E-BOOKS
There are several ADVANTAGES of e-books
- Capacity – You can store thousands of books on one device.
- Portability – E-books are small and light, making them easy to carry with you wherever you go.
- Cost-effective – E-books are often cheaper than paper books, and sometimes they are even available for free.
- Customizable text – You can adjust the font size, font style, and background color to make reading more comfortable for you.
- Convenience – You don’t need to go to a library or bookshop to get a book; you can purchase and download e-books from the comfort of your own home.
- Language learning – You can easily look up the definition of a word by simply clicking on it while reading an e-book.
Despite the advantages, e-books also have some DISADVANTAGES
- Cost of e-reader – You need a special handheld device called an e-reader to read e-books, and it can be quite expensive.
- Eye strain – Extended reading on a screen can cause eye strain and fatigue.
- Power dependence – E-books require power, and you have to recharge the battery in your e-reader.
- Format compatibility – Not all book formats are compatible with all e-readers.
Examples of format types are PDF, Word, HTML, etc.
PRINTED BOOKS
- In AmE, it is referred to as hardcover, and in BrE, it is called hardback.
- In AmE, it is called softcover, and in BrE, it is known as paperback.
- Printed books are timeless and irreplaceable; they last forever.
- Many people prefer printed books as they enjoy holding them, touching the pages, and even smelling them.
- The only disadvantage of printed books is that they take up a lot of space at home.
AUDIOBOOKS
- Audio books are very useful and practical, especially for people who have trouble reading.
- They help with time management – you can listen to the story while doing other activities such as driving, cooking, or relaxing.
- They also aid in training our listening skills, making us better listeners when it comes to conversations with friends or teachers.
- Audio books can also improve pronunciation, especially for language learners.
WHERE TO GET A BOOK?
- Books can be bought in a small specialised stone bookshop or a giant shopping centre. People can have a cup of tea or coffee there and sometimes see a new book presentation.
- We can get a book via the Internet by purchasing it or downloading it for free.
- Some people still borrow books from a library. Libraries store books, magazines, and newspapers. If you want to borrow a book, you will pay a small fee and get a library card. You also have to respect a lending period.
THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE
Every year, the Swedish Academy announces the Nobel Prize winners in literature. Winning the Nobel Prize in literature is one of the highest honours for a writer. Some of the Nobel Prize winners are: Ernest Hemingway for his book: The Old Man and the Sea, John Steinbeck, Samuel Becket, Pablo Neruda.
My favourite story is a fable.
A fable is a short story that teaches a moral or lesson.
One of my favourite Aesop’s fables is “The Bear and Two Travellers“
The story is about two travellers who are on their way to the city to look for work. While walking, they come across a giant bear. One of the travellers climbs up a tree to escape while the other one falls to the ground and pretends to be dead. The bear sniffs him and whispers something in his ear before wandering away. The other traveller comes down from the tree and asks his friend what the bear said. The man replies that the bear gave him some advice and said, “Next time, go on a journey with someone who won’t leave you at the first sign of danger”
The moral of this story is to choose your friends carefully, and a friend in need is a friend indeed.