• Age: 11 to 13
• Grade: 6 to 8
• Reading age: 11 to 13

Winner of the 2021 graphic novel of the year at the Alberta Book Wards,Awkward Pause is an anthology collection curated from Ryan Harby's popular online comic series Honey Dill. A love letter to odd humour, Awkward Pause is a mix of joy and sorrow, both soft and sharp. The book includes over 50 comics, which range in topic from mental health to time travel, murder, and butts. Absurd and strange in ways that will warm even the coldest of hearts.

Ryan Harby grew up in Winnipeg, a place where cold winters provide ample opportunity to stay indoors and draw. He attended the University of Manitoba and eventually ran the student newspaper, where he was able to foster his love of comic strips as a contributor and publisher. After completing his degree, Ryan spent time as an editor and later a graphic designer, while crafting his own creative projects in the wee hours of the night. In 2015, he began posting his drawings online as an ongoing series called Honey Dill. After a handful of his comics went viral, as they say, Ryan gained notoriety for his style of cartoons that were both absurd and heartwarming. He has since worked with likes of Netflix and the CBC, among others, doing something he once dreamed of as a kid: doodling for money. Ryan currently lives in Winnipeg with his lovely wife and son.

Ryan Harby's profile page

"Hilarious, original, and strange in the best sense of the word, Awkward Pause is a worthy comics collection from one of the internet's best." - Sarah Andersen, Sarah's Scribbles

"A highly enjoyable journey into a silly world of murderous bears, ghosts haunting your body, and nicely drawn butts. We're fans!" - Elizabeth Pich & Jonathan Kunz, War and Peas

"Awkward Pause offers delicious bites of comedy wrapped in a superb art style!" - Chris McCoy, Safely Endangered

Delightful!

by 49thNessa