How to Read Cat Shook’s Books: Recommended Reading Path
If you are new to Cat Shook's contemporary fiction, the most important thing to know is that all of her novels are standalone stories. You do not need to worry about missing plot points, recurring characters, or complex fictional universes. However, for the best reading experience, we recommend starting with her breakout debut, If We’re Being Honest, and then moving to her sophomore release, Humor Me. Reading her books in publication order allows you to appreciate her growth as a storyteller, as well as the transition from a warm, ensemble Southern family drama to a fast-paced, witty Manhattan workplace romance.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Because Cat Shook does not write interconnected series, her bibliography is straightforward and follows her chronological publishing timeline. Here is her publication order:
- If We're Being Honest (Published: April 2023)
- Humor Me (Published: July 2024)
Both novels are published by Celadon Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers, and are available in hardcover, ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.
A Closer Look at the Novels
If We’re Being Honest (2023)
Set in the fictional, sweltering town of Eulalia, Georgia, Shook’s debut novel is a multi-generational family drama that centers on the Williams family. The story kicks off during the funeral of the beloved patriarch, Gerry Williams. The tension explodes when Gerry’s best friend, Fred—an elderly Baptist who has had a bit too much to drink—stands up to deliver a shocking eulogy: he announces that he and Gerry were secretly in love and had been in a relationship for decades.
This confession ripples through three generations of the Williams family over the course of a single, chaotic week. The family must grapple with this revelation while preparing for a neighbor's wedding, all while dealing with their own private struggles. The novel is told from multiple perspectives, including:
- Ellen Williams: Gerry’s widow, who is trying to maintain her dignity and navigate her complex grief under the watchful, gossipy eyes of the small Southern town.
- Alice: The oldest grandchild, who projects an air of confidence but is secretly hiding a pregnancy and preparing to become a single mother.
- Delia: A granddaughter who is utterly consumed by a recent heartbreak, constantly obsessing over whether her ex-partner was unfaithful.
- Grant: A grandson and personal trainer who has recently returned from a stint as a contestant on The Bachelorette, seeking to rekindle a romance with an old flame.
- Red: The youngest grandson, who is dealing with his own identity and sexuality secrets in the shadow of his grandfather's public outing.
- Jennifer: A stressed daughter-in-law who suspects her husband might be cheating.
With its large cast of characters, witty Southern dialogue, and compassionate exploration of family secrets, the novel was selected as a Good Morning America Buzz Pick and has been compared to the works of Emma Straub and Tracey Lange.
Humor Me (2024)
For her second novel, Shook moves the setting from rural Georgia to the fast-paced streets of New York City. Humor Me follows Presley Fry, a talent bookings assistant at a popular late-night talk show. Presley is smart, sarcastic, and "charmingly jaded," dealing with the lingering grief of her mother’s death. To cope, she keeps her life strictly organized: she relies on her roommate, Isabelle, to manage her social calendar and keeps dating strictly "business casual."
Presley’s carefully constructed bubble is popped when she reconnects with Susan Clark, her late mother’s childhood best friend. Susan, whose husband Thomas Clark runs the television network where Presley works, is determined to act as a surrogate mother and mentor to Presley. This connection brings Presley into the orbit of Susan's son, Lawrence Clark, an affable man who is completely different from the men Presley usually dates.
As an unexpected romance blossoms between Presley and Lawrence, the network is rocked by a public sexual misconduct scandal involving Thomas Clark. Presley is forced to navigate the professional fallout, her growing feelings for Lawrence, and the deep, unresolved grief of losing her mother. Humor Me is a sharp, funny, and emotional novel that blends the charm of a modern romantic comedy with a serious exploration of found family, grief, and workplace ethics.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Cat Shook’s work, here are a few key details about her writing style and themes that will enhance your reading experience:
- The "Pantser" Writing Approach: Shook writes by the seat of her pants, meaning she does not outline her plots in advance. She allows the characters to guide the story organically. This approach gives her novels a highly natural, conversational, and character-driven flow that makes the reader feel like they are catching up with old friends.
- Southern Roots Meet Northern Edge: Born and raised in Georgia and now living in Brooklyn, Shook excels at bridging these two worlds. If We're Being Honest is steeped in Southern hospitality, small-town gossip, and sweltering summer heat, while Humor Me captures the ambition, cynicism, and vibrant comedy scene of modern Manhattan.
- Focus on Ensemble Casts: Even though Humor Me has a singular protagonist in Presley, both novels excel at managing complex webs of relationships. Shook has a unique talent for giving even minor characters distinct quirks, voices, and relatable struggles.
- Humor as a Shield and a Cure: True to the titles of both books, humor is a central theme in Shook's writing. Whether it is a drunken funeral eulogy or the stand-up comedy scene of New York, Shook explores how humor helps characters cope with grief, trauma, and the messy realities of life.
Practical Reader Advice
If you are trying to decide which book to read first, consider your preferred setting and style. If you love classic Southern family sagas filled with secrets, wedding drama, and a large cast of characters, start with If We’re Being Honest. If you prefer contemporary workplace dynamics, late-night TV production, and a witty, slow-burn romance set in NYC, start with Humor Me. Because there is no continuity between the two books, you can pick the one that fits your current reading mood best.