Do you find yourself getting lost in the language of books, hours slipping by easily as you imagine and daydream your way through it? There’s nothing like finding yourself wrapped up in a world crafted by an author, words woven together skillfully with imagination. For those of us that can’t get enough of the English language and the beautiful stories it can create, here are three books you might want to check out:

1001 Books

  1. 1,001 Books for Every Mood by Hallie Ephron: You might not think a book about books is an interesting read, but for avid readers, Hallie Ephron’s anthology of 1,001 books is like a breath of fresh air. She separates each section into moods, which makes for an interesting read. Do you want to focus on laughs? Do you want a good cry? I read this book from cover to cover, taking in all the moods and categories (even the ones I didn’t think I would enjoy – like books about baseball). But be warned – I came out of this book with a reading list about 300-books deep. The thrill of the endless possibilities this book-of-books offers is amazing to any bookworm out there.

reading the OED

  1. Reading the OED by Ammon Shea: Yes, this book is exactly what it says it is: you’re going to read a book about a man who read the entire Oxford English Dictionary, from A-Z. It might sound like something that would bore you, but what Shea produces is a hilarious and intriguing look at our language as a whole. (And he’s done the dirty work of skipping to all the best words so that you yourself won’t actually have to spend a year reading the OED). I found myself laughing out loud at not only some of the words out language has produced, but the hilarious way Shea writes about them: “Charientism (n.) A rhetorical term to describe saying a disagreeable thing in an agreeable way. If I knew how to say disagreeable things in an agreeable fashion I most likely would not be spending most of my time sitting alone in a room, reading the dictionary.” You definitely won’t regret this read.

on writing

  1. On Writing by Stephen King: Written autobiographically, but full of advice for writers, Stephen King’s book On Writing is an entertaining and helpful read for anyone who has ever considered themselves a writer. King traces his roots back to his childhood selling scary stories for a quarter at school, all the way through to his astronomical success as a horror writer. The reflection and poignancy with which King describes his life and his work will inspire you to start right now, right as you are. (And take note of his honest discussion about his battle with addiction – his explanation of his writing desk is a powerful image you’ll keep with you) “It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room. Life isn’t a support system for art. It’s the other way around.”

 

Rachel is a 30 something pediatric nurse currently living in South Carolina with her future wife. Check out what she’s reading over on Instagram at @lesbereaders.

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