Who needs a good comedy-related beach read? Me!! We all need beach reads, whether you’ve got beach plans, travel plans, pool plans, or just plans to cool off in your own bathtub. Our world right now is screaming SCREAMING for laughter. So what could be better therapy than beach reads about comedy? These aren’t bios, memoirs or how-to’s. Just good escapist fiction. You’ll want to add these novels with comedians as main characters to your summer line-up.

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LATE NIGHT LOVE by Chayla Wolfberg

Emily Beckerman writes for the world-famous sketch show Live From New York and dreams of a promotion to the prestigious “Weekend Update” segment. When she takes matters into her own hands, disaster – and romance – ensue. Bonus points for Chicago connections: Chayla Wolfberg is a Chicagoan currently living in L.A. There’s been a ton of positive buzz around this book. I’m very excited about this writer’s rising star and can’t wait to see what she does next.

WHEN FRANNY STANDS UP by Eden Robins

Franny discovers the magic of standup in World War II-era Chicago. More Chicago bonus points: Eden Robins is a Chicagoan.

MOUNT CHICAGO by Adam Levin

A Chicago comedian must navigate celebrity, Jewish identity, Chicago politics and a natural disaster that’s devastated our fair city. Multiple Chicago bonus points.

SUMMERTIME PUNCHLINE by Betty Corrello

Delfina Silva-Miller never wanted to return to Evergreen, New Jersey. But when her life suddenly implodes, she is forced to return to her hometown to confront her past, a surprise romance, and the challenge of spinning all the crap into material for a prestigious comedy festival.

HUMOR ME by Cat Shook

Presley Fry grapples with love, loss and The Late Night Show where she works as an assistant. She turns to the standup community hoping for the friendship and laughs that have always eluded her.

FUNNY FEELINGS by Tara Dewitt

Farley Jones is on her way to standup stardom. Will her crush on her single dad manager boost her career or bust it?

THE UNPROPOSED GUY by Bhavik Sarkhedi & Suhana Bhambhani 

Kevin is fed up with his monotonous daily existence and lackluster love life. Will standup be the escape he’s craving? – and what if his comedy routine runs right over his family and friends? Life is about to get a lot more exciting.

THE ROM-COMMERS by Katherine Center

Emma Wheeler is her dad’s caregiver, but dreams of writing rom-coms. When an opportunity arises, she finds herself on a flight to L.A. and ultimately, on a collision course with her idol, comedy writer Charlie Yates. You’ll be rooting for Emma to get her Hollywood ending. Katherine Center is a best-selling phenom and perennial reader favorite.

ROMANTIC COMEDY by Curtis Sittenfeld

Sally Milz writes for television’s Saturday night sketch show  The Night Owls. When another writer starts dating a glamorous guest host, Sally has something to say about it. And so does the show’s next host – an actor-musician who finds sketch-writing harmony – and maybe more? – with Sally. Curtis Sittenfeld has written one literary hit after another and is known for her in-depth authentic characters and fast pacing. Her novel Rodham is one of my all-time favorites.

YOU, AGAIN by Kate Goldbeck

Struggling standup Ari doesn’t have time for a relationship with rising culinary star Josh. Besides, they’re dating the same woman. Fast forward a few years. The two run into each other. Circumstances have changed. To their surprise, they find they can be friends, even best friends … and maybe more …

STAND UP GUY by Nina Kaye

Standup Shep is in Edinburgh to perform in the city’s famous comedy festival. Nina offers him a place to stay. Will he be just another comedian passing through?

NO FUNNY BUSINESS by Amanda Aksel

Two New York comedians, Olivia and Nick, drive cross-country to L.A. to snag a late night TV appearance, enduring gross comedy condos and small town nightclubs. Along the way, Nick helps Olivia polish her act. Olivia is determined not to let funny business interfere with the funny business. But unexpected chemistry may take them in a surprising direction.

GOOD MATERIAL by Dolly Alderton

Andy is a London standup. His career isn’t where he wants it and his girlfriend Jen has just devastated him. He desperately needs a happy ending in both love and laughs. This book has been praised for insight into both.

HAROLD by Steven Wright

Not explicitly about comedy. Not a light summer read. But yes,this novel is by that Steven Wright, so expect a treasure trove of unforgettable wit and insight as third-grader Harold observes the absurd world that stupid adults force on all of us.

And now some books for adults who still love YA lit:

STAND UP, YUMI CHUNG! by Jessica Kim

Shy girl Yumi wants to please her immigrant parents with academic success, but she has the heart, soul and mind of a comedian and the notebooks to prove it. When Yumi is offered a summer at comedy camp, she has the misfortune – or maybe good fortune – of being mistaken for someone else. Her new identity will either lead to success or perhaps… to more dashed expectations.

THIS WILL BE FUNNY SOMEDAY by Katie Henry

Sixteen-year-old Izzy is used to disappearing into the wallpaper and letting others, like her controlling boyfriend, dictate her life. Until one night she stumbles into a Chicago comedy club and accidentally does a set. As she becomes part of the standup scene, her life changes for the better. But at some point, there’s going to be a collision between her new identity and old expectations. Major Chicago bonus points.

UNSCRIPTED by Nicole Kronzer

Zelda Bailey-Cho has her life figured out: Improv Camp, then Second City, then of course Saturday Night Live. Improv Camp – check. She’s there. But Zelda hadn’t counted on tricky politics, sexism and cruelty. Will her voice emerge true and whole – or will Improv Camp mark the beginning and end of her comedy dreams?

TO KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY AND READING, HERE ARE SOME MIDDLE SCHOOL COMEDY BEACH READS:

The Jake the Fake Trilogy by Craig Robinson & Adam Mansbach

Three rollicking books about a budding middle school comedian. Jake is based on a period of Craig Robinson’s life when he always felt like the awkward, funny kid. With these books, he hopes to inspire other like-minded young creatives. Chicago bonus points: Craig Robinson grew up here.

THE I-FUNNY and JACKY HA-HA TRILOGIES by James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein

Two trilogies about middle school comedians.

COMEDY LEGENDS ALPHABET by Beck Feiner

The ABCs of All the Best Comedians.