Good books to expand vocabulary? - Writers Forum

Its Not A Tumaaa · 03-12-2007, 06:19 PM

Well, besides the dictionary.

I'm looking to expand my vocabulary to a more advanced degree. Any good novel choices that have great vocabulary? I've already read the "Required reading" novels from school, so I've already conqured most of the great ones. (Moby Dick, Grapes of Wraith, etc.)

Any suggestions? I'm working on a fantasy novel right now, so perhaps a good book that focuses on a more primitive, yet exquisite vocabulary. However, not too Shakespearean either, as I'd like a younger audience to be able to understand the story as well.

imrhati · 03-12-2007, 10:36 PM

All books are good for your vocabulary. Its not so much what you read, its the fact that you are reading.

mammamaia · 03-13-2007, 02:31 AM

im's right... but a good way to expand your vocab is to do the daily ny times [or london times] crossword and graduate to the sunday version, when ready for the challenge...

Mike C · 03-13-2007, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

im's right... but a good way to expand your vocab is to do the daily ny times [or london times] crossword and graduate to the sunday version, when ready for the challenge...

Just to be a snobby brit, maia... there's no such thing as the London Times.

You have the chicago times, NY times, etc, but The Times is the daddy of them all.

aspiring · 03-13-2007, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Its Not A Tumaaa

Grapes of Wraith, etc.)

A drunken spirit?

Sorry, I'm sure that was a typo

Crosswords are good. As is reading a book and actually taking the trouble to consciously notice, look up and remember new words.

Jolly McJollyson · 03-13-2007, 04:42 AM

Beckett's More Pricks than Kicks and Murphy

red lantern · 03-13-2007, 05:54 AM

If you are looking for specific books try anything by Tad Williams, Peter F Hamilton, Steven Donaldson or Gaye St Louis.

Mike C · 03-13-2007, 05:54 AM

Mmmmm, Beckett! In that vein then also try Tom Stoppard, whose use of words is a pure joy. And Martin Amis, 'literary' fiction which is also highly accessible.

If you're interested in fantasy and just how good (and original) it can be, try Aldiss's 'The Malacia Tapestry' and Moorcock's 'Gloriana'. Both award-winners for damn good reason.

Banzai · 03-13-2007, 05:57 AM

The dictionary?

Or just an assortment of things, from different genres. Each genre has it's own vocabulary, so if you read across genres then surely you'll pick up a whole variety. The same with time periods. Read older works as well as modern ones, and you'll be able to incorporate disused words into your writing, and perhaps cause a resurgence in their use. Well, that is perhaps a bit ambitious, but I am certainly fond of using (and reading) the occasional word which makes me think 'oh, that's unusual'.

ruksak · 03-13-2007, 07:14 AM

I would say Henry Miller. Many wouldn't though.

Mike C · 03-13-2007, 08:39 AM

Henry Miller is all too often overlooked. I read Tropic of Capricorn when I was in my early teens, and it left an impression, I'd never read anything quite like it before.

deviger · 03-13-2007, 12:36 PM

I like to see different sentence and paragraph structures myself. Although I'm always interested in learning new words, knowing the right words to use and how to put them together is more important. You don't need to say Canis lupus familiaris when you mean dog.

Its Not A Tumaaa · 03-13-2007, 04:03 PM

Thanks for all the tips!

mammamaia · 03-13-2007, 07:50 PM

i know i should have just said 'the times' but was making sure the poster knew it was the london version/'original' i was referring to, vs the nyt...

Jolly McJollyson · 03-14-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Mmmmm, Beckett! In that vein then also try Tom Stoppard, whose use of words is a pure joy. And Martin Amis, 'literary' fiction which is also highly accessible.

In case you were applying that adjective to all those authors: as much as I love Beckett, I'd hesitate to call his work "accessible." Readable, yes, in the sense of its interpretability, but definitely not that accessible (unless, of course, you buy into the classic high school teacher reading of Godot as waiting for God, in which case only one of his works is accessible and that only due to lazy misinterpretation).