, finding unexpected hope, and experiencing every awkward, extraordinary stumble along the way.

'Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self Love,' by Jonathan Van Ness

Infused with joy and signature JVN sass, Van Ness shares lessons learned during his journey from childhood in a small Midwestern town to worldwide, fierce superstar after being cast as one of the Fab 5 on Netflix’s Queer Eye. We live for it honey!

'Mr. Know It All: The Tarnished Version of a Filth Elder,' by John Waters

Cult film director John Waters takes a hilarious, no-holds-barred look at his life: from surviving the ups and downs of Hollywood to cheating death itself. 

'Dear Girls,' by Ali Wong

An uproarious and refreshing account of Wong finding great success in a male-dominated profession. Though addressed to Wong's daughters, readers will find nuggets of wisdom for their lives as well.