The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

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

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

Anonymous asked:

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.

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)

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

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.

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.”