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Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland

(Hardback)


Publishing Details

Full Title:

Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland

Contributors:

By (Author) Martha Barnette

ISBN:

9781419778841

Publisher:

Abrams

Imprint:

Abrams Press

Publication Date:

9th October 2025

UK Publication Date:

11th September 2025

Country:

United States

Classifications

Readership:

General

Fiction/Non-fiction:

Non Fiction

Other Subjects:

Memoirs
Social and cultural history

Physical Properties

Physical Format:

Hardback

Number of Pages:

320

Dimensions:

Width 140mm, Height 210mm

Description

With warmth, a popular radio and podcast host shares her love of language, weaving together linguistic history, regional phrases, the hidden poetry in etymologies, new words, and stories from her life and time on the air

Martha Barnette has spent two decades as the co-host of A Way with Words, lauded by Mary Norris in The New Yorker as a virtual treasure house and Car Talk for Lexiphiles. Over that time, shes developed a keen sense of what fascinates people about language. They are curious about etymology and revel in slang, are surprised by regional vocabulary and celebrate linguistic diversity. Idioms both puzzle and delight word lovers, and they are eager to share family neologisms and that weird phrase Grandma always used to say.

In Friends with Words, Barnette weaves together all these strands in a clear, informative, highly entertaining exploration of language. Chock-full of anecdotes, humorous asides, new words, trivia, and other lexicological delights, Friends with Words also tells Barnettes storyfrom her Appalachian roots through her study of Ancient Greek, and on to the making of a beloved and enduring show. Friends with Words is an expert, good-humored, joyful book.

Reviews

Blessed are they who have met Martha Barnette in person or listened to her on the radio, for they shall hear the sound of her inimitable voice in every line of this richly satisfying book. Barnette luxuriatesshe absolutely wallowsin words, and her enthusiasm for language is infectious. She takes us into the studio and on the road, revealing trade secrets and sprinkling in just enough personal history to whet the appetite. Bravissima! Chef s kiss! A delight from intro to epilogue! * Mary Norris, New York Times bestselling author of Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen *
Martha Barnette is an inspiration to all worders. Friends with Words is a captivating and joyous read about language, identity, and, most importantly, life and love. * Sarah Ogilvie, author of The Dictionary People *

Author Bio

Martha Barnette is a longtime journalist, dynamic public speaker, and co-host of the popular radio show and podcast A Way with Words. She holds an undergraduate degree in English from Vassar College, did graduate work in classical languages at the University of Kentucky, and studied Spanish in Costa Rica. Barnette is the author of A Garden of Words, Ladyfingers & Nuns Tummies, and Dog Days & Dandelions. She lives in San Diego, California.

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