By Shaileen Beyer, Librarian, Fiction Department
When times are tough, humor helps. Escape into the happy space of one of these eBooks, available to you free with a Pratt library card or eCard.
Literary Fiction
Straight Man
By Richard Russo
English Department head and wise guy Hank Devereaux is having a bad week, and his threat to kill a duck a day until his department is funded may not have helped. The more his problems multiply, the more amusingly he responds, making this academic romp a delight.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette By Maria Semple
When an architect, wife, and mom disappears from her dysfunctional Seattle community, her 15-year-old daughter tries to figure out why. This delicious satire mixes traditional narrative with emails, letters, and other documents.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Caveat for tragedy-avoiders: 29-year-old social misfit Eleanor Oliphant is not fine at all—she has a tragic past. Still, Eleanor’s social missteps guarantee guffaws, in this beautifully crafted, ultimately joyful novel.
My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley
David is a gay San Franciscan who does SAT prep for the rich. Decades ago, he was married to Julie, who runs an Airbnb on the New England seaside with her teen daughter. When David visits, everyone changes in this sweet, funny story about friends.
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simsion
In this gently witty story, a retired major and a Pakistani shopkeeper create a stir in their English village when they fall in love.
The Republic of Love by Carol Shields
When Fay, an unmarried folklorist, and Tom, a thrice-married talk-show host, meet at a child’s birthday party, they seem destined for happiness. But the larger community interferes in this novel that emphasizes gorgeous language.
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
A middle-aged, self-doubting novelist distracts himself from heartbreak by accepting literary invitations to Mexico, Paris, Berlin, Japan, Morocco, Italy, and India. This poignant comedy won the Pulitzer Prize.
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
This witty, philosophical novel follows a Turkish-American girl to Harvard, where she takes a deep dive into language, learning, and love.
The Family Man by Elinor Lipman
When a wealthy gay man reconnects with his daughter, an aspiring actress, his life turns topsy-turvy and he finds romance. This novel has quirky, charming characters
Romance
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
On the run from a career-ruining error, workaholic London attorney Samantha finds herself hired as the housekeeper in a rural mansion. Helped by Nat, the gardener, she embarks on a hilarious education in the home and the heart.
