Vocabulary · Free time
Reading and books in English
A2
Reading and books in English: books, novels and comics, the parts of a book, the people and places of reading, and useful verbs like borrow and lend. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Books and formats
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| book(n.)“I read books every day.” | pages with words, inside a cover | /bʊk/ |
| novel(n.) | a long story about invented people | /ˈnɒvəl/ |
| comic / comic book(n.) | a story told in pictures | /ˈkɒmɪk/ |
| magazine(n.) | a thin weekly or monthly publication with photos | /ˌmæɡəˈziːn/ |
| newspaper(n.) | printed daily news on large pages | /ˈnjuːzpeɪpə/ |
| dictionary(n.) | a book that explains words | /ˈdɪkʃənri/ |
| textbook(n.) | a book you use at school | /ˈtekstbʊk/ |
Parts of a book
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| page(n.) | one side of a sheet of paper | /peɪdʒ/ |
| chapter(n.) | one part of a book | /ˈtʃæptə/ |
| title(n.) | the name of a book | /ˈtaɪtəl/ |
| cover(n.) | the outside of a book | /ˈkʌvə/ |
| paperback(n.) | a book with a soft cover | /ˈpeɪpəbæk/ |
| hardback(n.) | a book with a stiff, strong cover | /ˈhɑːdbæk/ |
People and places
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| reader(n.) | a person who enjoys books | /ˈriːdə/ |
| author / writer(n.) | the person who creates a book | /ˈɔːθə/ |
| character(n.) | a person in a story | /ˈkærɪktə/ |
| library(n.) | a place where you borrow books | /ˈlaɪbrəri/ |
| bookshop / bookstore(n.) | a place where you buy books | /ˈbʊkʃɒp/ |
Verbs and useful words
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| to read(v.) | to look at words and understand them | /riːd/ |
| to borrow(v.) | to take something and give it back | /ˈbɒrəʊ/ |
| to lend(v.) | to give something for a short time | /lend/ |
| story(n.) | a description of events, real or invented | /ˈstɔːri/ |
| plot(n.) | what happens in a story | /plɒt/ |
| fiction(n.) | invented stories | /ˈfɪkʃən/ |
| non-fiction(n.) | books about real facts and events | /nɒn ˈfɪkʃən/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
I bought this book at the library ❌
A library lends books: you borrow them and give them back. A bookshop (UK) or bookstore (US) sells books. So you buy a book at a bookshop and borrow one from the library.
I readed ❌: read is irregular
Read is irregular: read → read → read. The spelling stays the same, but the sound changes: present /riːd/, past /red/. Readed does not exist.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Reading and books
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Going further
The “Reading and books” topic is part of the contest vocabulary
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Practise on PLAYReading and books: learn these words for good
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For teachers“Reading and books” vocabulary, ready for your lessons
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say you like reading in English?+
Say I like reading or I love reading. Here, reading is a gerund: a verb in -ing used like a noun. I like to read is also correct. To say how much you read: I read a lot.
What is the difference between a library and a bookshop?+
In a library, you borrow books for free and bring them back later. In a bookshop (UK) or bookstore (US), you buy books. Many learners mix up these two places.
How do you pronounce read in the past?+
The spelling does not change, but the sound does. In the present, read is /riːd/, like need. In the Past Simple and the past participle, read is /red/, like bed: Last week, I read a great book.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/reading
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.