In conjunction with International Joke Day, we're highlighting and celebrating the books and writers that make us laugh - something much needed as we find ourselves right in the heart of the doldrums. We also discuss how tricky it can be to write funny stories, as opposed to telling them aloud, and why comics continue to be a great bridge when it comes to humour. And then in Footnotes, we discuss the specific joys of reading accompanied by images, and not just words.