Episode 94: There's nothing like reading a good book

Listen to this Episode of "Coffee with Gringos" here or on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher.

Paige: You are listening to “Coffee with Gringos.” I’m Paige Sutherland.

Ian: And I'm Ian Kennedy.

Paige: Today, we're going to talk about books. Remember if you get lost, check out the audio guide and transcript online. Okay, Ian. Are you reading a book right now? What are you reading?

Ian: I am reading a book right now. It's a classic novel from the US. It's called “The Cat in the Hat.” No, I’m just kidding. So yeah, I am reading a book right now. It's called “The Book of Five Rings.” It's a classical text on the way of the Japanese sword. So, it's a book written by a Samurai master from the 17th century and he was an undefeated Samurai master in Japan, who had over 50 duels, and was undefeated. So, the book is all about the way of the sword, the way of his school of martial arts. But what's interesting is all of the lessons—they also apply to life, in general. So, while specifically talking about ways of the martial arts—the way of the Samurai—they’re things that you can apply to your own life. So, it's great advice. It's a really interesting book. It’s something that I, normally, maybe wouldn't read unless I really did some research on it or had been recommended it. So yeah, it's really good. So, I'm a big reader—I'm somewhat of a bookworm so I always like reading something. So, that's the one I'm finishing up right now and then I'll move on to the next one in the stack.

Paige: And, I have to ask because we are abroad in a Spanish speaking country, how do you read? Do you buy books at home and bring them back? Do you read on your Kindle? Do you listen to an audiobook?

Ian: Yeah, good question. So, I really like reading the classical hardcopy book, so I like having it in my hand with the pages. There's something nice about not reading on a screen. I really just like reading a book, so I usually have the hardcopy of the book. For my English books, I usually will order books and send them to my parents’ house in the US, and I'll either have them ship them down to me here or when I go home to visit, I’ll take home a stack. There are a number of people here that offer when they're done with books, they'll put them online, on Facebook, for people to come and get. So, I'm always looking at those too. But yeah, it's a little bit harder to just pop in somewhere and get a good English book around here, so you have to work a little bit harder. What about you, Paige? Are you a reader? Are you reading something interesting at the moment?

Paige: I went to a liberal arts college, which you did too, Ian, and we read so much in school—probably too much. And so, when I graduated, reading to me felt like homework. So, for probably a year or two after college, I did not read and I could feel my brain degrading. Like, I needed to pick up reading again. And the beauty is it's not homework—I can read whatever I want, whenever I want. And that's kind of the philosophy that I've had as a grown-up reader now. Right now, I'm reading four books. I like to read multiple books because sometimes I'm in the mood for a nonfiction book, historical nonfiction. Sometimes, I'm in the mood for fiction, a good story, maybe a romance, or, maybe, a memoir. You know, something that's a little lighter or a summer beach read. So, I feel like when I was in college, it was like you have to read this book and have to finish it. But now, I'm reading four books at whatever pace I want. One night, this book. The next night, this book. And I've liked that a lot better. So right now, I'm reading—I'm rereading—Harry Potter in Spanish. I'm almost done with Book Five, so that's been exciting. I'm also reading a nonfiction book about World War II. It's about the US ambassador who lived in Berlin when the Nazi regime took over. So that's actually really, really interesting. And then, I'm reading a fiction book about this star-crossed lover romance that lived in Spain during the dictatorship.

Ian: Wow, so you got a wide, wide genre range there. And so, you say that you read multiple books at the same time, and it depends on what mood you're in for what you want to read. So, for example, what makes you in the mood to read Harry Potter, as opposed to reading the nonfiction book about World War II?  Is it at a certain point at night, you're like this would be more interesting? Or tonight, I want something a little more fantastical like Harry Potter? I guess, what dictates your mood?

Paige: Fair, I guess it depends on my workday. So, if I had a really stressful day, I'm probably in the mood for the romance book, right? I try to have a routine, so every night I start with reading Harry Potter in Spanish because I'm trying to learn Spanish. It’s a little more work for me even though the story is great—I think it's very entertaining. My Spanish isn't amazing so I like to finish with something a little lighter. Like, I'll read Harry Potter and then move to either the fiction or nonfiction book. Right now, I'm reading more and more into the historical but before, I was really into crime—true crime—which I don't really recommend reading before bed. And I get really into crime, so I would end up reading this book until two or three in the morning because it was like oh, I need to find out who killed her. Or, you know, do they catch them? A really good one I read is Stephen King's new novel, “The Outsider.” That was really, really good. As they say, a book you can't put down.

Ian: And those are always the best books, right? The ones that you start it and you can't put it down. You know, you get to the end of a chapter and you're like oh my God, I have to figure out what happens and that's the sign of a really good book. That's great and that's when you know you've picked a good one.

