Introduction
10 Literary Memes That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud Literature has long been revered as a serious and intellectual endeavor, and for good reason. Great works of literature can expand our understanding of the human experience, challenge our perceptions, and ignite our imaginations. However, in an era dominated by the internet and social media, literature has found a new—and often hilarious—expression through memes.
With their humorous and even scathing interpretations of renowned characters, great texts, and the peculiarities of writing and reading, literary memes have proliferated in the digital sphere. The challenges of being a book lover, the annoyances of writing, and how we interact with literature in the present day are all parodied in these memes. Literary memes are an enjoyable and accessible way to laugh at the world of books, regardless of whether you’re a passionate reader or just like the odd funny post.
1. The Never-Ending TBR (To Be Read) Pile
We’ve all been there. You start with a small stack of books you’re excited to read, but then, one by one, more and more books join the pile. Soon enough, the TBR pile is towering over your reading space like a mountain, and you wonder if you’ll ever make a dent in it.
This meme captures the ongoing struggle of book lovers everywhere. No matter how many books you finish, the pile never seems to get any smaller. In fact, it only seems to grow, especially with the advent of digital libraries, Goodreads recommendations, and constant book sales. A single click on “Add to Cart” seems to multiply the mountain of books in your life.
Why it’s funny: The TBR pile meme resonates with readers who know the frustration of acquiring more books than they can possibly read in a lifetime. It highlights the paradox of being a book lover: the more books you consume, the more books you need to buy. It’s a cycle that is both funny and painfully relatable.
2. The “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” Dilemma
We’ve all done it—bought a book solely because the cover was stunning, only to find out that the inside is either mediocre or not quite what we expected. This meme plays on the age-old advice, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but with a humorous twist. The beautifully designed cover is often what first attracts us to a book, but as this meme suggests, it can sometimes lead to disappointment when the content doesn’t live up to the artwork.
Why it’s funny: This meme is funny because it reflects a universal truth about book shopping—judging a book by its cover is a natural impulse. The reality, however, is that sometimes the cover is the best part of the entire reading experience. It’s a humorous way of admitting that sometimes, a book’s appeal can be entirely surface-level.
3. The Struggle of Starting a New Book
There’s an odd paradox when it comes to starting a new book. On one hand, you’re excited about the adventure, the characters, the plot, and the possibilities. On the other hand, you’re terrified that you won’t connect with the story or that it will fail to live up to your expectations. The meme above perfectly captures the anxious excitement that comes with cracking open a new book for the first time.
Why it’s funny: This meme resonates because it highlights the mixed emotions that come with starting a new book. There’s the excitement of discovering something new, paired with the fear of disappointment or not enjoying it as much as you thought you would. For book lovers, it’s an all-too-familiar feeling—and one that provides great material for humor.
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4. The Unfinished Book
Every reader has at least one book they’ve started but never finished. Whether it’s because the book was boring, too difficult to get through, or simply not what you were in the mood for, this meme humorously depicts the reality of starting a book only to abandon it halfway through.
Why it’s funny: The truth is, we’ve all left books unfinished, often with the intention of coming back to them later. However, the chances of ever returning to the abandoned book grow slimmer with each passing day. The meme perfectly captures that feeling of guilt and abandonment that many readers experience.
5. When Your Favorite Character Dies
No literary experience is more universally painful than the death of a beloved character. Whether it’s in a fantasy epic, a tragic historical novel, or even a lighthearted romance, we’ve all been emotionally devastated by the untimely death of a fictional character. This meme is a relatable expression of that gut-wrenching feeling.
Why it’s funny: This meme takes a familiar source of reader heartbreak—character death—and turns it into a relatable moment of humor. We can all laugh at how dramatically we react when a favorite character dies, even though we know it’s just fiction. The meme highlights how invested readers can become in fictional characters, even when we know their fates are not in our hands.
6. The Dangers of Reading Too Much
This meme jokes about the all-consuming nature of reading, where you get so engrossed in a book that everything else—work, responsibilities, personal relationships—takes a backseat. For many readers, there’s a magical quality to getting lost in a story, but it often comes at the expense of productivity or social obligations.
Why it’s funny: The humor comes from the fact that so many readers have experienced this phenomenon: becoming so engrossed in a book that they lose track of time and reality. It’s a humorous exaggeration of the obsession that can come with a great book, making readers laugh at how easily they can become consumed by the world of fiction.
7. The Writer’s Block Struggle
Writer’s block is something that nearly every writer has encountered at some point. The meme above captures the frustration and helplessness that comes with staring at a blank page or screen, waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s a funny and relatable moment for anyone who’s ever struggled with writing.
Why it’s funny: This meme is funny because it’s a universal experience for writers. The struggle of trying to get words down, only to be met with a blank screen, can be incredibly frustrating. By exaggerating the panic of writer’s block, the meme makes light of a situation that many writers will find all too familiar.
8. When You Can’t Pick a Book to Read
We’ve all experienced the dilemma of not being able to choose what to read next. You have a stack of books that you’ve been meaning to get to, but you just can’t decide which one to pick up first. This meme perfectly encapsulates the dilemma of book overload.
Why it’s funny: The humor comes from the relatable indecision that many readers face when confronted with a pile of unread books. You’ve been wanting to read them all, but somehow, choosing just one becomes a monumental task. The meme makes fun of how overwhelming the process can be, despite having a world of books at your fingertips.
9. The Bookworm’s Struggle in Public
This meme is for the dedicated bookworms who can’t resist the urge to read, even during work or class. Whether it’s hiding your book behind your laptop screen or sneaking a few pages during lunch, this meme highlights the sometimes sneaky and rebellious behavior of readers trying to get their fix of fiction during non-reading hours.
Why it’s funny: The humor in this meme comes from the absurdity of trying to read when you’re not supposed to. The idea of sneaking a book in places where you should be focused on something else—like a meeting or a lecture—provides a humorous, relatable moment for anyone who’s ever tried to read in secret.
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10. The “Book Hangover” After Finishing a Great Novel
Finishing a great book can often leave you with a sense of emptiness, as if you’ve lost a friend or completed a long journey. This meme humorously reflects that feeling of being adrift after finishing a compelling novel.
Why it’s funny: The book hangover is a familiar experience for readers who have just finished a captivating story. You’re left with the feeling of “what now?” and find yourself unable to fully move on from the world you’ve just left behind. This meme makes light of that sensation, turning a bittersweet experience into something to laugh about.
Conclusion
Literary memes have emerged as a humorous and relatable way for readers to connect with one another, share their experiences, and laugh about the ups and downs of the literary world. Whether you’re laughing at the never-ending TBR pile or mourning the loss of a favorite character, these memes bring a fun, lighthearted perspective to the world of books. So, the next time you’re in need of a laugh, just scroll through some literary memes—they might just be the perfect pick-me-up after a long reading session.
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FAQ
1. Why do literary memes appeal to readers?
Literary memes resonate with readers because they take familiar, sometimes frustrating, aspects of reading and writing and exaggerate them for comedic effect. They capture the shared experiences of readers, from the struggle of picking a book to dealing with the aftermath of finishing a beloved novel.
2. Can literary memes be used to promote books or authors?
Yes, literary memes can be an effective tool for book promotion. Authors and publishers often use memes to connect with readers, build a sense of community, and increase visibility for a book. However, it’s important to strike a balance between humor and marketing so that the memes don’t come across as overly promotional.
3. Are literary memes only for book lovers?
While literary memes are especially popular among avid readers and writers, anyone can enjoy them. Many of the memes reflect universal themes such as procrastination, indecision, and heartbreak—experiences that are relatable even for those who don’t read regularly.
