Recommended reading
1. Peter Bowler, The Superior Person's Books of Words
(2002)
Reviewed by Troy Simpson
Fun and useful.
Bowler has compiled around 500 unusual words that are genuine and useable. Unlike other lists of hard words, Bowler's book includes practical guidance on how to use these words in real life. The book could have been even better had Bowler included pronunciations.
2. Anu Garg, A Word a Day
(2003).
Reviewed by Ed Serenson
Expanded my vocabulary with real words.
A Word a Day is a collection of words you might not have heard before, but the words are not so obscure you would never use them. For that reason, it edges out other books I have read that help you learn a word a day.
3. Erin McKean, Weird and Wonderful Words (2003).
Reviewed by Ed Serenson
Entertained me.
Weird and Wonderful Words is a collection of really obscure words. It is a fun book, but less practical than other collections.
Has a nice list of websites.