Wordstruck
$17.95
Welcome to Susanna Janssen’s Wondrous World of Words
Wordstruck! will entertain you with a wealth of humorous and insightful reflections on language and cultures. Dive in anywhere and delve into everything from cockney slang to terms of endearment around the world, from the genius of Shakespeare to foreign translations gone riotously bad, from why we say “hello” when answering the phone to why there are several hundred Arabic words in our language.
Discover fascinating word origins, fall in love with metaphor and malapropisms, learn how to spot liars through their words, uncover the secrets to building the brain like a muscle, and find out what really goes on behind foreign language classroom doors.
Have a love affair with the lexicon—Let Wordstruck! feed your brain, warm your heart, and tickle your funny bone.
Connie Bombaci –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
I am quite literally “wordstruck” by this incredibly fascinating and illuminating manuscript! As I read each wowing page, I found myself abundantly dog-earring pages for future reference. I was awestruck by its extensive information about our language, the derivations of expressions, and the relationships of words to one another. I was thunderstruck at how absorbed I became.
There is no lack of stimulating consideration of our words which Susanna Janssen has creatively crafted, carefully developed, meticulously researched, and masterfully detailed. Engage in our words and enrich your vocabulary while being delightfully entertained – become completely “WORDSTRUCK!”
Christine Walker –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
I keep “Wordstruck!” by my bedside and read it in bites. It’s all delicious! This book is a feast of humor and meaning.
Jeannine Kellogg –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
So wonderful! I so enjoyed your book Wordstruck! – you have an impressive insight of the quirkiness and fun of language. Wordstruck! was so fun to read! I encourage others to read it. Congratulations on your book awards too!
Heather Seggel –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
This book makes words as addictive as Pringles!
Because I am usually face-planted in reading for my day job, it’s easy to forget that reading for enjoyment is a thing that still exists. I am reading this book now while the weather here is still almost summer-warm, and can’t wait for some rain and bluster to RE-read it, because it’s just what you want to curl up with on a cold day: Short bites of wise, funny, well-researched observations about words. On my morning errand run I was thinking about how convivial the writing feels, then caught myself wondering about the derivation of “convivial” (from the Latin “to carouse together”). That’s how it affects you; get in the door, throw your groceries on the floor, and grab a dictionary. The author is local to me, so there are also those funny observations that ring doubly true as I’ve observed them myself, but that is just a tiny glimmering bonus. If you like language and its peculiarities, and ESPECIALLY if you are leaning into holiday shopping and have a few folks for whom you’ve run out of ideas altogether, if they like to read even a little, this is the book to buy.
Bob Mandel –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
Susanna has a real way with words! We’re fortunate that she decided to share her whimsical mastery of the English language, among others, with all of us … A must read for those who enjoy a good bit of word play, clever banter, and just good old fashioned mind candy!
Cynthia Hansen –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
Just one glance through the Table of Contents of this well-written book will spark your curiosity to read its many delightful chapters of language anecdotes and analyses. You will be fascinated with the twists and turns of vocabulary in different cultures! The author is clearly “lovestruck” by words and she shares her enthusiasm with the reader. You, too, will be “wordstruck” as you read through her new book!!
Nancy Proto-Robinson –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
This is the best book I’ve read in years both for information and perspective, as well as pure entertainment. Who would have thought that the words we use everyday and take for granted could be so incredibly interesting.
I think it would be a great addition to any English or Linguistics class as recommended reading to hook students on the pleasures of language.
Mel Lockey –
Review of “Wordstruck! The Fun and Fascination of Language”:
Wonderfully funny and witty. Susanna Janssen’s intelligent perspective on language across cultural lines is provocative and insightful. Parts of this book made me laugh out loud.