Diary of a Word Nerd

Awesome Young Adult Books/Favorite Authors/How to encourage reading

Readers Favorite Books of 2013

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Julia Tomiak / 4 Comments

I’m honored that you’re pausing in your busy holiday preparations to visit the Word Nerd. If you’re looking for something good to read after the holiday stress has passed, you’ve come to the right place. (And, can you pass the tape? I’ve still got loads of presents to wrap.)

Thanks to everyone who contributed their favorite books of 2013 to my giveaway. With your help, we’ve generated an interesting and eclectic reading list for 2014. I’m including links to Goodreads; click each title to find synopses, reviews, and information for how to get each book.

Favorite Books of 2013

Remember, these were books read by word nerds in 2013, not necessarily published in 2013.

Young Adult/ Middle Grade:

Walls Within Walls by Maureen Sherry
Flying the Dragon by Natalie Diaz Lorenzi
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Coldest Girl in Cold Town by Holly Black
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

General Fiction

Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg
The Partner Track by Helen Wan

Mystery

Antonia Lively Breaks the Silence by David Levinson
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbreath/ aka JK Rowling
Dust by Patricia Cornwell
Sycamore Row by John Grisham

Historical Fiction

11/22/63 by Stephen King
The House Girl by Tara Conklin
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morten
The Promise by Ann Weisgarber
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Non Fiction

The Mother of All Meltdowns by Crystal Ponti, Nicole Goodman, et. al. (motherhood)
Culture of Honor by Danny Silk (religion)
In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death, and Duran Duran by John Taylor
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (writing craft)
Story Engineering by Larry Brooks (writing craft)

What a great list! And now, I’m happy to announce the winner of my Favorite Things Giveaway…

Congratulations to Crystal Fravel! She won a copy of one of MY favorite books of 2013, or a Barnes and Noble gift card.

Which book do you plan to read off of this list? Any last-minute additions? Please share with all your book lovin’ buddies!

Thanks again to everyone for participating, and Merry Christmas!

Julia

Improving vocabulary

What Does Cogitate Mean?

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Julia Tomiak / 6 Comments

I’m back from Maui for another round of Wondrous Words Wednesday. (Can I just say that the shift from sunshine to ice has been difficult?) Visit Kathy at Bermudaonion.net for more interesting words.

My word comes from the very helpful guide-book Maui Revealed by Andrew Doughty. Some reviewers on Goodreads complain about Doughty’s sarcasm, and suggest it doesn’t align with the “Aloha” spirit. However, my family, including my teen and tween, enjoyed the humor in his descriptions. For example, under “South Maui Best Bets”:

Best Example of What Should Be a Misplaced Decimal Point… but isn’t- $350 to use a cabana for One Day at the Grand Wailea.

Now, on to the Word Nerd Word, taken from Doughty’s description of Venus Pool in Kipahulu.

There you’ll find numerous places that people jump from, deep water in several spots, the pounding ocean just on the other side of the gravel and some perfect areas on the mountain side from which to sit and cogitate.

Cogitate \’kä-jə-tāt\ verb, from Latin cogitare to think, from co + agitare to drive; to ponder or meditate deeply or intently

I figured from the word “cognition” that this had something to do with thinking.

Word Nerd Workout

Think of some synonyms for cogitate and share them below. Also, where is your favorite spot to cogitate? Here’s one of mine:

Pa'iloa Beach (black sand) at Wai'anapanapa State Park — Pa’iloa Beach (black sand) at Wai’anapanapa State Park

Thanks for working out with me!

Julia

Book reviews

Christmas Book Recommendations

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Julia Tomiak / 5 Comments

Do you read special holiday books at this time of year? Do you need some suggestions?

I finally read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and I wish I had found it sooner. What a great read-aloud for the kids, or even adults.

Last December, a friend gave me Skipping Christmas as a fun read for a stressful, busy time. It was light-hearted, but with a good message. Who knew that John Grisham did humor?

