Likely Stories - The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig

If you’ve ever found yourself idlewild and people watching, perhaps in a café or whilst on a moving train, and suddenly it occurs to you that everyone around you isn’t merely a background character in that particular scene of YOUR story, but rather they are the lead role in their very own messy, complicated, joyous, mundane and multidimensional narrative…then you’ve found yourself slipping into a state of sonder.

I’m Malcolm Foster, operations assistant at KWBU, and avid reader who is often susceptible to foreclearing: the act of deliberately refusing to learn the scientific explanation of things, for fear that it’ll ruin the magic. For this week’s episode of Likely Stories I’d like to discuss John Koenig’s (KAY-NIGS) delightful book, ‘The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.’

Although the title would lend itself perfectly to an epic quest of otherworldly magic and mystery, the book itself is a literal dictionary. One that finally gives a name to previously untitled moments of magic and mystery that occur in everyday life. Subtle swells of emotional resonance and dramatic strikes of internal realization. Feelings or states of being that in the moment might feel like a wholly unique experience, but in reality are a lot more universal than you realize.

Using various languages both dead and alive, Koenig’s collection fuses root meanings, concepts, historical context, portmanteau’s and other devices to give a voice and sense of understanding to ethereal, abstract, and all too real scenarios, both internal and external.

The sorrows part of the title might lead you to think that the sole focus of the dictionary is to label various phases of gloom …admittedly there is a touch of that, but the dictionary is far more than a catalogue of new words for being pensive or nostalgic. It encompasses a huge spectrum of emotion. One that weaves through elation and awe just as much as it explores areas of melancholy.

Outside of the countless discoveries that lie within the pages, the dictionary really takes flight through Koenig’s descriptions. The language he uses to illustrate his definitions and his evocative yet relatable writing style, make this extended lexicon a joy to read. And as a bonus, the overall aesthetic and the illustrations used in the dictionary make it a beautiful addition to any bookshelf. If you’re a fan of language studies, a fellow existential thinker and/or sensitive soul with a curious heart, then ‘The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’ is definitely for you.

RECENT EPISODES OF LIKELY STORIES

Likely Stories - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I don't know if there is a more perfect book. I've read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern five times (unheard of for someone like me who does not ever reread books), and each time I find myself utterly captivated by this beautiful, mystical story of love, magic, sweeping talents and mystery, and the ties that bind us to each other.

Likely Stories - The Book of Light by Lucille Clifton

This is Guilherme Feitosa de Almeida, senior lecturer in music theater at Baylor University. I'm here with this week's edition of Likely Stories.

Likely Stories - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

Have you contemplated spring cleaning? When this bug hit me, I turned to the grand-master cleaner, Marie Kondo, for inspiration. This best-selling author has sold 9 million copies of her classic book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up – the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Ok, add me, Maggie McCarthy, to the ranks of readers as I set out on my decluttering journey with this instructive read.

Likely Stories - Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur by Jeff Pearlman

I'm Kevin Tankersley and this is likely stories on KWBU. I first learned about the book 'Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur' when I heard the author Jeff Pearlman on 'The Pete Sousa Show' podcast last year. I knew of Pearlman from his writings at Sports Illustrated and ESPN. He was a sports guy. Why would he be talking about Tupac?

Likely Stories - Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

I can remember a number of truly incredible meals in my life, whether cooked for me at home or in restaurants locally or while traveling. Some of the food stands out in my mind: a perfectly-cooked piece of meat, a well-crafted cocktail, a side dish that pairs perfectly with the entree, a dessert that caps off the wonderful meal. But in all those epicurean events, what I recall most are the people with me around the table, loved ones sharing a gustatory experience always seems more important than the food itself.

Likely Stories - A Short History of a Small Place by T.R. Pearson

"Some books stay with you for decades. For me, that’s A Short History of a Small Place by T.R. Pearson. First published in 1985, it’s a funny, Southern tale of Neely, North Carolina, told through the eyes of young Louis Benfield, Jr. From quirky townsfolk to a chimpanzee companion, the story blends humor and heart in unforgettable ways. I first heard it on The Radio Reader in 1986—and I’ve never forgotten it."

Likely Stories - The Madwomen of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein

Imagine being punched in the ovaries to bring on a fit.This is The Madwomen of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein, which was inspired by the dark history of the Salpêtrière asylum in the 1880s.

Likely Stories - Killers of a Certain Age

I am a huge James Bond fan, and never missed an episode of Charlie’s Angels as a pre-teen growing up. A story about women my age who could still fight, run, plan, take action, and do all the things they did in their early years really appealed to me.

Likely Stories - My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

The book that I'm reviewing today is challenging. It was an unsettling read, and I thought about it for weeks after I finished it. I hesitated to recommend it on Likely Stories. But these difficult books catch our attention for a reason, they are important to talk about and examine.

Likely Stories - American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott

War is hell. And what comes after war, when soldiers return home, is often its own version of torment, one that takes exceptional patience and grace from everyone--those who love the soldiers as well as the soldiers themselves.