8 LOL-worthy books for your comedy festival mood
Some stories make you laugh out loud, others hit a little closer to home and a few manage to do both at once. The kind that catch you off guard, in the best way, where you think you’re in for something light and suddenly you’re feeling everything. That’s very much the energy of this list, and it feels especially fitting with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in full swing.
This mix leans into the messy, funny and deeply human moments that shape us, from identity and grief to reinvention and self-worth. The in-between bits, the spirals, the small breakthroughs, all of it. The kind of stories that don’t pretend to have everything figured out, and are far more interesting because of it. There’s chaos here, there’s vulnerability, and plenty of moments that will have you nodding along thinking, “yes, exactly that”.
If that sounds like what you're looking for, check out these picks and borrow them from the Libby app!
DeAth Takes a Holiday
by Shaun Micallef
An immortal aristocrat tires of endless life and sets off across Europe in search of meaning. From war zones to royal encounters, his journey reshapes history in unexpected ways. Could love finally make him mortal?
All I Ever Wanted Was to Be Hot
by Lucinda 'Froomes' Price
Lucinda spends years chasing the perfect body at any cost. As she traces beauty culture from the 90s to now, the cracks begin to show. What happens when she starts questioning everything she believed?
Blood, Sweat and Glitter
by Em Rusciano
A plan to write something light quickly unravels into a raw personal reckoning. Em revisits five turbulent years of fame, illness and burnout. Beneath it all is the realisation she’s been living by someone else’s rules.
I Haven't Been Entirely Honest with You
by Miranda Hart
After years of illness and personal challenges, Miranda looks back on what carried her through. She shares the tools, habits and perspectives that changed her life. Along the way, there’s humour, honesty and a hint of romance.
I'm Not Mad (Anymore)
by Bron Lewis
Bron Lewis explores the chaos of motherhood, hormones and mental health. From childhood memories to adult meltdowns, she unpacks what it means to “go mad”. It’s a sharp, funny look at the pressures women quietly carry.
My Brother's Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag
by Michelle Brasier
After losing both her father and brother, Michelle faces her own uncertain future. She moves through grief, relationships and career highs with dark humour. It’s a candid look at how loss reshapes the way we live.
Standstill
by Sashi Perera
After cancelling her wedding, Sashi throws herself into work and constant travel. But the distractions only delay the inevitable need to confront her choices. Returning home forces her to face what she’s been avoiding.
The Unfinished Harauld Hughes
by Richard Ayoade
A chance discovery pulls Richard Ayoade into the orbit of a forgotten creative genius. As he investigates Hughes’s life and final film, fact and fiction begin to blur. The deeper he digs, the more elusive the truth becomes.
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Published Apr 02, 2026
Last Updated Apr 10, 2026
Kiki Faison
Kiki Faison has dreamed of being a writer for as long as she can remember, and today she’s living that dream. When she's not working or volunteering locally, she enjoys exploring nature with her daughter and pup, getting lost in suspense novels, and hunting for treasures while thrifting.