by Steve Laube
After pulling down this book from my shelf twice this past week I realized there is no other reference book I use more frequently.
The book?
The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale.
I prefer it over Roget’s Thesaurus because it is laid out logically – in alphabetical order.
There are multiple occasions where I need an alternative word to the one I’m trying to use. So I look it up and there are dozens of synonyms listed for that word. And over one million of them in the whole book. (1,361 pages)
Hysteria. – 1. outburst, eruption, explosion, flare-up; fit, seizure, convulsion, spasm, paroxysm.
2. delirium, frenzy, madness, craze, furor, fury, Slang screaming-meemies.
Perfect for when a publisher moves the publication date of your book by three months and forgets to tell you. And you planned your entire travel and speaking schedule for Fall around the original release date. (This happened last week.)
Perfect for when the publisher sends you a horrible design for your book cover that has you erupting in an explosion of madness and screaming-meemies.
When brainstorming on new titles for a client’s book, out comes The Synonym Finder.
One suggestion, if you add this to your library? Buy the hardback. My copy has lasted over 20 years and should last another twenty barring some disaster.
Your turn:
What reference book do you use most frequently?
