How about a story collection by a humorist like P.G. Wodehouse, James Thurber, or Erma Bombeck? You wouldn't even have to read the entire book if time was pressing - each member could pick a story or two to introduce to the group. Also, these should be readily available.

The Scapegoat by Daniel Pennac

Benjamin is a scapegoat. Under the official title of Quality Controller, he works for the complaints
department of a large Parisian department store where he bears the brunt of customer complaints.
When a bomb goes off in the toy department, he finds himself the prime suspect.
Besides he also has a bizarre family , 6/7 kids, I donÂt remember, with no wife

Here is a link that might be useful: The Scapegoat - Daniel Pennac

How about Bill Bryson? A Walk in the Woods or The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid are both terrific.

Novel or non-fiction?

Anything by Alan Bennett (esp The Clothes They Stood Up In)

Lamb by Christopher Moore (assuming your group is not one that is easily offended and has a sense of humor)

England, England by Julian Barnes

Vacilliations of Poppy Crew by Mary Wesley

Bandbox by Thomas Mallon

Snobs by John Fowley

All of the above are funny, but at the same time have plenty of meat for discussion. Enjoy!

A James Thurber book which is non-fiction and extremely funny is "The Years With Ross". First published in 1959, it is the story of Harold Ross, the man who founded The New Yorker and was its editor from 1925 to 1951.
Here is an excerpt from the book - Thurber is writing about the Tuesday afternoon art meetings in which all the art, covers and cartoons were evaluated, or 'complained about', and comments were sent to the artists regarding their work:

"My favorite of all his complaints, in a career of thousands of them, was reported to me by Peter DeVries, who for years attended the art meetings and still helps go through the "rough basket," skimming off the best of hundreds or thousands of sketches. The cover on the board showed a Model T driving along a dusty country road, and Ross turned his sharpshooting eye on it for a full two minutes. 'Take this down, Miss Terry,' he said. 'Better dust.' "

The book is still in print, and available form various places on line for about $10.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.amazon.com/Years-Ross-Perennial-Classics/dp/0060959711

How about 1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England, comprising all the parts you can remember, including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates?

Light and sweet but not sticky:
Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

Two Iowa college girls go to NYC for the summer during WW II and land jobs as the first ever female pages on the sales floor of Tiffany.

It is, admittedly, a bonbon. But we all need a bonbon occasionally.

How about Betty MacDonald's The Egg and I as the centenary of her birth is being celebrated this year with goings-on in her home city of Seattle?
The BBC gave a reading of it and last week Lynn Truss (Eats Shoots and Leaves) broadcast a programme from Washington State about B MacD and her life, interviewing relatives and friends.
The site below will only work until 20th March.
Click into the left-hand box

Here is a link that might be useful: Lynn Truss in the Pacific North West

1: I'm printing out this list for me; I'm in a reading slump and light and funny fit the bill.

2: I second both The Egg and I and Summer at Tiffany as humorous and enjoyable. Egg probably has points for discussion.

Jancee Dunn, a writer for Rolling Stone, wrote a riotous book called But Enough About Me. It is part memoir recalling growing up in NJ in the 80's, part a recounting of her celebrity interviews. Depending on the age of your group, this book could be a big hit.

How about some Saki - see an Amazon review below - I've persuaded myself to reread some - well worth a thought!

Saki's short stories have to be some of the best around. Most of them are funny and all of them are clever, having the added attraction of not becoming boring after one read. Some of the stories in this volume are in the form of monologues, especially on the part of Reginald, a character around whom Saki's earliest volume of stories were based. Another character who had much ink lavished upon him was Clovis Sangrail, whose poem, the Durbar Recessional, is surely unforgettable to those who have read it.
Saki's short stories are as brilliant as when they were first published, even if the Edwardian society they satirized has long since vanished into the past.

Your recommendations are FANTASTIC! Some of the names, like Wodehouse & Thurber, have been on my TBR list for years. I like the idea of mixing it up a little with short stories too. I'm always thrilled to scroll through the other names that I don't recognize and do a little research. Fun, fun, fun! (Laundry will always be there tomorrow, right?) Thanks! And, I will start a new TBR-FUNNY list for the next time. :)

Although it isn't light and fluffy, I loved The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. This memoir by a man who suffered a brainstem stroke and was left paralyzed but with his mind intact does not sound like a million laughs. But it is not what you think it will be - reading it left me with a pleasant, upbeat feeling that lasted for days, a feeling that returns whenever I think of the book. It is also very short and quick to read.

But not everyone would find it such a happy book. Maybe better to stick with Thurber! ;)

jankin, we read Saki (along with O'Henry and Twain) in sixth grade and have long thought it about time I reread him. I actually have a collection of his works somewhere.

Another idea, but again not for anyone who is easily offended: The Good Omen by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

In fact, a few of Pratchetts more recent works would make excellent discussion books, because while being funny, the books are incredible satires on our world. Try Truth, Jingo, Last Continent, Interesting Times, Soul Music for examples.

Ahhh, Pratchett! Cindydavid, since it sounds like you've read many of Pratchett's works, do you think any one in particular is a good start? In other words, are there repeating characters that develop over time, etc.?

I agree The Truth is a good one for discussion.

Crazydogs, you'll find a lot of people who like the Night Watch series....Night Watch is a good one. I, personally, am more fond of the witches and Death. Reaper Man is a favorite and very touching.

crazy dogs (please call me Cindy btw :), most of the books have similar characters, but the stories are grouped by certain types: The witches books, the guards books, Death books, the wizards (Rincewind), etc. The link below will help you decide where to start with each grouping. Personally, I started with Small Gods only because at the time it was the only book I could find in the US. Later as more books were published, I went forward in order, then went back to the beginning when I was able to find the books. Have fun!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:2117303}}

If you are looking for characters that really develop over time, the Guards (or the Watch) books might be a good place to start. Tho like becca, I tend to like the witches and death books.