Collocations about Books

Collocations about Books

Hello, dear English learners! Whether you’re a passionate bookworm or someone who occasionally picks up a novel between Netflix episodes, today’s lesson will help you speak about reading in a more natural, sophisticated way. These collocations frequently appear in everyday English, exams like FCE/CAE, and book reviews — so they’re worth learning well. Collocations about books

Let’s dive into some useful expressions connected with books and reading.

Be absorbed in a book

Meaning: To be completely focused on what you’re reading, unaware of what’s happening around you.

Derek didn’t hear me calling him because he was absorbed in a book.

This is perfect when describing someone lost in another world, nose buried in the pages.

Bedtime reading

Meaning: Books you read in bed before going to sleep.

Would you recommend a horror novel for bedtime reading, or is that a bad idea?

This expression is great for talking about reading routines.

Compulsive reading

Meaning: A book so interesting that you simply can’t put it down.

The new mystery novel was compulsive reading — I finished it in one night!

Use it to describe gripping fiction or a page-turning biography.

Light reading

Meaning: Easy, enjoyable books that don’t require too much concentration.

Romance novels are perfect light reading when you’re on holiday. Collocations about books

Great for describing books that entertain you without demanding too much brainpower.

Skim through a book

Meaning: To read quickly, without paying attention to all the details.

I skimmed through the detective story you gave me and decided to pack it for my holiday — it looks exciting.

Often used when previewing a book or checking its main ideas.

Speed reading

Meaning: A technique for reading text much faster than usual.

If you want to become a journalist, you’ll need to practise speed reading.

A very common term in academic and professional contexts.

Reading age

Meaning: A measurement of someone’s reading ability, often compared to the expected level of a child of a certain age.

Mary is learning Spanish; in that language, she has a reading age of eight.

Useful when talking about language learning or literacy skills.

Extensive reading

Meaning: Reading large amounts of easy or adapted texts to improve fluency, vocabulary, and reading speed — popular in ESL/EFL learning.

Extensive reading is enjoyable and incredibly effective for boosting your English fluency.

This collocation is especially important in teaching contexts and exam preparation.

Highly recommended reading

Meaning: Books that someone strongly suggests you read. Collocations about books

This guide to phrasal verbs is highly recommended reading for B2–C1 learners.

Set text

Meaning: A book that students are required to read for a course.

Macbeth was our set text at school, and we spent weeks analysing it.

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