Talking about books and reading in English.
Are you a bibliophile, a bookworm or an avid reader?
Whether you’re talking about your favourite piece of literature in your IELTs speaking test or just recommending a novel to a friend, this article aims to provide you with some of the vocabulary and expressions that will come in useful for talking about reading and books in English.
Expand the links below for vocabulary lists with definitions.
italki is a global language learning community that connects students and teachers for 1-on-1 online language lessons.
-
Plot: The sequence of events that make up a story, including its beginning, middle, and end.
Character: A person or entity in a story, play, or novel, often with distinct qualities or traits.
Setting: The time and place in which a story takes place.
Theme: The central idea or message that the author is trying to convey.
Genre: A category or type of literature, such as romance, mystery, science fiction, or historical fiction.
Fiction: A narrative that is not based on reality, often containing elements of imagination or fantasy.
Non-fiction: A narrative that is based on reality, such as biographies, memoirs, and history books.
Style: The way in which the author writes, including the use of language, sentence structure, and literary devices.
Conflict: The struggle or problem that drives the plot of a story.
Imagery: The use of descriptive language to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
Tone: The author's attitude toward the subject matter.
Point of view: The perspective from which a story is told.
Narrator: The person or entity that tells the story.
Cliffhanger: An ending that leaves the reader in suspense, often leading into the next installment of a series.
Plot twist: A surprise or unexpected turn in the storyline.
Hardback: A book bound in stiff covers. Usually books are published in hardback version before paperback.
Paperback: A book bound in stiff paper or flexible card
Blurb: a short description of a book written for promotional purposes.
-
Gripping: Holds the reader's attention throughout the book.
Captivating: Keeps the reader interested and engaged.
Compelling: Draws the reader in and makes them want to keep reading.
Thought-provoking: Stimulates the reader's mind and encourages them to think deeply.
Entertaining: Provides enjoyment or amusement to the reader.
Engaging: Draws the reader into the story and makes them feel a part of it.
Heart-wrenching: Emotionally intense, often eliciting strong feelings of sadness or empathy.
Inspiring: Encourages the reader to pursue their goals or dreams.
Enchanting: Delights the reader with a sense of magic or wonder.
Suspenseful: Builds tension and anticipation throughout the story.
Complex: Has intricate plotlines and well-developed characters.
Poignant: Evokes a strong emotional response in the reader.
Moving: Touches the reader on an emotional level.
Informative: Provides useful or interesting information to the reader.
Provocative: Challenges the reader's ideas or beliefs.
Humorous: Makes the reader laugh or smile.
Insightful: Offers deep insights into the human condition or the world around us.
Descriptive: Uses vivid language to paint a picture in the reader's mind.
Evocative: Conjures up strong emotions or memories in the reader.
Masterful: Shows great skill and craftsmanship in its writing and storytelling.text goes here
-
Historical Fiction: This genre involves stories that take place in a specific historical era or time period. Historical fiction often features real-life historical figures and events and aims to provide an accurate representation of the era's customs, beliefs, and way of life.
Romance: As the name suggests, romance fiction revolves around romantic relationships and typically includes a happy ending.
Science Fiction: Science fiction often explores speculative or futuristic concepts and incorporates elements of science and technology. This genre typically includes futuristic settings, advanced technologies, and imaginary worlds and creatures.
Fantasy: Fantasy fiction involves magical or supernatural elements and often takes place in a fictional world or universe.
Mystery: This genre usually revolves around a central mystery or crime that needs to be solved. Mystery fiction often features a detective or amateur sleuth as the protagonist, and the plot usually involves twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.
Thriller: Thriller fiction aims to create a sense of suspense and excitement in the reader. This genre often features fast-paced action, danger, and tension and can include sub-genres such as crime, spy, and psychological thrillers.
Horror: Horror fiction aims to scare or shock the reader and often involves supernatural or paranormal elements. This genre can include sub-genres such as supernatural horror, psychological horror, and slasher horror.
Literary Fiction: This genre is characterized by its focus on character development, thematic complexity, and literary merit. Literary fiction often explores social issues, political ideologies, and philosophical questions and typically aims to provide a profound commentary on the human condition.
Graphic Novels: Graphic novels are a form of comic book that tells a complete story through a combination of text and artwork. They can cover a wide range of genres, including superhero stories, memoirs, horror, and fantasy.
"Trashy" Novels: This is a colloquial term for books that are often considered low-brow or of questionable literary quality, but are still immensely popular and enjoyable to read. These novels can include sub-genres such as romance, mystery, and thriller, and are often characterized by their focus on entertainment and escapism rather than literary merit.
Dystopian Fiction: This genre explores dark, futuristic societies that are often oppressive and dysfunctional. Dystopian fiction typically features a protagonist who must navigate a harsh, often totalitarian world, where individual freedom is limited, and the state controls every aspect of life. Dystopian fiction can include sub-genres such as science fiction, post-apocalyptic, and speculative fiction, and often serves as a commentary on current social and political issues.
Classic Literature: This genre includes works of literature that are considered to be of high literary merit and have stood the test of time. Classic literature often features complex characters, intricate plots, and a deep exploration of human nature and society. Classic literature can include sub-genres such as romance, tragedy, comedy, and historical fiction, and often reflects the time period in which it was written.