The Martha's Vineyard Times

Featured favorites - Top 5 humor recommended by your Vineyard bookstores

October 17, 2012

Martha's Vineyard Times File Photo

Edgartown Books

"When You Are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris – It's difficult to pick our favorite David Sedaris. He is a master storyteller and incredible writer. In essay after

essay, Sedaris proceeds from bizarre conundrums of daily life to the most deeply resonant human truths.

"How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You" by Matthew Inman – A hilarious, brilliant offering of cat comics from the creative wonderland at TheOatmeal.com.

"F for Effort! More of the Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers" by Richard Benson – From the author of the national bestseller "F in Exams" comes a new compendium of hilarious and inventive wrong test answers. Featuring 250 gems from all grades including: Q: What does "germinate" mean? A: To become a German citizen.

"Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never-Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems" by David Rakoff – Humorist and social critic Rakoff skewers everything from high society to lowbrow politics.

"And Here's the Kicker: Conversations with 21 Top Humor Writers on Their Craft" by Mike Sacks – In this entertaining and inspirational book, you'll hear from humor writers as they discuss the comedy-writing process, their influences, likes and dislikes, and experiences in the industry.

Book Den East

"Family – The Ties That Bind... and Gag!" by Erma Bombeck (1987) – The sarcastic wit of the author is leveled at all the family traditions one can laugh at – and others too ($8).

"Parliament of Whores" by P.J. O'Rourke (1991) – A lone humorist's attempt to explain the entire U.S. government ($10).

"Dilbert Future: Thriving on Stupidity in the 21st Century" by Scott Adams (1997) – Explains how to thrive on stupidity in the 21st century ($12).

"Political Humor from Aristophanes to Sam Ervin" by Charles E. Schultz (1977) – A serious study that comes to the conclusion that humor, being unique and natural to man, attains its highest expression in democratic politics ($15).

"Laid Back in Washington with Art Buchwald" by Art Buchwald (1981) – The Vineyard's own internationally acclaimed D.C. columnist who worked under the assumption that there are no bad guys in Washington, only good guys doing bad things ($10).

Bunch of Grapes

"America Again" by Stephen Colbert – As perfect as America is in every single way, America is broken! And no one can exchange it because it's 236 years past the 30-day return window. Luckily, this book will singlebooked-ly pull this country back from the brink.

"Hilarity Ensues" by Tucker Max – Combining keen intellect, mischievous humor, and relentless sex appeal, the New York Times-bestselling author of "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" transports readers into his hilarious and often surreal world with his true accounts of his sexual and drunken exploits.

"True Prep" by Lisa Birnbach with Chip Kidd – The best-selling author of "The Official Preppy Handbook" takes a look at how the old guard of natural-fiber-loving, dog-worshipping, G&T-soaked preppies adapts to the new order of the Internet, cell phones, rehab, political correctness, reality TV, and polar fleece.

"Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)" by Mindy Kaling – Emmy-nominated writer and actress on "The Office" and the creator and star of a new show, "The Mindy Project," Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls.

"Bossypants" by Tina Fey – From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on "Saturday Night Live," from her passionately half-hearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor, Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.