Jean of Storms by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer My rating: 3 of 5 stars I have been thinking about Elinor M. Brent-Dyer's approach to romance, for she was never the most romantic of authors to begin with. She could write romance and beautifully too; that subtle, underplayed need for each other, that quiet recognition that you are not whole without somebody else at your side, but also - she could not. She could be as subtle as a brick, as delicate as mud, and she could write the sort of engagement that might want you to throw your book across the room and though I shall not name the moment, you all know the one I mean.

ALT: elmo from sesame street is making a funny face while sitting on a table .

Battler Britton, Book 2 by Anon My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was thinking the other day about how to write "funny" (stay with me, this will make sense soon I promise…). For me, funny books have to have a sense of utter conviction about them. You have to believe in every inch of them and the "funny" needs to be legitimately earned and unremarkable, in a way. It's the kind of thing that if you turn to the viewer and point it out, then you lose it. If you do a knowing little wink when it happens, you lose it.