I am lucky to be a part of the best book club in (online) town, The Pink Fibro Book Club facebook group, hosted by the wonderful Allison Tait.Every month, we read a book. And every month, we talk about it. And, every month, the opinions are as ...
Once upon a book review
On a recent trip to the library, Ashleigh chose the books she wanted to take home and we headed to the desk. I'd slipped in an extra book, and she noticed.Ashleigh: What's this book, mum?Me: Just an extra one to borrow, Ashleigh.Ashleigh: ...
‘Literally’ isn’t dead, literally or figuratively
'Literally' has a 'new', secondary meaning.This from Merriam-Webster:literally (adverb) 1 in a literal sense or manner; actually. 2 in effect; virtually.The interweb has exploded - again - with posts and comments from people outraged that the ...
‘Dumbphone’ has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary Online
Forgive me, fellow learners. My brain has been mush lately, and I somehow missed the latest wordy nerdy news last month.Better late than never!In February, along with a bunch of other texty, techy words, Oxford English Dictionary added the word ...
Green Eggs and Ham has just 50 words in it
50 unique words, that is.SourceTheodor Seuss Geisel was challenged by his publisher, who bet that he couldn't create a children's story, let alone an engaging and popular one, using 50 words or fewer.In 1960, Geisel rose to the ...
Phantom vibration syndrome is the word of the year
It's done. Voting is over. The committee has decided.Earlier this week, Macquarie Dictionary announced that phantom vibration syndrome is the word of 2012.phantom vibration syndrome noun a syndrome characterised by constant anxiety in relation to ...
It’s time to reflect on the year that was 2012
2012 is almost over. And a favourite blogger of mine, Grace from With Some Grace, is hosting her usual Flog Yo Blog linky party with a twist this week.My task? To link up a 2012 year-in-review post.I've thought about ways to approach this. Month by ...
Everyone has a Christmas wish list
I've had a few people ask me what I want for Christmas.I usually can't think of anything. Nothing specific anyway; nothing available for $49.95 that wraps nicely and fits under the tree.SourceAnd I like surprises anyway. Usually. It depends on who is ...
The meaning of misogyny is(n’t) changing
What an interesting couple of days for Australian lovers of all things wordy!Misogyny ruled my life yesterday. No, I didn't experience hatred because of my gender, or entrenched prejudice. But the Macquarie Dictionary's decision to ...
I haven’t found my voice yet
Don't take this literally. I haven't lost my speaking voice. Much to my husband's disappointment.This is a post about writing. I haven't yet found my writing voice.Or re-found it. I first discovered my writing voice in high school.Somewhat ironically ...