From the sarcastic to the suggestive, here are quotation marks as we love them best, doing horrible damage to the English language. Who wouldn't have second thoughts about ordering the "hamburger" on the diner's menu? Would it be best to skip the "blowout" sale at the department store? What hidden price must be paid for something marked "free"? Assembled by the creator of the wildly popular "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks, this book surveys the havoc wreaked by quotation marks on signs, menus, placards, and posters that leave reality upended by supposed "facts." This smarty-pants guide is "perfect" for desperate grammarians, habitual air quoters, and anyone who appreciates a good laugh.
The Book of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Bethany Keeley is a graduate student, blogger, and writer who lives in Athens, Georgia. She is also the founder and author of the "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks.
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More About the Author
Bethany Keeley (now Keeley-Jonker) is an Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights IL. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband Justin and her cat Zeus. She continues to run the "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks, as she has since 2005. In addition to teaching and blogging, Bethany writes for thinkchristian.net about faith and culture, and does academic work about the role of religion in public life.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Quotey fingers. Rabbit ears. Air quotes. The quotation gesture. Finger flexion. Do you cringe or laugh when someone flashes a pair of crooked fingers to emphasize their point?
Bethany Keeley collected a treasure of unnecessary quotation marks for fans of James Kilpatrick's Fine Print: Reflections on the Writing Art and William Zinsser's On Writing Well who crave a little whimsy.
Keeley takes the funniest finds from her blog and arranges them in a series of themes that maintains the laughs without becoming cruel. This is an important point. Grammarians too often act like elitists, pointing out mistakes not for a shared laugh but rather a means to belittle people who are only trying their best to wrestle with the English language and rules of grammar. Kelley deserves credit for not letting this book devolve into meanness.
In summary, I recommend this book, especially as a gift, for a wordsmith who enjoys a good laugh. Rating: four stars.
Bethany Keeley collected a treasure of unnecessary quotation marks for fans of James Kilpatrick's Fine Print: Reflections on the Writing Art and William Zinsser's On Writing Well who crave a little whimsy.
Keeley takes the funniest finds from her blog and arranges them in a series of themes that maintains the laughs without becoming cruel. This is an important point. Grammarians too often act like elitists, pointing out mistakes not for a shared laugh but rather a means to belittle people who are only trying their best to wrestle with the English language and rules of grammar. Kelley deserves credit for not letting this book devolve into meanness.
In summary, I recommend this book, especially as a gift, for a wordsmith who enjoys a good laugh. Rating: four stars.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By RJ
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been following the blog on which this book is based, and have even contributed to the site, so it was nice to see it come out in book form. The author's wit in commenting on the various signs, posters, etc. is quite keen and I enjoyed every page. Whether unnecessary quotation marks are a pet peeve of yours or not, you will enjoy the humor that accompanies the pictures. A great addition to the humor or language section of your library!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By C. Wiser
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
So, so funny. Any intelligent, literate reader (with some sense of humor) is going to have a great time with this book. My friends who meet that criteria are getting this for Christmas.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
So "funny"
There are several people in my family who send greetings card that say my name (or my husband's name) in quotation marks and it has always driven me crazy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bellingham Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
I don't remember ever laughing this hard reading a book. Thank you "Ms. Keeley" for your humorous "observations" and for infusing in me a new zest for laughing at bad grammar... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Casi Dougal
5.0 out of 5 stars
HILARIOUS
Way funnier than I expected. I had a hard time giving this away after flipping through it on gift-wrapping day.
Published 3 months ago by SHM.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny!
I got this gift for someone for Christmas who is a real grammar stickler. She loved it! I think it's a great addition to anyone's book shelf who needs a good laugh.
Published 3 months ago by mhm1742
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Excellent" ;-)
Well-captured with a great sense of humor, Ms. Keeley.
Now I'm watching for superfluous quotation marks everywhere. A delightful read.
Now I'm watching for superfluous quotation marks everywhere. A delightful read.
Published 4 months ago by Ellen Van't Hof
4.0 out of 5 stars
Liked it
Just what I wanted as a reference. funny,well laid out,arrived fast, handled well,financials were spot on. A fun read too.
Published 4 months ago by steven jans
4.0 out of 5 stars
fun book
I love these random acts and facts by other humans they are so much fun to read and they hit home quite often this bookhas interesting new ones
Published 5 months ago by N. Gomes
2.0 out of 5 stars
I thought this looked funny.
I thought this looked funny. I was wrong. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I purchased this book, there really isn't much you can do with this idea. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bethany
3.0 out of 5 stars
Love the book, hate the length
The Book of Unnecessary Quotation Marks is a gem: Misplaced quotation marks put everything into question, as if supposedly those are "eggs" or if the fruit is "fresh. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ashley S. Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, funny book!
Old English Major "laughed out loud" while reading this book. Great humorous take on an aggravating malady in our society.
Published 16 months ago by Mona B. Dukes
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