A book review – B1+ English Writing

A book review – B1+ English Writing

Exercise 1

Read the sample book review and choose the best sentence to complete each paragraph.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist is a short novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho that tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd from Spain who dreams of finding a hidden treasure in Egypt. Along the way, he meets many people who help him learn important lessons about following his dreams and listening to his heart.

The plot is simple but meaningful. 1 ____. The story is like a journey of personal growth. It’s not full of action, but it keeps you interested because you want to know what Santiago will learn next. Santiago is a likeable main character, but some of the others—like the Englishman and the alchemist—feel more like symbols than real people. 2 ____.

3 ____. These ideas are inspiring; however, sometimes the lessons feel a bit too simple or repeated many times.

The book is short yet thought-provoking and 4 ____, so it’s good for intermediate readers. Some readers may find it beautiful, while others might think it’s too much like a self-help book. The story is positive and motivating. 5 ____. However, I didn’t find it very emotional or moving. It felt more like a fable than a realistic story.

The structure is clear and easy to follow. The pace is slow at times, especially during the desert journey. Not much happens in some chapters, which might be boring for readers 6 ____. I enjoyed The Alchemist because it made me think about my own goals in life. However, 7 ____. You’ll like The Alchemist, especially if you enjoy books with a spiritual or philosophical message.

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Page 1 of 7

1 Gap 1

A. Not only the main ones, but all the characters make you think about deeper ideas.

B. Coelho writes in a poetic way, with lots of quotes and messages, which is a style that might not be for everyone.

C. Santiago leaves his home and travels through the desert, facing challenges and finding himself.

Page 2 of 7

2 Gap 2

A. They all teach him something, but I didn’t feel very emotionally connected to them.

B. The book is full of deep messages about regret, choice, and self-discovery.

C. The story is set in Spain and the deserts of Egypt.

Page 3 of 7

3 Gap 3

A. The main events develop in a clear and interesting way.

B. The book talks about destiny, fear, and personal purpose.

C. The author uses simple language, making it easy to read.

Page 4 of 7

4 Gap 4

A. the language is easy to understand

B. the character grows with each chapter

C. the message is not always clear

Page 5 of 7

5 Gap 5

A. It is the ideal book for fans of fantasy books

B.The message is sometimes sad.

C. It encourages you to believe in yourself

Page 6 of 7

6 Gap 6

A. who enjoy slow-paced and descriptive storytelling.

B. who prefer fast-moving stories and exciting events.

C. who expect every book to have a dramatic ending.

Page 7 of 7

7 Gap 7

A. it describes the feelings of the readers

B. the writer talks about his own fears

C. I would have liked deeper characters

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A book review – B1+ English Writing

Have you ever finished a great book and wanted to tell someone about it? A book review is a way to share your thoughts. You can explain what the book is about, what you liked (or didn’t), and who might enjoy it. Reviews help other people decide whether they want to read the book too.

How to write a book review

When writing a review, it’s important to organise your ideas clearly. This way, readers will understand what the book is about and what you think of it. Try to include these points:

1️⃣ Introduction: Start your review with an engaging comment, question, or personal idea related to the book’s theme.

• Have you ever wondered…? ‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig is…

2️⃣ Plot and characters: Continue by giving a short summary of the story and introducing the main character(s).

• The story follows Nora Seed, a woman who…

3️⃣ Themes and ideas: Next, think about the deeper meaning of the story. What important ideas does the book explore? (e.g., regret, choice, self-discovery).

• The author does a great job of showing how small decisions can lead to big changes.
• It made me think more about my own life and choices.

4️⃣ Writing style: After that, say something about how the book is written. Is the language simple, emotional, clear, or difficult?

• The book is not too difficult to read, and the language is clear and emotional.

5️⃣ Emotional impact: Then explain how the book made you feel. Did it make you laugh, cry, or think more deeply?

• Some parts are sad, but the message of the story is positive…
• It’s a touching book that reminds us to appreciate the life we have.

6️⃣ Structure: Now, describe your experience while reading the book. Was the story well-paced? Did anything feel repetitive or confusing?

• I enjoyed the way the book mixes real-life emotions with a little bit of fantasy.
• However, the middle of the book felt a little repetitive…

7️⃣ Overall opinion: After giving details, share your general opinion of the book.

• Overall/Generally, it is a…

8️⃣ Recommendations: Finally, say who you think would enjoy the book, and who might not.

• I would recommend ‘The Midnight Library’ to anyone interested in/who enjoys…

Organising your review into paragraphs

You can organise your book review in different ways, but it’s a good idea to use 4 or 5 paragraphs to make your ideas clear. You don’t need a separate paragraph for each point. Some points go well together — for example, themes and ideas often connect naturally with emotional impact or writing style.

In the sample review below, the structure is:

• Paragraph 1: Introduction
• Paragraph 2: Plot and characters
• Paragraph 3: Themes, writing style, and emotional impact
• Paragraph 4: Structure
• Paragraph 5: Overall opinion and recommendation

Sample review

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made different choices? ‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig is a thought-provoking novel that explores this idea in a unique and imaginative way.

The story follows Nora Seed, a woman full of regrets, who wakes up in a strange library between life and death. Each book offers a different life she could have lived. With the help of a kind librarian, she explores these lives in search of true happiness.

The book is not too difficult to read, and the language is clear and emotional. The author does a great job of showing how small decisions can lead to big changes. It made me think more deeply about my own choices. Some parts are sad, but the message of the story is positive: life is full of possibilities. It’s a touching book that reminds us to appreciate the life we have.

I enjoyed the way the book mixes real-life emotions with a little bit of fantasy. However, the middle of the book felt a little repetitive, as Nora tries many lives that don’t work out. Still, the ending is powerful and satisfying.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable and inspiring read that stays with you after you finish it. I would definitely recommend ‘The Midnight Library’ to anyone who enjoys stories about self-discovery and personal growth.

Useful language

Here are some useful phrases that are often used when we talk about a book.

🔹 Expressing strong opinions

• I absolutely admired the main character’s ability to face every challenge.
• I absolutely detested the never-ending description of the countryside.

🔹 Talking about your reading experience

• I couldn’t get enough of the gossip dialogues between the main characters.
• I couldn’t get into the writing style; it didn’t show enough emotion.

🔹 Describing your reaction

• I couldn’t stand the main character’s attitude towards his family.
• I didn’t mind the slow pace of the first chapter.

🔹 Giving balanced opinions

• I really liked the way the story explored difficult topics with sensitivity.
• I really didn’t like how rushed the final chapter felt.
• I had mixed feelings about the ending — it was a bit unrealistic.

🔹 Making recommendations

• I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys magical realism.
• I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to younger readers — the themes are quite dark.

🔹 Comparing with other books

• If you like character-driven novels, then you’ll love this.

Adjectives, nouns, and verbs

Here is a list of some adjectives, nouns, and verbs you can use to describe books. You can also check the full vocabulary lesson on this topic, with definitions, example sentences, and exercises.