Still haven't picked up a Mothers Day gift this year? I've got seven funny essay collections for you to give your mom on Mothers Day, so making Mom happy is just one trip to the bookstore away.
Humor books make great choices for Mothers Day gifts — much better than a candle or an Edible Arrangement. Your mom can come back to a funny essay collection anytime she needs a good laugh, making these books the gifts that keep on giving. I mean, a bunch of fruit-and-chocolate kebabs can only make you smile for as long as they last, right? And in my house, that's . . . not long.
There's a little something on this list for everyone. Whether your mom's a comic-book nerd, a fan of What Not to Wear, or a spoonie, I've got a book picked out just for her. Of course, as long as she's got a good sense of humor, she's sure to love any of the titles below.
If you're in need of some good, old-fashioned gift inspiration — giftspo? — check out my favorite funny essay collections for you to give your mom on Mothers Day, and share your fun gift ideas with me on Twitter!
1
'One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter' by Scaachi Koul
In her debut collection, BuzzFeed Culture Writer Scaachi Koul offers up a broad spread of essays about growing up Indian-Canadian. For a little preview, check out her essay, "A User's Guide to My Stupid Name," which was published on BuzzFeed last year.
2
'Furiously Happy' by Jenny Lawson
Bloggess Jenny Lawson has R.A., O.C.D., A.D.D., depression, and anxiety, and she writes a lot about living with disabilities and mental illnesses. Furiously Happy contains an excellent piece of advice for anyone stuck in a long line at the pharmacy: just tell the person in front of you that you're here to pick up your anti-psychotics. No, really.
Here's a preview of Lawson's work, from The Bloggess:
I would pay good money to have someone else manage my drugs for me and make sure that they’re always refilled, authorized and mailed to me. And handed to me with water. With a Flintstones vitamin. And a cocktail. I basically want to live in a retirement home, but without the old people. And I want the nurse who knows how to make Moscow Mules. I don’t think I’m asking for too much. Or possibly I am. It’s hard to tell because I ran out of anti-psychotics.
3
'You Can't Touch My Hair (And Other Things I Still Have to Explain)' by Phoebe Robinson
Broad City consultant and 2 Dope Queens podcast co-host Phoebe Robinson made her print debut in 2016 with You Can't Touch My Hair (And Other Things I Still Have to Explain), which lays out — among other things — her plot to have Michael Fassbender's children. She also probably loves Shonda Rhimes more than you do. Check out her "15 Important Life Lessons Sex and the City Taught Us," published by Glamour, and then go buy her book.
4
'I Feel Bad About My Neck' by Nora Ephron
When Harry Met Sally writer Nora Ephron passed away in 2012, but her humor lives on. I Feel Bad about My Neck contains a number of dry-humored essays on womanhood and aging, including that phenomenon where ladies of a certain age start to wear more turtleneck sweaters. (Given the severity of my text neck, I'm already halfway there.) Check out Ephron's "Serial Monogamy" essay over at The New Yorker for a preview of her witty writing.
5
'Where Am I Now?' by Mara Wilson
The child star who breathed life into Roald Dahl's book-loving Wunderkind Matilda way back in 1996 became a published author in 2016, when her memoir Where Am I Now? hit store shelves. Check out "7 Reasons Child Stars Go Crazy (An Insider's Perspective)" over on Cracked, and then look for Mara Wilson's book at your favorite retailer.
6
'It's All Absolutely Fine' by Ruby Elliot
At the intersection of modern-day life and mental illness, there's Rubyetc. What began as a Tumblr webcomic has now become a book from illustrator Ruby Elliot, and you should absolutely consider giving her hilarious takes on life and other misadventures to your mom for Mothers Day.
7
'I Hate Everyone, Except You' by Clinton Kelly
The star of What Not to Wear and The Chew, Clinton Kelly wrote a book full of humorous recollections on an awkward life. Bustle has an exclusive excerpt from the book, for a sneak peek.
