As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to remember that laughter can sometimes be the best medicine. With finals week approaching, a little humor can go a long way toward restoring balance and brightening your day. 

This month’s book display at the Leatherby Libraries’ Reference Desk celebrates the healing power of laughter, joy, and lighthearted storytelling. Pick up a joke book that makes you laugh out loud, discover insights into the psychology of humor, or immerse yourself in a novel that uses satire and wit to remind you how valuable a laugh can be. Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to pause, unwind, and perhaps let a good book lift your spirits. 

Some highlights of this display include A World of Nonsense: Strange and Humorous Tales from Many Lands by Carl Withers, an anthology of short folk tales, anecdotes, and riddles from around the world that feature humorous exaggeration or absurdity. You can also check out SpongeBob SquarePants Bottoms Up!: Jokes from Bikini Bottom by David Lewman, a book filled with interactive puns, riddles, and jokes from the world of SpongeBob SquarePants. 

 

Check out this display at the Reference Desk on the first floor! Click here for the digital bibliography on the Chapman Digital Commons.

This display was curated by STEM Librarian Elaine Yeung and Leatherby Libraries Student Employee Sally Park ’28.