Celeste LeCompte

Lately, I have been thinking about buying a dictionary.

Specifically, I’m thinking about acquiring the American Heritage Dictionary that was released last fall.

It’s a strange thing to do in 2012, I realize, but this Boston Globe article summarizes many of the reasons that resonate with me. An appreciation for “what print does well,” a Usage Panel that makes me go weak in the knees, and a seriously thoughtful effort to tie a beautiful physical object (that has its own usefulness) with digital tools that I could actually use.

But let’s be honest. Mostly, I want this dictionary because of Alison Bechdel, whose blog and writing I adore.