Ian: And just a quick reminder, if you are interested in taking private classes with Dynamic English, go ahead and check out our website at dynamicenglish.cl. And there you can sign up for private classes in your apartment, in your house, in your office. You can even now take classes online. Sitting on your couch, you can log on and practice English. It's very easy. So, if you're interested, check us out also, on social media through Facebook or Instagram.

Ian: Do you ever, sometimes, start a book and like the first couple chapters in or maybe halfway in, you just abandon it and say, this isn’t really good. I don't want to waste my time reading this. Does that happen? Are you someone that, when you start a book, you say, I'm going to finish it no matter what?

Paige: That's a good question. I think I'm very competitive. That was hard for me to break that habit because, at school, you don't like a book, you have to read it because it's an assignment. But as an adult who's reading in your free time. Which, as adults, we don't have much of it. If I don't really like the book, I don't feel obligated to finish. So, what I try to do is I give it a solid effort so I'll read, you know, a few chapters. If I'm not too into it, I'll put it down and then maybe a couple of weeks later I'll try it again. And then the second try if it's just not meshing, then I don't feel obligated to finish. What about you?

Ian: I'm kind of the same way. I mean, there definitely have been a couple of books where like a quarter of the way in and then just say, no, I'm not doing this. I'm not going to waste my time. But I think too though, it's maybe something that has to do with the mood or has to do with what you're feeling, right? So, it's usually not like I'm never going to pick this book up again. It's like, I'm going to set it back on the shelf and wait for the time when it feels right again. And one thing that I really liked about books as compared to, you know, we're in this digital age where you have so many things shoved in your face—so many movies and series and things—where the imagination part, I feel like it's kind of been taken away. Because in a movie or a series or anything that has a visual to it, they’re kind of giving you the version of the story, right? What's really, I think, amazing about a book is you get to create your own story, your own imagination, you get to, in your own head, you get to picture the characters, the setting, the story, all the details. And that's something I think that separates it from, you know, sort of watching a movie or a TV show or something. You have to think for yourself and it makes your brain think more. That's why I think reading is so amazing for young kids compared to just watching a show or anything like that because you're really helping them to use their own imagination, which goes and affects everything else in their life. So, I remember being a little kid and just having stacks of books and never getting bored. And I was even more excited back then than I ever am now with a million different titles on Netflix or HBO or all these different things, right? And so, I think that reading is somewhat of a loss or I feel like there are less people reading now than when we were younger. And I don't know how you feel about that. I feel like with technology, it's kind of something that's slowly fading away and I don't like it.

Paige: I agree—I think, as you said, with technology, there's just more to do. Back in the day, you had free time and there weren't a lot of options—you just go outside, you go for a walk, you play with a ball. But here, it's like you can watch a million shows on Netflix, you can play a million games. There are just so many different options of things to do with your free time and watching TV is a lot easier than picking up a book and reading it. Because of these options, reading isn't always at the top of the list. It's easier to sit down and in bed and stream Netflix.

Ian: Yeah. And another part of that too is, I don't want to just be calling people out.

Paige: Lazy people.

Ian: Yeah, right? But it's like I get it too. If you’re working all day and you've had a long day, and especially, if you read all day at work, maybe at the end of the day you say, I just want to zone out. I just want to chill and watch something, right? I totally get that. And same like what you mentioned in school, you have a lot of kids in school, a lot of kids in college, who don't want to read because they're being forced to read. It's like you said when you're there, read this book, you're going to have a paper or exam over it. That honestly takes away the fun of it. When I read, I want to be able to just completely disconnect, put myself in the story, and not worry about if I want to put it down for the night. It should be something that it's more fun without that pressure. So, it's hard for people who are studying, also. So, at the end of the day of writing papers and reading and do I really want to read another book? Usually, no.

Paige: No, I agree. But I think that's why it's so important to find the genre that you love. Because we have this tendency of that we get a book and we have to finish it and work through it—even if we're not enjoying it. But I think the beauty is just to find the books that you enjoy and then it isn't work. It's something like you stay up till 4 am reading it because you need to find out what happens or you're so into the story. So, I think when you find your genre and what you like, then reading isn't work and it is like watching a show on Netflix. It's enjoyable. So, what is your genre that you prefer?

Ian: Great question. So, typically I like things that are more nonfiction. You know, I’m a big history buff so I really like reading historical accounts, biographies, and memoirs. I don't read a lot of science fiction or fantasy. For example, I didn't like the Harry Potter books.

Paige: Why??

Ian: I don't really like Harry Potter movies either. I know it's a really unpopular comment but, I think, I read the first two Harry Potter books and then just said, “No, I’m done.” So, what I really love about it is, I can really disconnect—so much with social media, technology, working on computers all day. For me, at the end of the day, I need to put everything down and just open up the book. And, I mean, it helps me relax, it helps me fall asleep, so I usually open up the book before I go to bed, and when my eyes are just about to close, that's when I shut it and lay down. So, for me, it's like a real escape more than anything anymore. And, again, we're told what things are through movies and videos, through all those and so, it's nice to kind of be the captain of your own imagination.

