50 Books like Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy

Mastering Stand-Up

by Stephen Rosenfield • 2017

Nerves are not the enemy. The complete craft of stand-up: writing, persona, and getting the laugh.

4.41

519

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy ✍️ Comedy Writing 🎭 Stage Craft 🗣️ Finding Your Voice 📖 Personal Storytelling

Mastering Stand-Up 98%

Nerves are not the enemy. The complete craft of stand-up: writing, persona, and getting the laugh.

by Stephen Rosenfield 2017

4.41

519 ratings

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy ✍️ Comedy Writing 🎭 Stage Craft 🗣️ Finding Your Voice 📖 Personal Storytelling

The Comic Toolbox

by John Vorhaus • 1994

Comedy is a craft you can learn. Draft ugly, ask smaller questions, and disarm creative fear.

3.97

951

🎭 Comedy Writing 🔧 Creative Process 🃏 Joke Structure 📚 Comedy Theory 😰 Imposter Syndrome

The Comic Toolbox 97%

Comedy is a craft you can learn. Draft ugly, ask smaller questions, and disarm creative fear.

by John Vorhaus 1994

3.97

951 ratings

🎭 Comedy Writing 🔧 Creative Process 🃏 Joke Structure 📚 Comedy Theory 😰 Imposter Syndrome

How To Write Funny

by Scott Dikkers • 2014

Comedy demystified: a set of learnable devices that turn humor from mystery into repeatable craft.

4.13

960

🎭 Comedy Writing 🎯 Satire And Parody ⚙️ Joke Mechanics 🗣️ Wordplay And Punning ⏱️ Writing Productivity

How To Write Funny 96%

Comedy demystified: a set of learnable devices that turn humor from mystery into repeatable craft.

by Scott Dikkers 2014

4.13

960 ratings

🎭 Comedy Writing 🎯 Satire And Parody ⚙️ Joke Mechanics 🗣️ Wordplay And Punning ⏱️ Writing Productivity

Do You Talk Funny?

by David Nihill • 2015

Stand-up's sharpest tools for the boardroom: structure laughs, hold attention, handle the hecklers.

3.91

1k+

🎤 Public Speaking ✍️ Comedy Writing 🎭 Stage Presence 📖 Storytelling Techniques 😰 Performance Anxiety

Do You Talk Funny? 95%

Stand-up's sharpest tools for the boardroom: structure laughs, hold attention, handle the hecklers.

by David Nihill 2015

3.91

1k+ ratings

🎤 Public Speaking ✍️ Comedy Writing 🎭 Stage Presence 📖 Storytelling Techniques 😰 Performance Anxiety

Funny on Purpose

by Joe Randazzo • 2015

How to write, pitch, and perform comedy across every format, without waiting for a magic break.

3.99

244

🖊️ Comedy Writing 🎤 Comedy Career 🎭 Improv Comedy ✍️ Sketch Comedy 🎙️ Standup Comedy

Funny on Purpose 95%

How to write, pitch, and perform comedy across every format, without waiting for a magic break.

by Joe Randazzo 2015

3.99

244 ratings

🖊️ Comedy Writing 🎤 Comedy Career 🎭 Improv Comedy ✍️ Sketch Comedy 🎙️ Standup Comedy

And Here's the Kicker

by Mike Sacks • 2009

21 humorists on finding a comedic voice, editing brutally, and making a living being funny.

4.05

2k+

🎭 Humor Writing 📖 Interview Anthology 🧠 Comedy Theory 🎯 Truth In Comedy 👀 Outsider Humor

And Here's the Kicker 95%

21 humorists on finding a comedic voice, editing brutally, and making a living being funny.

by Mike Sacks 2009

4.05

2k+ ratings

🎭 Humor Writing 📖 Interview Anthology 🧠 Comedy Theory 🎯 Truth In Comedy 👀 Outsider Humor

The Hidden Tools of Comedy

by Steve Kaplan • 2013

Stop writing jokes and start building characters who are outmatched but refuse to quit.

