10 Warm and Witty Books for Nora Ephron Fans

Humor Me by Cat Shook is a whip-smart rom-com that’s sure to entertain Nora Ephron fans. Set in New York City, the buzzy new novel by the If We’re Being Honest author centers on Presley Fry, an assistant at a late-night comedy talk show who’s still grappling with the loss of her mother. Presley’s romantic life is far from thriving, and she’s fallen into the habit of letting her roommate direct her social engagements. But at least she has New York City’s stand-up comedy scene to boost her spirits. Another bright spot? Presley’s relationship with Susan Clark, Presley’s mother’s childhood best friend and the wife of the head of the network where Presley works. Their blooming friendship — and the possibility of a romance with Susan’s son, Lawrence — might just be what Presley needs to get her life going again. A heartwarming ode to female friendship, twentysomething growing pains, and the joy of finding your people through comedy, Humor Me is a delight. 

This family dramedy by Maria Semple has all the wit and charm of your favorite Ephron films. When formidable architect Bernadette Fox disappears, her 15-year-old daughter Bee embarks on her own investigation, sorting through emails and secret messages in search of clues to where her mother could have gone. They were supposed to be on a family trip to Antarctica, but Bernadette’s ever-mounting agoraphobia set her on a different path. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? is a “divinely funny, many-faceted novel” (Janet Maslin, The New York Times) about mother–daughter bonds and derailed creativity. 

A New York Times bestseller, Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld is a smart, sexy story about a comedy writer who has written off falling in love. Sally Milz is a sketch writer on an SNL-style show, and she’s over waiting for her fairytale moment. Again and again, she’s seen totally average guys — including her friend and fellow comedy writer Danny — get together with successful and gorgeous women. The repeating pattern inspires her to write a sketch that playfully jabs at the trope while slyly pointing out that it would probably never happen the other way around. But when model-wooing popstar Noah signs on to host the show, Sally finds herself at the center of a love story she didn’t expect. After all, this is Sally’s life, not some rom-com… right? Radiating warmth and wit and packed with plenty of clever winks to the rom-com genre, Romantic Comedy is sure to please Ephron fans.

An instant New York Times bestseller, Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is a steamy summer story of past love and second chances. A literary event brings together two writers for an unexpected reunion —single mom and bestselling author of erotica Eva Mercy and lauded novelist Shane Hall. Although their evident chemistry catches the attention of the event-goers, no one knows about the week they spent wildly in love 15 years ago. Buried heartbreak and an old flame flare to life over the course of seven sultry days. Joyous, hilarious, and thoughtful, Seven Days in June offers the type of modern, life-driven romance that Ephron fans are sure to enjoy. 

Nora and Charlie are not a meet-cute couple and this is not a Hallmark movie — which makes it an ideal next read if you’re looking for an Ephron-esque narrative. Book Lovers by Emily Henry introduces us to Nora Stephens, a cutthroat literary agent who decamps from the city to a small town in North Carolina to spend some quality time with her little sister. Nora’s hoping for a little R&R and maybe even a small-town fling. Instead, she improbably keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a gloomy editor from back in the city. As one chance encounter leads to another, a love story begins to blossom. Could the polar-opposite pair actually be perfect for each other? Henry crafts an eminently readable tale about modern romance and relationships in her bestselling novel, perfectly blending sweet, snappy, and seductive. 

Casey Peabody feels unmoored. She’s 31, and all her friends are checking off milestones — getting married, having babies — while she sinks deeper into debt as she chips away at her eternally in-progress novel. Enter Silas, a sweet, good-looking writer who’s into her. Next to Silas is Oscar, an older, intriguing writer who’s also into her. Casey finds herself staring down two very different futures in this “warm and buoyant romance” (Sunday Telegraph). Funny, hopeful, and clever, Lily King’s Writers & Lovers is an Ephron fan’s cup of tea.

This acclaimed essay collection by bestselling author Sloane Crosley is sure to delight fans of Ephron’s nonfiction works like I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections and I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman. Bolstered by the author’s sparkling wit and gimlet eye, Look Alive Out There adds to the catalog of Crosley’s virtuoso personal essays by recounting her life experiences — from volcano visits to encounters with swingers — with sophistication and delight.

Samantha Irby’s bestselling and Lambda Literary Award–winning Wow, No Thank You is a consummate collection of essays that Ephron fans will surely devour. Across its pages, Irby offers a candid look at her life in all its joy and discomfort, from Hollywood meetings with TV exec astrologers and making salads in mason jars to building a home with her wife in the Midwest. It’s a laugh-out-loud funny book that’s strikingly honest. 

Award-winning actress and comedian Tina Fey is a household name thanks to her razor-sharp comedy, and she keeps the laughs coming in her bestselling funny memoir Bossypants. Fans of Nora Ephron will appreciate the snappy wit and comedic candor of Fey’s writing as she opens up about her journey to success, her romantic failings, the challenges of motherhood, her half-hearted pursuit of beauty standards, and of course, being called “bossy.”

In the bestselling Why Not Me? actress, writer, producer, and director Mindy Kaling crafts a delightful rumination on her “second coming-of-age.” She drolly shares her best tips for looking your Hollywood best on-camera, considers the ups and downs of courting new friendships, and gets comedically real about her past relationship with a coworker. If you love the warmth and wryness of Ephron’s essays, Why Not Me? should definitely be on your TBR.