Sip on a spring tea, soak in humor

First published in April 2015. The books were new releases then; the tea pairings have been updated with Teabox’s 2026 spring harvest.

Who was it who said books and tea make a winning combo? They were right! From wryly humorous to plain wicked funny and all the way up to hilariously bizarre, our pick of humor is paired with the choicest selection of spring teas!

1. First Jobs: True Tales of Bad Bosses, Quirky Coworkers, Big Breaks and Small Paychecks by Merritt Watts

OK, we admit, we had to get this one out of the way first. This book promises to be hilarious, cute and inspiring all at the same time. And sure enough, it also holds promise of having something for every kind of reader. Now, who hasn’t had a crappy job or a bad boss? But then again, who wouldn’t want to read about an atheist Bible salesman, an amusement park janitor and a nude model?

A book like this needs a tea with an all-embracing quality to it. We choose the Darjeeling Margaret’s Hope Spring Chinary Black, a classic that finds a connection among the novices and the connoisseurs alike.

2. Funny Girl by Nick Hornby

From the author of bestsellers like Fever Pitch and About a Boy comes a seventh book. The story follows the life of Barbara Parker, a comic actress in the making. It traces her struggles, her rise to fame and her final reunion show. Hornby retains his brand of satire, which we think suits the weather best.

This one reminds me of the oolongs, born as they are from a dedicated, labor-intensive effort and calling for patience and a strong will. Take the Darjeeling Glenburn Spring Moonshine Oolong for this one.

3. I See You Made an Effort by Annabelle Gurwitch

A collection of essays by the author of titles like Fired! and I Say Tomato, You Say Shut Up, it claims to be an insightful and funny take on her turning 50. With grandma panties on its cover, this one vies to be a laugh riot. The nonfiction book has the nature of a memoir, albeit a funny one.

To soak in this slice of life, our choice is the Darjeeling Castleton Spring Chinary Black. A venerable brew, this tea elicits almost the same feelings as sitting in a cigar room in a well-worn armchair by the window with jazz playing in the background. Solitary appreciation recommended.

4. The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick

From the bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook comes this heartfelt and entertaining tale. Bartholomew Neil has lived with his mother for 38 years when she passes away. Having lost his grounding, he finds what he thinks is a clue in a Free Tibet letter from Richard Gere in her drawer. From then on, he sets off on a new journey, writing to Gere and the Dalai Lama. What ensues is the tragicomic journey of the man.

This one needs some reassurance to accompany it. Try a bright Darjeeling Jungpana Spring Chinary Black, a tea that takes you back to a happy place, where God’s in his heaven and all’s right with the world.

5. The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer by Sydney Padua

Remember them? The inventors of the first computer now come featured in a nonfiction graphic novel written and illustrated by Sydney Padua. The two protagonists here inhabit an alternate universe and have built a gadget to fight crime. Early reviews of the delightful-looking book say it isn’t exactly the greatest graphic novel you will see or read, but it has snippets of fascinating information.

Sounds like this book has the makings of something remarkable. And for that, we couldn’t think of a better tea than the Darjeeling Thurbo Spring Chinary Black, an understated classic.

6. Design Funny: A Graphic Designer’s Guide to Humor by Heather Bradley

A one-of-a-kind insight into the design industry, the book features 300 images by 175 contributing designers. From funny ideas to witty images, rare facts and tidbits of history, this is the bare-it-all kind of book you’d want to keep on your bookshelf long after the spring months are gone.

Inspired reading calls for the Hibiscus Lemongrass Tisane, a tisane handcrafted by our master blender. It excites and baffles you all at once. Brisk, bold and bodacious, the tisane is nothing short of designer itself.

Tea selections by Gopal Upadhayay

Photograph by Ritika Jobanputra

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Originally published on Still Steeping, the Teabox blog, on April 20, 2015. Lightly edited for clarity in October 2026. Pair your next read with a spring Darjeeling from our first flush collection.