Click on the titles above to read my full reviews.

What books can you recommend for holiday reading?

Favorite Things Giveaway

Don’t forget to leave a comment with your favorite book from 2013. You could win a book or B&N gift card. Find all the details at the Giveaway Announcement

Thanks for stopping by! I’ll be back from vacation next week.

Julia

Favorite Authors/Favorite Characters

Favorite Quotes from Literature: Lord of the Rings

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Julia Tomiak / 6 Comments

Wondrous Words Wednesday this week has a twist; I’m sharing some words from one of my favorite books, The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.

“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

What wonderful and wise words, from a wizard, of course.

Don’t forget to leave a comment with your favorite book from 2013- you could win a book or B &N gift card. See the Giveaway Announcement for details.

Have a great week, and use your time well.

Aloha,

Julia

How to encourage reading

How to Find Gifts for Book Lovers and Word Nerds

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Julia Tomiak / 2 Comments

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?

I haven’t. In fact, right now I’m on vacation, hopefully shooting awesome pictures on a black sand beach, no stores in sight. But I want to help you get ready.

First, check out my post on Gift Ideas for Readers and Word Nerds. In it I share a few ideas I found on-line last December.

Next, go to Barnes and Noble. If you’re not sure what book to buy, get a gift card. This year, I gave my nieces and nephews gift cards with a handful of “Smarties” candies. I put the goods inside cute holiday boxes (thank you, Dollar Store) and included a note that said: “Kids who read are SMARTIES. We recommend…” My kids helped me generate a list of books appropriate for each cousin’s reading level and interest. This added a thoughtful touch to the gift card.

Don’t forget to browse the fun stuff at the front of Barnes and Noble: magnets with literary quotes, book bags, beautiful leather journals.

Finally, check out Common Sense Media’s Holiday Gift Guide for 2013. The reviews and suggestions include books as well as movies, games, and music. The guide is broken down into categories: ages 2-6, 7-12, 13-17.

Don’t forget about my Favorite Things Giveaway! I’d like to collect a list of favorite books read (not necessarily published) in 2013. If you share a book title or two in the comments, I’ll enter you in a drawing for one of my favorite books of 2013 or a B & N gift card. You can find all the details in my Giveaway Announcement.

Happy Shopping!

Where do you like to shop for “word nerdy” gifts? What has been the best “literary” gift you’ve received?

Julia

How to encourage reading/Improving vocabulary

What is a Frieze?

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Julia Tomiak / 5 Comments

Welcome to Wondrous Words Wednesday, a great meme from Kathy at Bermudaonion.net if you want to learn new words. My kids are even in on the game. Last night, as we were looking at an Advent Frieze project, my son asked, “What is a frieze?” and my daughter said, “A-ha! Word nerd word!”

Love that! This word appeals to the word lover and the art lover in me. And even though we had snow last week, it has nothing to do with cold.

frieze \frēz\ noun; from Middle French frisium, embroidered cloth; a sculptured or richly ornamented band, as part of furniture or architecture; a band, line, or series suggesting a frieze.

According to Concise Encyclopedia, a frieze is a long, narrow, horizontal panel used to decorate the walls of a room or a building. There’s a famous frieze on the Parthenon in Athens.

Frieze at the Parthanon — Frieze at the Parthenon

We’re packing up to leave for vacation, so we won’t make an Advent frieze until we get back home. And ours will involve paint and cardboard, not stone carvings like the picture above!

Word Nerd Workout

Have you ever seen a frieze in architecture? At the museum? Tell us about it. Also, if you enjoy an advent craft or custom, share that too!

And don’t forget about the My Favorite Things Giveaway. Leave the title of your favorite book from 2013 in the comments and enter to win one of my favorite books of 2013 or a Barnes and Noble gift card. See the giveaway announcement for details. I’d like to generate a list of recommended reading that we can all use for gift ideas. Thanks for your help!

Julia