Sometimes, you just need to laugh, no matter what else is going on in your life. If you’re vacationing on the Cape and lounging on a beach, picking up a comedy book or two to enjoy in the sand can help take your trip to the next level.
Of course, the comedy books you choose will depend on your sense of humor and the type of books you like reading. There are plenty of excellent options available, though, so you’ll never be short on prospects.
You can buy these books at a local bookstore or grab them before you leave home. Here’s a look at some of the best comedy books to read on Cape Cod’s beaches this summer.
The Time Meowchine: A Talking Cat’s Y2K Quest to Save the World
As you can see, the title of this book – The Time Meowchine: A Talking Cat’s Y2K Quest to Save the World – is ridiculous. But, if you can get past the goofy header, you’ll be treated to a hilarious story that combines comedy with spoofy science-fiction elements and a well-defined plot.
It’s a time-travel story about a doctor named Tara Switcher who lives in a post-climate-change world with her robotic cat. Thanks to her cat, Tara finds a way to reverse climate change and travels back in time in an attempt to alter history with hilarious results. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at this story while also becoming mindfully aware of where the planet could be heading if we continue on our current course.
The Stench of Honolulu: A Tropical Adventure
The name Jack Handey might sound familiar if you watched Saturday Night Live in the 1980s and 90s. Handey was a writer on the show who had a reoccurring sketch called “Deep Thoughts” and is also responsible for creating popular characters like the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer and Toonces the Driving Cat.
The Stench of Honolulu: A Tropical Adventure, Handey’s first novel, is the story of two friends who venture to Honolulu on vacation and meet untold dangers in their quest to find the Golden Monkey. The story has an unreliable narrator who adds to the chaos and is full of adventure, as well as some of the best one-liners you’ll find in a book.
If you’ve already read The Stench of Honolulu, a sequel called Escape From Hawaii: A Tropical Sequel came out in 2023 and follows the same characters as they attempt to flee Hawaii after the first book. Both novels are worth checking out if you’re overdue for a good laugh.
Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is one of the most popular comedy films ever. Kind of a Big Deal offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the movie came to be, including interviews with creators Will Ferrell and Adam McKay and some never-before-told stories.
The book is written by Saul Austerlitz, a comedy historian and adjunct professor at New York University, and shares tales about the film’s conception and where the characters originated. It also includes information on a storyline that is even more outrageous than what made it into the movie, and it is something you’ll have to read to believe.
If you’re a fan of the Anchorman movies, Kind of a Big Deal offers the perfect way to spend a day lounging on one of Cape Cod’s scenic beaches while enjoying a laugh.
Unruly: A History of England’s Kings and Queens
It seems like the British Royal Family is always in the news for various reasons, although very few of these stories are humorous. However, author David Mitchell looks to change all that with his nonfiction historical account of the monarchy and its controversial characters.
This book explores many of the kings and queens from Britain’s past while pointing out the funny side of the weird people who ended up ruling the country. These elements come together to make Unruly a thought-provoking, witty, and educational book to enjoy on the beach.
Unfortunately Yours
Those looking for a rom-com in book format will be happy they chose Unfortunately Yours. This story by Tessa Bailey focuses on a woman named Natalie Vos who loses her job and fiance, leaving her in a challenging position as she attempts to open a business. https://www.tessabailey.com/unfortunately-yours-3/
The saving grace is that Natalie has a trust fund but can only access the money if she’s married. Natalie eventually meets a struggling vineyard owner named August, whom she hates but also has great chemistry with, and hilarity ensues.
Unfortunately Yours is the story of a marriage of convenience that has the potential to blossom into so much more if they’ll only give it a chance. It’s a light read that is perfect for a day in the sun on Cape Cod.
Bring Your Books to the Cape
Remember to pack a book or two with you before departing for the Cape to ensure you’re ready to hit the beach. If you happen to leave your novels behind, though, you can grab replacements at places like Where the Sidewalk Ends Bookstore in Chatham, Sea Howl Bookshop in Orleans, or East End Books in Provincetown. No matter where you reserve your Cape Cod vacation rental, there’s a bookstore nearby.