4.24

895

✍️ Comedy Writing 🎬 Screenwriting Craft 🎭 Performance Technique 🧑 Character-Driven Comedy 🧠 Humor Psychology

The Hidden Tools of Comedy 95%

Stop writing jokes and start building characters who are outmatched but refuse to quit.

by Steve Kaplan 2013

4.24

895 ratings

✍️ Comedy Writing 🎬 Screenwriting Craft 🎭 Performance Technique 🧑 Character-Driven Comedy 🧠 Humor Psychology

Connect Using Humor and Story

by Ramakrishna Reddy • 2016

A humor equation that turns a rambling draft into a tight seven minutes of laughter.

3.82

105

🎤 Public Speaking ✍️ Speechwriting 😂 Humor Writing ⏱️ Timing And Delivery 📚 Storytelling Techniques

Connect Using Humor and Story 94%

A humor equation that turns a rambling draft into a tight seven minutes of laughter.

by Ramakrishna Reddy 2016

3.82

105 ratings

🎤 Public Speaking ✍️ Speechwriting 😂 Humor Writing ⏱️ Timing And Delivery 📚 Storytelling Techniques

I'm a Joke and So Are You

by Robin Ince • 2018

A comedian investigates why we joke to survive anxiety, grief, and the awkwardness of being alive.

3.93

1k+

🎤 Stand Up Comedy 😰 Anxiety And Creativity 🧠 Neuroscience Of Humor 💀 Humor And Grief 🔪 Comedy As Social Critique

I'm a Joke and So Are You 94%

A comedian investigates why we joke to survive anxiety, grief, and the awkwardness of being alive.

by Robin Ince 2018

3.93

1k+ ratings

🎤 Stand Up Comedy 😰 Anxiety And Creativity 🧠 Neuroscience Of Humor 💀 Humor And Grief 🔪 Comedy As Social Critique

The Humor Code

by Peter McGraw • 2014

Why puns, tickling, and dark jokes all work: violation that also feels safe, road-tested globally.

3.44

1k+

🧠 Psychology Of Humor 📚 Humor Studies 🌍 Cross-Cultural Comedy 🎤 Stand-Up Comedy ⚙️ Joke Mechanics

The Humor Code 94%

Why puns, tickling, and dark jokes all work: violation that also feels safe, road-tested globally.

by Peter McGraw 2014

3.44

1k+ ratings

🧠 Psychology Of Humor 📚 Humor Studies 🌍 Cross-Cultural Comedy 🎤 Stand-Up Comedy ⚙️ Joke Mechanics

Long Story Short

by Margot Leitman • 2015

Your life is a goldmine of stories. The practical guide to mining it and captivating any audience.

3.80

1k+

📖 Storytelling Techniques 🎤 Public Speaking ✍️ Personal Narrative 💼 Business Storytelling 😄 Humor Writing

Long Story Short 93%

Your life is a goldmine of stories. The practical guide to mining it and captivating any audience.

by Margot Leitman 2015

3.80

1k+ ratings

📖 Storytelling Techniques 🎤 Public Speaking ✍️ Personal Narrative 💼 Business Storytelling 😄 Humor Writing

Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out

by Mick Napier • 2004

Improv rules make you timid. The key to great scenes is bold action before your brain objects.

4.28

1k+

🎭 Improv Comedy 🎤 Comedy Technique 🔨 Creative Rule-Breaking 🎬 Long-Form Improv 🏙️ Chicago Improv

Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out Summary

Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out 93%

Improv rules make you timid. The key to great scenes is bold action before your brain objects.

by Mick Napier 2004

4.28

1k+ ratings

🎭 Improv Comedy 🎤 Comedy Technique 🔨 Creative Rule-Breaking 🎬 Long-Form Improv 🏙️ Chicago Improv

Laugh Tactics

by Patrick King • 2016

Learn to spot playful angles in everyday talk and deliver the funny before the moment passes.

