Humor Me

A NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB MUST-READ BOOK | A LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK TO READ THIS JANUARY

“Warning: this book may cause repeated smiling. It’s a delightful read about how we can bring more levity into our lives.”
—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

“Practical ways to giggle more every day? Without enabling my crippling laughing gas addiction? Yes, please!”
—Bowen Yang, Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, and Saturday Night Live cast member

“Chris Duffy is the kind of writer who makes me angry. Not only is he hilarious, but he is able to do something almost no humorist can: Research. I came away from this book happier, full of information I can’t WAIT to bring up casually in conversation, and with a newfound appreciation of elementary school lunch reviews.”
—Bess Kalb, Emmy-nominated comedy writer and bestselling author of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me and Buffalo Fluffalo

“I missed my deadline for sending the publisher a blurb, because I kept re-reading passages, taking notes, and telling my wife my favorite parts of this book. Luckily, I got an extension so that I could write the following: What a wonderful book! Funny, wise, inspiring, practical, and many other positive adjectives. Thank you for writing it, Chris. ”
—A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically

“Humor Me is, of course, a very fun read. But it’s much more — a master class in using humor as a powerful tool to build a more vibrant and more connected life.”
—Robert Waldinger, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and New York Times bestselling author of The Good Life

“Chris Duffy has a great sense of humor and a great sense of curiosity which are both on display in this book. That mixture makes him an engaging tour guide into not simply the techniques one might need to be funny, but the impact laughter can have on our lives as we age, process difficult things, or try to connect with other people. Chris also agreed to rename his firstborn after me, so I’m putting that in print on his book to make sure it happens or to forever mark him as a liar.”
—Wyatt Cenac, Emmy-award-winning comedian, writer, and actor

“Humor Me is a delightful and deeply wise reminder that joy isn’t just something we stumble upon and that sometimes the smartest path to happiness starts with a good laugh.”
—Laurie Santos, host of The Happiness Lab podcast and professor of psychology at Yale University

“A delightful and insightful debut book exploring the transformative power of humor and laughter, not just as tools for personal well-being but as catalysts for connection and change in the world around us. What makes this book stand out is how it delivers its message through the very medium it celebrates: humor. . . . In a world that often feels too serious, Duffy’s book reminds readers of the importance of laughter, not as an escape but as a powerful force for growth, empathy, and joy.”
—Library Journal

“[Duffy’s] light touch makes for a delightfully accessible book. . . . [His] down-to-earth presentation offers useful reminders about the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and above all, not taking oneself too seriously.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Illuminating. . . . Duffy is a wry and funny narrator. . . . This will entertain and enlighten aspiring comedians and regular folks alike.”
—Publisher’s Weekly

“Duffy’s perfect comedic timing makes it fun, as well as relatable.”
—Booklist

“Duffy’s writerly voice is amusing, knowledgeable and supportive. . . . Throughout Humor Me, Duffy’s sensible and sensitive advice is backed by research and keenly observed lived experience. His earnest belief that “a sense of humor is a portal to a better life” resonates as he demonstrates that the path to self-improvement so often begins with a hearty laugh.”
—BookPage