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A review by bookish_spoonie
The Cabinet of Calm: Soothing Words for Troubled Times by Paul Anthony Jones
4.0
4 stars
When going into The Cabinet ot Calm, I had no idea what to expect. I had never read a modern book looking into the english language and discussing words that are nearly lost to us all. What I found was a very well written and interesting 200 pages about 51 words that can be used to help or soothe a vast range of tough emotions or bad experiences that many of us endure.
I really enjoyed the layout of the book. It meant I could dip into it to read about a few words when I had a spare moment. It was concise but very interesting and I learnt a lot!
I actually read this book in recovery of a major surgery and so found it particularly helpful. I learnt new words such as "Agathism" which is "a timely reminder that although things might not be quite so bright right now, they will be brighter in the future".
I also loved learning that a "bread and cheese friend" is a true friend and "someone who can be relied on in all circumstances".
My favourite phrase I learnt is a "huckmuck" which is "a jumbled mess, in which it is impossible to find anything you're looking for".
I knocked one star off as it would have been nice to have an example sentence to show us how to use these new words as some were quite obscure and it would have really helped.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you have an interest in words or the English language then it is a must read. Also if you are going through a tough time this book can help open the kind and make you think about things in different ways.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review
When going into The Cabinet ot Calm, I had no idea what to expect. I had never read a modern book looking into the english language and discussing words that are nearly lost to us all. What I found was a very well written and interesting 200 pages about 51 words that can be used to help or soothe a vast range of tough emotions or bad experiences that many of us endure.
I really enjoyed the layout of the book. It meant I could dip into it to read about a few words when I had a spare moment. It was concise but very interesting and I learnt a lot!
I actually read this book in recovery of a major surgery and so found it particularly helpful. I learnt new words such as "Agathism" which is "a timely reminder that although things might not be quite so bright right now, they will be brighter in the future".
I also loved learning that a "bread and cheese friend" is a true friend and "someone who can be relied on in all circumstances".
My favourite phrase I learnt is a "huckmuck" which is "a jumbled mess, in which it is impossible to find anything you're looking for".
I knocked one star off as it would have been nice to have an example sentence to show us how to use these new words as some were quite obscure and it would have really helped.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you have an interest in words or the English language then it is a must read. Also if you are going through a tough time this book can help open the kind and make you think about things in different ways.
Please note that I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review