3.45

139

💬 Conversational Humor 🗣️ Repartee 🎤 Comic Delivery 💥 Witty Comebacks 🎭 Improv Comedy

Laugh Tactics 93%

Learn to spot playful angles in everyday talk and deliver the funny before the moment passes.

by Patrick King 2016

3.45

139 ratings

💬 Conversational Humor 🗣️ Repartee 🎤 Comic Delivery 💥 Witty Comebacks 🎭 Improv Comedy

Your Mom's Gonna Love Me

by Matt Rife • 2024

Bad teeth, small town, zero connections: the raw rules for outworking your flaws to sell out arenas.

3.83

10k+

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 📚 Comedy Memoirs 🥊 Underdog Mentality 💪 Hustle Culture 😅 Self-Deprecation

Your Mom's Gonna Love Me 93%

Bad teeth, small town, zero connections: the raw rules for outworking your flaws to sell out arenas.

by Matt Rife 2024

3.83

10k+ ratings

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 📚 Comedy Memoirs 🥊 Underdog Mentality 💪 Hustle Culture 😅 Self-Deprecation

Make 'Em Laugh & Take Their Money

by Dan S. Kennedy • 2010

Not funny? A marketing pro's playbook for using humor to persuade, sell, and win audiences anyway.

3.97

😂 Humor In Business 🖊️ Copywriting 🎤 Public Speaking 🧠 Sales Psychology 📬 Direct Response Marketing

Make 'Em Laugh & Take Their Money Summary

Make 'Em Laugh & Take Their Money 93%

Not funny? A marketing pro's playbook for using humor to persuade, sell, and win audiences anyway.

by Dan S. Kennedy 2010

3.97

64 ratings

😂 Humor In Business 🖊️ Copywriting 🎤 Public Speaking 🧠 Sales Psychology 📬 Direct Response Marketing

How to Giggle

by Hannah Berner • 2025

Caring less is a skill. A comedian's blunt playbook for anxiety, bad dates, and toxic friends.

4.05

18k+

🎭 Comedy Self-Help 👯 Female Friendships 🧠 Anxiety Coping 💔 Modern Dating 💗 Self-Acceptance

How to Giggle 93%

Caring less is a skill. A comedian's blunt playbook for anxiety, bad dates, and toxic friends.

by Hannah Berner 2025

4.05

18k+ ratings

🎭 Comedy Self-Help 👯 Female Friendships 🧠 Anxiety Coping 💔 Modern Dating 💗 Self-Acceptance

Writing Movies for Fun and Profit

by Robert Ben Garant • 2011

Screenwriting is a blue-collar job: relocate, pitch constantly, and never turn down a rewrite.

3.95

2k+

🎬 Screenwriting 📐 Story Structure 🎤 Idea Pitching 🏛️ Studio Politics 🎭 Comedy Screenwriting

Writing Movies for Fun and Profit Summary

Writing Movies for Fun and Profit 92%

Screenwriting is a blue-collar job: relocate, pitch constantly, and never turn down a rewrite.

by Robert Ben Garant 2011

3.95

2k+ ratings

🎬 Screenwriting 📐 Story Structure 🎤 Idea Pitching 🏛️ Studio Politics 🎭 Comedy Screenwriting

Born Standing Up

by Steve Martin • 2007

Arrow through the head, 20,000-seat arenas, and a deliberate exit from stand-up at his peak.

3.88

108k+

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy ✍️ Comedy Writing 🏋️ Creative Discipline 🎭 Fame And Isolation 🎬 Hollywood Memoir

Born Standing Up 92%

Arrow through the head, 20,000-seat arenas, and a deliberate exit from stand-up at his peak.

by Steve Martin 2007

3.88

108k+ ratings

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy ✍️ Comedy Writing 🏋️ Creative Discipline 🎭 Fame And Isolation 🎬 Hollywood Memoir

I Can't Make This Up

by Kevin Hart • 2017

Belts from mom, drugs from dad, shortest in class. He turned every punchline into a paycheck.

