 Fun read... |
| Reviewer: Thomas J. Lane, New York City, NY |
| Marina Orlova's book is very interesting because it explains the origins of phrases and words that you probably have thought about and wondered, "wonder where that came from?" It's very cleverly laid out in a school class schedule format and is not only informative but laced with humor throughout the book. Miss Orlova's fun personality carries right over into the book from her YouTube videos exhibiting her intelligence and sense of humor. It doesn't hurt that she is extremely attractive which is evident by the many photographs of her in the book and is surely a selling point for some of the public. It's very evident that she is no air headed blonde bombshell. She has brains to match her beauty. I always say "witty people are smart people, but not all smart people are witty." Marina is definitely very witty. It's a fun read. Enjoy. Got mine signed by her last night in NYC. |
Great Read and A Great Value!
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| Reviewer: RobNY710, New York |
I bought her book in a NY book signing. And it's worth going if she will have a signing near you. In her speech she talked about how it all started and answered the audience questions.
Now to the book itself and why I give it a Mighty 5 out of 5 stars.
The books size is about that of a Manga paperback book. Those Manga are black and white pages and cost $10.
Magazines today average about $6.99
And even a single comic book is $3.99
Getting this book for $14.99 but with online discounts like here.
Well it's more then worth it!
They use slick high gloss paper and color photos. And with the price of paper going up in recent years, I'm surprised the price was this low.
I wrote the above to give a perspective of the overall book design. But now I'll
talk about the content.
This book is about words and their origins.
Besides the beautiful photos. She shows how brainy she is.
She mentions a word and then actually tells a story about the meaning of the word. The way she writes and weaves a story, it leaves an impression and makes you remember it. I don't think anyone who reads this book won't walk away without at least remembering a few words and their origins.
Each words origin takes a page and is then followed by a related trivia question.
And best of all is that you do not have to read this book in order. You can skip around and read the words that catch your initial interest, and get back to the rest later.
Overall the presentation is excellent, with a fun atmosphere. And you really will learn something reading this book. My youtube is RobNY710
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More than eye candy.
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| Reviewer: Paul E. Nichols, Buffalo, NY United States |
| Hot For Words is a very easy read and well prepared book. If all you want to do is look at eye candy pictures you can do that easily. Marina Orlova certaintly is a real beauty and won't disappoint you. But if you really want a good read, then dig into it. In the first chapter you'll be convinced that Marina has a lot more going on between her ears then just being eye candy. She has a unique approach to language and communicating her fondness for the topic in a completely academic and logical manner. The book is organized into class periods, rather than chapters, that a High School Student might encounter in a typical day. She then defines select words and the origins of those words that the student might not otherwise have candid access to. Upon completion of reading the book you'll be convinced that Marina Orlova has a wonderful inner beauty to go along with her stunning outer appearance. |
Capman911
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| Reviewer: Capman911, NC, USA |
| I received this book on the first book signing in LA. I was thrilled to get the wrapper off of it so I could start enjoy reading the book. It is filled with lots of word explanations and etymologies. It also has tricky questions for you to figure out the answers. Marina Orlova did an outstanding job of writing and put forth a lot of background study and knowledge into developing this book. I can't say enough about this book as I read and learn from it each day. By the way the pictures aren't bad to look at either. :) |
Marina's Book is Intelligent and Sexy!
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| Reviewer: pedanticKarl, Southern Calif., USA |
I was pleasantly surprised when I received Marina Orlova's book in the mail yesterday. From the quality of the paper, the gorgeous photos of Marina, the easy to read style and layout, the table of contents and most importantly, the book has an index. Do you know how many books don't have an index when they should? It is a small part of the book and I appreciate the extra effort that Marina put forth in getting this book published.
The first thing that I noticed about the book, besides the beautiful and complimentary photos of Marina, was the style in which the book was written. Marina talks to you as if she was sitting right there besides you. I was also pleasantly surprised, for a book of this size being packed with interesting facts and interesting stories that I had never heard of before. I have only read some of the book's contents so far, and already I feel I have received another lifetime of education. I was chuckling at the chapter on "Partridge" as Marina's sense of humor and style comes through as if I were watching one of her video lessons on [...]. [...]
In addition to Marina's Introduction, the Extra Credit section, the Questions & Answers, and the Afterword, I particularly liked how the book and table of contents was laid out in the style of a classroom schedule. I loved Marina's Afterword and throughout the book, Marina's up and close personality shines through as if I had known her for years.
Despite Marina's soft and sexy photos, she does not let you off the hook that easy. She knows the tricks of uncovering the stories and origins of words and she challenges her students likewise. I can't resist a challenge, especially from someone as personable and endearing as Marina.
My only disappointment was to learn that Marina did not win the Nobel Prize for Maths. If you want to know what I am talking about, you'll just have to get the book and discover it for yourself. You will be surprised. :-) LOL
My compliments go to Harper Collins for publishing a great little book, the photographer Derek Caballero for those eloquent and stunning photos of Marina and Marina's parents for encouraging her to study philology and being the diligent geek that she is. You gotta love her.
