5 Synonyms That Will Make You A Better Writer and Speaker

Language is a sound. It's equivalent to a piano sonata played skillfully, drawing attention and stirring emotions. A key played wrongly destroys the magic that enthralls people. Be it in writing or speaking, sophistication and eloquence, or a lack thereof, may make or break one's reputation. And don't you know that science confirmed that well-spoken people appear more attractive than those who aren't? Clearly, a sophisticated vocabulary is the new sexy. So here are the words you could use that would make your writing and speaking more persuasive!

1. "A lot of Myriads of insects danced around the light above my head."

As the prolific writer Mae Lander of Reader's Digest once said,  " 'a lot' is a descriptor that skews ultra casual." Which means that we use this word inappropriately, especially when a situation calls for a more professional tone, say for example, a job interview or a cover letter. Most of us would have written or said something like "I have done a lot of projects..." or "I have a lot of experience in...". This paints us an image of a laid-back, informal person. Laura Hale Brockway of Entrepreneur suggested 32 other synonyms of a lot, with "copious amount", "myriad", "numerous", and "excessive amount" as my personal favorites.

2. "The team played very exceedingly well."

It's a habit that's difficult to break, but I mean well when I say that this word makes an educated person sound lazy. We pepper our emails, letters and speeches with this hackneyed expression that it loses it's meaning already. It's now a near equivalent of a language filler. Here's the secret: do not to use this adverb or any adverb unless the word calls for emphasis. If emphasis is necessary, then use other words like "remarkably", "profoundly", "exceedingly", "immensely", or "exceptionally". If not, then you're just being lazy... and imprecise.

3. "I have some things errands to do run tonight."

Another overused word. Ever wonder why people don't believe us or get hurt by us when we say our excuses? It's because we like to use 'thing' over the actual word that describes our situation. "Sorry, I can't go. I have to do a lot of things today." This actually translates to: "I don't wanna be with you, so don't disturb me." Do people a favor by substituting 'thing' with exact vocabulary. This is true in writing as well. Instead of saying, "I have one thing to ask", say "I have a question about...". Or instead of saying "You have to know one thing...", say "You have to know this problem  about...". Remember, we only use "thing" when we can't remember a word precisely.

4. "Her GPA is really undoubtedly impressive and convincing."  

"Really" is as hackneyed and as lazy as "very". Again, try to not use and overuse adverbs as they are rarely necessary, and actually makes your point weaker than they're supposed to add. There are other vocabulary words that you can use if you feel like stressing your point: "undoubtedly", "unquestionably", or "truly". Here's 35 more words to use in place of 'really.'

5. "I just only want to let you know that I genuinely support your advocacy."

Here's the best advice from Forbes' Avery Bank: the word "just" is a "protector" word the softens your message and makes it come across as less important. Most of the time, sentences will read better if "just" is simply nixed. However, if it is necessary, try out synonyms like "only" as in, "I only want to follow up on..." That offers a more precise message that's direct. Words like "merely", "simply", or "solely" can also be used in place of "just".

The takeaway...

An extensive vocabulary brings people places, both literally and metaphorically. It's one big predictor of career success and social influence, not to mention the fact that it benefits us cognitively. By knowing the most hackneyed words that we use, we reflect on it, learn about it, and ultimately, make ourselves effective speakers and writers! 

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5 Of The Biggest Language Learning Myths You Should Stop Believing

Just like everything else, language learning starts with a good mindset. As the old saying goes, it's all in the mind! So today, we'll explore 5 language learning myths that's stopping most people from making progress, if not discourage them from learning it.

1. Children are better at learning a language.

This is the biggest misconception in language learning. There was once a popular belief that our brain stops developing at a certain age, making it difficult for older people to learn a foreign language. However, the latest breakthrough research on neuroscience has disproved this myth and stated that our brain has the ability to renew its neurons to compensate injury and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.

Sure, the adult brain looks different, physically but this does not mean that they're inferior learners. The advantages younger learners have over adults are just that they have more time and fewer responsibilities. Only that. In fact, a research by the University of Essex concluded that there is no critical period for learning a second language. So please stop blaming your parents for not hiring an English tutor for you when you were 6 years old.

As a teacher, I have found that the biggest difference in the classroom between the adult and the young learners is the fact that the latter group is not afraid to commit mistakes and do not fear looking stupid or embarrassed. But I truly believe that once adult learners overcome this, they can beat children with discipline, consistency, and critical thinking. Ever saw a six-year old sit down to learn a grammar book for hours?

