On my shelf this week:

The Thing About Luck, by Cynthia Kadohata
Comedy Writing Secrets, by Mel Helitzer
The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances, from The Oatmeal

This week I’m reading a new children’s novel, a book on writing comedy (every year I try to learn something new, and this year I’m going to learn how to write comedic material) and a pleasure read from The Oatmeal.

Best quotes so far:

“The only common denominator among (humor) theories is an agreement that humor is so subjective that no one theory can possibly fit in all instances. For those interested in creating humor, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that if humor has so many tangents, it may have an unlimited variety of benefits. Most of them have yet to be discovered. The bad news is that those who create comedy are not sure they know exactly what they’re doing.”
-Mel Helitzer

“The truth is that anyone can learn to write humor. Although some individuals are naturally funnier than others, just as some individuals are more athletic or more musically gifted, humor writing can be taught and humor-writing skills can be acquired.”
-Mel Helitzer

“I grew up a fat kid, and in a way The Blerch is my former self. I run because I’m terrified of becoming that kid again. I run because it’s the only way I know how to quiet the monster. I run because, deep down, I am  The Blerch.”
-Matthew Inman, aka The Oatmeal

“There is a stereotype that if you’re a runner, you’re the type of person who celebrates ALL forms of healthy living. I am not that type of person…running through forests and over mountains and under massive cityscapes makes me feel ALIVE. Eating iceberg lettuce and counting calories makes me feel tired and robotic.”
-Matthew Inman, aka The Oatmeal

Read any of these? Tell us what you thought.

Or tell us what’s on your shelf.