A New Little Book of Wonder Is Here (Thanks to You!)

How one beloved post turned into a pocket-sized book of everyday magic

A couple of days ago (yesterday? What even is time right now? ), I shared a post called Words to Wonder By—a simple list of 20 beautiful, evocative words from around the world. Each one is a tiny doorway into a feeling, a moment, or a way of seeing.

I wasn’t sure how it would land.

But something about it clearly clicked. That post quickly became one of my most-read articles to date. It seems to have really resonated. I heard from so many of you who were moved by the idea that a single word — especially one from another culture or tradition — could awaken a long-lost sense of awe or belonging.

One reader in particular,

Try to be kind

, left a comment that gently nudged me in a new direction. They simply said:

“You could make a little book out of them!”

And so… I did. A little book you can hold in your hands, tuck into a bag, or gift to someone else who loves wonder.

Introducing:

Words of Wonder:

20 untranslatable words from around the world to help you rediscover awe, softness, and the poetry of being human

A pocket-sized ebook filled with 20 more soul-stirring words from around the world (new and fresh, different from the ones in my Words to Wonder By article) — each one chosen to spark curiosity, beauty, and a sense of quiet connection.

I’ve expanded the original idea into a full collection, featuring even more words, brief reflections, cultural notes, and meanings that linger. It’s not a dictionary. It’s more like a trail of stardust through language — a collection of portals and poetic glimpses into how different people, across time and place, have captured the ineffable.

If you loved the first article, you’ll love this.

Here's one of the words featured in the book:

Goya (Urdu) – story enchantment

The suspension of disbelief that lets a story become real; literally means ‘as if’ or ‘so to speak’

Pronunciation: GO-yah

✧ Poetic Definition

The moment when a story wraps around your heart so tightly that you forget where you are. Not just listening—but living within the tale.

✧ Cultural Context

Goya is an Urdu word used to describe the magical moment when fiction becomes more than imagination—when a narrative is so immersive, so well told, that the boundary between reality and story blurs….con't.

Where to Get It

Head to my Ko-fi shop ☕ to download it at whatever price feels right to you. If you’d like to support my writing journey, feel free to “buy me a coffee” — every contribution sends sparkles my way. You’re always welcome to enjoy it for free first, and if it brings you joy, you can come back and buy me a coffee later.

It is published through Draft2Digital, and will soon be available through most major retailers — Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more. You can check out the listing here that has the book at limited retailers (as of writing, but more will be added as the platform sends the book out to them!).

Why Words?

Words have always been one of my portals back to wonder.
They offer a quiet kind of magic.
They remind us that humans all over the world have tried — and often succeeded — in capturing awe, softness, mystery, and belonging in just a single syllable or two.

My hope is that this little book will be a keepsake for those who, like me, are always looking for a more soulful lens through which to see the world.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and nudging this idea into being.

If a word in this little collection speaks to you—I'd love to hear which one. Just hit reply or leave a comment, or you can even send an email to hello@doseofwonder.ca. I’m always curious what lands with each person.

With wonder,
Caitlin

If this letter found you at the right time, feel free to share it with someone else who might need a little wonder today.

Dose of Wonder is a free publication.
If something here stirred your heart or made you pause — and you’d like to support my work — you can do so for less than the price of a fancy coffee (just $3).
Click the image below or the ‘Support Me’ link at the top of my page (doseofwonder.ca).
Every small contribution helps keep the wonder flowing.

With heartfelt thanks, always.
— Caitlin

P.S. Want to write for Dose of Wonder?

If you're curious about sharing your voice and ideas here as a guest writer, I’d love to hear from you. Your piece will be sent to all my subscribers—and you can cross-post it to your own audience too.

More eyes. More wonder. More connection.

Curious? Read this article for all the details →