2. You can achieve fluency through books and apps alone.

I'm sorry Duolingo and Memrise apps subscribers, but you've been had. The idea is that, by spending few minutes a day on your app, you'll achieve fluency in no time. This marketing is just so similar with fast diets: it's a lie. What it does is help you build vocabulary and basic concepts, nothing more. It lacks the pragmatic approach, but gives you the basic knowledge.

The thing is, the ultimate goal of learning a language is to have conversations. So go out often and hold conversations with people, only by immersing yourself in the real world are you going to really be fluent in any language.

3. The best way to learn a language is to go to it's native country.

I had students who were excited to go to US to improve their English fluency, only to come back disappointed. It didn't help much, and it happened to all of them. Coincidence? I think not. The general consensus among language acquisition researchers is that studying abroad does not automatically make you better at a foreign language. Results are case to case basis, affirming once again that there is no one and certain way to learn a language.

One foolproof tip to remember: always think about the quality of instruction that you're going to get. Be it abroad or at home, it doesn't matter. I am an English speaker with CEFR level C1, that means my level is native-like. I correspond with native speakers on email, I laugh at my American friends' jokes, and gets annoyed at my British friends' sarcasm. I can speak in my native accent, in a neutral accent, in an American accent, and I could do a better British accent than Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. I never went outside Asia, and Japan is actually my first overseas destination. So much for immersing in a native speaking country, eh?

4. You need to study grammar first.

You didn't become fluent in your language because of studying grammar. Grammar is learned through mimicry, that is copying others. This is not only true to your native language, it is true to all languages all over the world. As modern language experts/educators said, grammar is the side dish, not the main course. There's no one-size-fits all kind of method in language learning.  

In fact, learning grammar can slow down your progress because you're trying to be perfect at a stage where learning through trial and error should take place. Ever wonder why Japanese have trouble becoming fluent in English? It's mainly because their education system emphasizes grammar  too much. Perfection is the enemy of progress.

It's also important to bear in mind that grammar is something that fluent speakers say about the things that they already know. That means, they've mastered utilizing the language first, and that's why they can talk about grammar. Not the other way around. Also, I just want to let you know one fact: only a small fraction of native speakers know grammar. So don't obsess and stress over it.

5. There is one sure method to learning a language.

In case you haven't noticed, I've mentioned here twice that there's no one-size-fits-all method in language learning. Most language educators are bombarded by the hackneyed question: how do I study to improve my English level? And if you're going to search it on the internet, you'd be overwhelmed by the vast quantity of tips on how to do it. 

I'm not saying that those tips from experts are not true, it's just that you have to explore, mix and match, and tailor your methods to your own learning style. Society has taught us to rely too much on experts and not on our personal experience, and it's going to take a toll on your language learning.

For example, when I was little, most of my classmates were really good at remembering grammar rules and its usage from a book. In contrast, I only fully understand grammar rules if  I 1.) know the meaning of the vocabulary and the word function in a sentence/phrase, and 2.) encounter it in the most mundane things and situations like a shampoo bottle, a novel, or TV commercial. I recognized this during my pre-teens and that's why I always ask my teachers where can I pragmatically see this grammar rule, or in what situation can this rule be applied.

The conclusion...

Society has its own way of pressuring us into a belief system that does not really serve us well. This is true particularly in language learning. By busting and dispelling these beliefs, we can fully understand the ways to reach our goals and most importantly, to enjoy our journey in language learning. Good luck!

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Know Your Hyphens and Dashes! (A Comprehensive Guide For Better Writing)

They might look the same on a printed material, but hyphens and dashes are so much different from one another. For one, hyphens (-) are shorter than dashes, (—) and (–). And yes, there are 2 kinds of dashes, the Em dash (—) and the En dash (–). But that's just the beginning. If you want to keep these lines straight, then keep reading!

What is a hyphen? 

A hyphen is the punctuation mark (-) used especially to divide or to compound words, word elements, or number.

Everybody knows that a hyphen is used in many compound words like good-hearted and mother-in-law. Likewise, words from twenty-one and ninety-nine should also be hyphenated when spelled out. And finally, we all know that hyphens are used to join prefixes to other words like pre-eminent and co-owner. Be warned, though, for many hyphens have perished as the English language marched on. Many words that are hyphenated in the past had been changed into one word. For example, today was once spelled as to-day, and crybaby was once cry-baby. So if you are not sure whether or not a hyphen is required, better check the dictionary. 

There are few things to keep in mind when using hyphens, though! Here are some:

1. Use a hyphen with a compound modifier before a noun, but never put the hyphen when the compound modifier comes after a noun. So, it's correct to write 'a dog-friendly hotel', but not 'a hotel that is dog-friendly'. It should just be 'a hotel that is dog friendly.'

