Few debuts reach the dizzying heights of publishing phenomenon in the way that Candice Carty-Williams’ Queenie did in 2019. The bestselling novel earned itself legions of fans for its unforgettable heroine, fresh, distinctive voice, and acute social insight – but most of all, because it was outrageously funny.
Now, as she returns with the much-anticipated follow-up, Queenie is Working On It, Carty-Williams shares the five funny books that have shaped her life and writing.
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
“I remember first reading this book on a long train journey with the friend who had recommended it to me. She very quickly regretted the recommendation after I ignored her for the rest of the journey, laughing at pretty much every single page from start to finish.
“It is a semi-autobiographical novel following a woman who, seven months pregnant, discovers her husband is in love with someone else. So many writers that I know or meet hold Ephron as one of our biggest influences, and for good reason. You can’t read a book written by the writer behind the film When Harry Met Sally and not laugh out loud.”
