Because being human is hilarious, and there is nothing more empowering than making fun of it. 

You won't want to miss our next two visiting authors who will make you laugh--the best way you can: at yourself.

Beartown - Fredrik Backman
From loved author (of A Man Called Ove) comes a fresh, wonderful story. Hockey is to Beartown as football is to Odessa, TX (of Friday Night Lights fame). That is: everything. It's here in this sports-loving town that Backman challenges us to think about loyalty--especially when being loyal means accepting the unacceptable, and calls on us to consider a serious critique of a "boys will be boys" culture. Fans of Backman--and those new to his work--will love this book. - Shirley

Behind Her Eyes - Sarah Pinbrough
Pinborough’s foray into the mystery thriller genre examines the lives of a working single mom, Louise, and the woman she befriends, Adele, who happens to be the wife of the man Louise works for (and is having an affair with). Throw in a history of drug abuse and mental illness, gaslighting, physical and emotional abuse, lucid dreaming, unsatisfactory self-worth, the fear of being found inadequate, and alternating narratives and you get some sense of what this book might do to you. Compulsively readable, dark, at times funny-in-an-awful way, and shocking, this book inspired the #wtfthatending hashtag on Twitter and, believe me, it deserves it. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. - Krys

Priestdaddy - Patricia Lockwood
This is the best memoir I have read in years and my favorite book of year thus far. Patricia Lockwood is a poet and intellect who cannot be sufficiently praised, and PREISTDADDY is the story--in pristine fits, starts, flashbacks, and striking metaphor—of Lockwood’s return (with her husband-- and for lusterless reasons) to live in the literal and figurative Rectory of her Father and her History. It is in this unique experience of living day-to-day as grown person, writer, daughter, in the house of one’s father that a keen (and universal) perspective on family and being is discovered--and thanks to Patricia’s priestly devotion to words--written and shared. She watches, records and wanders wildly between the oafish and ornate, the tactile and untouchable, the actual and the interpretive, the crass hilarity and astonishing comfort of: practice, patience, love and language itself. This is a book I underlined with fervor and will return to for its sentences, its turns and its epiphanies, forever. -Joanna

Funny Girl - Betsy Bird
This book isn't just funny and it isn't just for girls (I wish I didn't have to say that, but I do). It's one of the best collections of creative shorts this year and quite possibly the perfect beach read; tears of laughter will flush out any particle of sand, and reading a few of these stories on the car-ride to summer haven will divert (or at least allow full-family laughter about) the worst of: behaviors, smells, and flailing body parts. - Joanna

The Girl with All the Gifts - M.R. Carey
This is the thought-provoking, intelligent zombie novel that I have waited years for (you read that right...intelligent zombie novel). Between the premise, the scientific explanation as to why and how it would impact our society, and the characterization, M.R. Carey’s TGW/ATG is a haunting, subtle (yet un-subtle) disturbing novel about 10-year-old Melanie and her harrowing experience with the Hungries.(And as an added bonus, this has a realistic portrayal of what Evolution can do to biological systems during a very sped-up process!). Good for Horror buffs looking for another World War Z. - Krys

Out of Wonder - Kwame Alexaner
There is no way to describe Kwame Alexander's purpose and care in creating this joyful collection of poetry than its title alone; Out of Wonder, he has compiled one of the most incredible tributes to poetic voices and diverse Voice. Read this in part or in whole, and gift it to your favorite teacher or child as a true gift to your world. - Joanna

The New Ocean - Bryn Barnard
In this factual, stunning new picture book, a warming planet and human industry (both destructive and restoring) are indisputably--and sensibly, essentially--connected to the scientific state of our ocean today. Young environmentalists and curious sea-life enthusiasts will be grateful to dive in and emerge more informed, committed and passionate about her/his role in the fate of our earth's ocean. - Joanna 

Colette's Lost Pet - Isabelle Arsenault
When Colette is tasked with making friends in her new neighborhood, she is a bit shy. To make herself feel better, she creates an elaborate lie about a lost parakeet named "Marie-Antionette."  All of the neighbor children help her search for this enormous bird who can surf, speak, and otherwise dazzle.   Arsenault's artwork, done largely in black and white, with sudden bursts of color, is as magical as the lie Colette creates--stunning vibrance is interspersed with the mundane shades of everyday life.  Lovely. - Sarah

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors - Drew Daywalt
We often get asked for the newest and best no-fail, hero-making read-aloud. This is it: the untold backstory of the ubiquitous schoolyard, familyroom and anyplace Important-decision-making game. This book is clever, uproarious, and thrilling fun for all ages. Rich, cheeky illustrations so enhance the story. Great fun! - Anne

The Book of Mistakes - Corinna Luyken
This graceful story is built page-by-page by the most frequent and relatable of occurences: mistakes--ink splotches, runaway lines, bad choices and attention lapses. It is in these very missteps that art and story emerge with extraordinary playfulness and poetic charm--reminding readers that every story and all of life is a gorgeous, willful work-in-progress. - Joanna

The Forever Garden - Laurel Snyder
Planting a garden is one of the simplest ways to grow joy. There are many picture books celebrating this truth, but Laurel Snyder brings new awareness to it with a breathtaking story of an earnest young girl and her generous neighbor who tend one together, growing friendship and belonging and, ultimately understanding that even when friends part ways, a garden can--and should--grow forever. - Joanna