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• Write 4-5 new words you learnt and you think they could be useful for the final exam. Use a synonym or a definition to clarify their meaning. Please, don’t write words that nobody will remember. It’s interesting to learn new adjectives, idioms, etc. because this will help you enrich your vocabulary throughout the year

• Write a short but good summary (about 100 words) of the book you read so that other classmates may get interested in reading that book

• Last but not least, would you encourage your classmates to read it? Why? Why not?  (interesting plot, thrilling/dull, easy/difficult vocabulary, etc.)

  
  

tittle-tattle (n): talk about other people's lives that is usually unkind, disapproving, or not true.

as different as chalk and cheese (idiom): two people/ things completely different from each other (= as apples and oranges).

cold fish (n, informal): unfriendly person.

tonelessly (adv): without energy or enthusiasm.

Set in post-war England, the story unfolds in an eerie mansion called Three Gables. Aristide Leonides, a wealthy patriarch and the owner of the house, is murdered, and everyone living there becomes a suspect. The household includes the murdered grandfather, his second wife -who is fifty years younger than him- his first wife’s spinster sister, his two sons and their wives, three grandchildren, as well as the grandchildren’s tutor and the nanny. Each character is fascinating and well-developed, while the twisted family dynamics make the plot truly gripping. Along the way, secrets are uncovered, red herrings mislead the reader, and a surprising number of plot twists keep the suspense alive.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy mysteries, especially if you’ve already read an Agatha Christie's novel. In my opinion, it is one of her best works. It is a standalone novel -not part of Christie’s famous Poirot or Marple series- its characters are brilliantly crafted, and it is filled with humor. I practically inhaled it and loved every page. The story is engaging, fast-paced, and truly captivating.

Defiance (n): When someone tells you an order and you don't do it.

Elude (v): when you run out of something.

Leery(Adj): When you suspect of a person or a situation.

"The Outsiders" is a story that takes place in the USA. It talks about two gangs (the Greasers and the Socs) that hate each other and fight to get the control of their neighborhood. Ponyboy is the youngest member of the Greasers and the youngest of three brothers. One day, he and his best friend, Johnny, have to escape the city to hide from everyone because they did something terrible.

Throughout the whole book, you will see what life is like inside the gangs and how they deal with fights. For example, when friends die, they have to act normal the next day to avoid attracting attention from the police.

Why you should read THE OUTSIDERS:

This book talks about a powerful tale of friendship, identity, and survival. You’ll experience the struggles of growing up on the wrong side of town, facing prejudice, and finding hope in the most unexpected places.

  Inquest (n) : An official process to discover the cause of someone’s death.

“ scratch beneath the surface “ – To look further than what is obvious.

“ To dive into something “ – To start to do something suddenly and energetically, often without stopping to think.

“ take the blame “ – To say that you did it or that is your fault.

The story begins when two strangers meet on a train traveling through Texas.
After talking for a while, one of them, Bruno, suggests a way to commit the perfect murder. His idea is that they should exchange victims: Bruno would kill Guy’s wife, and in return, Guy would have to kill Bruno’s father.

Although Guy refuses the proposal, a few months later, he discovers that Bruno has already carried out his part of the plan. Then starts a nightmare for Guy.

Finally, I recommend this book because it is entertaining and easy to understand. However, it is not for long the best book I have ever read.

Hastily (adv): /ˈheɪstɪli/ - Too quickly.

Gingerly (adv): /ˈdʒɪndʒə^rli/ - Tentatively, cautiously.

Summon (n): /ˈsʌmən/ - Demand of presence - Law: order to appear in court

Hunch (n): /ˈhʌntʃ/ - Slight idea.

Summary:

First of all, that is a classic novel about detective plot, maybe one of the most famous detective known as Hercule Poirot, that is to say a classic Agatha Christie´s novel.

