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Author: Julia Tomiak

I believe in the power of words to improve our lives, and I help people find interesting words to read. Member of SCBWI.
Improving vocabulary

What Does Obdurate Mean?

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Julia Tomiak / 6 Comments

A few weeks ago, in her review of Stephen King’s book 11/22/63, Amy Makechnie mentioned a great word nerd word: obdurate.  Specifically, she quoted King: “...

How to encourage reading/Words and Technology

Why Parents (including me) Prefer Reading Print Books with Their Children

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Julia Tomiak / 9 Comments

My youngest child started kindergarten this year, and now he’s bringing home easy readers in a royal blue book sack each night.  The books work on high frequenc...

Improving vocabulary

Why I Love Perspicacious

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Julia Tomiak / 6 Comments

It’s quite a word, sitting there under my picture in the right side bar of this blog: perspicacious.  Fun to say.  Try it.  I think it has something to do with ...

Book reviews

Why Not Try a Graphic Novel

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Julia Tomiak / 14 Comments

How do you get an unenthusiastic reader to take interest in a classic piece of literature?  Or Greek mythology?  Or the anatomy of the eye? Try a graphic novel....

Improving vocabulary

Why Isn’t October the Eighth Month of the Year?

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Julia Tomiak / 12 Comments

How October came to be our 10th month instead of our 8th.

Banned Books Week graphic
Book reviews

Why it’s important to read The Kite Runner

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Julia Tomiak / 47 Comments

My friend Lynne asked at our last book club meeting, “Should I let my daughter read The Kite Runner?”  Lynne’s daughter is 15, intelligent, and well read.   But...

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Meet the Word Nerd

I believe in the power of words, and I like helping people find interesting and inspiring words to read. Follow me for tips on grammar, word etymology, what books to read, and more. Member SCBWI.

Contact me at headnerd at juliatomiak dot com.

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