Paige: Fair. Well said. You know, I do the same. I feel like you're on a screen so much that when I go to bed, I need to read to unwind, unplug. Another thing I love about a book is when I read a book and I can't stop thinking about it. When I put it down and I want to talk about it and debate. And that's why Malcolm Gladwell, I think, is such a good writer. He takes topics and he just researches the hell out of it and sees it from a different angle. So, you leave going, wow, I never thought of it like that or that's so crazy that that happened in that way and I didn't know that. So, he's one of my favorite authors. I've read every book that he's written, but I struggle here, like you said. Like, every time I go home, I'll bring back five books. It's like half my suitcase. But often, if I don't have a book, I have to order it on Kindle. Which, I hate reading on Kindle. I like a hardcover. I am on screens a lot for work. So, yeah. Expat struggles.

Ian: Yeah, expat struggles. You’re right, though that there's something magical about feeling, smelling the book, touching the pages, reading it like it's supposed to be read, you know.

Paige: No, I agree. Well, listeners, you should be inspired by me and Ian now to go read a book in English, to better practice your English.

Ian: Exactly.

Paige: So again, if you get lost, check out the audio transcript and guide online. Thanks for listening.

Ian: We'll see you next time.

Paige: “Coffee with Gringos” was brought to you by Dynamic English, where you can learn English simply by using it. If you’re interested in taking classes or just want to learn more, go to our website at dynamicenglish.cl. Thanks for listening.

Key Vocabulary, Phrases & Slang:

 1.     undefeated (adjective): never lost a game, battle, or fight.

a.     He was the undefeated champion boxer of the world.

2.     duel (noun): a fight between two people with weapons for honor.

a.     The Samurai master won many duels in his life.

3.     bookworm (noun): a person who loves to read.

a.     I’ve been a bookworm ever since I was a little kid.

4.     stack (noun): a pile of objects on top of each other.

a.     I bring a stack of books home whenever I visit my family.

5.     audiobook (noun): an audio recording of a reading of a book.

a.     Many people are listening to audiobooks nowadays.

6.     to ship (verb): to send something to someone via mail service transportation.

a.     It’s possible to ship products all over the world in just a few days.

7.     to pop in (phrasal verb): to quickly visit somewhere to look for something.

a.     She wants to pop in the store to see if they have the book.

8.     to degrade (verb): to become worse; to lower the quality; to deteriorate.

a.     I feel like my brain is degrading whenever I don’t read for a long time.

9.     to pick up (phrasal verb): to return to something again.

a.     I need to pick up running and biking again after quarantine is over.

10.  nonfiction (noun): writing based on facts, real events, and real people.

a.     Nonfiction is my favorite kind of book to read.

11.  pace (noun): speed; rhythm.

a.     I like to read at whatever pace I want.

12.  regime (noun): government, especially authoritarian.

a.     Books about the Nazi regime are so interesting to me.

13.  star-crossed (adjective): stopped by bad luck or circumstances.

a.     Romeo and Juliet were famous star-crossed lovers.

14.  genre (noun): certain type or category of art such as music, literature, etc.

a.     Their favorite book genre is science-fiction.

15.  fantastical (adjective): imaginative or unrealistic.

a.     Fantastical books like Harry Potter are very popular.

16.  to dictate (verb): to control; to determine.

a.     The mood I’m in usually dictates the kind of book I want to read at night.

17.  to abandon (verb): to leave something, to stop caring for something.

a.     Sometimes, I abandon books that are interesting to read.

18.  obligated (adjective): required, mandatory.

a.     I don’t feel obligated to read books that I don’t like.

19.  to mesh (verb): to fit well with something; to be in harmony with something.

a.     If a book doesn’t mesh with me, I stop reading it.

20.  to fade (verb): to slowly disappear.

a.     I hope that the love of reading doesn’t fade with younger generations.

21.  to call (someone) out (phrasal verb): to criticize someone for their actions.

a.     She likes to call out everyone who doesn’t support the same ideas as her.

22.  to get it (phrasal verb): to understand something.

a.     People don’t want to read after a long day of work—I get it.

23.  to zone out (phrasal verb): to relax and not think about anything.  

a.     I just want to zone out this weekend and watch TV.

24.  to chill (verb, slang): to relax.

a.     We should just chill this weekend. I don’t feel like going out.

25.  tendency (noun): pattern of particular behavior or characteristic.

a.     Students have the tendency to hate reading since they read so much for school.

26.  buff (noun): a person who is interested in a specific topic; a fanatic of something.

a.     She is a Harry Potter buff and wants to read every book.

27.  to unwind, unplug (verb): to relax and disconnect.

a.     It’s important to unwind and unplug after a long day using digital devices.

28.  expat (noun, abbreviation): expatriate; a person who lives outside their native country.

a.     Life as an expat can be very interesting.