Using those Google words

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I have a dictionary that may or may not have been borrowed from a branch of the US military service (depending on who asks), and was published before anyone could find Viet Nam on a map. Ironically, this book of words came out just as I was learning to read.

When speaking, I often use Google words—the kind that leave people running to the internet to see if I’m just making them up. I love words, and have a very extensive writery vocabulary, but I go through periods where I don’t like to read them. A writer who doesn’t read—impossible! I’m a painfully slow reader, and if you saw me moving my lips, while pronouncing every word (in my head) you might agree that reading can be as much fun as cleaning the toilet…with your tongue.

Fortunately, I’ll occasionally find a book that carries me to a place where I have to remind myself to stop and pee. I’m currently reading Chasing the Wind by our own Norma Beishir. Normally, I’m reluctant to read books written by friends, lest I long to poke my eyes out by the third chapter. What do I tell them then? “Your book held all the excitement of a 1.000 piece jigsaw puzzle.”

Happily, Norma’s book is five star all the way. I can heartily recommend it as one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Am I shamelessly pitching my friend’s book? Duh! But I would just politely pretend I had an aneurysm and wasn’t able to finish the book if I didn’t like it. I can guarantee that you won’t want to poke your eyes out or clean the toilet. If you’d like to find out for yourself, you can find her book at Amazon.

When I find a good book, it encourages me to read more. Next, I’ll be moving on to more books written by my friends. To Mike, Beth, and Rob: if I have an aneurysm in the next few weeks, please don’t take it personally. I’m just a tough audience. No pressure.

8 thoughts on “Using those Google words”

  1. Oh no! I’m not medically trained for that sort of thing…!

    I tend to use words that I know that 1. I can pronounce and 2. Are easily looked up if needed.
    I love Dean Koontz, but sometimes he uses words that are sooooo big, that you can barely pronounce them, and/or have to look them up because even when you read the sentence, it still doesn’t make any sense…did this make any sense??? LOL
    Karla, I wouldn’t be offended if you made it to the third chapter, and decided to quit, but I would hope that you wouldn’t…I would hate to be the one that caused your aneurysm. LOL

  3. And lo, there came a day when Karla’s door was knocked down by the US Military, anxious to get their dictionary back….

    • I don’t want to get into specifics, but I’m pretty sure they can’t get any ships up the Cooper river.

  4. I will be ordering that book, because if you like it, it has to be worth a read.
    Oh, and I am also a very slow reader! I retain what I read, but that’s no big whoop since I take so much time, I should be able to memorize the whole thing. This affliction is putting big dents in my studying for my MA. I just have to keep plugging away I guess.
    Thanks for the read tip.

    Terri

  5. Karla, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you did not have an aneurysm. For more than one reason.

    The check in in the mail….

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