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The Language Library: 8 Must-Read Books That Will Expand Your Vocabulary

By Tushar Kumar

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This book dives into the intricacies of English, from its bizarre spelling rules to its myriad of vocabulary, making it perfect for Scrabble enthusiasts looking to discover obscure words that score high points.

1 - "The Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson

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Lewis breaks down vocabulary building into thematic chapters that help reinforce understanding and retention. Players of word games can use these techniques to remember complex words, boosting their ability in games like Boggle or Scrabble.

2 - "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis

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Forsyth's book teaches how to turn phrases with style, focusing on rhetorical devices that are not only useful in writing but also in decoding and constructing clever clues in games like Pictionary or Charades.

3 - "The Elements of Eloquence" by Mark Forsyth

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This exploration of etymology uncovers the roots of English words, giving players an advantage in games like Codenames or Scrabble by helping them guess words based on their historical context.

4 - "The Etymologicon" by Mark Forsyth

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Truss's witty take on punctuation not only clears up common grammar pitfalls but also enhances understanding of sentence structure, which can be crucial in games like Mad Libs where punctuation can dramatically alter the meaning of sentences.

5 - "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Lynne Truss

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Deutscher explores how different cultures perceive the world through language. This book can help players develop empathy and understanding, improving skills in games like Taboo where players must avoid certain words to describe a given concept.

6 - "Through the Language Glass" by Guy Deutscher

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The compelling story of how the Oxford English Dictionary was created, filled with fascinating tales of its contributors. Knowing the stories behind words can add depth to any word game, especially when arguing over definitions in Scrabble.

7 - "The Professor and the Madman" by Simon Winchester

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Bellos discusses the art and science of translation. This knowledge is invaluable in multilingual word games or when the challenge is to translate phrases without losing their original meaning, enhancing both comprehension and creativity.

8 - "Is That a Fish in Your Ear?" by David Bellos

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Thanks for reading

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