The main plot occurred when Hercule was travelling on the Orient Express and a murder happens one night without any witness, but lots of evidences, for sure red herrings…

Mister Bouc, as a director of the international wagon lits, asks Hercule to take charge of the investigation, and that it was. Mister Hercule Poirot starts looking for the evidence of every person in the wagon lit in order to find the truth.

Suggestion:

If you're a fan of thrilling mysteries, clever plotting, and unexpected twists, Murder on the Orient Express is a must-read.

Agatha Christie’s masterful storytelling takes you on a captivating journey aboard the luxurious train, where a seemingly perfect crime unravels layer by layer.

Not only does Christie create a compelling mystery, but she also explores themes of justice, revenge, and morality, making this classic novel more than just a whodunit.

Whether you're new to Christie or a long-time fan, Murder on the Orient Express promises a gripping and unforgettable experience.

Kind of cursing under his breath (Idiom):

It refers to speaking in a low voice while saying bad words.

Shuffling around (v): Walking slowly, showing tiredness.

Made us all totally crack up (Idiom):

Made us laugh out loud

Wonder is a novel about a boy (Auggie-10 years old) with a rare facial deformity and his journey to find acceptance.

Auggie has been homeschooled due to his numerous surgeries, but his parents decide it's time for him to go to school.

During the course he feels alone and at that moment her sister is his support.

The perspectives of Auggie's classmates and family members show the importance of kindness and understanding.

By the end of school year, Auggie earns the respect of his classmates and receives the school's prestigious for this courage, symbolizing his triumph over adversity. The novel emphasizes the power of empathy and the idea that being different is something to celebrate.

• I would recommend "Wonder" because it's an inspiring and heartwarming story about kindness, acceptance, and resilience.

• It is easy to read!

*ALMS (n)/ɑːmz/=clothing, food or money that is given to poor people. syn: charity, donation.

*BLURT (stg) out (Phrv)/blɜːt/=to say something suddenly and without thinking, usually because you are excited or nervous. syn: speak unthinkingly.

*BEGGAR(n)/ˈbeɡ.ər/=a poor person who lives asking others for money or food. syn: homeless person.

*BUNDLE(sb)UP (Phrv)/ˈbʌn.dəl/= to put warm clothes on yourself or someone else. syn: dress warmly, wrap up.

"Before we were free" is a historical novel set in the early 1960s during the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, the story centers on Anita de la Torre, an eleven-year-old- girl whose family become entangled in the political turmoil of the era. As her relatives mysteriously disappear and her family's involvement in the resistance deepens, Anita confront the harsh realities of living under an oppressive regime.

Through her eyes, readers experience the fear, confusion, and hope that define a young girl's journey toward understanding freedom and courage in the face of adversity.

I recommend this book because it is easy to read and understand the plot, and it has made me reflect on how lucky I am to live in a free country without dictatorship and Anita's perseverance and courage to follow a dream of being free.

Muster (n): the feeling of being very interested in something or excited by it.

Fleeting (adj.): continuing for only a very short time.

Futility (n): a lack of purpose, importance, or effectiveness.

Wistful (adj.): slightly sad because you want to have or to do something

“Get a foot in the door”: to enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful in the future.

This book tells the story of Chick Benetto, a baseball player. He’s losing control of his life. After a failed suicide attempt, he has an opportunity to get one more day with his dead mother, Posey. During this time, he remembers moments from his past and he realizes how much his mother loved him and the sacrificed she used to do. These conversations with his mother help him understand his mistakes and find hope again. The novel shows us about regret, family and has a second opportunity. The story reminds us the importance of loving your family before it is too late.

I suggest reading this book because it encourages us to reflect about the efforts our parents make for us, which we often don’t appreciate. I want to share two quotes from the book that I believe will make us reflect.

“one day spent with someone you love can change everything, a day to listen, to love, to apologize, to forgive”

“You need to keep people close. You need to give them access to your heart”

Mischievous (adj.): maliciously or playfully annoying.

Yell (n): a shout.

Resemblance (n): the state or fact of being or looking alike / similarity.

"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" is a novel that takes place over the course of one night in New York.

