Book

Verb + book

• read a book

• write a book

• open / close a book

• finish a book

• enjoy a book

Adjective + book

• a good book

• a long / short book

• an interesting book

• a boring book

• the book is heavy-going

Noun + of + book

• a chapter of a book

• a copy of a book

• a page of a book

• the title of a book

• the author of a book

• a pile of books

Expressions

• browse through a book

• read a book from cover to cover

• lend a book to (him)

• borrow a book from (him)

Exercise

Verb + book

1. Our science teacher has written several textbooks on chemistry teaching.

2. My eyes were tired, so I closed the book and put it down on the bedside table.

3. I’m nowhere near finishing the book - I'm only half-way through it!

4. I'm reading a book on Japanese history at the moment.

5. I enjoyed the book you gave me for my birthday. It had a really good ending.

Adjective + book

1. It took me over a month to read War and Peace! I think it's the longest book l've ever read.

2. It was such a good book. I finished it in a day! I just couldn't put it down!

3. I don't know how anyone could be interested in such a boring book. I gave up on page 2!

4. All these books look so interesting.I don't know which one to choose!

5. The book on globalization you gave me was rather heavy-going. I gave up half-way through it. There was too much information in it for me to take in.

Noun + of + book

1. I'm on the last chapter of the book, so l'll finish it before lunch. I've only 5 pages left to go.

2. What's the title of William Boyd's new book?

3. J K Rowling is the well-known author of the Harry Potter series.

4. There was a pile of books on top of the table.

5. I can't find a copy of the book anywhere. All the shops have sold out.

6. I only managed to read two pages of my book before I fell asleep.

Common expressions:

1. I only dipped into the book, but Liz read it from cover to cover - twice! - d

2. Don't ask Jane for her copy of 'Hamlet'. She doesn't like lending anybody her books. - c

3. I browsed through the books in the library, but I couldn't find one I liked. -a

4. I'm afraid I borrowed your course book without asking. - b

Notes

1. Note these ways of saying someone is very interested in a book:

   • William was so engrossed in his book that he didn't hear me come in.

   • William was completely lost in his book.

2. Note that book can refer to the phonebook:

   • Give me a call - my numbers in the book.

   • Look up his number in the book.