101 Two-Letter Words by Stephin Merritt Review

Reviewed by Siobhan Bridgwater

What a fantastic cover. Great humour and illustration. Despite the fact that this is not a particularly catchy title, the sleeve is very cleverly assembled, clear and pleasing.

I come from a family of Scrabble lovers. Generations regularly meet across the board. My aunts are competition champions and they love to use a two letter word. They wrap one round another and clog up the board. They even have a bookmark listing on the allowable two letter words in the World of Scrabble. It drives my mum nuts.

The conversation is always the same:

Mum: What’s that?

Aunt: Aa (or whatever)

Mum: Never heard of it. What does it mean?

Aunt: I don’t know but it is on the list.

Mum: Ridiculous!  (Mumble, grumble!)

Until the next one…then repeat.

Now, at long last, a book which explains the ridiculous and will equip us all with the same advantages. The elusive, non-sensical two letter words can now be memorised and used with aplomb. I can feel the rise of a new Champion.

I love the way this book is set out: the different coloured pages, the little ditty and the wonderful illustrations. Some I still don’t get, and there are a lot of Scottish words and references but I am using them anyhow. And if the rhymes don’t stick in your head, the images may prompt a memory. They really are very good. I feel like a winner already.

If you know a Scrabble lover, get them this book.  It is a sure thing.

Rating: 4/5

RRP: £13.99 (hardback)

Available to buy from Amazon here.