A Shared List of Inspirational Books and Magazines, by Laika: Chapter 4
Humor: Amuse Your Mind
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
For this last chapter in our series, we chose to take a look at lighter and wittier books to celebrate summer’s arrival. After all, like they say, “laughter is an instant vacation.”
Aboard the Laika mothership, the Laika crew enjoys sharing and exchanging their favorite reads with each other. We thought: wouldn't it be grand if we would also share our books and sources of much inspiration and insight with our dear audience? That led us to develop a themed reading series, with one post published every spring month this year.
This series is focused on Laika’s core values of respect, curiosity, commitment, and humor.
June, being the last month of spring, and the first month of summer leads us to this final installment... humor! They say that humor is the sunshine of the mind and we’re sharing some of our favorite light-hearted, fun-loving, and quick-witted books with you!
Ready...set...chuckle!
Rocket science is very serious business. Or is it? In this refreshing piece, Mary Roach approaches the topic lightheartedly, sparking unexpected and unpredictable laughter. Funny but detailed, Roach focuses on the not-so-glamorous side of rocket science, using a very down-to-earth approach. Finally… rocket science we all can understand!
Be a Peaceful Cloud and Other Life Lessons from Bob Ross - Bob Ross, Robb Pearlman
This refreshing book is a friendly and useful guide for life. Embellished with Bob Ross's famous painting techniques and quotes, this book will definitely make you smile and help you navigate life one peaceful or cloudy day at a time.
Everything I know About Love - Dolly Alderton
In this must-read, Alderton delivers a funny, heart-warming, and moving narrative about growing up, and all the falling in (and out) of love involved.
Business Class: Geschichten aus der Welt des Managements - Martin Suter (German)
As a former advertising professional, Martin Suter tells us “business class” stories through humor and satire. This book can easily be categorized as a satirical etiquette book for executives. It’s a very funny collection of short stories about the imbalances of balancing work and life (in business class).
How to Go to Work: All the Advice You Need to Succeed - Lucy Clayton and Steven Haines
Insightful, informative, and funny... This book has it all. Founding CEO Lucy Clayton and education policy advisor Steven Haines take us on a journey on how to deal with mistakes, how to make a good impression from day one, and how to protect one’s values. This entertaining how-to book is all you need to know to choose and thrive in, a career right for you.
One More Thing: Stories and Other stories - B.J. Novak
Novak tackles a very wide range of topics in this dazzling book. He introduces us to people and places that are hilarious, provocative, but also moving. The stories in this collection have one thing in common: they share the stinging humor, inquisitive mind, and electrifying spirit of a writer that will definitely entertain us.
How Not To Date - Judy McGuire
Who can get enough of really funny and awkward dating stories (those tof others, of course)? McGuire offers us a collection of dating nightmares that will definitely make us not want to date ever again. From terrifyingly boring to just plain terrifying dating episodes, she will certainly make you laugh, and you will definitely want to devour this book.
In Little Victories, Jason Gay takes us on a comic journey through family, joy, heartbreak, and life’s inconveniences. This book helps us look at life differently, as we may sometimes be too hard on ourselves, and reminds us that little victories are still victories!
I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé - Michael Arceneaux
These heartfelt and terribly funny essays tell us about a black man's take on creativity and sensitivity in a world that diminishes his humanity. As a black LGBT man, he takes a look at the lives of minorities in America with great candor and humor.
Go the F**k to Sleep - Adam Mansbach
Warning: this is not a children’s book! Rather, it is a book for adults that live the (sometimes hard) reality of being a parent. Hilarious, honest, and affectionate, this book will definitely bring you much laughter, even when your little monsters won’t go the F**k to sleep. Night-night! Sleep tight!
Make sure to check out the three other chapters based on Laika’s core values: respect, curiosity and commitment.
And because reading tends to be a solitary activity, feel free to share this list with some friends and loved ones! After all, they say, life is better when we’re laughing!