2.  Don't use a hyphen when you have a compound modifier that consists of an adverb ending in -ly plus a participle or adjective. The ly is sufficient enough to show that the compound is a unit of meaning. For example, write 'a highly respected researcher', not 'a highly-respected researcher.'

3. When you are writing a compound modifier that is interrupted by some other word that's not really part of the modifier, use a suspended hyphen: Take a five- or ten-minute break.

What is an en dash?

Ah, the not so popular en dash. We're using it as often as the hyphen, without really calling it properly by its name. En dash is the punctuation mark (–) which is often used in writing expressions that has number in it. It is said that it's called an en dash because the length of this punctuation mark is the same as the width of the uppercase alphabet N. Oh, and don't you know that you can type the en dash on your computer keyboard by pressing Alt+0150? You're welcome. And oh, the numbers should be typed on the numeric keypad, not the numbers on top.

Here are the uses of the en dash:

1. Use an en dash when expressing a period of time. So put en dash on this sentence: He lived in Shanghai from 1995–2003.  Or in this sentence: I will include you in my 4:30–6:00pm schedule.

2. Use an en dash when indicating a range of numbers. You could choose 2 numbers between 1–10.

3. Use an en dash with scores in sports. For example: The Cavs won 3–1 against Spurs.

and finally,

4. Use an en dash when indicating distance: Japan–USA is a long flight.  

Sadly, en dash is just replaced by a simple hyphen in our day-to-day lives, except of course, in publications and formal documents.

What is an em dash?

The em dash (about as wide as the uppercase alphabet M), is a relatively artistic punctuation mark, compared to the more technical hyphen and en dash. An em dash is most often used to indicate a pause in a sentence. It's stronger than a comma, but weaker than a period or a semi colon. You can type the en dash on your computer keyboard by pressing Alt+0151 (the numbers should be typed on the numeric keypad).

These are the uses of the em dash:

1. Use an em dash to show emphasis on unimportant or parenthetical words/expressions in a sentence.

Examples: 

My manager—John Wick who's not here now—will deal with you once he clocks in.

To get to Tokyo from Tsurugashima—you're heading there, right? Take the Tobu line.

2. Use an em dash like a colon to add an explanation, or to highlight an information, especially when it is surprising. So we use the em dash in this sentence: I sent my resume to Ritsumeikan University as a joke and an email came—an invitation for an interview next week!

3. Use an em dash to express a sudden change of thought, or an interruption.

Examples:

I had a great time in Maldives—oh! Is that your cat? 

"Wait! I forgot to tell you—" The door slammed shut between us and I missed whatever she was trying to say.

There you go! The differences among hyphen, en dash, and em dash. It is very important to remember that while en dash can be replaced by a hyphen, that is not the case with em dash. Hyphens and em dashes are not interchangeable. Furthermore, some writing styles would require you to put space before and after your hyphens and dashes. Whether or not to put spaces is all up to you, just be sure to stick with one style throughout your composition. Happy writing!

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15 Eggcorns People Should Stop Saying

The English language is definitely a dynamic language, so much so, that it never runs out of surprises. As for today, we'll look into eggcorns, which are words or phrases that sound like and is mistakenly used in seemingly logical or plausible way for another word or phrase. You might have been saying these eggcorns, and today is the day you learn the correct ones!

Let me walk you through it: 

1. "Oh no! You're barking at the wrong tree!"

'Barking up the wrong tree' originated in 1800s America when hunting involves a whole pack of dogs. It's probably from the fact that dogs tend to bark up a raccoon on a tree, even though the raccoon had already leaped from one tree to another. So when you bark up the wrong tree, it means you misunderstand a person or a situation and your actions against them will be futile. It also means you are doing something that won't give you the results you desire. 'Barking at the wrong tree' just doesn't exist in any lexicons yet. 

2. "He ran butt naked from the shower because he thought it was a real snake!" 

Buck naked is an expression used to describe a person in a state of utter undress. Butt naked would mean other people just saw your butt exposed, which, if you think about it, is just foolish. Although, this expression has been misheard too often as 'butt naked', that most grammarians are starting to accept it. One point for eggcorns.

3. "The CEO was made the escape goat for the company's failure."

Scapegoat means to punish someone for the error or errors made by others. It's like when your sibling would eat all the chocolates while you're asleep and tell your parents that it was you who ate it all. You are their scapegoat. As for escape goat, it hasn't been accepted yet, but you can see it in many slangs and modern lexicons like Urban Dictionary.

4. "He thinks I'll chase him? Tell him that I could care less!"

