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THE DICTIONARY OF OBSCURE SORROWS

> “Creates beautiful new words that we need but do not yet have.”

                — John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars

 


THE BOOK - NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!



It's finally here. 12 years in the making, 300 pages, 70% new material,
including longer video-like definitions, otherworldly illustrations, and some
thoughts on language and the meaning of life.

Pre-order your copy here (click links on the right):
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Dictionary-of-Obscure-Sorrows/John-Koenig/9781501153648

Coming November 16, 2021 from Simon & Schuster.

 

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THE AUTHOR

John Koenig is a video maker, graphic designer, and voiceover artist from
Minnesota, who lives in Minneapolis with his wife and daughter. His work has
been acclaimed by New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post,
and the guys from Radiolab.

Feel free to write me directly and describe an emotion you need a word for:

    ▸   Email the author at obscuresorrows@gmail.com

    ▸   Visit the Facebook page

    ▸   Follow on Twitter

    ▸   Ask on Tumblr

 

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THE YOUTUBE SERIES

Written, edited, coined and narrated by John Koenig.



 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


INQUIRIES

Copyright © John Koenig 2009-2021. For permissions, inquiries and media
requests:

    ▸   Email the author at obscuresorrows@gmail.com.

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I never imagined this was possible, but “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” is
now a New York Times bestseller! There are no words for how grateful I feel,
knowing that I’m not alone. If you’re thinking of gifts for anyone you know
who’s creative, thoughtful, or going through confusing times, you might want to
order them a copy now:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1501153641?tag=simonsayscom

Amazon.com: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: 9781501153648: Koenig, John:
Books
Amazon.com: The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: 9781501153648: Koenig, John:
Books
amazon.com
 * Posted Vor 2 Jahren
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WATASHIATO

n. curiosity about the impact you’ve had on the lives of the people you know,
wondering which of your harmless actions or long-forgotten words might have
altered the plot of their stories in ways you’ll never get to see.

“The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” is available in hardcover, with hundreds of
new definitions: https://bit.ly/3z1RYvH

 * Posted Vor 2 Jahren
 * by dictionaryofobscuresorrows
 * 1.382 Anmerkungen
   



Anonym fragte:

CONGRATS for the publication of the book !! I'm so glad this is finally
happening ! I just have one question : how is are the contents organized ? Is it
like a normal dictionary with entries in alphabetical order, or in order of
creation like this tumblr, or something else entirely ?

Good question! The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is divided into six chapters,
with definitions grouped according to theme:

1. Between Living and Dreaming (about worldview and desire)
2. The Interior Wilderness (selfhood and identity)
3. Montage of Attractions (relationships and intimacy)
4. Faces in a Crowd (society and alienation)
5. Boats Against the Current (time and memory)
6. Roll the Bones (uncertainty and chaos)

There’s also a postscript section called “After Words,” with some commentary on
language and meaning, and what this project has meant to me personally.

The definitions are arranged in no particular order, with an emphasis on variety
and unpredictability. Which feels fairly true to life, given the way your moods
tend to drift through your mind like the weather.

 * Posted Vor 2 Jahren
 * by dictionaryofobscuresorrows
 * 243 Anmerkungen
   



This project started here on Tumblr more than 10 years ago. To all my followers,
I can’t thank you all enough for sticking with me through all these years.
Because of your support, I’m proud to announce the book is finally here.

As of TODAY, “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” is now available at Amazon,
Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore. It’s a dictionary of made-up words for
emotions that we all feel but don’t have the words to express, filled with new
definitions, illustrations, etymologies and essays that seek to capture the
forgotten corners of the human condition.

Get your copy from Simon & Schuster:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Dictionary-of-Obscure-Sorrows/John-Koenig/9781501153648?utm_source=author_post&utm_medium=author_social&utm_campaign=the_dictionary_of_obscure_sorrows&utm_content=
(click any of the links on the right)

 * Posted Vor 2 Jahren
 * by dictionaryofobscuresorrows
 * 582 Anmerkungen
   




ETTERATH

n. the feeling of emptiness after a long and arduous process is finally
complete—having finished school, recovered from surgery, or gone home at the end
of your wedding—which leaves you relieved that it’s over but missing the stress
that organized your life into a mission.

Pre-order your copy of “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” from Simon &
Schuster: https://bit.ly/3z1RYvH

 * Posted Vor 2 Jahren
 * by dictionaryofobscuresorrows
 * 2.269 Anmerkungen
   



> PRE-ORDER your copy of “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” here, from Simon &
> Schuster: https://bit.ly/3z1RYvH (click on any of the links on the right)
> 
> I think about this feeling a lot. Driving past your childhood home to show it
> to a friend, or pointing at a picture of a loved one you lost, only to realize
> that to them it’s just another house, just another face.
> 
> Etymology: Aulasy is a contraction of auld lang syne, which is Scots for
> “times long past”—fragments of which are still present in aulasy, but the
> meaning has been lost.

 * Posted Vor 2 Jahren
 * by dictionaryofobscuresorrows
 * 350 Anmerkungen
   



Pre-order your copy of “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” from Simon &
Schuster: https://bit.ly/3z1RYvH

> “Of course, you’d like to think you’ve got a clear view of the broader social
> landscape—but it’s possible you don’t have a clue. There are so many
> backstories that people keep to themselves, so many side conversations you
> don’t even know exist. Some of your friends are vastly different people when
> they’re one-on-one with each other, such that both would seem unrecognizable.
> Even now an unexpected pair of them might be helping each other through a
> crisis, or carrying on a silent feud, or having a fling that you won’t hear
> about until years later. But even if everything was open and honest, you’d
> still have to confront the ever-shifting labyrinth of interconnected
> relationships and personas and levels of intimacy you could scarcely even
> begin to fathom.”

 * Posted Vor 2 Jahren
 * by dictionaryofobscuresorrows
 * 278 Anmerkungen
   


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