Daily News Lesson Roundup: Lessons for Book Lovers
Books are a gateway into different worlds, different lives and different perspectives. But they can also be great language study tools.
In the past, we highlighted some Daily News lessons about famous books from Western literature. This time, we have a collection of articles on the wider culture of books and the interesting ways they've appeared in news from around the world.
(We've highlighted various topics, but be careful to choose lessons that match your English skill level!)
Book Subscriptions: The Surprise Craze Readers Love
Level 7: Advanced
What kinds of things do you subscribe to? Music- or movie-streaming services? Perhaps your local gym?
Well, there's another type of subscription service you may not have considered before: books! And people who try them are discovering that they have many perks and benefits they may not have expected.
US Book Club Finishes Finnegans Wake After 28 Years
Level 6: Intermediate
What's the longest it has taken you to finish a book?
One book club in California decided to read a novel that is famous for being very difficult to read. But they didn't give up — even after nearly three decades!
1984 Was Russia’s Most Stolen Book in 2023
Level 8: Advanced
1984 is a classic novel about a dystopian society in which citizens have few rights and little power. Although it was written by English author George Orwell in 1949, the society described in the book has important similarities to modern Russia.
Banned Book Tops Amazon Best-Seller Lists
Level 6: Intermediate
"There's no such thing as bad publicity."
This is a common English expression that means people usually give more attention to things they are told are "wrong." The boost in sales for an award-winning graphic novel Maus: A Survivor's Tale is one example of this idea. But why was it banned?
Brontë or Bell? Female Writers Who Used Pseudonyms
Level 8: Advanced
A pseudonym is like a fake name, and they are often used by writers. But why would someone not want to use their real name after working hard to write a book? There could be a variety of reasons, and this article will explain one of the biggest ones.
What's the 'Old Book Smell' and Why Do We Love It?
Level 6: Intermediate
Some smells that aren't traditionally considered "good" can still be very pleasant. For example, some people enjoy the smell of a book that's been left on a shelf for years. But what exactly makes books smell that way?
Rare Copy of Harry Potter Sells for Over $13,000
Level 7: Advanced
The Harry Potter series is one of the biggest franchises in history, with fans all over the world. Maybe that's why when this rare book appeared, some people were willing to pay a lot of money to get it!
Related article: Learn British Slang with the Harry Potter Series
Study Says Reading Fiction Helps Us Understand Others
Level 8: Advanced
What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
According to the researchers mentioned in this article, people who read literary fiction early in their lives see the world a bit differently than others do. Are you one of these types of people?
How Three Famous Writers Got Their Pen Names
Level 6: Intermediate
We've already mentioned pseudonyms — special names writers use when they publish their work. These can also be called "pen names," which is a bit easier to understand.
In this lesson, learn about the stories behind three famous pen names for three very different writers.
Many UK Adults Enjoy Reading YA Fiction
Level 6: Intermediate
"YA" is short for "Young Adult." Think of stories like the Harry Potter series. But although these books were originally written for younger people, it doesn't mean grown-ups can't enjoy them as well!
Wrap-up
It doesn't matter if they're physical, digital or audio files, books are an important part of our culture. While they can entertain us with great stories, sometimes news about the books themselves is also quite interesting!
Don't forget that Engoo has many excellent tutors who also have a passion for reading. Schedule a lesson with one and practice your English while chatting about one of your favorite books. 📙