4.10

38k+

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 🎭 Comedian Memoirs 🔨 Self-Made Success 💡 Creative Entrepreneurship 👀 Observational Comedy

I Can't Make This Up 92%

Belts from mom, drugs from dad, shortest in class. He turned every punchline into a paycheck.

by Kevin Hart 2017

4.10

38k+ ratings

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 🎭 Comedian Memoirs 🔨 Self-Made Success 💡 Creative Entrepreneurship 👀 Observational Comedy

Embrace Your Weird

by Felicia Day • 2019

Turn your oddest traits and anxieties into creative output through unconventional exercises.

3.91

3k+

🧠 Creative Anxiety 🗣️ Inner Critic Work 🎭 Improvisation Mindset 🎮 Geek Culture 💪 Perfectionism

Embrace Your Weird 92%

Turn your oddest traits and anxieties into creative output through unconventional exercises.

by Felicia Day 2019

3.91

3k+ ratings

🧠 Creative Anxiety 🗣️ Inner Critic Work 🎭 Improvisation Mindset 🎮 Geek Culture 💪 Perfectionism

Before & Laughter

by Jimmy Carr • 2021

Life advice from a comedian: find your edge, keep showing up, and laugh at what hurts.

4.06

7k+

🎤 Creative Careers 💪 Personal Strengths ⏳ Delayed Gratification 🛡️ Resilience 💡 Creative Thinking

Before & Laughter 92%

Life advice from a comedian: find your edge, keep showing up, and laugh at what hurts.

by Jimmy Carr 2021

4.06

7k+ ratings

🎤 Creative Careers 💪 Personal Strengths ⏳ Delayed Gratification 🛡️ Resilience 💡 Creative Thinking

The Laughing Guide to a Better Life

by Isaac Prilleltensky • 2019

Change is a slog unless you can laugh at it. A behavioral scientist maps the route.

3.25

🧠 Positive Psychology 🤣 Therapeutic Humor 🔄 Behavior Change 🏠 Environmental Design 🔍 Cognitive Reframing

The Laughing Guide to a Better Life Summary

The Laughing Guide to a Better Life 92%

Change is a slog unless you can laugh at it. A behavioral scientist maps the route.

by Isaac Prilleltensky 2019

3.25

4 ratings

🧠 Positive Psychology 🤣 Therapeutic Humor 🔄 Behavior Change 🏠 Environmental Design 🔍 Cognitive Reframing

Wit's End

by James Geary • 2018

Wit is the mind's way of connecting opposites, seeing past habit, and holding life lightly.

3.35

479

🧠 Philosophy Of Humor 🎲 Verbal Play 🔗 Metaphor And Analogy 🔬 Cognitive Science 👁️ Perceptual Illusion

Wit's End 92%

Wit is the mind's way of connecting opposites, seeing past habit, and holding life lightly.

by James Geary 2018

3.35

479 ratings

🧠 Philosophy Of Humor 🎲 Verbal Play 🔗 Metaphor And Analogy 🔬 Cognitive Science 👁️ Perceptual Illusion

Silver Screen Fiend

by Patton Oswalt • 2015

A comedian’s movie-a-night obsession was his film school. The theater owner’s question ended it.

3.62

8k+

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 🎭 Comedian Memoirs ⚠️ Addiction Memoirs 💡 Creative Ambition 🎪 Alternative Comedy

Silver Screen Fiend 91%

A comedian’s movie-a-night obsession was his film school. The theater owner’s question ended it.

by Patton Oswalt 2015

3.62

8k+ ratings

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 🎭 Comedian Memoirs ⚠️ Addiction Memoirs 💡 Creative Ambition 🎪 Alternative Comedy

The Laughing Cure

by Brian King • 2016

Even fake laughter relieves real pain for hours. A comedian shows you why and how.

3.82

😂 Laughter Therapy 🎭 Psychology Of Humor 😌 Stress Reduction 💪 Emotional Resilience 🧠 Mind-Body Connection

The Laughing Cure 91%

Even fake laughter relieves real pain for hours. A comedian shows you why and how.

by Brian King 2016

3.82

56 ratings

😂 Laughter Therapy 🎭 Psychology Of Humor 😌 Stress Reduction 💪 Emotional Resilience 🧠 Mind-Body Connection

Humor, Seriously

by Jennifer Aaker • 2020

Humor is a learnable workplace advantage, not a personality trait. The research and the playbook.