Nick is a bass player in a band and still hasn't recovered from his breakup with his ex, Tris. When he sees her at a club with a new guy, he impulsively asks Norah, the stranger next to him, to be his girlfriend for five minutes. Norah, who has her own complicated history with Tris, accepts the proposal, setting off a night of unexpected adventures.

What starts as a simple favor turns into an unpredictable journey. Between finding Norah's drunken best friend, dealing with her exs and sharing their love of music, Nick and Norah realize they might have a real connection.

I recommend this book because it’s easy to read and tells the story from both Norah’s and Nick’s points of view. This narration makes it more engaging and helps you fully understand their emotions and experiences. Finally, the mix of music, romance, and adventure keeps the story exciting!

To forestall: to prevent, hinder, or thwart by taking action in advance:

Cut and dried: Something already decided and unlikely to be change.

To be fond of:  to like someone or something very much.

Cards on the table is a detective fiction novel. The plot is about an eccentric art collector named Shatina who invites eight people to a dinner party, four of them are investigators. Once the dinner is finished, the group is split up in 2 rooms to play bridge.  The investigators are all sent to the the same room while Shaitana decides to stay in other room with the other guests. Nevertheless he prefers sitting by the fireplace instead of playing bridge. When the four detectives finish their last game, they go to the other room and they surpringly discover that Mr Shaytana had been killed by one of the card players. However, the other three bridge players weren’t aware that a murder was commited in their presence.

I would not recommend the book to my classmates. At the start, the book appears to be a page-turner as you need to find out who the murder is. However, from the middle of the book it turns out a heavy reading. On the other hand, as it was written in the 1930s most of the vocabulary that you could learn is old-fashioned.

Conceal – (verb) to hide something or keep it secret. Example: He tried to conceal the truth from the police.

Alibi – (noun) proof that someone was somewhere else when a crime happened. Example: She had a strong alibi and couldn’t be the murderer.

Intriguing – (adjective) very interesting and mysterious. Example: The detective found the case extremely intriguing.

Figure out – (phrasal verb) to understand or solve something. Example: It took me a while to figure out the ending of the book.

Turn out – (phrasal verb) to have a surprising or unexpected result. Example: The investigation turned out to be more complicated than expected.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous detective novels. The story is set in a quiet English village, where Roger Ackroyd, a wealthy man, is found murdered in his study. The famous detective Hercule Poirot, who has retired to the countryside, is asked to investigate. As he uncovers secrets, it becomes clear that everyone around Ackroyd has something to hide. The novel is full of twists, leading to a shocking revelation that surprises both Poirot and the reader. With clever storytelling and an unexpected ending, it is a must-read for mystery lovers.

Would I Recommend It?

Yes, I would recommend The Murder of Roger Ackroyd! The plot is gripping and full of suspense, keeping you engaged until the very last page. The vocabulary is not too difficult, and the writing style is clear. However, if you don’t like mysteries or slow-paced investigations, you might find it a bit boring. The book’s biggest strength is its unexpected twist, which makes it worth reading. If you enjoy detective stories and trying to solve the case before the detective does, this is the perfect book for you!

1. Retribution (Noun) - A synonym for "punishment" or "revenge".

2. Bigotry (Noun) - Intolerance towards people who have different opinions or beliefs.

3. Compelling (Adj) - Something that is very interesting and keeps your attention.

4. Acquittal (Noun) - A legal term meaning someone is declared not guilty of a crime.

Book Summary

A "Time to Kill" is a legal thriller set in Mississippi. It tells the story of Carl Lee, a Black father who takes justice into his own hands after his young daugther is brutally attacked by two white men. Jake, a young lawyer, defends him in a trial filled with racial tension, violence, and more dilemmas. As the town is divided and tensions rise, Jake must find a way to convince the jury that Carl Lee acted in self-defense. The novel explores themes of justice, racism, and morality, making it both gripping and thought-provoking.

Would I Recommend It?