If you intend to be very angry and indifferent, please do so by correctly saying this hackneyed expression. I couldn't care less means you're at the point of really not caring at all that you can't give anymore cares. You have depleted whatever care you have. 'I could care less' simply means, well, you're implying you still have some degree of care - an amount such that there could be a lesser amount.

5. "This fabric is totally inflammable, it's very safe!"

If someone tells me a fabric is inflammable and very safe, I'd definitely won't believe. Inflammable means easy to catch fire, it's combustible. What people should start saying is that, something fire-resistant is 'not flammable'. Yes, inflammable means the same as flammable.

6. "I tripped on my way home on (an) accident."

To clear things up, younger generation has started using 'on accident' in speaking terms, and is very popular in US. However, on accident means on purpose. One won't trip on purpose, will they? By accident means unintentionally, and on accident means totally the opposite.

7. "I've put my jewelry in a bank's safety deposit box."

The phrase referring to a box in which valuables are stored is called 'safe deposit box' because it's a box in which you can make a safe deposit. But this eggcorn is totally understandable because when you say 'safe deposit box' aloud and in faster manner, the first two syllables run together to sound exactly like 'safety'.

8. "Studying at Caltech is just too difficult. It's a doggy-dog world."

Another notable and pardonable eggcorn. Dog-eat-dog world means an extremely competitive environment. It's a world where only the fittest survive. Think about the hunger games, it's exactly like that. Although we only use this expression metaphorically in real life, of course.

9. "Nip it in the butt so you won't have problem in the future."

'Nipped in the bud' has it's origin from gardening. When you nip something, you sever it or you pinch it to stop or stunt its growth. When you nip a bud (the topmost part of a plant), it will stop growing. Nipped in the bud means to solve minor issues now, so it won't bring more problems in the future. When you nip someone in the butt... I don't really think you should be nipping somebody else's. 

10. "The queen is to deliver a message to everyone, supposably."

If you're saying 'supposably' to mean 'according to what many believe', then you should say 'supposedly.' I can't find anything online and on books which justifies that people can use 'supposably'.

11. "This document can be used for all intensive purposes."

This one's a big pet peeve of mine. How can a document be used for an intense purpose? If you mean that a document or something can serve 'for all practical purposes and situations', then the correct expression is 'for all intents and purposes'.

12. "Well, if you think about what I said, you've got another thing coming."

To be honest, this phrase has been so misheard too often that it's just going to be a matter of time before 'you've got another thing coming' gets accepted. When someone says "If you think that, you've got another think coming" what the speaker is meaning is 'if you think that, then your thought is wrong, you need to have another one." 

13. "People take their health for granted in this day in age."

Another eggcorn, but this time, unforgivable. Day and age means right at this moment and during a considerable stretch of time around this moment. Day in age just doesn't mean anything.

14. "All and all, everything went well."

If you're going to argue that 'all and all' is the same as 'all in all', I'd tell you that's it's so totally not. All in all is an idiomatic expression which means everything taken into account. It could be reworded as 'in sum'. All and all is just a redundancy.

15. "Please don't call me now. I'm on tenderhooks."

Whatever adjective you want to associate with hooks, it's definitely not the word tender. According to our friends from The Phrase Finder, we are once again get caught out by an archaic word that isn't used outside of this expression. This time the word is 'tenter', which is a wooden frame used to dry cloth. The wet cloth was fixed to the frame with hooks, hence the expression. So, "on tenterhooks" means under stress or tension. It's also used as a general term for anxiety and uneasiness.

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The Real Story Behind These 5 Famous Disney Stories

(Warning: The stories below might ruin your childhood. Proceed with caution.)

    I didn't grow up watching Disney fairy tales, but I did grow up reading the original stories retold (and disneyfied) by them. To tell you the truth, the earlier versions of many Disney stories are dark, violent, and really, really grim. But for me, these original tales pack more punch than the Disneyfied versions. Also, I think it's high time to give credit to the original authors from whom Disney has been ripping off.

    And so, here are the famous Disney stories retold from their original (or earlier) sources:

1. Sleeping Beauty

Original story by: Giambattista Basile

Original Title: The Sun, The Moon, and Talia (From Basile's book "Pentamerone")

Year published: 1634

The story: Talia was born to a wealthy ruler, but was prophesied to meet her end from a flax splinter. (No, she wasn't cursed, she was prophesied to die in the original story.) The king, Talia's father, tried to prevent this from happening by getting rid of all the flax in the kingdom, only to have done it in vain. One day, Talia saw an old woman spinning flax on a spindle and pleaded to stretch the hemp, at which point a flax splinter gets lodged under her fingernail, and seems to die. Unable to bury her daughter, the king dressed her in the most beautiful dress, adorned her coffin, and hid her in a palace deep in the woods. 

