Words, Words, Wordle: Books to Read After You Finish Your Squares

Calling all lexicographers, lovers of language and devotees of the Oxford English Dictionary. Pip Williams’ clever and charming debut introduces us to Esme, the daughter of one of the lexicographers working on the first edition of the OED. As she grows up, she learns that many of the discarded words are related to women’s experiences, so she sets out to write her very own “Dictionary of Lost Words”. This delightful page-turner will make readers think about the power of language, who decides which words get written into our shared history, and whose stories may have been left out. 

Imagine one morning you awoke to find that the letter D had simply disappeared. Gone from conversation, books, signs … even things that start with the letter D have mysteriously vanished! And thus begins a wonderfully strange, imaginative, and thought-provoking adventure that you will not be able to put down. D (A Tale of Two Worlds) is a modern fable that evokes the magic of Narnia, Oz , and Wonderland.  A fantastical story of identity and moral courage that grips you like a thriller! 

A sweet meet-cute between a romance author and a literary author. Think word lovers who disagree on how words should be used. Filled with witty banter and a lot of heart, this charming and totally adorable rom-com celebrates stepping outside your comfort zone and might just be the perfect summer read.

A playful take on a sometimes-pretentious subject, The Liar’s Dictionary is a superbly whimsical novel from wordsmith Eley Williams. Williams’ debut novel successfully intertwines both contemporary and historical story plotlines, meditates on the meaning of agency, and allows language itself to be rightfully center-stage. Prepare yourself to be delighted! 

Also, check out The Right Words Are Just Waiting to Be Found, an exclusive guest post from Eley Williams here.

If there was ever a book that truly put into words the sheer magic of storytelling, this is it. And that magic is captured perfectly in this story of two women working together — one a reclusive author, the other, a troubled young biographer — to unlock their pasts in order to confront their destiny. A clever mystery with flawlessly timed plot twists, suspense, and unforgettable characters. Eerie and at times unsettling, this ghostly tale is most beguiling.

On a post-college visit to Florence, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri fell in love with the Italian language. Twenty years later, seeking total immersion, she and her family relocated to Rome, where she began to read and write solely in her adopted tongue. A startling act of self-reflection, In Other Words is Lahiri’s meditation on the process of learning to express herself in another language — and the stunning journey of a writer seeking a new voice.