Yes, I would recommend "A time to Kill". The story is thrilling, full of suspense, and makes you think about justice and morality. However, the vocabulary can be a bit challenging at times, especially the legal terms. Still, the plot is engaging, and the themes are very powerful. It you like courtroom dramas or books that make you question right and wrong, this novel is a great choice!

PS: Whoever prefers to watch the movie, it's also excellent, and I've seen it!

Utter: (verb) action of saying something. It could be words or sounds. Pay attention to the pronunciation!! /ˈʌtə^r/

Flee: (verb) run away of something or somebody.

Sullen: (adjective) when you show anger or irritation to someone but in silence, only whit your gaze. (Note: it is easy to remember that it you think in the word silence ;-)

This is a young adult novel written by one of the most relevant woman writers from the USA. The plot starts with a brief introduction of the main characters who give its name to the book. They are Matt Donaghy (also known as Big Mouth) and Ursula Riggs (also known as Ugly Girl). Matt and Ursula are both 16 years old, slightly freak but not unpopular, and they are attending classes in the same High School, but they aren’t friends. Matt is a good boy but talkative, and usually he is full of jokes. One day he is talking with his friends in the school dining room, and he jokingly says something about blowing up the school and someone takes it seriously. It’s only a matter of time he gets into trouble. The story has just begun, and it becomes hard for Matt who has to struggle with social gaslighting. Despite all his disgrace, surprisingly Ursula becomes his great friend and defender. The rest of the book is on your own.

I recommend this book even though it’s addressed to teenagers or young adults. Joyce Carol Oates is a little bit creepy writer because she is used to writing dark novels, where her characters suffer a lot. However, it faces you to an outside by common reality for others, and it forces you to take part in the story.

Ledge: Shelflike part sticking out from a wall, cliff or other up right structure

Bloke: an informal word for man.

Stalker: Person who follows or harasses somebody

Four very different people meet on New Year's Day on the terrace of a building. All of them are going through a bad time and have decided to commit suicide. They tell us the reasons that have led them there and decide to help themselves solve the different problems they have.

Their stories are quite sad but we see that the main problem of these characters is loneliness and the friendship that is generated between them helps them to overcome it.

I would not recommend this book becouse I have found the vocabulary difficult and I find it a bit sad.

Nonetheless: despite what has just been said or done. Similar to: Nevertheless.

Backyard: a space at the back of a house, usually surrounded by a fence, and covered with grass.

Predicament: an unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of.

Amazingly: in a way that is extremely surprising.

Somehow: in some way you are not certain about.

The book talks about a dog which through several lives finds his purpose in his life. Specifically in his second rebirth, the puppy was a Golden Retriever called Bailey. Bailey found that his purpose was to take care of his boy called Ethan. In fact, Bailey and Ethan spent most of the time together, but after some time, Bailey passed away. 

Then Bailey reborn as a German Shepherd and was named Ellie who was part of the police where she could save people. After some time Ellie passed away and one more time, the rebirth occurred, but this time the Labrador doggy was abandoned on the road. Nevertheless, he sniffed the place and recognised it. That place was where he was with Ethan some time ago! 

After days, he found the farm, and he realised that his boy was now an old man. He was really delighted to see, sniff and stay with his boy…In the final, Bailey said that each reborn provided him with different knowledge which allowed him to accomplish his purpose with Ethan.

I definitely recommend this book because it has in my opinion a mix of feelings. That is to say, you can feel happiness, sadness, suspense and emotion. Regarding the difficulty, I think there are interesting and new words but with the context you can understand their meaning.

• Surly (adj): Bad-tempered, unfriendly, or rude.

• Vindictive (adj): Having or showing a strong desire for revenge.

• Ravaged (adj): Severely damaged or devastated.

• Scuffle (n): A short, disorganized fight or struggle at close quarters.

• Taunt (v): To provoke or challenge someone with mocking or insulting remarks.