3.83

4k+

🏢 Workplace Culture 😂 Psychology Of Humor 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🌟 Positive Psychology 🔬 Behavioral Science

Humor, Seriously 91%

Humor is a learnable workplace advantage, not a personality trait. The research and the playbook.

by Jennifer Aaker 2020

3.83

4k+ ratings

🏢 Workplace Culture 😂 Psychology Of Humor 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🌟 Positive Psychology 🔬 Behavioral Science

Everyone You Hate is Going to Die

by Daniel Sloss • 2021

A comedian's case for why being alone, heartbroken, and uncomfortable is the real goal.

3.92

8k+

🤬 Anti-Self-Help 🎤 Comedic Memoir 💔 Modern Dating ☣️ Toxic Relationships 🩹 Breakup Recovery

Everyone You Hate is Going to Die Summary

Everyone You Hate is Going to Die 91%

A comedian's case for why being alone, heartbroken, and uncomfortable is the real goal.

by Daniel Sloss 2021

3.92

8k+ ratings

🤬 Anti-Self-Help 🎤 Comedic Memoir 💔 Modern Dating ☣️ Toxic Relationships 🩹 Breakup Recovery

Based on a True Story

by Norm Macdonald • 2016

SNL stardom from a barber-shop town, ruinous gambling nights, and a memoir that admits it's lying.

4.03

20k+

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 📖 Comedic Memoir 🎬 Snl Alumni 🎰 Gambling Addiction 🎭 Show Business

Based on a True Story 91%

SNL stardom from a barber-shop town, ruinous gambling nights, and a memoir that admits it's lying.

by Norm Macdonald 2016

4.03

20k+ ratings

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 📖 Comedic Memoir 🎬 Snl Alumni 🎰 Gambling Addiction 🎭 Show Business

How to Tell a Joke

by Marcus Tullius Cicero • 2021

How Rome's greatest speaker used humor to win any room, and how you can too.

3.19

209

🎤 Public Speaking 🏛 Classical Rhetoric 😄 Humor For Speakers 📖 Storytelling Techniques 🎭 Wordplay And Wit

How to Tell a Joke 91%

How Rome's greatest speaker used humor to win any room, and how you can too.

by Marcus Tullius Cicero 2021

3.19

209 ratings

🎤 Public Speaking 🏛 Classical Rhetoric 😄 Humor For Speakers 📖 Storytelling Techniques 🎭 Wordplay And Wit

RELAX - You May Only Have a Few Minutes Left

by Loretta LaRoche • 1998

Laughter as stress medicine: a comedian's cognitive toolkit for breaking the worry spiral.

3.84

192

🧘 Stress Management ☀️ Positive Psychology 😂 Humor Therapy 🔄 Cognitive Reframing 🎯 Perfectionism Recovery

RELAX - You May Only Have a Few Minutes Left Summary

RELAX - You May Only Have a Few Minutes Left 91%

Laughter as stress medicine: a comedian's cognitive toolkit for breaking the worry spiral.

by Loretta LaRoche 1998

3.84

192 ratings

🧘 Stress Management ☀️ Positive Psychology 😂 Humor Therapy 🔄 Cognitive Reframing 🎯 Perfectionism Recovery

Gentle Writing Advice

by Chuck Wendig • 2023

The writing life burns out the best. Skip the craft rules; this is the guide to creative survival.

4.27

644

🧠 Writing Mindset 🌱 Creative Sustainability 🛁 Creative Self-Care 🎨 Creative Play 🚧 Writer's Block

Gentle Writing Advice 91%

The writing life burns out the best. Skip the craft rules; this is the guide to creative survival.

by Chuck Wendig 2023

4.27

644 ratings

🧠 Writing Mindset 🌱 Creative Sustainability 🛁 Creative Self-Care 🎨 Creative Play 🚧 Writer's Block

Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama

by Bob Odenkirk • 2022

From cult sketch comedy to Saul Goodman: a late-blooming actor's unlikely second act.