    On a hunting trip, a king stumbled upon the palace as he attempts to retrieve his lost falcon which happened to be inside it. He went in, saw Talia in her glorious beauty. He tried to wake her, but he couldn't. Smitten by the beautiful sleeping maiden, the king raped her instead. Afterwards, the King left the palace and seem to have forgotten about the affair. Talia became pregnant and the babies were born and cared for, as was Talia, by kindly fairies. The fairies would put the babies up to Talia’s breasts to feed, except one time, one of the babies instead sucked on Talia’s finger with the splinter in it and sucked it out, at which point she woke up.

    Quite a while later, the king remembered the girl and decided to go back to the house to see her again. This time, though, he found her awake and with twin babies she named “Sun” and “Moon”, as their origin was just as mysterious to her as the origin of the Sun and the Moon. They fell in love and would have had a happy ending, except that, you know, the King is already married. The King's wife got suspicious and forced the King's secretary to tell why the King has been going out too often, and found out about Talia and the children. To cut the story short, the Queen ordered the abduction of Talia's kids, planned to send them to the chef to cook them, and feed them to the King. As for Talia, she tried to burn her alive, but she was saved by the King. The King's rage was so intense that he murdered his wife and secretary. Luckily for the kids, the chef spared their life. 

2. Snow White

Original story by: Brothers Grimm

Original Title: Tale 53 or Sneewittchen (from the authors' Grimm's Fairy Tales)

Year published: 1812

The story: A queen wished for a daughter whose lips are as red as blood, skin as white as snow, and hair as black as night. Some time later, she gave birth to such a very beautiful baby and named her Snow White, but the queen dies in childbirth a short while later. Snow White's father, the King, marries again. The new queen is such a beauty to behold, although her heart is black as coal. She is vain and a very wicked witch. The queen has a magic mirror, which she asks every morning to check who's the fairest woman in the kingdom. 

    The magic mirror answers that it is her, the queen, who's the fairest of all. But years passed and Snow White started to bloom into a ravishing young woman, and she just gets even more beautiful as day passed by. One day, the queen asked the mirror the same question she asks every morning, and shockingly, the mirror said that Snow White is the fairest girl in the kingdom. 

    Blinded by jealousy and rage, the wicked queen ordered a huntsman to kill Snow White, and as a proof of Snow White's death, the huntsman is to bring back her liver and lungs, which she will consume to become as beautiful as Snow White. But the huntsman was ridden with guilt and conscience that he had let Snow White escape to the forest. He brought back a boar's inside to present to the queen. Pleased with herself, the witch consumed it. Believing that Snow White is dead, she asked the magic mirror again, and to her unpleasant surprise, the mirror answered that it's Snow White who's the fairest of all in the kingdom. 

    The queen devised a plan to kill Snow White by herself and located where she is. She found out that Snow White is in the woods, living with seven dwarves. She attempted to murder her thrice, and succeeded in the third try (or so it seemed), which is a poisoned apple. The dwarves placed her in a glass casket. Three days later, a prince stumbled upon the casket and as one of his servants trip over, and dislodged the apple from Snow White's throat, reviving her. The prince and Snow White fell in love, and concocted revenge against the wicked queen. They got married, the evil queen went to investigate it, only the prince ordered that the evil queen wear a pair of red-hot iron slippers and dance in them until she drops dead.

3.  The Little Mermaid

Original story by: Hans Christian Andersen

Original Title: The Little Mermaid (Den lille havfrue) 

Year published: 1837

The story: The little mermaid fell in love with a human prince that she saved. Unable to bear being apart from the prince, the little mermaid went to the sea witch for a potion that would give her a pair of legs. 

    The sea witch agreed, in exchange for her tongue and beautiful voice. In addition, the little mermaid won't be able to come back to the underwater world forever, that she will feel like she's constantly walking on sharp knives, and that she will only obtain a soul if she wins the prince's heart. It is said that the moment the prince marries another woman, the little mermaid will die of broken heart and will dissolve into a sea foam, without a soul.

    So off she went, despite these ridiculous conditions, for her love is greater than any pain or fear. She swims to the surface near the prince's castle and drank the potion. The potion felt like a sword stabbing through her insides and she fell down, passing out. The prince found her and kept her as a company. She became the prince's favorite companion, but the time came when the prince is forced to marry a neighboring princess in an arranged marriage. 

    The prince refused and told the little mermaid that he will only marry the woman in the temple who he believes to have saved his life. That was the little mermaid! But remember, she's mute, so she cant say it. As it turned out, the prince was told that the neighboring princess was the one who saved his life, for she was sent to the temple for her education that time!