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

The story starts with two friends who see a car that looks abandoned when they are coming back from work. One of them, Arnie, decides to buy it because he feels a strange connection with it, even though his friend, Dennis, recommends that he should not do it.

From this moment on, the book tells us how Arnie's personality starts to change and how he does things that he would never have done before. Furthermore, he develops an obsession with his new car, calling it Christine and becoming very protective of "her."

To conclude the summary of the book's introduction, Dennis starts to have a strange feeling about Christine since he realizes that she repairs herself and may be connected to unusual accidents that began when she came into their lives...

RECOMENDATIONS

Personally, I recommend this book to anybody who likes psychological tension and enjoys when the main characters' development. It is interesting and has a touch of darkness to complete the atmosphere. Moreover, I think that the author expresses the feelings of some characters clearly during important scenes or chapters, helping me understand the meaning of their actions.

Despite all the positive things, I find the book has parts and chapters that are a little boring for me. Maybe I am only interested in the points of the story that may be relevant in the future, but I think that some details throughout the book are unnecessary for the plot.

In conclusion, despite all the bad things I mentioned, I still recommend this book. As proof of that, you can see that after this recommendation, I only summarized the introduction because I don't want to include spoilers, and even with this decision, I couldn't do it in less than 100 words.

Assail (Verb): Attack physically (A bull has assailed the man for no reason)

Glitter (Verb): Reflect light (The glass of water glittered in the sun)

Staggered (Adjective): Evenly spaced (The students are staggered in order to avoid copies in the exam)

Carrie is one of the Stephen King's most famous books. It talks about a girl with special powers.

This book follows Carrie who is a victim of bullying either by her classmates and by her own mother. One day she discovers she has telekinesis powers due to an abuse moment. She is invited by a boy to the prom, but she doesn't know she is going to be bullied again. After this event her powers manifest causing injuries and deaths. When trying to stop Carrie, her mother stabs her a knife in her shoulder. Bleeding out and desesperated she finally ends with the lives of her main bulliers.

I highly recommend this novel to people who likes horror and suspense books. Leaving aside the powers, the situation of the protagonist is still present in our lives and this book makes you to think about it. Related to her powers, there are people who still believe in them, what do you think about telekinesis?

• Glance: To take a brief or hurried look. E.g., He glanced back at the wall.

• Drench: To wet thoroughly or soak. E.g., I fell into the stream and was drenched.

• Apprentice: A person who is learning from a skilled employer. E.g., He began his training as an apprentice to a decorative painter.

• Mourn: To feel or show sorrow for the death of someone. E.g., Isabel mourned her husband.

• Spring: To move or jump suddenly or rapidly upwards or forwards. E.g., I sprang out of bed.

Summary:

The novel presents a futuristic society where people are forced to follow the same ideas. In this society, firemen exist, but instead of extinguishing fires, they are responsible for burning all books. One day, Montag meets Clarisse, a young girl who asks him thought-provoking questions that make him reflect on his life.

Later, Montag is sent to burn books in a house, but he secretly steals one. Over time, he starts gathering and reading books. One day, he confesses to his wife that he has a collection of books. Frightened, she reports him. Montag’s boss, Beatty, forces him to burn his own house. Montag obeys but, realizing he has been discovered, decides to kill Beatty and escape.

He runs away and eventually finds a group of intellectuals who have fled the oppressive system. These people have memorized books in an attempt to preserve knowledge.

Opinion:

I consider this book a good option for English students at the B2.2 level because most of the vocabulary is easy to read. Additionally, it includes a significant amount of vocabulary related to the words studied at this level, which helps with fluent reading.

The plot is intriguing. It presents a futuristic society where all people are forced to have the same ideas, and those who resist are considered mentally ill and either sent to a psychologist or made to disappear. While reading, we can find many similarities between the future described in the book and the future we are heading toward. This makes the novel an invitation to reflect on our present and the future to come.

