Auckland Council Libraries: Laughter is the best medicine

Laughter is the best medicine

This list of memoirs will have you splitting your sides with laughter, as you learn of the ups and downs these famous comedians faced to become who they are today.

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The happiest refugee

Anh Do

Book

Anh Do and his entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea, as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. This biography tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities.

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The girl with the lower back tattoo

Amy Schumer

Book

Written with Amy Schumer's signature candour, she reflects on her often-raucous childhood antics, her hard-won and incomparable rise to comedic stardom and the courage it takes to approach the world with astounding honesty every single day.

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So anyway

John Cleese

Book

In this rollicking memoir, John Cleese takes readers on a tour of his ascent in the entertainment world - from his humble beginnings in a sleepy English town, to the founding of the landmark comedy troupe that would propel him to worldwide renown.

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Rolling with the punchlines

Urzila Carlson

Book

Written with her trademark deadpan humour, Urzila's memoir is full of stories, about both the big things in life as well as the little things. She shares the crazy stories from her OE, her move to New Zealand, coming out and her life in comedy.

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Made in Scotland

Billy Connolly

Book

Billy Connolly may be a citizen of the world, but in his heart, he's never been far from his homeland. Made in Scotland is Billy's unique and intimate portrait of his native Scotland, a love letter to the places and people that made him.

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Little me

Matt Lucas

Book

The hilarious, heart-warming and tear-jerking memoir from one of Britain's best-loved comedians and actors, Matt Lucas.

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Born lippy

Jo Brand

Book

In this book, Jo Brand has packed together memorable anecdotes from her life and career, with the things she’s learnt about the world, into a hilarious and highly useful guide to life for everyone.

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Seriously-- I'm kidding

Ellen DeGeneres

Book

Ellen DeGeneres's winning, upbeat candour has made her show one of the most popular daytime shows on the air, and her life makes for great reading. This book takes a hilarious look at the life of this much-loved entertainer.

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We need to talk about ... Kevin Bridges

Kevin Bridges

Book

Discover the hilarious story of one of Britain's comedians in this book. Kevin's trademark one-liners and dry humour blend with his reflections on his childhood and the journey he's taken to become one of the most-loved comedians of our time.

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Straight outta Crawley

Romesh Ranganathan

Book

For the first time, Romesh Ranganathan tells the full story of how he got here. From the delights of Sri Lankan hospitality to the race riots of Crawley and the horrors of vegan cheese, this is Ranganathan's hilarious autobiography.

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Angry optimist

Lisa Rogak

Book

In this book, biographer Lisa Rogak charts Jon Stewart’s unlikely rise to stardom. She follows him from his early days growing up in New Jersey, through his years as a struggling stand-up comic in New York, to the acclaimed The Jon Stewart Show.

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Dear fatty

Dawn French

Book

In this hilarious memoir, Dawn French describes the journey that would eventually establish her as a perhaps unlikely, but nevertheless genuine, national treasure.

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Has anyone seen my pants?

Sarah Colonna

Book

This book is a laugh-out-loud trip around America with Sarah Colonna. Sarah's signature wit and sharp observations take you on a journey so deviously funny and surprisingly compassionate, that it might just steal your heart.

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Small man in a book

Rob Brydon

Book

In this book, Rob Brydon tells his story- of how a young(ish) man, not quite from the valleys escaped these humble beginnings and very, very slowly became an overnight success.

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Is it just me?

Miranda Hart

Book

Miranda Hart laments on the horrors of growing up and offers her younger self some essential advice on grappling with life's unexpected perils and blunders.

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Bossypants

Tina Fey

Book

From her youthful days as a vicious nerd, her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live to her life as a mother eating things off the floor, comedian Tina Fey reveals all and proves that you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

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Yes please

Amy Poehler

Book

She's a talented artist, but even more than that she is beloved by her peers and by her fans for her realness, her integrity, and her intelligence. She's the best friend everyone dreams of.

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Is everyone hanging out without me? (and other concerns)

Mindy Kaling

Book

Kaling shares her observations, fears, and opinions about a wide-ranging list of the topics she thinks about the most. Her book is full of personal stories and laugh-out-loud philosophies.

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How to be a woman

Caitlin Moran

Book

1913, suffragette throws herself under the King's horse. 1969, feminists storm Miss World. Now - Caitlin Moran demands to know why pants are getting smaller. After 100,000 years of the patriarchy, the world may never be the same again.

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Auckland Council Libraries:Book list Recommended reading lists about different topics and genres to help you find new books to read.