INTRODUCING OUR BLOG: READING ENGLISH BOOKS TOGETHER

'Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body', said Joseph Addison, an English essayist, poet, and dramatist. I do agree. Moreover, I am convinced that reading is a tremendously enjoyable way of boosting your vocabulary and honing your English skills. So as you will have understood by now this blog run by me and my friends is for learners of English who know enough to function confidently in most settings but still would like to maintain and even improve what they already know.

The main goal of the blog is to promote reading as a rewarding activity, as a way for you not only to go further as a student of English but also to mature as an individual via getting valuable insights into what language is like, what sort of people famous writers like Jack London and Agatha Christie were, what messages art (painting, sculpture, architecture) gets over to us.

I am a professional English teacher and I have successfully practised reading English books with my students and I have seen books change them because when you have read a book, you come with your ideas to the class but other people have a totally different perception and in the heat of the argument the most profound thoughts are born.

I want to transfer what I successfully do in the classroom to the web, to stimulate worldwide online discussions of the best works of English and American literature. I am helped by my friends, teachers of English and English language enthusiasts, who are as passionate about the language as I am.

To cut a long story short, read this blog if

you are tired of coursebooks and want to look at and discuss new, thought-provoking topics

you have an avid interest in art, history, philosophy, literature

you believe that reading British and American fiction is a sure recipe for enhancing your language skills

you feel like exploring the finer points of English grammar

you are keen on learning English idioms, proverbs and phrasal verbs

you want to have no doubts as to which word to choose: base or basis, present or represent, committee or commission etc.

Image Credit: Disclaimer

This blog includes only texts written by me as well as by my friends but we use images we have found on the web, mostly in google pictures. If you find an image of yours and want it to be removed, or would like us to give credit to you as the author of this image, please let us know and we will be happy to do it.

Phrasal verbs typically used with the word ‘idea’

Read this post if you want to know... a) whether you should or you shouldn't use such adjectives as 'creative', 'responsible' and 'strategic' in your career profile or CV b) who was the first to use brainstorming sessions c) what arguments against brainstorming are commonly put forward d) what phrasal verbs collocate naturally with the word 'idea' LinkedIn, a business-oriented social networking service, annually publishes a list of words most overused by people in their career profiles and the adjective ‘creative’ is invariably on this list. In 2013 it was the third most overused word after ‘responsible’ and ‘strategic’ and in 2014 it was again in third place this time after ‘motivated’ and ‘passionate’. It is small wonder that so many people searching for a better job are keen to describe themselves as creative. Creativity seems to be the number one skill for the 21st century, when things are changing at a breathtaking pace and ...

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Be different. Learn idioms.

‘We are turning over a new leaf and if we put our shoulder to the wheel and keep our eye on the ball, we will enjoy success and never come back to the mundane life we used to have.’ What is an idiom? It is a fixed word combination whose meaning is not transparent. It creates a picture through which an idea is communicated to you. Can you find 3 idioms in the first sentence of this news item? Why study idioms? There are at least three valid reasons: a. to sound more interesting E.g. Which sentence sounds better: It is easy. or It is a piece of cake? b. to give importance to what you are saying, to make it more expressive Compare: His new film failed. or His new film sank like a stone. c. to break the ice or bring a smile to another person’s face: The film was so boring – like watching paint dry Can you add more reasons to the list? Test yourself on the commonest English idioms. Choose the right answer: 1. If you don't have any plan, you are going to play it by ... ...

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Grammar alert. Spelling of plurals.

When do you change -f into -ves in the plural form? What is the plural of belief and what is the plural of wife? Read our post below to find it out. First do a short vocabulary test. Choose the right answer: Easy questions: 1. What is the English word for ‘a young cow’? a. a calf b. a lamb c. a kid d. a foal 2. What is the English word for someone who steals money or valuable things from you? a. a hijacker b. a blackmailer c. a bribee d. a thief 3. If you have a strong feeling that something exists or is true, it is your … a. fantasy b. whim c. belief d. intention Difficult questions: 4. After farmers have reaped wheat or rye, they bind the cut plants in bundles. One of these bundles is called... a. a sheaf b. a scythe c. a rake d. a haystack 5. What do you call in English a piece of cloth you use to blow your nose with? a. a sponge b. a handkerchief c. a napkin d. a duster 6. What is the English word for a small fairy-tale creature with pointed ears that has ma...

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Reading English Books Together

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