By Jonathan Bloom
Jonathan Bloom is a literary critic specializing in satirical fiction and dark humor. His sharp insights on contemporary literature have made him a go-to voice for readers looking to explore unconventional genres, particularly in dark humor.
Exploring Dark Humor: The Top 10 Best Books You Need to Read
Dark humor is a genre that manages to take the most serious and uncomfortable topics, like death, misfortune, and human folly, and turn them into something laugh-out-loud funny. The beauty of dark humor lies in its ability to offer sharp commentary on life’s absurdities while making readers reflect on their own lives and the world around them. Here’s a selection of the top 10 dark humor books that you’ll love if you enjoy humor that’s equal parts cynical and clever. Let’s dive into these wickedly funny reads.
10. Drop Dead Sisters (The Finch Sisters Book 1)
Amelia Diane Coombs
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (3,596 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Drop Dead Sisters by Amelia Diane Coombs is a hilarious and dark take on sibling rivalry with a side of mystery. The Finch sisters have their quirks, but when bodies start piling up, they need to find out who is behind the chaos—and fast.
Why You’ll Love It: This book will appeal to readers who enjoy twisted family dynamics with sharp, dark humor and a bit of suspense. The sibling banter alone is worth the read!
Fun Fact: Coombs based the sisters’ personalities loosely on her own family, though she’s quick to assure readers that no one has been involved in any crimes!
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9. Lights Out: An Into Darkness Novel
Navessa Allen
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (13,988 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Lights Out by Navessa Allen takes you into a dystopian future where survival and wit go hand in hand. The dark humor in this novel isn’t just for laughs—it’s a coping mechanism for the characters dealing with a crumbling world.
Why You’ll Love It: This book offers a perfect mix of apocalyptic tension and cynical humor. If you like your sci-fi with a side of satire, this one’s for you.
Fun Fact: Allen originally set out to write a thriller but found herself drawn to injecting dark humor into even the most dire situations, leading to the novel’s unique tone.
8. Grave Talk
Nick Spalding
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,702 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Nick Spalding’s Grave Talk is a morbidly funny look at life as a funeral planner. The book combines life’s darkest moments with Spalding’s signature wit, making death seem less daunting and far more ridiculous.
Why You’ll Love It: The humor in Grave Talk is both sarcastic and heartwarming, perfect for readers who enjoy finding the comedy in life’s toughest situations.
Fun Fact: Spalding got the idea for this novel while attending a friend’s funeral, where he realized how strange the rituals surrounding death could be.
7. The Wedding People: A Novel
Alison Espach
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (13,911 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Alison Espach’s The Wedding People takes the chaos of wedding planning and turns it into a biting social commentary, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. This novel blends relationship drama with a darkly comedic edge.
Why You’ll Love It: If you’ve ever been involved in the madness of wedding planning, you’ll appreciate the clever humor and relatable characters in this book.
Fun Fact: Espach was inspired to write the novel after attending six weddings in one summer, each more ridiculous than the last.
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6. The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie: A Satirical Novella
Freida McFadden
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (24,863 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Freida McFadden’s The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie delivers the kind of dark humor that plays with deception, secrets, and human folly. This novella packs a punch in a short space, with plenty of wit and satire.
Why You’ll Love It: McFadden’s sharp writing makes this novella a fast and engaging read. If you love your humor on the sarcastic side, this one’s for you.
Fun Fact: McFadden originally wrote this as a short story for a humor contest but expanded it into a novella after readers demanded more.
5. The Librarian of the Haunted Library: A Supernatural Suspense Horror Comedy (Strangely Scary Funny Book 1)
Brian Yansky
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,921 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Brian Yansky brings a supernatural twist to dark humor in The Librarian of the Haunted Library. With elements of suspense and humor, this book will leave you both spooked and amused.
Why You’ll Love It: A haunted library and a cast of quirky characters make this book a fun, spooky, and clever read. Perfect for fans of supernatural comedy.
Fun Fact: Yansky worked as a librarian for many years and based much of the book’s humor on his own experiences in the library world.
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4. Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel
Shelby Van Pelt
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (80,980 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
This darkly humorous novel revolves around an unlikely friendship between a woman and a giant Pacific octopus. Shelby Van Pelt’s unique narrative voice gives a new meaning to dark humor, mixing absurdity with emotional depth.
Why You’ll Love It: The book’s quirky characters and thought-provoking themes will appeal to anyone who enjoys finding humor in the oddest places.
Fun Fact: Van Pelt’s fascination with marine biology is what led her to base a character on a highly intelligent octopus!
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3. Grave Talk
Nick Spalding
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,702 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
In Grave Talk, we see how funeral planning becomes an art form laced with humor. The story’s morbid premise is lightened by Spalding’s humor, making the exploration of death and dying much more fun than it has any right to be.
Why You’ll Love It: With equal parts heart and humor, Grave Talk will have you reflecting on life’s oddest moments.
Fun Fact: Spalding once worked as a eulogist, adding authenticity to the book’s humor.
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2. Lights Out: An Into Darkness Novel (Into Darkness Series)
Navessa Allen
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (13,988 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Another entry from Navessa Allen, Lights Out is a dark humor masterpiece within the dystopian genre. Set in a world teetering on collapse, the book provides a sharp, satirical take on survival.
Why You’ll Love It: For readers who enjoy a blend of social commentary and laugh-out-loud moments, Lights Out delivers on both fronts.
Fun Fact: Allen wrote the first draft during the 2020 lockdown, drawing inspiration from the chaos of the world around her.
1. Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel
Shelby Van Pelt
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (80,980 ratings)
Category: Dark Humor
Topping the list, Remarkably Bright Creatures stands out for its fresh take on dark humor, using a unique cast of characters to explore deep themes of loss and friendship.
Why You’ll Love It: Van Pelt’s writing is both deeply moving and incredibly funny, making this novel a standout in the world of dark humor.
Fun Fact: The main octopus character is based on real-life research into cephalopod intelligence!
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