Dictionaries definitely dominate my book shelves. One of the first books that truly captivated me as a small child was my father's old blue backed Webster's Dictionary with a 1948 copyright date. This book was an integral part of my learning to read. Throughout my school years I always owned some kind of dictionary and used it often. When I began building my own home library, I bought many traditional types of dictionaries as well as specialized dictionaries on topics such as music, bible, and whatever other interesting collections I could find. My present wife also brought a number of dictionaries to add to our library collection, including several in Spanish. The irony now is that I rarely use book form dictionaries since I now will refer to online resources. Still my book dictionaries are nice to have. After all, over time words sometimes change in meaning so it's nice to be able to refer to an older source to see what some words used to mean.
The New Oxford American Dictionary
This is one of several large comprehensive dictionaries that my wife and I own. There are others of a similar nature as well as other dictionaries that are smaller or more specialized. If for no other reason, I like to have big books like this on my shelves because I think they look kind of cool.
Dictionaries, Dictionaries, Dictionaries
Here are a few types of dictionaries that are on our living room shelves. I sometimes refer to The American Heritage Dictionary since it is so close at hand, but so far haven't found any need to use the others. But I like how they look. Many more dictionaries are in shelves in our upstairs hallway and in our home offices. There are some in our garage too. Anyone need to look up a word?
"Dummies" Books
Yeah, I've gotten some of these "Dummies" and "Idiots" books. Haven't really referred to them much, but at the time I purchased them they seemed like they could be useful to me. It's a clever series though.
Deliverance by James Dickey
After the movie blew me away I learned about the author of the original novel in some of my college literature classes. James Dickey had already established himself as a highly regarded Southern poet and his prose writing reflects his poetic background. I read the book right after seeing the film and was very impressed how closely the two correlated. But then, Dickey had written the screenplay as well so no wonder the two mediums told the same story so much in the same way. I've had this paperback version since 1972. Just look at the price I paid for it! Do you remember those cheap paperback book prices?
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog.
The co-hosts for the the April 5 posting of the IWSG are Jemima Pett, Nancy Gideon, and Natalie Aguirre!
April 5 question - Do you remember writing your first book? What were your thoughts about a career path on writing? Where are you now and how is it working out for you? If you're at the start of the journey, what are your goals?
The closest I've come to writing any books is when I did NANO a couple of times years ago. Though I got a lot written for both of them, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to finish these books. I kind of lost interest in them so I've put these on hold. Maybe someday...
For now my biggest writing insecurity is finishing my posts for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I waited to the last minute to start on these and now I'm frantic. Having somewhat limited computer access in recent months has made things even worse. Remember that saying about the "best laid plans"? Yeah, that's me...
Do you still refer to book form dictionaries? What is your favorite dictionary? Have you seen the film Deliverance, or read the book?
Jamie (jannghi.blogspot.com):
ReplyDeleteI should've guessed this. And I have dictionaries as one of my topic today!
Jamie, who wouldn't want at least one dictionary in the house?
DeleteLee
Still using a 50 Y.O. New College Dictionary and Thesaurus. Book form is easier to use if the spelling isn't coming to mind.
ReplyDeleteGot a couple of Dummies books and saw Deliverance around the time I got the dictionary.
Not a clue what E will be.
DeleteCraig, I also like the variants and related words you come across looking at the page.
You know what E will be. Like a continuation of today.
Lee
Jamie here: I think I know what is going to be under E. Something I have planned for my post tomorrow for tomorrow.
DeleteI met the agent for the Dummies Guides years ago. Nice guy!
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, I guess if he's an agent he should be nice. Or at least personable in some way.
DeleteLee
Just last night I was walking past one of my glass book cases and admiring how bright, red, and shiny one of my dictionaries looked inside. I'm glad for the glass case. ZD
ReplyDeleteI remember my parents having a Meriam Webster paperback on the shelf, but the internet became a thing when I was in high school so the online lookup became my main source once I was on my own.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the film...poor Ned Beatty. I wonder if it was based on some true experience. I never read the book. I haveca few dictionaries and love my old Webster one. I also have a German to English dictionary and love it. I won't get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteI have several dictionaries but often use my online ones instead. I have a Sailor's Lexicon that's just fun to flip through from time to time.
ReplyDeleteCan you ever have enough dictionaries? We've had them in all sizes as well. I keep a pocket-sized dictionary in the jeep, though I can't even read the font anymore without a magnifying glass ;-) As often as word meanings change these days, I'm thinking some of these old treasured books of wisdom will one day be collector's items.
ReplyDeleteCompleting two NANOs is more than an excellent start - whenever you feel like getting back to it.
Terrific post, Lee.
My favorite dictionary of all time is the multi-volume Oxford English Dictionary. I never owned a set but at various times I've had easy access at libraries -- either to the print copy or the online one. Currently, I don't have access by either method and I miss it so much.
ReplyDeleteThe pop up dictionary on my word process program just isn't as satisfying as the book version. I still keep one of those thick tomes on my desk.
ReplyDeleteI love dictionaries as well, although I more often use online ones. But the giant kajillion page ones that require a pedestal to hold have my heart. The first time I encountered one in a library as a child, I felt like I was in some sort of holy place. I recently read "The Dictionary of Lost Words" and learned a great deal about how the Oxford English dictionary was written. I was fascinated.
ReplyDeleteDummies guide for CHEAPSKATES??? lol!
ReplyDeleteYup very important to have older dictionaries. Too many words and ideas are changing from their original meaning. And other than the banjo music, I don't remember anything else except the one with Ned Beatty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog today - it meant a lot as you are a true blogging mentor! Enjoyed your take on today, the dictionaries, especially, although like you these days I find I use the app on my phone the most! And sadly it seems like I have to use it more and more often to remind myself how to spell words I used to crank out without thinking. Oh well, I'm grateful for the help!
ReplyDeleteElaine www.spontaneoussputterings.blogspot.com
I have a well-worn one somewhere that I carried around for many years.
ReplyDelete"Are you reading a dictionary? WHY?"
It has all the best words. 😄
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It's April, so I'm focused on the #AtoZChallenge.
Proof of Existence, book two in my dark urban fantasy series, is out this month.
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J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Reference& Speculative Fiction Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
Ah, dictionaries. I have a few around the house too, even some medical ones for my transcription work, although mostly I use Google now to look something up. I just read Deliverance earlier this month. I'd seen the movie but the book is on my scratch off poster of 100 greatest novels so I read it for that.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
I do have book form dictionaries - several actually in English and my native language, but they too are back home, I use online dictionaries.
ReplyDeleteYup, I absolutely love dictionaries, especially foreign language dictionaries. Before the days of finding this information on-line I collected dozens, and I still have them, even though I no longer use them much.
ReplyDeletehttps://nydamprintsblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2023/03/diana-atozchallenge.html