Forget everything you think you know about dusty old poetry anthologies. The Book of Humorous Verse is different. Compiled by editor Carolyn Wells in the early 1900s, this isn't a novel with a plot, but a sprawling, delightful museum of laughter. Wells spent years tracking down the funniest poems she could find, from classic authors like Lewis Carroll and Oliver Wendell Holmes to forgotten wits of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Story

There's no traditional narrative here. Think of it like a giant, well-organized joke book written in verse. The poems are sorted into categories like Nonsense Verse, Parodies, and Poems of Sentiment (with a twist). You'll meet characters like the Jumblies who go to sea in a sieve, read hilarious takes on Shakespeare, and discover odes to clumsy servants and terrible hats. The 'conflict' is the universal struggle against boredom and gloom, and the poems are the weapon.

Why You Should Read It

I love this book because it proves that people have always needed to laugh at the absurdities of life. Reading a poem from 1850 about the horrors of bad railway food feels weirdly comforting—some things never change! The humor is clever, not mean-spirited. It's a reminder that joy and wordplay are timeless. It's also a fantastic 'dip-in' book; you don't have to read it cover-to-cover.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like poetry, for fans of classic comedy like P.G. Wodehouse, and for readers who just need a reliable source of cheer. It's a warm, witty companion that deserves a spot next to your favorite comfort reads. Just be warned: you might start thinking in rhyme.