Should a book contain words that are challenging to readers?

Discuss the May 2017 Book of the Month, Farmer Beau's Farm by Kathleen Geiger.

View Farmer Beau's Farm on Bookshelves
Post Reply
User avatar
Greatachiever
Posts: 44
Joined: 23 May 2017, 13:29
Currently Reading: Silk And Scholar
Bookshelf Size: 12
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-greatachiever.html
Latest Review: "Lemoncella Cocktail" by Rene Natan

Re: Should a book contain words that are challenging to read

Post by Greatachiever »

Gravy wrote:I love challenging words, so long as the author doesn't make their writing feel like a word-of-the-day calander. I've had this happen, and while it's interesting, it detracts from the story a great deal.
Organically done, there is nothing better 8)

I think I agree with u, from my experience in reading so far, it should be balanced. But I must say some authors overdo it, putting words that u might even have to google the meaning. Ewwww, it can be annoying some times.
Latest Review: "Lemoncella Cocktail" by Rene Natan
Rosemary Okoko
Posts: 623
Joined: 31 May 2017, 05:12
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 89
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rosemary-okoko.html
Latest Review: The Sins of a Master Race by Matthew Tysz

Post by Rosemary Okoko »

I think it is good to have challenging words to expand knowledge. The kids will ask the meaning if not in the dictionary and the definition they will be given will stick in their minds. As for me, i like challenging words and all i have to do is google and even use that word in future.
User avatar
Greatachiever
Posts: 44
Joined: 23 May 2017, 13:29
Currently Reading: Silk And Scholar
Bookshelf Size: 12
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-greatachiever.html
Latest Review: "Lemoncella Cocktail" by Rene Natan

Post by Greatachiever »

Rosemary Okoko wrote:I think it is good to have challenging words to expand knowledge. The kids will ask the meaning if not in the dictionary and the definition they will be given will stick in their minds. As for me, i like challenging words and all i have to do is google and even use that word in future.

Hmmm....Really? You know I agree with you but not totally. What if they are reading when theres no adult at home?? Of what use is it??
Latest Review: "Lemoncella Cocktail" by Rene Natan
User avatar
MADINA NOOR
Posts: 1
Joined: 19 Jun 2017, 04:42
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by MADINA NOOR »

yes,for my opinion this gives the reader the enthusiasm to dig deep..hence the reader will be able to learn new words,expressions used in the context.
MURIIRA
Posts: 33
Joined: 16 Jun 2017, 09:36
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... >Escape</a>
Currently Reading: The Diary Of An Immortal (1945-1959)
Bookshelf Size: 9
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-muriira.html
Latest Review: "The 11.05 Murders" by Brian O'Hare

Post by MURIIRA »

All books should contain such words. It helps learning of vocabulary.
Latest Review: "The 11.05 Murders" by Brian O'Hare
User avatar
Cherokeeboi
Posts: 5
Joined: 19 Jun 2017, 05:35
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by Cherokeeboi »

I think a few challenging words are good. They can increase the reader's vocabulary and understanding of different words. However, too many challenging words in a book may cause the reader to become uninterested and give up on reading the entire book.
User avatar
anncarey
Posts: 2
Joined: 19 Jun 2017, 09:00
Currently Reading: My Trip to Adele
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by anncarey »

It depends with whom the book targets.Books that target children should be easy to read as they are only beginners.Those that target adults should contain moderated and relevant vocabularies to increase ones mastery of the language and for advancement.
User avatar
barb429
Posts: 266
Joined: 10 May 2016, 06:19
Bookshelf Size: 176
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-barb429.html
Latest Review: "Tears That Changed a Nation" by Charles L. Tucker
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by barb429 »

I think books should have challenging words in them. I was an avid reader as a child and I loved finding new words in books. It is a great way to learn. Of course, there were words that I would use, but because I had only read them I did not know how to pronounce them.
Latest Review: "Tears That Changed a Nation" by Charles L. Tucker
User avatar
Greatachiever
Posts: 44
Joined: 23 May 2017, 13:29
Currently Reading: Silk And Scholar
Bookshelf Size: 12
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-greatachiever.html
Latest Review: "Lemoncella Cocktail" by Rene Natan

Post by Greatachiever »

Hmmm.....great view @barb429
Latest Review: "Lemoncella Cocktail" by Rene Natan
Darakhshan Nazir
Posts: 925
Joined: 17 Jun 2017, 12:25
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-darakhshan-nazir.html
Latest Review: "Twisted Threads" by Kaylin McFarren

Post by Darakhshan Nazir »

I am not sure about which side to choose because on one side , it is the perfect way to improve your vocabulary when there are difficult words and you look up for their meaning . On contrary, when there are continuously bundles of difficult words that you don't understand , eventually you loose interest in novel.
Do Read And Comment On My Latest Review!!
Latest Review: "Twisted Threads" by Kaylin McFarren
Jhirsch1230
Posts: 16
Joined: 12 Jun 2017, 08:13
Currently Reading: Endymion
Bookshelf Size: 33
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jhirsch1230.html
Latest Review: "The 11.05 Murders" by Brian O'Hare

Post by Jhirsch1230 »

Absolutely. I love encountering a word that I don't know. I mostly read using the Kindle app so it is easy to look up words immediately.

As for young readers, it is also essential to push them slightly. As an English teacher, I remember assigning a chapter in the book Freakonomics to my class. However, I realized there were 125 words in a single chapter that were likely beyond the knowledge of most of my students. That was a mistake. However, a handful of words in each chapter is not a problem.
Latest Review: "The 11.05 Murders" by Brian O'Hare
User avatar
shish_by_design
Posts: 327
Joined: 07 Mar 2017, 02:44
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 66">Strong Heart</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 54
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shish-by-design.html
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: The Fires of Virko by Matthew Tysz
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by shish_by_design »

yeah. its god for readers to learn new words daily.its a sign of growth and improves the vocabulary of those learning english as a second language
User avatar
Marylynn
Posts: 131
Joined: 24 Apr 2017, 08:05
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marylynn.html
Latest Review: "McDowell" by William H. Coles

Post by Marylynn »

Challenging words are fun as long as it does not distract the flow of the story.
Latest Review: "McDowell" by William H. Coles
User avatar
kislany
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1118
Joined: 16 Aug 2014, 06:17
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 527
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kislany.html
Latest Review: Golden Skies by Juan Zapata

Post by kislany »

Challenge is good, however such words should not be dominant, but a very small percentage. People quickly get bored if they have to go over and over some words and phrases they are not familiar with, or interrupt their reading enjoyment by running back and forth between the book and the dictionary. Spoils the immersion, unless it's an appropriate book for studying.
User avatar
apulliam
Posts: 13
Joined: 21 Jun 2017, 00:36
Bookshelf Size: 13
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-apulliam.html
Latest Review: "My Trip to Adele" by A.I.Alyaseer, R.I.Alyaseer

Post by apulliam »

Without a doubt! I teach 3rd grade, and challenging vocabulary words are one of the fastest ways to increase a student's comprehension. I read aloud a lot more than my curriculum actually allows time for, and I emphasize the unknown words.

As an adult, I can appreciate the opportunity to Google unknown terms and unfamiliar places within text.
Latest Review: "My Trip to Adele" by A.I.Alyaseer, R.I.Alyaseer
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss "Farmer Beau's Farm" by Kathleen Geiger”