TTT: Humorists I Wish Were Still Writing Today

Top Ten Tuesday: Humorists I Wish Were Still Writing Today

Terry Pratchett
Died in 2015 from Alzheimer's Disease.
The world lost one of its funniest writers at that time. The last book of his I read, Small Gods, part of the Discworld series, still makes me smile to think of it.

Douglas Adams
Died in 2001 from a heart attack at age 49.
It is possible that Adam's book, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, is the funniest book ever written. We need more of his humor today!

John Kennedy (Ken) Toole
Tragically Toole took his own life at age 31. But because of the doggedness of his mother, his masterpiece of  wit and satire, A Confederacy of Dunces, was published posthumously and even won the Pulitzer Prize in 1981. I'd love to read more by this very talented satirical writer.

Jane Austen
Austen also died young and was only able to complete six complete novels in her shortened life. WOuldn't it be lovely to have more from her? Though best known for her romances, each of her six novels include razor-sharp wit and social satire.

Mark Twain

Known as a humorist, his essays and fiction poked fun at everything and everyone while still making his points about the social ills of the day. We need more humorists writing today, poking fun at the folks in power who are hellbent on screwing everything up. "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."

P.G. Wodehouse
The most prolific humorists ever. His Jeeves series is still funny today. We all need more humor is this super-serious world today. Let's bring him back for a second act.

Erma Bombeck
My mother used to love this Bombeck's and would read aloud from them as we traveled on family trips. She died in 1996 well before her humor was irrelevant. "My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be."

Jean Shepherd
Another American humorist known for not only his funny stories/books, but also for his work on radio. His book, A Christmas Story, was published in 2003 posthumously. It was made into a movie and we laugh every time we rewatch it. An iconic phrase from the movie: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid." 

Oscar Wilde

This playwright died at age 46 after being imprisoned for homosexuality. His play The Importance of Being Earnest is celebrated for its witty dialogue, clever plot, and sharp critique of Victorian values, particularly concerning marriage, class, and truth. I think he deserves a second chance since the world was so cruel to him the first go-round.

Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The author of the very unique and often funny memoir, The Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life and many, many funny, unique children's books died in 2017 from cancer. She died way to soon. We need more books from her! "My father-in-law informed me that my married name could produce these two anagrams: Hearty Salmon. Nasty Armhole. I cannot tell you how much I love that."

Barbara Park
Author of the children's book series Junie B. Jones. I LOVED these books when my girls were young and we must have read them all many, many times. Park was known for dealing with serious topics in a lighthearted way. "A little glitter can turn your whole day around."

-Anne