    The prince and the princess got married, leaving a broken-hearted little mermaid. To cut the details, the little mermaid tried to murder the prince in his sleep for if she does this, she'll be able to go back to her family. But she didn't have the heart to do it, so she killed herself instead. But instead of dissolving into nothingness, she became one of the daughters of the air, and was given the chance to earn her soul after serving mankind for 300 years.

4. Cinderella

(one of the) Earliest well-known story by: Brothers Grimm

Original Title: The Little Glass Slipper

Year published: 1812

The story: It begins with the death of a young girl's mother. The very next spring, the father remarries a very evil woman who has two daughters of her own. The three of them turn the young girl into a servant who must sleep on the floor in the cinders, and they give her the nickname Cinderella. 

    Despite being treated so poorly, Cinderella remains humble. In the original story, planted a tree by her mother's grave, and it grows beautifully. Any prayer made by Cinderella under this tree is granted to her by a little white bird who tosses down her wish from the branches. (No, there was no fairy godmother here.)

    When the king announces that there is to be a three-day festival for the prince to choose his bride, Cinderella wants desperately to attend. Her stepmother, however, makes it seemingly impossible. Cinderella goes to the magic tree that has helped her often, and it tosses down a dress and slippers of gold, silk, and silver. She's so beautiful at the ball that nobody recognizes her, and the prince falls madly in love.

    At the end of the three-day festival, though Cinderella tries to sneak away each night, the prince is able to get one of her golden slippers. He knows that the woman who can fit into the shoe is the one he loves. One stepsister cuts off her toe to make the shoe fit and trick the prince, and the other cuts off her heel, but the birds once again help Cinderella by revealing the blood that is pouring out of the slipper in each case.

    Because Cinderella is the only one who can truly fit into the shoe, the prince knows that she is the mystery woman. The two get married, and at the wedding, doves peck out the stepsisters' eyes. So, Cinderella is able to enjoy her good fortune, and the evil stepsisters are paid back for the hate they showed to Cinderella. 

5. Pinnochio

Original story by: Carlo Collodi

Original title: The Adventures of Pinnochio

Year published: 1881-1882 (it was a series for a children's magazine)

The story: Pinocchio is a puppet who wants to be a human boy. When he tells lies, his nose grows long. At least, that's what most people remember about him. Carlo Collodi sets his modern-day fairy tale in Tuscany, Italy, in an uncertain era and starring an unexpected protagonist: ''Once upon a time there was a piece of wood.''

    Geppetto, a woodcarver, crafts a marionette (a puppet on strings) out of a piece of enchanted wood. He calls it Pinocchio, and Geppetto treats him like a son. In Geppetto's workshop, Pinocchio meets a talking cricket who tries to teach him his first lesson. ''Woe to boys who refuse to obey their parents and run away from home!''

    Thus Pinocchio's adventures begin. Pinocchio tries and tries to redeem himself, but at every turn, his will is challenged. At some point in the story, the real ending is that Pinnochio will be hanged and killed, as Collodi wants to show one moral lesson: even children can't get away from wrongdoings. But the editor of the magazine convinced Collodi to continue writing it, for the editor himself wanted a happy ending, and that's when the blue fairy came to rescue Pinnochio.

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18 Children's (and not so children's) Books You Need To Read and Re-read As An Adult

There's one thing many people don't know about me as a bookworm: I am a sucker for children's literature. Because why not? Just because we get older doesn't mean the life lessons we learn from children's books are any less important. Also, many books written for adults are sometimes redundant, dull, impossibly dark, and depressing (in addition to not being wholesome!) Aside from the fact that children's lit is light and packed with life lessons, it's short enough to keep our attention and the pacing runs smooth. The books are branded as popular or underrated in the international scale and is purely arbitrary. I did it just in case you see it somewhere, not recognize it, and wonder if it's worth a read!  ALL these reads are gems. Whether you're an ESL learner, a beginner in reading, someone who's looking for books to give to a young person, or simply an adult who's young at heart, this is for you!

Here are my top picks:

1. Verdict: Popular

Author: Antoine De Saint-Exupery

No. of pages: 112

Famous quote: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

The story so far: The Little Prince is a classic tale of equal appeal to children and adults. On one level it is the story of an airman's discovery, in the desert, of a small boy from another planet - the Little Prince of the title - and his stories of intergalactic travel, while on the other hand it is a thought-provoking allegory of the human condition.

2. Verdict: Popular

Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery

No. of pages: 464

Famous quote: "People laugh at me because I use big words to express them. But if you have big ideas, you have to use big words to express them, haven't you?"

