Who says YA literature isn’t sophisticated? I’ve already had to look up two words in my latest read, Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson. It was nominated by YALSA to be one of the Teens Top Ten books of 2015.
If you like to learn new words, join in the Wondrous Words Wednesday meme, where Word Nerdy bloggers share new words we’ve learned from reading.
Here’s one of the words from Since You’ve Been Gone, a contemporary realistic YA novel about one girl’s quest to find her mysteriously missing best friend:
They didn’t think about the fact that [the old Victorian] was pretty much falling down, that it was three stories and drafty, shockingly expensive to heat in the winter and, with central air not yet invented when the house was built, almost impossible to cool in the summer. They were ensorcelled with the place.
ensorcell \in-ˈsȯr-səl\ verb from French en + sorcerer from ensocier
- to bewitch or enchant
Word Nerd Workout
Use ensorcell in a sentence. For example,
The White Witch ensorcelled Edmund with her Turkish Delight.
Thanks for getting nerdy with me today. Don’t forget to check out Wondrous Words Wednesday!
I can imagine being ensorcelled by a gorgeous Victorian only if I had the money for upkeep. Here’s my sentence: she was ensorcelled by the sweet baby sounds and smells of her new nephew.
Great sentence, and I’m with you on the Victorian!
I like that word! I haven’t read this Morgan Matson book yet, but I loved her Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour novel. It is fantastic.
Thanks for stopping by, and for the recommendation!
Neat! I’ve never heard of this word before, but I did think it had something to do with sorcery.
I wish I could ensorcell someone! Great word today!
I too am ensorcelled by good YA books. I’m curious about this one. My favorite YA for 2015 will probably be I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. My 16 year old granddaughter MADE me read it and she was right about how good it is. Yesterday I just started Carry On by Rainbow Rowell and that may inch out I’ll Give You the Sun for best book. I guess I can honestly say I am ensorcelled by anything Rainbow Rowell writes. Thanks for the great new word Julia.
And thank YOU for the YA reading recommendations. Adding them to my TBR. I loved Eleanor and Park, so I guest I’ll try Carry On next!
Good word! I saw this book at the school book fair – I’ll look forward to your review. I would feel pretentious saying “ensorcell” out loud but maybe I just need to get out of my comfort zone 🙂
You know, Michael Hyatt always says that the good stuff happens when you’re out of your comfort zone. 😉
I’ll definitely post a review. I’m finding it a bit slow at the moment…
My 6YO has ensorcelled me into giving her later bedtimes for reading purposes. I have lost the ability to enforce proper bedtime. I let her stay up an extra 15-20 minutes so she can get more reading in 🙂
A very good use of 6YO bewitching!
Excellent example- and I couldn’t imagine a better reason to submit to being ensorcelled. 😉