Tag: funny books

Books for your Summer TBR!

I’m not a big seasonal reader, especially in summer. What most people read at the beach rarely graces my Summer TBR – I’m just not your typical reader. If you’re not either though, then hopefully my slightly out-there recommendations appeal more to your reading taste.

What today’s featured books have in common with other summer read lists is that they are lighter, warmer, and more fun than the usual epic fantasy I read a lot of. No blood, guts and gore on today’s list. Sorry if that’s your thing. Maybe check out my favourite fantasy books or spooky season reads if that’s more your jam? 

Somewhere Beyond the Sea – cozy vibes and childhood adventures! 

Either The House in the Cerulean Sea or its sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea are perfect summer reads if you’re looking to put cozy vibes and misfit children finding their place in the world on your Summer TBR! 

These books are wholesome for the way the children and their guardians band together in the face of prejudice and adversity. It’s what family should look like. The children, with their wildness and magic (sometimes dangerous) aren’t orphans, they’re chosen by Arthur and Linus. 

That’s not all! If you enjoy an LGBTQ cinnamon roll romance then you’re in luck! 

The Rosie Project – Romance with a Twist

If a slightly different type of romance tickles your pickle (or not… we don’t judge here!), The Rosie Project is another option. 

Don Tillman is hopeless when it comes to love. He’s far from a socialite, struggles to relate to people and has given up on romance. However, convinced by an acquaintance that there is someone for everyone. So, Don sets out to find his perfect partner, checklist in hand. As only a scientist would do. However, perhaps Don will be drawn to another, one who certainly does not tick all the boxes. Or any of them… 

The Rosie Project is funny and light. Romance is generally on the lighter side anyway, but the humour that stems from Don’s inability to read social cues and lack of understanding about how to conduct himself is a unique flavour. 

Fuck No! How to Stop Saying Yes When you Shouldn’t! – humour and practical advice in one compact book

Moving away from romance, but leaning heavily into humour, this self-help may just be the way to keep personal growth on your radar whilst at the beach. 

Tired of being a yes-man? Need advice on how to say no in a humour, disarming way? If so, this book can be both a practical guide and have you laughing out loud. Sarah Knight’s hands-on examples are easy to put into practice in everyday life. When you’re back from vacation and work demands try to overwhelm you, you’ll be armed with the ingenious way of saying f*ck no, well, a little more politely… 

The Tw*t Files – because laughing at someone else’s misery is entertaining

Finally, my current read is proving a balm in the current heat. There’s nothing more entertaining than laughing at someone else misery. We’ve all made fluff-ups, some more monumental and public than others. Dawn French has made many a blunder, large and small. 

The Tw*t Files is unapologetically funny. Dawn recounts her mishaps, major to minor, and happily laughs at her own tw*tishness. She’s not afraid to be honest about moments in her life that weren’t her finest. We all make mistakes, even when you’re famous. 

Sometimes, it helps to laugh at someone else’s mistakes. Will The Tw*t Files make it onto your Summer TBR as well? 

Summary

Sometimes, a lighter read is what you need in the moment. Whether you’re sat around the pool, on the beach, or just need a laid back moment, there’s a book for every occasion. 

What would you recommend to fellow readers for their Summer TBR?

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Blog Tour Review: Death of a Billionaire – Tucker May

When the nights are drawing in, a funny murder mystery definitely lifts the spirits. If you’re in the market for a quick and engaging whodunnit, Death of a Billionaire will be perfect for you! 

Before I get stuck into this review in earnest, thank you to Tucker May and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Death of a Billionaire. Whilst I was provided with a copy of the book for the purposes of providing my review, my thoughts are my own. 

Now, let’s dive in, shall we? 

 

Death of a Billionaire – Tucker May

Genre: Murder Mystery

Pages: 268

Audience: Adult

Publisher: Tucker May Books

Original Publication Date: 14 Nov 2025

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Goodreads – Death of a Billionaire

Ever dream of killing your boss? Alan Benning knows how you feel.

The problem: his billionaire boss actually winds up murdered. And the whole world thinks he did it.

When globetrotting tech billionaire Barron Fisk is found dead on the floor of his swanky Silicon Valley office, all evidence points to Alan.

Alan must venture into the glitzy, treacherous world of tech billionaires to clear his name by sortingthrough a long list of suspects with motive aplenty. If he can’t find the real culprit, Alan’s going down.

The clock is ticking.

Who killed Barron Fisk? The truth will shock— and change— the entire world.

Fans of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, Carl Hiaasen’s tales of high-stakes hijinks,or Ruth Ware’s page-turning mysteries will love Death of a Billionaire.

Purchase Link

 

My Thoughts… 

Plot 

Do we all dream of murdering our bosses? I can’t say I do, but then again, I am pretty boring by a lot of people’s standards. Alan Benning, however, despite the same reputation, finds himself accused of his CEO’s murder. So begins Death of a Billionaire. From here, the book almost comically lays out all the potential suspects and why they have a motive to see the late Barron Fisk off. 

The book also has a good twist at the end. I had my suspicions from quite early on as to the identity of a mysterious anonymous narrator. And I was close, so close. Tucker May is clever in unveiling the big reveal at just the right time! 

Generally, the book is well paced, and revelations, stake outs, and parodied corporate boardroom drama drive the plot forward. Death of a Billionaire isn’t shy on the action, which is what I really enjoyed about this narrative. 

 

Setting

Aside from being a little futuristic in technology, the world of Death of a Billionaire is much like our own. It’s fun and approachable, regardless of whether you are technically minded or have a lot of interest in technology. Let’s be honest, in our world 30% of smartphone users are loyal to one of the tech brands in the world. Hint, their logo and name are fruity… It’s therefore not a stretch for one brand to dominate the market in this fictional world. 

The spectrum of characters in the book allows us to see people and settings from all demographics. Rich, poor, people of colour – it’s a diverse place! I also like to see this wider representation, so kudos that Death of a Billionaire does this well. 

 

Characters

The suspects in Death of a Billionaire are all comically shady in some way. It was a fun jaunt to pick apart their stories and get under the hood with their relationships to Barron Fisk. He, and some of the other characters in this book, are far from noble or even nice. It’s hard to feel sorry about what happened to him. The police investigation tears apart the lives of those closest to Fisk, some deserving, others less so. 

Barron Fisk is not a likeable character, so Tucker May has done a fantastic job of maintaining that personality and facade of Fisk whilst keeping us readers invested in his murder investigation. 

 

Narrative Style 

The book is short and snappy. With concise chapters and lots of action to match, you’ll be whiling away the page count before you know it! The plot does a lot of the work to get you compulsively turning the pages, but this does help you along 😉

Combine that with the humour and unique disdain shown to us readers by the narrator, and you get a fun, quirky read. Death of a Billionaire was fantastic as a light palate cleanser around some longer, heavier books. Its tone and joviality are refreshing. Truthfully, it was the type of book I needed right now.  

 

Summary 

Are you after a lighter, humorous murder mystery where everyone is a suspect and probably should be for a good reason? If so, pick up Death of a Billionaire and you won’t regret it! I shared that I’d just started this book in my Sunday Summary a few days ago, and I finished it quickly.

 

Author Bio

Tucker May was raised in southern Missouri. He attended Northwestern University, where he was trained in acting and playwriting. He now lives in Pasadena, California, with his wife, Barbara, and their cat, Principal Spittle. He is an avid reader and longtime fan of the Los Angeles Rams and Geelong Cats. Death of a Billionaire is his debut novel.

Social Media Links – 

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