The story so far: Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are in for a big surprise. They are waiting for an orphan boy to help with the work at Green Gables - but a skinny, red-haired girl turns up instead. Feisty and full of spirit, Anne Shirley charms her way into the Cuthberts' affection with her vivid imagination and constant chatter. It's not long before Anne finds herself in trouble, but soon it becomes impossible for the Cuthberts to imagine life without 'their' Anne - and for the people of Avonlea to recall what it was like before this wildly creative little girl whirled into town.

3. Verdict: Popular

Author: E.B. White

No. pages: 192

Famous quote: “I don’t understand it, and I don’t like what I don’t understand.”

The story so far: Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.

E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

4. Verdict: Popular

Author: George Orwell

No. of pages: 112

Famous quote: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” 

The story so far: Mr Jones of Manor Farm is so lazy and drunken that one day he forgets to feed his livestock. The ensuing rebellion under the leadership of the pigs Napoleon and Snowball leads to the animals taking over the farm. Vowing to eliminate the terrible inequities of the farmyard, the renamed Animal Farm is organised to benefit all who walk on four legs. But as time passes, the ideals of the rebellion are corrupted, then forgotten. And something new and unexpected emerges. 

Animal Farm - the history of a revolution that went wrong - is George Orwell's brilliant satire on the corrupting influence of power.

5. Verdict: Popular

Author: Joanne Kathleen Rowling

No. of pages: 256

Famous quote: “I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper on death.” 

The story so far: When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade-old secret is revealed to him that apparently he's the last to know. His parents were wizards, killed by a Dark Lord's curse when Harry was just a baby, and which he somehow survived. Leaving his unsympathetic aunt and uncle for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry stumbles upon a sinister mystery when he finds a three-headed dog guarding a room on the third floor. Then he hears of a missing stone with astonishing powers, which could be valuable, dangerous - or both. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

6. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Lois Lowry

No. of pages: 240

Famous quote: “The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” 

The story so far: It is the future. There is no war, no hunger, no pain. No one in the community wants for anything. Everything needed is provided. And at twelve years old, each member of the community has their profession carefully chosen for them by the Committee of Elders. Twelve-year old Jonas has never thought there was anything wrong with his world. But from the moment he is selected as the Receiver of Memory, Jonas discovers that their community is not as perfect as it seems. It is only with the help of the Giver, that Jonas can find what has been lost. And it is only through his personal courage that Jonas finds the strength to do what is right.

7. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Lemony Snicket

No. of Pages: 192

Famous quote:  “Books about law are notorious for being very long, very dull, and very difficult to read. This is one reason many lawyers make heaps of money. The money is an incentive - the word 'incentive' here means 'an offered reward to persuade you to do something you don't want to do' - to read long, dull, and difficult books.”

The story so far: In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent children. They are charming, and resourceful, and have pleasant facial features. Unfortunately, they are exceptionally unlucky.

In The Bad Beginning, the siblings encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune and cold porridge for breakfast. (Notice: This book has the best explanations of vocabulary in context. A true gem for ESL learning!)

8. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Loise Fitzhugh

No. of pages: 300

Famous quote:  “Don't mess with anybody on a Monday. It's a bad, bad day.” 

The story so far: Harriet M. Welsch is a spy. In her notebook, she writes down everything she knows about everyone, even her classmates and her best friends. Then Harriet loses track of her notebook, and it ends up in the wrong hands. Before she can stop them, her friends have read the always truthful, sometimes awful things she's written about each of them. Will Harriet find a way to put her life and her friendships back together? 

"What the novel showed me as a child is that words have the power to hurt, but they can also heal, and that it's much better in the long run to use this power for good than for evil."--New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot.

9. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Allie Brosh

No. of pages: 369

Famous quote: “I am incensed that reality has the audacity to do some of the things it does when I CLEARLY don't want those things to happen.” 

The story so far: Hyperbole and A Half is a blog written by a 20-something American girl called Allie Brosh. She tells fantastically funny, wise stories about the mishaps of her everyday life, with titles like 'Why Dogs Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving' and 'The God of Cake'. She accompanies these with naive drawings using Paint on her PC.
Brosh’s website receives millions of visitors a month and hundreds of thousands of per day.
Now her full-colour debut book chronicles the many “learning experiences” Brosh has endured as a result of her own character flaws. It includes stories about her rambunctious childhood; the highs and mostly lows of owning a mentally challenged dog; and a moving and darkly comic account of her struggles with depression. (Notice: Bill Gates, yes, The Bill Gates of Microsoft Inc., recommends this book. I'm a Gates note taker, by the way.) 

10. Verdict: Popular

Author: Clive Staples Lewis

No. of pages: 224

Famous quote: “All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think.” 