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Well-photographed
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| Reviewer: Cee6, San Bruno, CA |
| The photographs are fun and entertaining, but the articles also are charming and entertaining. The fascination with wordsm isn likely to grow. |
Maladyets, Miss Orlova
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| Reviewer: Scott Lurowist, Wappingers Falls, NY |
Let me begin by saying that I speak several languages, and my idea of a good happy hour is to sit at the bar with a good beer and a good French or Russian grammar book. I have also seen Miss Orlova on TV and her website.
So I am a bit biased in my review.
I am in love with this book.
Miss Orlova has written a book that makes the English language fun for people not like me. The language is in decline and under attack. Many people today sound like Valley Girls (So I was like...). Many Latino people try to impose Spanish on native speakers of English; I have been told many times that I need to learn Spanish to "get ahead".
I hope, and I think, that this book will rekindle passion in our language. Each word has a story, and each story is compelling. You can read this book quickly, but I know that I shall need to read it more than once to remember every nuance.
I also love how this book is small. it can almost fit in your pocket. And the paper it is printed on is of high quality. Oh, and the photographs are not too shabby. ;-)
I do hope Miss Orlova writes more books. I would love to see her write a good, accessible grammar book to inspire Americans to speak and write more correctly. Then maybe I would not have to cringe when I hear "So I was like..." |
Great book, and I'm a woman
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| Reviewer: Michelle Oden, SC, USA |
I have watched her videos on youtube, and I bought her book when I saw it advertised one day. She's an interesting person, and I love the way she teaches by informing the viewer or reader instead of instructing them. One negative reaview on here of her book said that "most of the positive comments are probably from men" bc men like the book because she has photos of hersefl throughout the book in sexy poses. I am a straight female, and though I do not need to see a woman in a miniskirt, it does not bother me, and I see the side of the issue where she is making an attempt to use her beauty to her advantage in getting more people interested in her youtube and book simply by drawing in a larger market by making everything be more about attracting people to learning about the language and history of words.
Overall, great youtube channel, and awesome book! |
Hot for Words!
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| Reviewer: Jose M. Cruz, Cary, NC United States |
| She is Gorgeosu, she is Bright, and she is Knowledgeable. And she talks with a Russian Accent!!! She is great on Youtube and if you are a fan of her channel the book will not disappoint you! :) |
fresh approach to word origins-
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| Reviewer: Heide Joy, |
I read Marina's book today. I have been following her for some time on "Hot for Words" because I am interested in linguistics and word origins for a long time. I was pleasantly surprised about the layout of her book - the different chapters and categories and I liked the the questions, too.
The words chosen were wonderful and delightful and often unknown of origin to me. She teaches the contemporary reader here words in a fresh approach and new light and shows that women can be brilliant and sexy at the same time.
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Hot for Marina!
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| Reviewer: Tony Bernhoffer, Toledo, Ohio |
| COQUETTISH!! But in an entertaining way. Marina can flutter her false eyelashes at me and whisper in my ear all ths wants. In addition to the adult sexy words, there is some nice photography of the star of Hot for Words, too. I wish I had had a English teacher like her in high school. Lots of sexy adult words. But I overlooked the red, white and blue bikini she had on. I was amazed that our prudish post office did deliver that nice book today!! I really dig Marina and her new book, too! Got her calendar as well. She has a nice pretty belly as well! |
Spice up your Word Life
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| Reviewer: J. Darling, Palm Springs, CA USA |
Marina Orlova may have created a new sub-genre in the fields of Etymology and Linguistics Literature. That sub-genre would be 'Making the subjects FUN to learn about'.
This is not a Textbook or dry Tome meant for Word Scholars. The Author does the heavy lifting for us - and presents origins of interesting words and idioms in a relevant and easy to understand way.
In her own unique style, Orlova guides us through an entire day of school, giving us the etymology of 80 commonly used words and phrases that you probably didn't really fully understand. I know I didn't.
She pioneered this style in video format with her hugely successful YouTube Channel of the same name - HotforWords (232 MILLION video views to date), and now has taken it to print to reach a broader audience.
No doubt she will receive a fair amount of ridicule from the staid and proper 'old school' for her presentation, I guess that's to be expected - but don't let her good looks fool you, there is substance inside the packaging.
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Great
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| Reviewer: Scott A. Michels, |
| Just got the book. I've been a fan of Marina for a while now. The pictures of Her inside are (of course) stunning. The stories, definitons and origins are well written and the little multiple coice questions are a nice touch. I honestly can't wait for her next book. Yes I'm expecting another one. |
awsome book!