3.60

13k+

🎭 Sketch Comedy 🎬 Hollywood Memoir 📝 Tv Writing 😬 Impostor Syndrome 🌱 Late Bloomers

Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama 91%

From cult sketch comedy to Saul Goodman: a late-blooming actor's unlikely second act.

by Bob Odenkirk 2022

3.60

13k+ ratings

🎭 Sketch Comedy 🎬 Hollywood Memoir 📝 Tv Writing 😬 Impostor Syndrome 🌱 Late Bloomers

I Must Say

by Martin Short • 2014

Orphaned at twenty, widowed decades later. The memoir that reveals grief as just another tough room.

4.12

19k+

🎙️ Comedy Memoirs 🇨🇦 Canadian Comedy 🕊️ Grief And Loss 🛡️ Humor As Resilience 🏙️ Second City Alumni

I Must Say 91%

Orphaned at twenty, widowed decades later. The memoir that reveals grief as just another tough room.

by Martin Short 2014

4.12

19k+ ratings

🎙️ Comedy Memoirs 🇨🇦 Canadian Comedy 🕊️ Grief And Loss 🛡️ Humor As Resilience 🏙️ Second City Alumni

Do the F*cking Work

by Brian Buirge • 2019

How to stop waiting for inspiration, survive your own bad taste, and ship work that matters.

3.92

281

🎨 Creative Process 🤬 Profane Self-Help 💥 Embracing Failure 🛠️ Creative Discipline ✨ Creative Confidence

Do the F*cking Work 91%

How to stop waiting for inspiration, survive your own bad taste, and ship work that matters.

by Brian Buirge 2019

3.92

281 ratings

🎨 Creative Process 🤬 Profane Self-Help 💥 Embracing Failure 🛠️ Creative Discipline ✨ Creative Confidence

Humour

by Terry Eagleton • 2019

From gloating superiority to utopian carnival, a philosopher surveys every major theory of laughter.

3.19

603

🎭 Philosophy Of Humor 📜 History Of Laughter 📖 Literary Theory 🤝 Humor And Society 🗳️ Humor And Politics

Humour 91%

From gloating superiority to utopian carnival, a philosopher surveys every major theory of laughter.

by Terry Eagleton 2019

3.19

603 ratings

🎭 Philosophy Of Humor 📜 History Of Laughter 📖 Literary Theory 🤝 Humor And Society 🗳️ Humor And Politics

Why Business People Speak Like Idiots

by Brian Fugere • 2005

Burn the jargon. Cut every message by a quarter. Sound like a person. A corporate communication fix.

3.62

273

🏢 Corporate Communication 🗣️ Plain Language ✂️ Brevity 📖 Storytelling In Business 🎯 Audience Focus

Why Business People Speak Like Idiots Summary

Why Business People Speak Like Idiots 91%

Burn the jargon. Cut every message by a quarter. Sound like a person. A corporate communication fix.

by Brian Fugere 2005

3.62

273 ratings

🏢 Corporate Communication 🗣️ Plain Language ✂️ Brevity 📖 Storytelling In Business 🎯 Audience Focus

The Storytelling Code

by Dana Norris • 2020

The craft rules for finding, shaping, and delivering a story that holds any audience, any setting.

4.01

163

📝 Storytelling Craft 🏗️ Narrative Structure 🎤 Public Speaking 🪞 Personal Storytelling 💼 Business Communication

The Storytelling Code 91%

The craft rules for finding, shaping, and delivering a story that holds any audience, any setting.

by Dana Norris 2020

4.01

163 ratings

📝 Storytelling Craft 🏗️ Narrative Structure 🎤 Public Speaking 🪞 Personal Storytelling 💼 Business Communication

My Mess Is a Bit of a Life

by Georgia Pritchett • 2021

An anxious Succession writer's memoir. Doom-notes. Therapy. A son who lost his words. Darkly funny.

