As our blogger-in-residence Arabella noted in a recent post (one that I wholeheartedly and unabashedly support, agree with and second), this week has been National Library Week. What I only realized a few short days ago is that April also happens to be National Humor Month. While I don’t believe that humor supersedes libraries (libraries cover SO much more than fun), I do believe that humor is the spice of life and it can be the cure to many minor slumps.

But don’t take my word for it. Science is increasingly beginning to understand that laughter boosts more than endorphins. The Mayo Clinic notes that laughter can help with stress relief. The Huffington Post wrote an article that mentioned several health benefits of laughter including long-term pain management, immune system boosts and the fact that it’s a decent, albeit brief, workout.

While the Huffington Post recommends watching stand-up comedy for laughter benefits, might I humbly recommend reading (or listening to) a book? There are some fantastic books out there that can really bring on the belly-laughter. Go ahead, see if you’re health can improve ever so slightly with one of these tickling options:

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

This book was read by one of the South Branch’s book groups and several patrons mentioned that it had them laughing out loud. This story follows the somewhat hapless antics of Don Tillman who, despite never having gone on a second date, decides to use science to find himself the perfect wife. Instead, he finds a barmaid named Rosie. Hilarity ensues. (If after reading this book you find yourself wanting more, you can follow up on the adventures of Don and Rosie in the sequel: The Rosie Effect.)

Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

While this book happens to be a particular favorite mind by Sedaris, I’m not sure you could go wrong with any of his books. Sedaris has a unique way of taking the mundane and occasionally odd and recounting it in a way that is both genuine and genuinely hysterical. His essays remind us that not only is the truth often stranger than fiction, but it’s also a lot funnier when put into the right hands.

Heart and Brain: Gut Instincts by The Awkward Yeti

The Awkward Yeti is a flesh-and-blood person who writes web comics, very funny web comics that a publisher had the good sense to collect and put into print. The characters Heart and Brain (along with several other organ friends) perfectly capture the dueling loyalties between everyone’s logical side and their emotional side. This is an it’s-funny-’cause-it’s-true type of hysterical, but don’t be fooled by it’s format, this is a comic aimed at adults and adult problems. Nothing in here that kids couldn’t see, but they wouldn’t get the jokes…

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy O’Toole

This book follows the misadventures of Ignatius J. Reilly, a man for whom gluttony is a way of life and flatulence is something that everyone does in public. Yup, this is a Pulitzer-Prize winning book with fart jokes. O’Toole took the picaresque tradition and gave it a modern twist that has been a comedic classic for generations. This one receives much in-house library love and, since it’s a bit indescribable plot-wise, you’ll just have to take our word for it.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Make no mistake, these collections of the classic comic strip are not just for kids. Ten years of my childhood can be marked in quality time with my grandfather, who enjoyed these strips every bit as much as I did and unabashedly laughed out-loud at every one of Calvin’s antics. I find I enjoy these comics even more as an (alleged) adult, because some of the poignancy in Watterson’s words is more significant to me now. Take a bit of time to follow the antics of Calvin and his wonderfully wise stuffed tiger yourself and you’re sure to get some good laughter rolling.

What types of book put your sides in stitches? Feel free to let any friendly library staff member know! Until next week, dear readers, take some time for some self-care: laugh!