Hey there! This is TOP episode 288. 9 Phrases for Talking About Books in English
Are you tired of lacking confidence when speaking English? Does it block you from achieving your true goals? This podcast is the place for you. This is Teacher Ola Podcast. My name’s Ola Mierniczak and I empower English learners to become confident speakers. The key to fluency is in your pocket. You’ll boost your vocabulary, brush up your grammar and improve your pronunciation. Enjoy your journey to fluency!
Hey there, thank you so much for joining me today! Ever finished a book and thought, ‘How do I describe this in English?’ Maybe you loved it so much you couldn’t stop reading… or maybe it was so boring you fell asleep! (I’ve been there!) In this episode, I’ll teach you 9 essential phrases to talk about books. All of them are practical and easy to remember. Plus, I’ll give you real-life examples so you can start using them right away. After listening to this episode grab your copy of a corresponding Worksheet. Download it at teacherola.com/288.
One more thing! Do you want to revise and boost your basic English vocabulary and start using it while speaking English? Then you can’t miss this — I’m inviting YOU to a totally free live English class on Saturday, April 27th at 8 PM!
The topic? “Free Time!” We’ll talk about useful, everyday phrases and expressions you can actually use when talking about your hobbies, weekends, and what you do to relax.
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Let’s start today’s episode! 9 Phrases for Talking About Books in English
One. “I really got into it.”
This phrase means you became deeply engaged with the story after some slow start, for instance. I really got into it. It’s perfect for describing books that surprise you with how much you enjoy them after the first few chapters. Use this when a book gradually pulls you in and becomes hard to stop reading. It suggests the book grew on you over time. Examples:
The beginning was slow, but once the mystery started, I really got into it.
After about 50 pages I really got into it.
Two. “I couldn’t put it down.”
This means the book was so good that you wanted to keep reading non-stop. It suggests the book is extremely engaging, with suspense, emotional pull, or an exciting plot that keeps you hooked. Use this for books that make you stay up late reading or ignore other responsibilities because you need to know what happens next. Sentences:
The thriller was so intense – I couldn’t put it down.
I couldn’t put it down – I even read it during my lunch break.
Three. “It’s based on a true story.”
This indicates the book’s events actually happened in real life, though some details may be fiction. It’s commonly used for biographies, historical fiction, or dramatic description of real events. This phrase adds weight to a story because readers know it really occurred, making it more powerful or meaningful. For instance:
This book is even more moving because it’s based on a true story.
I prefer reading books based on true stories because they teach me a lot.
Four. “It was a real page-turner.”
A page-turner is a book that’s so exciting you quickly turn pages to see what happens next. This describes books with fast-paced plots, suspense, or unexpected twists that keep your interest. Examples:
The detective novel was a real page-turner.
If you’re looking for a page-turner for your vacation, I recommend this book.
Five. “It was an easy read.”
This means the book was simple to understand and enjoyable without being challenging. The language was clear, the plot straightforward, and it didn’t require much concentration. Use this for light novels or anything that feels relaxing to read rather than intellectually demanding. Like in these examples:
After studying all day, I wanted an easy read.
The book uses simple language, making it an easy read.
Six. “It was hard to follow at times.”
This indicates the book was confusing, perhaps because of complex language, too many characters, or a non-linear timeline. It’s useful when criticizing books that require extra effort to understand what’s happening. Listen to example sentences:
The science fiction novel was interesting but hard to follow at times.
There were so many characters with similar names that I found it hard to follow at times.
Seven. “I kept falling asleep while reading it.”
Obviously, it means the book was extremely boring or slow. It suggests the writing failed to keep you interested, literally making you sleepy. It’s a more colorful way to say a book was dull. For instance:
The book was so dry – I kept falling asleep while reading it.
I tried reading that famous classic novel but kept falling asleep.
Eight. “There was too much description, not enough action.”
The book focused on describing settings, appearances, or backgrounds without moving the plot forward. There weren’t enough actual events happening to keep you engaged. Listen:
There was too much description, not enough action in the first half.
Nine. “It’s a bit slow-paced.”
This means the story develops slowly without much excitement or quick plot movement. A slow-paced book takes its time describing characters and setting before events take place. While this isn’t always negative (some readers enjoy this style), it often suggests the book requires patience. For instance:
This family drama is well-written but a bit slow-paced.
If you like slow-paced novels, you’ll enjoy this.
Time for your practice. Speak English right here right now! Listen to 10 sentences from today’s episode and repeat them but only out loud! Let’s go!!
After about 50 pages I really got into it.
The thriller was so intense – I couldn’t put it down.
This film is even more moving because it’s based on a true story.
The detective novel was a real page-turner.
After studying all day, I wanted an easy read.
The science fiction novel was interesting but hard to follow at times.
The book was so dry – I kept falling asleep while reading it.
I tried reading that famous classic novel but kept falling asleep.
There was too much description, not enough action in the first half.
If you like slow-paced novels, you’ll enjoy this.
Great job learning these 9 phrases today! Remember, the key is to use them in real conversations—try describing your current read to a friend, or even talk to yourself about it. Yes, that counts!
For extra practice, I’ve created a free worksheet to help these phrases stick. Grab it at teacherola.com/288.
If this episode helped you, share it with a fellow bookworm or English learner! And if you’re feeling extra kind, leave a review or rate or like this episode. It helps more amazing listeners like you find the show.
That’s it for today. Thank you so much for listening! I’ll see you in the next episode. I believe in you—you can speak English with fluency if you truly want it! Stay fearless, take care, and say it out loud! I’m your teacher, Teacher Ola, and you’ve been listening to the Teacher Ola Podcast. Bye for now!