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About the Author

John Koenig created The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows in 2009. What started as a blog grew into a YouTube series and, in 2021, a book. He's a writer and designer whose work spans graphic design, creative writing, and voice acting. Born in Idaho and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, he now lives in Minneapolis with his wife and daughter.

"It’s undeniably thrilling to find words for our strangest feelings…Koenig casts light into lonely corners of human experience…An enchanting book."

—The Washington Post

Desanté

Cover image for the Desanté word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Tornomov

a cloudy sky and landscape

Rivener

Cover image for the Rivener word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Indosentia

Cover image for the Indosentia word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Typifice

Cover image for the Typifice word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

1202

Cover image for the 1202 word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

A book that poetically defines emotions that we all feel but haven't had the words to express—until now.

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