The past week was a vacation of sorts. I spent five days in a New Hampshire yurt reading, writing, and working when not visiting my partner’s family. I took a handful of books with me (most notably Jason McBride’s brilliant forthcoming Kathy Acker biography, Eat Your Mind) and my Kindle filled with Tao Lin’s early novels. I had forgotten how funny Lin was in these books.
I have great admiration for writers who can be smart and funny. In my opinion Samantha Irby is the funniest writer alive, as evidenced in her essays, collections, and Substack that mostly recaps Judge Mathis episodes. Maris Kreizman is the funniest person on Twitter, where she blends intelligence and humor with elan, and in the book/Tumblr Slaughterhouse 90210. Her next book drops in 2024, I cannot wait. Kristen Arnett’s two novels are laugh out loud funny while also incredibly moving at the same time. These are just a handful of authors who share laughs and wisdom in equal proportion.
Who is your favorite funny author? Feel free to leave a comment, my reading list always has room for additions.
Largehearted Links
Addie Tsai discussed her queer, gender-swapped retelling of Frankenstein
An excerpt from Andrea Abreau’s novel Dogs of Summer
An interview with musician Kevin Morby
Greg Mania interviewed Kali Fajardo-Anstine
New Kate Zambreno flash fiction
The OTHERPPL podcast interviewed Lynne Tillman
A reading list for Women in Translation Month
Regina Spektor played a Tiny Desk Concert
Vol. 1 Brooklyn’s August book preview
Last Week on LHB
Giano Cromley's playlist for his novel The Prince of Infinite Space
Jana Casale's playlist for her novel How to Fall Out of Love Madly
Joma West's playlist for her novel Face
Noa Menhaim's playlist for her essay collection The Life Fantastic