Best Humor Books December 2024

A Dirty Job (Grim Reaper, #1)

Charlie Asher is a neurotic, slightly paranoid, but endearingly ordinary guy who owns a secondhand store in San Francisco. Life is pretty normal until the day his wife dies and he discovers he’s been recruited as a Death Merchant, responsible for collecting souls. As Charlie grapples with his new role, he stumbles through a series of bizarre and hilarious adventures, all while trying to protect his infant daughter. Moore’s quirky humor and vivid characters make this a delightful romp through the afterlife.

The Sellout

In “The Sellout,” Paul Beatty crafts a biting satire that dances on the edge of discomfort and hilarity. The story follows an unnamed narrator, a black man from a forgotten Los Angeles neighborhood, who finds himself before the Supreme Court. His crime? Attempting to reinstate slavery and segregation in his community. Beatty’s sharp wit and unflinching prose explore themes of race, identity, and the absurdities of modern America, leaving readers both laughing and reflecting deeply.

Sweetpea

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, except for her penchant for murder. By day, she navigates the mundane world of office politics and relationship woes. By night, she meticulously plans her next kill, keeping a diary of her darkest thoughts and deeds. Sweetpea is a deliciously dark and wickedly funny thriller that explores the mind of a woman who’s anything but ordinary. It’s a chilling yet oddly relatable tale of hidden desires and secret lives.

The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #12)

In “The Penultimate Peril,” Lemony Snicket weaves another darkly whimsical tale as the Baudelaire orphans inch closer to unraveling the mysteries surrounding their lives. Set in the enigmatic Hotel Denouement, the siblings find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and deception. As they navigate the hotel’s labyrinthine corridors, they must confront familiar faces and make impossible choices. With Snicket’s signature wit and melancholy, this installment keeps readers on the edge of their seats, pondering the true nature of good and evil.

The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #13)

The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #9)

In “The Carnivorous Carnival,” Lemony Snicket takes readers on another darkly whimsical journey with the Baudelaire orphans. Fleeing from Count Olaf’s relentless pursuit, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny find themselves at the Caligari Carnival, a place teeming with oddities and secrets. As they navigate the eerie world of freak shows and fortune tellers, the siblings must rely on their wits and each other more than ever. This tale, filled with unexpected twists and a touch of melancholy, reminds us that appearances can be deceiving, and courage often hides in the most unlikely places.

The Loved One

In “The Loved One,” Evelyn Waugh crafts a darkly comedic tale set amidst the glitzy yet morbid world of Hollywood’s funeral industry. The story follows Dennis Barlow, a British poet turned pet mortician, who becomes entangled in the eccentricities of Whispering Glades, a lavish cemetery. As Dennis navigates love, death, and absurdity, Waugh’s sharp wit and satirical eye reveal the bizarre rituals and superficiality of post-war American society. It’s a brilliantly twisted exploration of love and mortality, leaving readers both amused and contemplative.

The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #11)

In “The Grim Grotto,” the Baudelaire orphans find themselves submerged in yet another perilous adventure, this time beneath the sea. As they navigate the murky waters of the Grotto, they encounter mysterious fungi, cryptic codes, and a submarine crew with secrets of their own. Lemony Snicket’s signature wit and dark humor shine through as the siblings rely on their wits and each other to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead. It’s a tale of resilience and courage, where every twist leaves you breathless.

The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #6)

In “The Ersatz Elevator,” the sixth installment of Lemony Snicket’s delightfully dark series, the Baudelaire orphans find themselves in the clutches of the peculiar Esmé Squalor and her husband, Jerome. As they navigate the dizzying world of high fashion and dubious elevators, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must unravel the mysteries surrounding their new guardians. With Snicket’s signature wit and a dash of melancholy, this tale is both a thrilling adventure and a poignant exploration of resilience.

Cat’s Cradle

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Cat’s Cradle” is a darkly humorous masterpiece that weaves together science, religion, and human folly. Through the eyes of our narrator, we follow the bizarre legacy of Dr. Felix Hoenikker, creator of the apocalyptic “ice-nine.” Vonnegut’s razor-sharp wit dissects the absurdities of Cold War paranoia and the human condition, leaving readers both laughing and deeply unsettled. It’s a wild ride that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about the world—and maybe even yourself.