Imagine walking into a bustling café, spotting a friend across the room engrossed in a book. You stride over, curious about what might have them so captivated. How would you ask about the plot or characters? What words would you use to express your own love for literature? Whether you are a bibliophile or someone trying to develop a reading habit, having the right words, specifically collocations, can make your conversations about books far more interesting and engaging. How would you like to sound like a literary connoisseur the next time you discuss books?
Let’s delve into 37 popular English collocations related to books that will enrich your discussions:
1. Page-turner: A book that is so engrossing you can’t stop reading.
Example: I stayed up all night reading that page-turner.
2. Hard cover: A book that has a rigid covering.
Example: I prefer hard cover books as they are more durable.
3. Plot twist: An unexpected turn in the storyline.
Example: The plot twist in the novel left me completely stunned.
4. Character development: The process by which a character changes and grows.
Example: The character development in that book is remarkable.
5. Captivating storyline: A narrative that keeps you engrossed.
Example: The captivating storyline made it impossible to put the book down.
6. Compelling narrative: A story that is powerfully convincing and engaging.
Example: The author’s compelling narrative made even the mundane aspects seem interesting.
7. Biographical novel: A book that tells a real person’s life story.
Example: The biographical novel about Steve Jobs was eye-opening.
8. Historical fiction: A genre that combines historical facts and fictional elements.
Example: My favorite historical fiction is ‘The Book Thief’.
9. Epic saga: A long and grand narrative, often spanning generations.
Example: ‘Game of Thrones’ is a well-known epic saga.
10. Final chapter: The last part of a book.
Example: The final chapter brought the story to a satisfying conclusion.
11. Fictional character: A character that is invented for the story.
Example: Harry Potter is a fictional character.
12. Plot summary: A brief description of the main events in a story.
Example: The plot summary on the book’s jacket intrigued me.
13. Award-winning author: An author who has received significant literary honors.
Example: The book is written by the award-winning author, Margaret Atwood.
14. Love interest: A character who is the object of another’s affection.
Example: The protagonist’s love interest added an emotional layer to the story.
15. Fantasy novel: A book featuring magical and imaginary elements.
Example: The ‘Lord of the Rings’ is a classic fantasy novel.
16. Graphic novel: A story told in comic-strip format.
Example: The graphic novel ‘Maus’ explores the horrors of the Holocaust.
17. Bestseller list: A list of books that are selling in large numbers.
Example: Her debut novel made it to the bestseller list.
18. Protagonist: The main character in a book.
Example: The protagonist in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is Scout Finch.
19. Antagonist: The character who opposes the protagonist.
Example: Voldemort is the antagonist in the ‘Harry Potter’ series.
20. Story arc: The development or resolution of the narrative or characters.
Example: The story arc in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is captivating.
21. Literary fiction: A genre of fiction that focuses more on style, psychology, and character.
Example: ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a renowned piece of literary fiction.
22. Book review: An evaluation or analysis of a book.
Example: The book review in the newspaper praised the author’s storytelling ability.
23. Ghostwriter: A writer who writes books, speeches, etc., for another person who is named as or presumed to be the author.
Example: Some famous personalities hire a ghostwriter for their autobiographies.
24. Classic literature: Works of literature that have stood the test of time.
Example: ‘Moby Dick’ is considered classic literature.
25. Cover art: The artwork on the cover of a book.
Example: The cover art of the book was so intriguing that it made me want to buy it.
26. Genre fiction: Fiction written to fit into a specific literary genre.
Example: Agatha Christie wrote genre fiction, specifically detective novels.
27. Plot device: A technique used to advance the plot.
Example: The letter found in the attic was a plot device that revealed the protagonist’s true identity.
28. Tragic hero: A hero who makes a mistake that leads to their downfall.
Example: King Lear is a tragic hero in Shakespeare’s play.
29. Psychological thriller: A genre of fiction that involves the psychological aspects of the character.
Example: ‘Gone Girl’ is a great example of a psychological thriller.
30. Mystery novel: A type of fiction where a detective solves a crime.
Example: ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ is a famous mystery novel.
31. Poignant moment: A moment in the story that stirs strong emotions.
Example: The poignant moment when the two friends parted ways made me cry.
32. Reading habit: The regular practice of reading books.
Example: Cultivating a reading habit from a young age is beneficial.
33. Comic relief: A humorous element in a serious or tragic setting.
Example: The jester often provides comic relief in Shakespeare’s plays.
34. Series finale: The last part of a book series.
Example: Fans eagerly awaited the series finale of the ‘Hunger Games’.
35. Autobiography: A book written by a person about their own life.
Example: ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ is a famous autobiography by Anne Frank.
36. Literary masterpiece: A work of outstanding creativity, skill, or workmanship.
Example: Many consider ‘War and Peace’ to be a literary masterpiece.
37. Memoir: A historical account or biography written from personal knowledge.
Example: ‘Educated’ is a compelling memoir by Tara Westover.
In conclusion, the world of books is enchanting and profound, and with these collocations, you’re well-equipped to dive deep into it. Whether you’re at a book club, a literary festival, or just talking to a friend, you now have a richer vocabulary to express your thoughts on books more effectively. So, go ahead, pick up that page-turner, and get lost in its captivating storyline!