Humor Me - by Cat Shook

Book Synopsis

For fans of Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, a hilarious, heartfelt novel about the healing power of female friendship, unexpected love, and stand-up comedy

Presley Fry is not amused. She's been an assistant at the Late Night Show for way too long, she's adopted a "business casual" approach to dating to save herself from the embarrassment of seeking genuine connection, and she's content to let her gregarious roommate, Isabelle, orchestrate her entire social life. Not completely disillusioned, Presley is enamored with the world of stand-up comedy. The joy she finds in discovering up-and-coming comedians is enough for now.

Presley is still reeling from her mother's death, which still knocks the wind out of her every time she reaches for the phone. Enter Susan Clark, her late mother's childhood best friend. Susan is married to the head of the network where Presley works, and is determined to take Presley under her wing. She's equally determined to connect Presley with her son, the bright and affable Lawrence, who couldn't be further from Presley's type.

As Presley grapples with the loss of her mother and finds her people among those who seek out comedy to make the world a bit brighter, Humor Me reminds us that friendship can emerge from where you least expect it and that shared laughter can ease the deepest pain.

Review Quotes

"Shook turns a lighthearted rom-com into a complicated exploration of romantic love--and, more importantly, friendship...Charming, optimistic escapism with a more serious undertone of feminist solidarity."
--Kirkus

"Endearing...This charms."
--Publishers Weekly

"This novel is a masterful, grounded exploration of the consequences of bad behavior and who ultimately pays."
--Booklist

"Like the women of Sex and the City, Humor Me's protagonist Presley Fry breezes through connections with near-boyfriends, drinks with gal pals and career-enhancing forays in NYC... Though it certainly has rom-com-esque appeal, Humor Me goes beyond that, navigating the complexities of breaking old patterns, forging new connections and establishing one's identity."
--Bookpage

"Hilarious and heartfelt... A tale of unexpected friendship, laughter and love."
--Woman's World Book Club

"The theme of grief was woven into the novel, making it more helpful than The Orphaned Adult (yes, that is a self-help book for grieving kiddos, and yes, I read it)."
--Betches: "20 Novels That Healed Me Faster Than Any Self-Help Book"

"A love letter to friendship, comedy and New York City, Humor Me is an absolute romp of a read. Cat Shook's sophomore novel is injected with all the hilarity and heart of her debut -- once again tackling themes like grief and romance with warmth, wit and grace -- this time set against the sparkling land of late night television. Presley Fry, our protagonist and narrator, will quickly become your fictional new best friend -- the kind of character you'll laugh both with and at -- and Shook is sure to become your next auto-buy author. What a delight."
--Genevieve Wheeler, author of Adelaide

"As sharp as it is tender, Humor Me is a page-turning ode to comedy, New York, and, most of all, the power of female friendships. Presley Fry is a winning narrator, and it was a delight to follow her through the streets of New York and the minefield of her mid-twenties. From workplace social dynamics to texting diction to Trader Joe's frozen meals, Cat Shook's impressive eye for detail brings the world alive. I loved it."
--Isabel Kaplan, bestselling author of NSFW

"Make room in your hearts for another wonderful romantic comedy. Humor Me is timely, moving, hopeful, and hilarious. You're going to fall in love with these characters."
--J. Ryan Stradal, New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest

"I devoured Humor Me with the giddy devotion of watching an excellent comedy routine. The main character is my new best friend; her biting wit and endearing warmth linger long after the pitch perfect last page. A brilliant ode to NYC, stand up, and unlikely friendships--because sometimes the laughs that surprise us most ring the truest."
--Avery Carpenter Forrey, author of Social Engagement

"With sparkling prose and sizzling insight, Cat Shook has crafted an unforgettable story in her sophomore novel, Humor Me. From the very first sentence, I fell head-over-heels in love with narrator Presley, a whip-smart and snarky comedy assistant eager for a lucky break of her own, in work and in love alike. Set against the glistening New York City backdrop, Humor Me is a picture-perfect showcase of mid-twenties splendor, of the universal growing pains that come with building a life in an industry that is equal parts exhausting and exhilarating, all told in an unputdownable narrative befitting Presley's city that never sleeps. In Humor Me, Shook has masterfully written an ode to our second-coming-of-ages, an honest yet hopeful look at the people and moments that shape us most, all while cementing herself as one of the best new voices of our generation."
--Becky Chalsen, author of Kismet

About the Author