I understand that Dave Barry’s humor is not everyone’s cup of tea, but when I need a good laugh, I turn to his books and/or old columns (he retired from writing weekly columns years ago). So I was excited to read his forthcoming memoir, CLASS CLOWN: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass–How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up (coming in May), a subtitle I can relate to.

Well, it was fun—not quite the hilarious romp I expected—but it was fascinating to see how he went from being a newspaper journalist to a humorist and learn about some of the events he participated in. Despite the lack of tears-inducing laughter, I ultimately enjoyed his well-written story and would recommend it as a “feel-good” memoir.

It incited me to bookmark many of his books in audio for future listening, although I’ll have to make sure not to listen to them when in public or driving a car (once, I nearly drove off the road from laughing so hard). And I’ll probably reread one of my favorites, DAVE BARRY’S BOOK OF BAD SONGS.

For a good laugh, read his column here about staying in an NYC City, which he dubbed the “Hotel Shpennsylvania.”