The Hobbit is a story set in the Middle-earth that mixes fantasy and the power of teamwork. Bilbo Baggins, the main character decided to join the wizard Gandalf and the thirteen dwarves of Thorin's Company, on a quest to reclaim the dwarves' home and treasure from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, they are going to find unexpected and hazardous adventures. Bilbo will see a lot of creatures that he has never imagined in his whole life like trolls, goblins, elves, and Gollum, from whom he acquires the Ring which is going to be his doom. Will Bilbo prove himself as a brave hobbit?

I want to recommend this book only for those people who like fantasy, mythical creatures and hazardous adventures because they know how to enjoy these types of stories. Bilbo Baggins' journey shows us how a little creature can become from a boring and timid person to a courageous hero who saves all the mythical world.

·screw loose: If you say that someone has a screw loose, you mean that they behave in a strange way and seem slightly mentally ill

·gimmick: something that is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people's attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something

·sword: a weapon with a long, sharp metal blade and a handle, used especially in the past

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a funny diary-style book by Jeff Kinney that tells the story of Greg Heffley, a normal middle school student. The book is made up of diary entries with simple notes and cartoons that show us Greg's real thoughts and daily life. In the story, Greg talks about his challenges at school, his funny mistakes, and his efforts to fit in and deal with family issues. His experiences, moments and surprise laughs, give a great view at the ups and downs of growing up. The simple language and fun illustrations make it easy to read and enjoyable for everyone.

I would definitely encourage my classmates to read it because it is an enjoyable and relatable story that offers both humor and valuable ideas into everyday life. It's a great choice for anyone looking for a fast and fun read.

Feign - to pretend to have a certain feeling or to act in a way that is not real.

Hesitates - to pause before doing or saying something.

Nonchalant - appearing calm and unconcerned, often in a way that seems careless or indifferent.

Summary:

Lara Jean Covey, a quiet and romantic high school who has never confessed her feelings to the boys she liked. Instead, she writes secret love letters to them and keeps them hidden in a box. One day, the letters are mysteriously sent out, and Lara's life changes.

Among the boys who recive her letters are Josh, her sister's ex-boyfriend, and Peter, a popular guy. To avoid a embarrassing situation with Josh, Lara and Peter decide to pretend to be a couple.

At first, it is just a fake relationship, but as they spend more time together, Lara starts to develop real feelings for Peter.

Through this experience, Lara learns about love, family and the importance of taking risks. She discovers that real love can come when you least expect it.

This book explain a sweet and entertaining story about love, family and growing up. It is a perfect book for readers who enjoy romance and relatable characters. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and emotional read.

Hustling: Putting in a lot of effort, working hard, and being resourceful to achieve success, especially in business, entrepreneurship, or personal goals.

Squeak: Often caused by friction, like a door hinge, a mouse, or sneakers on a floor.

Indentations: Small depressions, spaces, or notches in something.

Miscarriage: The loss of a pregnancy before the baby can survive outside the womb, usually before 20 weeks.

Here is the summary of my book:

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a love story between Henry, a man with a genetic disorder that makes him time travel uncontrollably, and Clare, an artist who has known him since childhood. As they try to build a life together, they face many challenges, including Clare’s miscarriages and Henry’s inability to change the future. Henry eventually discovers he will die young, and after a tragic accident, he dies in Clare’s arms. Years later, she sees him one last time. The novel explores love, destiny, and loss, combining romance and science fiction in a moving story.

And here is my opinion:

I recommend you this book if you like the genre of adventure and love, this book makes an interesting mix of it. Talking about vocabulary, the vocabulary is so easy, but you will probably need a dictionary next to you. The book is nice to read and when you start, you won't be able to stop.

gazing: to look steadily and intently, as with great interest or wonder

winking: to close and open (one eye) quickly, often as a hint or signal

pantry: a room or closet in which food, groceries, and other provisions, or silverware, dishes, etc., are kept.

The book tells the story of 10 unknowns who are reunited in a mysterious island. There, some murders are committed but, who is the killer…?

You won’t know it untill you read it! I encourage all of you to do it!