One can expect to laugh or at least be amused. There might be silly characters doing unexpected things. For example, in a funny book, the main character could be a clumsy detective who always gets into comical situations while trying to solve a case.
The humor might come from the way the story is told. If it has a lot of vivid descriptions of funny expressions or sounds. Like in a story where a parrot imitates a person's sneeze in a very exaggerated way. It makes the story more engaging and funny.
The unexpected twists usually make it funny. For example, if a character is supposed to be very serious all the time but suddenly does something completely silly like dancing in the rain without any reason. That kind of deviation from the norm can be a great source of humor.
A story can be 'kind of funny' when there is an unexpected twist. For example, if you expect someone to be really good at something but they end up being completely hopeless at it. Like a professional athlete who can't ride a bike.
The characters in 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' are complex and relatable. Craig, for example, is a teen dealing with mental health issues. His journey shows the struggles of growing up and finding one's place. He is intelligent but also self - doubting. Another important character is Bobby, who is in the hospital with Craig. Bobby represents those who have faced hardships and still try to find joy in life. Their interactions help Craig in his own self - discovery.
They often have a great sense of absurdity. They can create situations that are completely out of the ordinary but still seem believable within the context of the story. For instance, a character might suddenly start talking to animals in a very normal way as if it's an everyday occurrence.