Star Island

By Carl Hiaasen

For the record...I just want to say that Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich are the only two authors who have ever written a book that made me laugh so hard, milk came out my nose!! Carl Hiaasen uses sarcasm to the extreme in his latest novel. He makes fun of everyone in the entertainment world including, but not limited to actresses, actors, agents, body guards, and especially the paparazzi. While I didn't enjoy this novel as much as his previous works, it was a funny, light read that kept me entertained.

The novel follows a once popular singer as she attempts to release a new album and put herself back on the charts. Her parents have hired a double to keep the paparazzi from finding out and publicizing her many overdoses and partying ways. When the double is accidentally kidnapped by a disillusioned paparazzi, chaos ensues as everyone scrambles to cover up their cover ups. Characters include the once governor of Florida who now lives in the swamps, a scarred body guard with a weed whacker in place of an arm, and a set of parents who occasionally want the best for their self-destructive daughter/money maker!!

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Similar Novels: Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen and Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

Length: 337 Pages

Copyright: July 2010

The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy

By Vicki Iovine

I actually bought this book on the advice of a friend back when I was pregnant with my first child in 2005. While it didn't offer a whole lot of advice on the pregnancy/baby/parenting adventure I was about to embark on, it did make me laugh so hard I thought I'd go into labor. I heard about this book in college from a friend who mentioned it made the perfect baby shower gift and that every pregnant woman should read it. I don't know about EVERY pregnant woman, but if you want a good laugh, this is the book for you.

Ms. Iovine explains her way through her pregnancies with a mixture of sarcasm and realism. She bluntly talks about body changes, breast feeding, delivery, and more. I especially love the part where she describes how her, um..., relationship with her husband changed when she was pregnant. While I don't believe this book is necessary to read before giving birth, it definitely gave me a break from all the serious aspects of pregnancy and let me know that someone out there understands the frustration and inevitable humor that comes with being pregnant!

Similar Novel: What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff

Length: 288 Pages

Copyright: 1995

Skinny Dip

By Carl Hiaasen

Few authors can actually make me laugh so hard that I almost pee my pants (excuse the expression, but it's soooooo true). This was the first novel by Hiassen that I had the pleasure of reading and it definately wasn't the last. Hiassen writes stories that are so out there, they're hard to believe, but boy, are they hilarious.

In this novel, Joey Perrone is thrown over the side of a cruise ship by her husband who wants out of the marraige (obviously). In Hiassen's quirky sense of humor, Joey survives by clinging to a bale of Jamaican pot wrapped into a bundle. The story that follows is basically a revenge scenario plotted by Joey and her accomplice. I seriously laughed out loud and you will too.

Warning: This novel contains foul language; not on every page, but enough to make you blush.

Similar Novels: Two for the Money by Janet Evanovich and Out of Sight by Elmore Leonard

Length: 355 pages

Copyright: 2004