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| Reviewer: Bryan Mcgonigal, |
| Marina is a very awsome teacher on the origin of words,and this book is very well done!You can learn , have fun all at the same time.Plus Marina has a very sexy appeal!You cann't miss on this book buy now,don't wait ,it is great! |
interesting and fun
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| Reviewer: John Geeting, folsom, la |
| if your curious about where words and slang sayings come from then this is the book for you. and if your a guy you'll love all the sexy photo's of the author inside , although sometimes the words are written on top of photos making it a little difficult to read......but however i'm not going to complain about reading words off her scantily dressed crotch! over all the book is informative and fun to read , she adds a lot of humor to it and sometimes useless information, if information can be useless that is. this is a book that makes a great gift for any occassion |
One word: Perfect
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| Reviewer: E. Ramirez, CA, USA |
| This book is great, interesting, and educational. With a teacher like Marina, who wouldn't wanted to learn? By the way, nice pictures :) |
Very hot indeed.
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| Reviewer: George Van Ry, Salt Lake City, UT USA |
| Quite possibly the sexiest book you will ever read. I dare you to read this and not find something educational as a bonus. |
A Doer
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| Reviewer: Laurentiu Todie, New York |
The word "doer" may make some people cringe, but I am sincerely admiring Marina for taking her faith in her hands and running with it
(and look at her "assets" bounce while she does that : )
More power to you... girl! The book looks pretty and smart, like a younger sister of Madonna's aluminum cover tome. |
Hot For Words delivers
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| Reviewer: Bruce Donham, Tucson |
This book provides interesting tidbits about how selected words came to be. It is as interesting as her YouTube posts.
And she of course looks Hot, as the name implies. |
Miss Orlova does not disappoint
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| Reviewer: Mr. H. J. Alexander, Oxfordshire |
| When my pupils asked if they could open my Amazon parcel, I told them if it were a book about the excitement of words I'd show the class; if it were a book of racy pictures of a Russian babe perhaps they'd put it back in the wrapper and say nothing. And of course it's both. What Miss Orlova writes about words is well researched and always fascinating. Her style is enticing and genuinely enthusiastic. The book is beautifully designed and there is plenty for the student of philology to pore over. Miss Orlova does not disappoint. |
Review of 'Hot for Words' by Marina Orlova
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| Reviewer: James M. Moore, Livermore, CA United States |
I haven't read it completely but thoroughly enjoy it so far. Miss Orlova gives interesting info on many 'hot' words.
Jim Moore |
Great bathroom or boredom reading!
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| Reviewer: Liana Tiriac, Edmonton, CA |
I've been a fan of Marina for only about a month now and she is great. I greatly recommend this book. It's not only visually appealing but also extremely educational. I like how I can just flip a page randomly when I'm bored and learn something new. The price is also very reasonable.
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Almost there, but not quite...
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| Reviewer: Nistor Codrut, Iasi, Romania |
As I expected, the content of the book is great, BUT...
1. I am not an English teacher, and English is not my native language. I am blogging in English for a living, but that doesn't mean I think I am perfect, and maybe I am not the perfect one to judge the educational content of the book, but it's fine to me, as I said.
2. Unfortunately, I only rate this item as 4 stars because paper quality could have been much better. I was expecting at least same quality as an average computer magazine, but it seems this book isn't exactly there. It's a pity to say it, but I am saying it again - the book could have been much better from this point of view!
3. I wasn't expecting the book to come in black and white, but I think it's too colorful, going from a color scheme to another with each chapter. Maintaining the same color scheme through the entire book could have been better...
Drawing the line, I can't say I am sorry about the $18 spent on the book ($10 for preordering it, and $8 for S&H), only that I got less bang for the buck if I compare it to my HD 4770 video card... |
A Vehicle for Soft Porn
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| Reviewer: Katherine the Great, Durango, CO |
I was anxious to pre-order and download this book on my Kindle. I certainly wasn't expecting, and didn't need, the photos, which are nothing if not soft porn. I guess that's the ticket to selling anything.
The research is fairly well done, the etymologies of the words chosen for analysis are already pretty commonly known to word buffs, but the writing is TOO flip to be interesting.
All-in-all, this book was a huge disappointment from someone who loves and respects the evolution of language. |
I should have known.....
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| Reviewer: Homer J, |
I saw on the cover that she's a regular on the Bill O'Reilly show and felt a pang of hesitation, but then I just finished another book on words that was promoted on NPR. The difference is night and day.
I could not even stand to read this book because I was so disgusted by the soft core pictures of a grown woman in a miniskirt with her legs spread open.
Did she not expect other women to want to read her book? 'Cause I don't want to look at her junk.
I'm guessing most of the positive reviews on this book come from men and the negative from women.... |
Can't we be Hot for Words without all the hot body photos?
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| Reviewer: Modest Maven, Maryland |
| I also am interested in words and thought this would be a great acquisition for my personal and professional library. I saw the author tout her work on a morning tv show and rushed to order it. Unfortunately, although the text seems great, the Amazon previews provide so many (large) photos of her suggestively and scantily clad body that I would be embarassed to have this tome lying about. It may be cute marketing, but I am a mother, grandmother, and teacher, and I really wouldn't want to share the book with any of my target populations because of those photos! Maybe she will issue another g-rated edition? |
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