3.82

6k+

🧠 Anxiety Memoirs 🎤 Women In Comedy 📝 Vignette Memoir 🖤 Dark Humor 🇬🇧 British Humor

My Mess Is a Bit of a Life 90%

An anxious Succession writer's memoir. Doom-notes. Therapy. A son who lost his words. Darkly funny.

by Georgia Pritchett 2021

3.82

6k+ ratings

🧠 Anxiety Memoirs 🎤 Women In Comedy 📝 Vignette Memoir 🖤 Dark Humor 🇬🇧 British Humor

Thug Notes

by Sparky Sweets • 2015

What if CliffsNotes were written by a hip-hop scholar who treats classics like street parables?

3.96

570

🤣 Comic Literary Criticism 📝 Study Guides 🔑 Accessible Classics 📖 Reluctant Readers 🎓 Humor In Education

Thug Notes 90%

What if CliffsNotes were written by a hip-hop scholar who treats classics like street parables?

by Sparky Sweets 2015

3.96

570 ratings

🤣 Comic Literary Criticism 📝 Study Guides 🔑 Accessible Classics 📖 Reluctant Readers 🎓 Humor In Education

The Gold Standard

by Ari Gold • 2015

Hollywood's most cutthroat agent delivers the rules of power: no apologies, no soft edges.

4.02

970

🎭 Satirical Self-Help 📈 Career Strategy 🏷️ Personal Branding ⚡ Power Dynamics 🕸️ Strategic Networking

The Gold Standard 90%

Hollywood's most cutthroat agent delivers the rules of power: no apologies, no soft edges.

by Ari Gold 2015

4.02

970 ratings

🎭 Satirical Self-Help 📈 Career Strategy 🏷️ Personal Branding ⚡ Power Dynamics 🕸️ Strategic Networking

Bossypants

by Tina Fey • 2011

How a scarred, self-doubting improv nerd became SNL's head writer and the force behind 30 Rock.

3.96

1.1M+

🎤 Comedy Memoir 👩‍🎤 Women In Comedy 🎬 Hollywood Memoir 😂 Self-Deprecating Humor 🤔 Imposter Syndrome

Bossypants 90%

How a scarred, self-doubting improv nerd became SNL's head writer and the force behind 30 Rock.

by Tina Fey 2011

3.96

1.1M+ ratings

🎤 Comedy Memoir 👩‍🎤 Women In Comedy 🎬 Hollywood Memoir 😂 Self-Deprecating Humor 🤔 Imposter Syndrome

Intent to Live

by Larry Moss • 2004

A master coach on acting: find a script's secret, build the character, make the audience lean in.

4.49

772

🎭 Actor Training 🔍 Script Analysis 🧱 Character Development 💧 Emotional Preparation 📚 Stanislavski Approach

Intent to Live 90%

A master coach on acting: find a script's secret, build the character, make the audience lean in.

by Larry Moss 2004

4.49

772 ratings

🎭 Actor Training 🔍 Script Analysis 🧱 Character Development 💧 Emotional Preparation 📚 Stanislavski Approach

Cobb's Anatomy

by Irvin S. Cobb • 1912

A 1912 comic anatomy of everything that aches, sheds, swells, or embarrasses you in public.

3.78

✍️ Humorous Essays 🤡 Self-Deprecating Humor 🫃 Body Humor 🎭 Social Satire 🇺🇸 American Humor

Cobb's Anatomy 90%

A 1912 comic anatomy of everything that aches, sheds, swells, or embarrasses you in public.

by Irvin S. Cobb 1912

3.78

60 ratings

✍️ Humorous Essays 🤡 Self-Deprecating Humor 🫃 Body Humor 🎭 Social Satire 🇺🇸 American Humor

The Elements of Eloquence

by Mark Forsyth • 2013

Shakespeare didn't wait for inspiration. He studied the tricks that make phrases stick.

