The Age of Innocence • Edith Wharton Upper-class New York gentleman Newland Archer is set to wed May Welland in a picture-perfect union, until the bride’s disgraced cousin returns from overseas and threatens to draw his love away.

New e-book: “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton

be written all over one’s face (phrase) used to convey that presence of particular quality or feeling is clearly revealed by person’s expression

be written all over one’s face, phr. ▸ used to convey that presence of particular quality or feeling is clearly revealed by person’s expression

poker face (noun) impassive expression that hides feelings

poker face, n. ▸ impassive expression that hides feelings

face value (noun) apparent worth or implication of something

face value, n. ▸ apparent worth or implication of something

fly in the face of (phrase) be openly at variance with

fly in the face of, phr. ▸ be openly at variance with

the face of the earth (phrase) used for emphasis, to refer to existence or disappearance of person or thing

the face of the earth, phr. ▸ used for emphasis, to refer to existence or disappearance of person or thing

From the Earth to the Moon • Jules Verne After the end of the Civil War, the Baltimore Gun Club decides to apply its engineering expertise to the design of a cannon capable of shooting a projectile to the Moon.

New e-book: “From the Earth to the Moon” by Jules Verne

once in a blue moon (phrase) very rarely

once in a blue moon, phr. ▸ very rarely

promise the moon (phrase) make extravagant promises that are unlikely to be fulfilled

promise the moon, phr. ▸ make extravagant promises that are unlikely to be fulfilled

moon (verb) behave or move listlessly

moon, v. ▸ behave or move listlessly

sublunary (adjective) belonging to this world as contrasted with better or more spiritual one

sublunary, adj. ▸ belonging to this world as contrasted with better or more spiritual one

lunatic (noun) extremely irrational, eccentric, or foolish person

lunatic, n. ▸ extremely irrational, eccentric, or foolish person

Right Ho, Jeeves • P. G. Wodehouse Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves try their hand at matchmaking in upper-class England.

New e-book: “Right Ho, Jeeves” by P. G. Wodehouse

schnook (noun) foolish or naive person

schnook, n. ▸ foolish or naive person

goober (noun) foolish person

goober, n. ▸ foolish person

ninny (noun) silly or foolish person

ninny, n. ▸ silly or foolish person

dippy (adjective) silly and eccentric

dippy, adj. ▸ silly and eccentric

daft (adjective) silly, foolish, or eccentric

daft, adj. ▸ silly, foolish, or eccentric

Meditations • Marcus Aurelius The personal diary of the Roman Emperor, in which he lays out his thoughts and philosophical musings on the Stoic philosophy and way of life.

New e-book: “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius

stoic (noun) person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining

stoic, n. ▸ person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining

Of the four Hippocratic humors, phlegm was categorized as cold and moist, so it follows that it’s proportional to being coolheaded, and inversely proportional to having no chill.

phlegmatic (adjective) having unemotional and stolidly calm disposition

phlegmatic, adj. ▸ having unemotional and stolidly calm disposition

unflappable (adjective) having or showing calmness in crisis

unflappable, adj. ▸ having or showing calmness in crisis

impassive (adjective) not feeling or showing emotion

impassive, adj. ▸ not feeling or showing emotion

dispassionate (adjective) not influenced by strong emotion, and so able to be rational and impartial

dispassionate, adj. ▸ not influenced by strong emotion, and so able to be rational and impartial

Peter and Wendy • J. M. Barrie A mischievous and cocky young boy, Peter Pan, takes Wendy and her brothers on adventures on a fantasy island consisting of mermaids, pirates, Native Americans, and fairies.

New e-book: “Peter Pan” by J. M. Barrie

Peter Pan (noun) person who is immature or retains youthful features

Peter Pan, n. ▸ person who is immature or retains youthful features

puerile (adjective) childishly silly and immature

puerile, adj. ▸ childishly silly and immature

juvenile (adjective) childish; immature

juvenile, adj. ▸ childish; immature

infantile (adjective) childish

infantile, adj. ▸ childish