Every Day a Word Surprises Me & Other Quotes by Writers

by Phaidon Press

Advice, strong opinions, and personal revelations by the world's greatest writers - exclusively researched for this new book

Featuring the most inspirational and insightful collection of quotes by writers through the ages and across the globe, Every Day a Word Surprises Me is the ideal keepsake for readers, writers, and everyone who appreciates the exquisite power of words. This carefully curated book, packed with original research, is a go-to resource for thoughts on a variety of subjects, including originality, punctuation, reading, daily routines, rejection, money troubles, the creative process, love, truth, and more. 'Every day a word surprises me' is a quotation from British neurologist and author Oliver Sacks. This collection is full of its own surprises and hard-earned advice - communicated with the eloquence and clarity that only the world's finest writers could summon.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Poetry, Language

336 pages, Hardcover

Published March 16, 2018

About the author

Phaidon Press is a global publisher of books on art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, and popular culture, as well as cookbooks, children's books, and travel books. The company is based in London and New York City, with additional offices in Paris and Berlin. -wikipedia

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”

/Anne Lamott

[Pilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for any aspiring writer. Also, very usefully to discover other renown authors and get a bit of how they see, feel and think of certain topics.
Some of the phrases collected in this book are really golden. I hope they do a 2nd part with thoughts from other literary inspirations.

[exequelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book immerses you in the mind of wonderfully, successful writers, and I don’t know what can be more motivating or terrifying than that.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize what this book was. I thought it was different inspirational or thoughtful quotes from famous writers about life. But it’s quoted from famous writers about writing. I am not a writer so a lot of it wasn’t very interesting to me. But I can appreciate it all the same.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of short quotes by writers on writing, I was able to extract half a dozen writing prompts from it, and I am sure more dedicated writers will be able to find more.

Three stars: additional star awarded for Octavio Paz's quote "I learned the precision of language from Japanese poetry" and Audre Lorde's "I was constantly reading, but not things that were assigned."

[Capedaisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this collection of quotes. For writers and aspirant writers, it's a trove of insightful, sometimes funny, encouraging and wonderful quotes from some of the best writers in the world, accessibly and beautifully presented. I fervently hope that Phaedon does a second book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treat. I didn't rush through it, I savored a little every day. Amazing gift for anyone into words.

[Hannah Rosson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun book with lots of quotes from various authors. Very helpful for when you need a moment of inspiration or affirmation as a writer.

[Aimee Truchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight to read quotes, words of advice and inspiration from well-known writers. Great motivation and companion for writers, with topics ranging from rejection to opinions on technology.

[Ryan Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

some authors are far more readable than they are quotable. some of them are neither.

[Victoria-Melita Zammit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for the occasional inspirational moment or as a light read to wander into the minds of famous authors. I found a lot of quote worthy stuff in here to share with my FB page followers too!

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this while browsing Forbes' new non-fiction shelf. The quotes and the layout grabbed me, and I decided I wanted to read it all. Arielle thought it was weird that I was reading a book of just quotes. But when she picked it up at my house she read it straight, seeming quite amused and engaged, for about twenty minutes, maybe 50 pages. It was a quick read with some interesting, inspirational and often just funny or odd quotes. I love quotations in general. The fact that these were the words of writers, often about writing, made it that much more compelling .