47   I can talk about books

A    Types of book

I read a huge amount.

As an editor, I’m always using reference books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, manuals, catalogues, and so on. But I read a lot for pleasure too, and I particularly like poetry. At home all my books are arranged in alphabetical order (I know that’s a bit strange!). I’ve got loads of novels, murder mysteries, science fiction, etc. But there is non-fiction as well; I read quite a lot of biographies. My husband says I’m book-crazy.

 

Glossary

reference book  a book you use to find a piece of information.

encyclopedia  a book or set of books that gives information about many different subjects, arranged in alphabetical order.

manual  a book that tells you how to do or use sth such as a car or a computer.

catalogue  a complete list of things you can buy or see somewhere.

pleasure  a feeling of enjoyment.

poetry  poems in general (a poem is a piece of writing arranged in short lines which express thoughts and feelings through sound and rhythm).

alphabetical  listed in the same way as the alphabet: A, B, C, etc.

novel  a book that tells a story about people or events that are not real.

mystery  a story in which the events are only explained at the end (e.g. a murder mystery).

science fiction  books about events that take place in the future, often involving travel in space. SYN sci-fi INF

non-fiction  books about real facts, people, events, etc. OPP fiction.

biography  the story of sb’s life written by someone different (an autobiography is the story of sb’s life written by that person). 

1     Complete the table with words below.

catalogue   murder mystery   autobiography   manual

reference book   encyclopedia   novel   biography   sci-fi

Fiction 

____  ____  ____

Non-fiction

catalogue  ____  ____  ____  ____  ____

murder mystery; novel; sci-fi

autobiography; manual; reference book; encyclopedia; biography

3     Test yourself. Look at the glossary words and cover the meanings. What are the meanings?

  

B    Choosing a book

Booksellers’ survey: how did you choose the last book you read?

The title and front cover just attracted my attention.

I was browsing in a bookshop. I just picked up a paperback that looked interesting.

A recommendation by a friend - he said it was very readable and well written.

It was a gift, but I like the author so I was really pleased.

I looked through the first chapter- it looked fascinating.

 

Glossary

title  the name of a book, play, film, etc.

cover  the outside part of a book, magazine, etc.

attract sb’s attention  If sth attracts your attention, it interests you so that you want to look at it.

browse  spend time pleasantly in a shop looking at things.

paperback  a book with a thick paper cover (a hardback has a hard cover).

readable  easy or interesting to read.

gift  a thing that you give to sb, e.g. for their birthday. SYN present.

author  the writer of a particular book, play, etc.

look through sth  read sth quickly. SYN skim sth.

chapter  one of the parts into which a book is divided.

fascinating  very interesting.

 

spotlight  compound adjectives with well

There are many adjectives consisting of well + past participle, e.g. well written (of a book, article, etc.), well informed (= knowing a lot about a subject), well known (= famous).

 

6     ABOUT YOU Write your answers, or ask another student.

1     What kind of books do you find most fascinating? ________

2     What kind of reference books do you use most often? ________

3     Do you enjoy browsing in bookshops?  ________

4     Are you ever attracted to a book just by the cover? ________

5     Do you have more paperbacks or hardbacks? Why? ________

Answers from a Polish person

1     I like detective stories and biographies.

2     I use lots of different dictionaries.

3     I used to when I was younger and had more free time.

4     No, not really.

5     I have more paperbacks than hardbacks because they are cheaper, but also because many books only come out in paperback.