4.35

7k+

🏛️ Classical Rhetoric 🗣️ Figures Of Speech ✍️ Writing Craft 🎯 Wordplay 📝 Persuasive Writing

The Elements of Eloquence 90%

Shakespeare didn't wait for inspiration. He studied the tricks that make phrases stick.

by Mark Forsyth 2013

4.35

7k+ ratings

🏛️ Classical Rhetoric 🗣️ Figures Of Speech ✍️ Writing Craft 🎯 Wordplay 📝 Persuasive Writing

Creativity

by John Cleese • 2020

Ideas die young from early judgment. How to let them grow long enough to get good.

3.88

10k+

🎨 Creative Process 🧠 Thinking Modes 💤 Unconscious Mind 💡 Idea Generation 🧸 Play And Creativity

Creativity 90%

Ideas die young from early judgment. How to let them grow long enough to get good.

by John Cleese 2020

3.88

10k+ ratings

🎨 Creative Process 🧠 Thinking Modes 💤 Unconscious Mind 💡 Idea Generation 🧸 Play And Creativity

Steal the Show

by Michael Port • 2015

Apply an actor's toolkit to any speech, pitch, or interview and leave stage fright behind.

3.67

2k+

🎤 Public Speaking 📊 Presentation Skills 🧠 Performance Psychology 🎭 Acting Techniques 🎲 Improv Skills

Steal the Show 90%

Apply an actor's toolkit to any speech, pitch, or interview and leave stage fright behind.

by Michael Port 2015

3.67

2k+ ratings

🎤 Public Speaking 📊 Presentation Skills 🧠 Performance Psychology 🎭 Acting Techniques 🎲 Improv Skills

The Filthy Truth

by Andrew Dice Clay • 2014

The most banned comic in America on the Hollywood machine that tried to destroy him.

3.72

227

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 🎬 Hollywood Memoir 🎭 Comic Personas 💥 Provocative Comedy 🎰 Gambling Addiction

The Filthy Truth 90%

The most banned comic in America on the Hollywood machine that tried to destroy him.

by Andrew Dice Clay 2014

3.72

227 ratings

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy 🎬 Hollywood Memoir 🎭 Comic Personas 💥 Provocative Comedy 🎰 Gambling Addiction

Windswept & Interesting

by Billy Connolly • 2021

A Glasgow welder walked onstage with a banjo. The man who walked off was someone else.

4.40

11k+

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Memoir 🎤 Comedian Memoir 🃏 Humor As Survival 💪 Sobriety Journey 🎨 Creative Reinvention

Windswept & Interesting 90%

A Glasgow welder walked onstage with a banjo. The man who walked off was someone else.

by Billy Connolly 2021

4.40

11k+ ratings

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Memoir 🎤 Comedian Memoir 🃏 Humor As Survival 💪 Sobriety Journey 🎨 Creative Reinvention

The Successful Author Mindset

by Joanna Penn • 2009

You can master plot and still not finish. The missing manual for the writer's inner game.

4.39

924

✍️ Writing Mindset 💼 Author Career 🎭 Imposter Syndrome 🎯 Perfectionism 🗣️ Inner Critic

The Successful Author Mindset 90%

You can master plot and still not finish. The missing manual for the writer's inner game.

by Joanna Penn 2009

4.39

924 ratings

✍️ Writing Mindset 💼 Author Career 🎭 Imposter Syndrome 🎯 Perfectionism 🗣️ Inner Critic

Mathematics and Humor

by John Allen Paulos • 1980

The mind reads a joke like a mathematician reads an equation: hunting for structure.

3.40

159

🧮 Mathematical Humor 📖 Philosophy Of Humor 🧠 Humor Psychology 🗣️ Linguistic Play 🎭 Incongruity Theory

Mathematics and Humor 90%

The mind reads a joke like a mathematician reads an equation: hunting for structure.

by John Allen Paulos 1980

3.40

159 ratings

🧮 Mathematical Humor 📖 Philosophy Of Humor 🧠 Humor Psychology 🗣️ Linguistic Play 🎭 Incongruity Theory

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