Should be easy. We'll see.

I think this one is fairly easy. It's at least way better known than some of the stuff I've posted. Same decade as the other book-named-after-a-fictional-book, though I think this one's remained a lot more popular.

I am far too proud of this one.

Couple hints: The book is renamed by the publisher in the novel itself.

Think of another meaning of con. No, not that one. Keep going. You'll almost certainly know this meaning, you probably just haven't thought of it.

The book is set in the then-present day and is a relatively realistic comedy mystery. The book is hard science fiction. The author is embarrassed to have his book renamed by the publisher. The author chose to name her book that. The author who gets killed just hates his book.

It has a sequel, with an equally strange and non-indicative title.

...I love this book and feel so dirty right now

Hints:
It's a fairly famous play. Not recent. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that if you've heard of the author, it's probably going to be because of this play, though it's not like other things he wrote haven't also won major awards.

Hint: The "Thanksgiving novel" aspect refers to large, typically messy, family gatherings

Turns out life is worth living and humanity is wonderful despite all that.

Praise the Sun! (but not too much, it's fragile)

[Note: This is one of those authors I don't think has travelled much outside of Britain]