This book is magic. The words sound beautiful, the definitions are pure magic and the illustrations are lovely. ( )

This book is magic. The words sound beautiful, the definitions are pure magic and the illustrations are lovely. ( )

This is such a beautiful little book, filled with lovely words, most of which speak of feelings that can be hard to pin down. I had come across a couple of these words previously, but most of them were new to me. Perfect for any wordnerd or linguistic lover. This book filled a small space in my heart I didn't realize was empty. ( )

I'm a sucker for words; especially unusual words, or foreign-language words that have no straight translation into English, and the beauty of this book's cover made it impossible to resist it, even though I already have similar books.

Luckily this small but beautifully illustrated collection of words are almost entirely different from those found in the books I already have and the author also included English words that are rarely used or hardly known (Deipnosophist, n, someone skilled in small talk or in conversing around the dining table).

Bonus points to the author and publisher for including not only an index of the words themselves, but an index of the words by language. Demerit points because once again nobody thought to include a pronunciation guide, and figuring out how to pronounce cwtch (Welsh, n, hug or cuddle; a safe place; the cupboard beneath the stairs) is beyond my meagre abilities to even guess. ( )

If you love words as much as I do, you're really going to enjoy Other-Wordly. It is filled with words from not only English but other languages and cultures to expand your vocabulary and to make you realize that, yes, there is a word for that. Like "komorebi", the Japanese word for the sunlight that filters through the leaves of the trees, or "tartle", a Scots word that means to hesitate while introducing or meeting someone because you've forgotten their name.

Now that I think of it, this is the type of beautifully illustrated little book that would make the perfect gift for other language lovers. My only greedy little complaint? It's too short! ( )