The story so far: Four adventurous siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie - step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years. (Notice: this is a stand alone read, but if you want more of C.S Lewis, check out the other books in the Chronicles of Narnia series.)

11. Verdict: Popular

Author: Dr. Seuss

No. of pages: 48 pages

Famous quote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 

The story so far: This book is perfect for all of us who wants to explore the world but so scared of the unknown. Dr. Seuss' advice: Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! 

12. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Jeff Kinney

No. of pages: 224

Famous quote: “The best person I know is Myself.” 

The story so far: Things aren't going well for Greg Heffley. He's been thrust into a new school where undersize weaklings share the corridors with kids who are taller, meaner and already shaving.  With his friend Rowley, Greg's desperate to prove his new maturity, which only going up a grade can bring. But when Rowley's star starts to rise, will Greg be able to reach the same heights of popularity as Rowley? 

13. Verdict: Popular

Author: Judy Blume

No. of pages: 144

Famous quote: “What’s next on your reading list? Discover.” 

The story so far: Two is a crowd when Peter and his little brother, Fudge, are in the same room. Grown-ups think Fudge is absolutely adorable, but Peter and his pet turtle, Dribble, know the truth. From throwing temper tantrums to smearing mashed potatoes on the wall, Fudge causes mischief wherever he goes! 

"As a kid, Judy Blume was my favorite author, and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing was my favorite book."--Jeff Kinney, author of the bestselling Wimpy Kid series. (Of course there's a reason why I put these two books in sequence.)

14. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Maurice Sendak

No. of pages: 48

Famous quote: “I have nothing now but praise for my life. I'm not unhappy. I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more...What I dread is the isolation. ... There are so many beautiful things in the world which I will have to leave when I die, but I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready.”

The story so far: One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without his supper.  That night a forest begins to grow in Max's room and an ocean rushes by with a boat to take Max to the place where the wild things are. Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king, and then the wild rumpus begins!  But when Max has sent the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet, he starts to feel lonely and realises it is time to sail home to the place where someone loves him best of all.

15. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Beverly Cleary

No. of pages: 208

Famous quote: “She was not a slowpoke grownup. She was a girl who could not wait. Life was so interesting she had to find out what happened next.” 

The story so far: Ramona likes that she's old enough to be counted on, but must everything depend on her? Mrs. Quimby has gone back to work so that Mr. Quimby can return to school, and Ramona is expected to be good for Mrs. Kemp while her parents are away, to be brave enough to ride the school bus by herself, and to put up with being teased by Danny the Yard Ape. In Ramona's world, being eight isn't easy, but it's never dull!

16. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Sebastian de Castell

No. of pages: 416

Famous quote: “I’m a woman, kid. You probably haven’t met one before, coming as you do from this backward place, but it’s like a man only smarter and with bigger balls.” 

The story so far: MAGIC IS A CON GAME.

Kellen is moments away from facing his first mage's duel and the start of four trials that will make him a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is gone. As his sixteenth birthday approaches, Kellen falls back on his cunning in a bid to avoid total disgrace. But when a daring stranger arrives in town, she challenges Kellen to take a different path. Ferius Parfax is one of the mysterious Argosi - a traveller who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. She's difficult and unpredictable, but she may be Kellen's only hope. (Notice: I'm selling this book hard to you, because the pacing is really smooth.)

17. Verdict: Underrated

Author: Raquel Jaramillo Palacio

No. of pages: 416

Famous quote: “We carry with us, as human beings, not just the capacity to be kind, but the very choice of kindness.”

The story so far: 'My name is August. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.' Auggie wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things - eating ice cream, playing on his Xbox. He feels ordinary - inside. But ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. Ordinary kids aren't stared at wherever they go. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, Auggie has been home-schooled by his parents his whole life. Now, for the first time, he's being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. All he wants is to be accepted - but can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, underneath it all? Wonder is a funny, frank, astonishingly moving debut to read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page.

18. Verdict: Popular

Author: Roald Dahl

No. of pages: 240

Famous quote: “I'm right and you're wrong, I'm big and you're small, and there's nothing you can do about it.” 

The story so far: Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinary genius with really stupid parents. Miss Trunchbull is her terrifying headmistress who thinks all her pupils are rotten little stinkers. But Matilda will show these horrible grown-ups that even though she's only small, she's got some very powerful tricks up her sleeve. (Notice: Roald Dahl is hailed as the world's no. 1 story teller. He wrote numerous books that are worth reading.)

Disclaimer: All synopses are from the books' original back covers and from Book Depository, your ultimate online bookstore and home of over 20 million books (with free shipping worldwide!)

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