Talking about Books in English

Here are some useful phrases you can use when discussing books:

That book was a great read! (or an easy read.)

It was a page-turner. I couldn’t put the book down. I had to read it to the end.

The characters in the book were so real. I felt like I really knew them!

This book was written by an up and coming author. (new author with promise)

The book written about Obama was very timely. (Timely – meaning that it was written when it was most relevant.)

That book was not quite what I expected. I thought it would be more emotional and less scientific.

I didn’t think that this book would be good; however, it exceeded my expectations.

This is an award-winning book. It won 5 awards.

This book is lifeless. I didn’t like it at all.

He’s a terrible author; his book is full of clichés. (overused expressions or ideas)

We have a book club where we read a new book every week. Do you want to join?

10 thoughts on “Talking about Books in English”

  1. Hello.
    Have you ever read a book of a Science fiction written by
    a Japanese author?
    I recommend this one to you.
    http://bit.ly/cqFxGJ
    I think it’s good.
    but,I don’t know if you have an enough time to read.
    Because you have 3 kids. haha
    If you have a chance,please read.
    see you around.

  2. THANKS for this post, Yvonne!
    So far it´s has been one of my favourite ones. Guess why? Well, I´m a bookworm….Love reading. I haven´t stopped reading since I first learnt.
    The last book I´ve read was “The Road”, by Cormac McCarthy. It´s a page-turner. I couldn’t put the book down. I had to read it to the end and finished at 4 a.m. (I had to take loads of coffee the next day!). But it was worthy!
    I´ve also enjoyed “Angela´s Ashes” by Frank McCourt and “Blindness” by Jose Saramago. There are many many more books I love….the list is endless!!!
    What are your favourite books/authors?

  3. So, odd. I replied to this as soon as you posted it, but I don’t see my comment anywhere at all? I’ll reply again. I will add that to my reading list. I love to read different types of books. I have never read any book from a Japanese author. I look forward to it. I hope I can find it at the local library. Thanks so much for your recommendation!

  4. I’m a huge bookworm too. I love that word, BTW. Lately, I’ve been reading more fluff. I like to call them “candy for the brain.” Twilight for example. It was an easy read and fun too. My friends often give me books they read, so I read whatever I get. I’d say my favorite type of books are historical fiction. Do you read those? Thanks so much for your comment!

  5. Yes, I like to read different types of books, historical fiction included. I liked “The Cathedral of the Sea”, “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” by John Boyne, “The Good Earth” and “East Wind:West Wind ” by Pearl S. Buck, “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, “The house of the spirits” by Isabel Allende….
    I also love all books by Henning Mankell. I enjoyed “The time traveller´s wife” and “Just like heaven” so much. These are what you call “candy for the brain”. (I LOVE that!)
    OMG! The list is endless!
    I worked in a bookstore for 3 years and was the happiest person on Earth!
    BTW, here in Spain, we say someone is a “library´s mouse” instead of “bookworm”.

  6. I’m so impressed that you remember everything you’ve read lately. LOL. I am currently reading Mr. Nobody by Nicholas Sparks. I like his writing, though it always makes me cry. 🙁

    I love the expression – “library’s mouse” makes sense!

    Do you read these in English or in Spanish?

  7. Oh God! I cry a lot with some books! “Just like heaven” made me cry.
    I read in both Spanish and English. I´ve got a degree in Translation and love both languages!

  8. Wow, you have a degree in translation. That is pretty impressive! That makes sense, because your English is always so good!

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