book review c1 level

• How to Write a Review for Cambridge C1 Advanced

• Posted on 28/09/2022
• Categories: Blog
• Tags: C1 Advanced , CAE , Cambridge Exams , Writing

Are you planning to take the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) exam?

If so, you will need to complete two pieces of writing during the Writing paper. Part 1 is always an essay , while part 2 gives you two different questions and you must choose only one of them to complete. One of these may be a review.

As writing the perfect review for part 2 can be quite tricky, we have created this handy guide with everything you need to know to impress your examiner and get top marks in your exam.

Let’s get started!

Before you Begin

Imagine this! It’s exam day, you turn the page and see this question:

Question taken from Cambridge English Language Assessment website . (September 2022)

What is the first thing you need to do after reading your question? Well, you need to consider the following things:

• Who is our reader? This helps you know what style to write in.
• What is the topic? What are you writing a review for?
• What do you need to include? Which questions do you need to address?

We recommend you read the question carefully and underline the key information.

Now that you understand the question, it’s time to plan your review.

Three Steps to Writing the Perfect C1 Advanced Review

Step 1: plan it.

Planning your review is one of the most important steps so you don’t waste time correcting any big mistakes later!

Think of a book or film which focuses on somebody who has made an important contribution to society. When you have one in mind, you can start thinking of the structure of your review. Take a look at the example structure here:

1. An interesting title

2. An introduction

3. A summary of the plot

4. What did I learn about the person’s life from the book/film?

5. How did the book/film help me understand why this person made their important contribution?

At this stage, it is important to also think about the vocabulary you want to use. Remember to use advanced C1 vocabulary in your review (try to avoid ‘very’ and ‘really’).

Here is some advanced vocabulary that you can use to describe films and books:

Step 2: Write it

Now that you have your plan, it’s time to start writing!

Firstly, think of a title. You can keep it simple if you cannot think of anything too creative. For example, it could just be the name of the book or film that you’re reviewing.

Next is the introduction. A nice feature to use here is a rhetorical question . This is a question you ask your audience to grab their attention, for example:

Have you ever watched a film that has had a long-lasting impression on you?

Or you could include a general statement about the book or film:

The film Super Size Me received glowing reviews from critics. Spurlock’s story is eye-opening and gives the viewers some food for thought .

You could also give some background information about the film or book:

The plot of the film Super Size Me centres around Morgan Spurlock, a director who conducts a social experiment to highlight the effects of consuming McDonald’s fast food for an entire month.

Now you need to move onto the main paragraph. Here you should summarise the plot of the film or book. For example:

At the beginning of the film, Spurlock undergoes a medical examination to ensure he doesn’t cause long-lasting irreversible damage to his health. Throughout the month, he only consumes McDonald’s meals…

After briefly describing the plot (remember, no spoilers!), you can address the two questions.

For the conclusion, you need to sum up your thoughts on the book/film. You can do this by using some of the phrases below:

– Taking everything into consideration,…

– All things considered,…

Step 3: Check it

Checking your writing is probably the most important step. You don’t want to avoid losing out on points over tiny mistakes, right?

Here are some points to think about while checking your review:

• Have I answered all the questions?
• Have I stayed within the word limit?
• Have I used the appropriate writing style?
• Is my spelling correct?
• Have I used punctuation correctly?
• Have I used advanced vocabulary and a good range of grammar?
• Is everything connected and coherent ?

Useful Grammar

Make sure you are using a range of grammatical structures in your exam. Your grammatical accuracy as well as your grammatical range are both taken into consideration by the examiner.

Take a look at some of these grammar points that you will most likely come across in the C1 Advanced exam:

Conditionals

Cleft sentences

Modal verbs

Remember that you will also need to know these for the reading and use of English section of the exam, so it’s a good idea to brush up on your grammar!

Top CAE Writing Part 2 Exam Tips

Here are some important exam tips to help you feel more prepared when writing your review:

• You have 90 minutes in total for the whole exam
• Divide your time equally between part 1 and part 2 of the writing exam
• For part 2, use 10 minutes to plan , 25 minutes to write , and 10 minutes to check
• You have a word count of 220 and 260
• The review could be for a film , book , hotel , magazine , restaurant or a product

Remember to get plenty of sleep before your exam so you feel well rested for the big day. Good luck!  

Looking for Help with your CAE Exam Preparation?

If you’re looking for guidance and feedback to help you pass your Cambridge C1 Advanced exam with confidence, then take a look at our exam preparation courses . Classes are dynamic and practical and our friendly professional teachers will help you get the score you need.

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Gripping (adj): something that holds your interest (usually a story).

Cliffhanger (n): a story which is exciting and suspenseful because you don’t know what will happen next.

Fast-paced (adj): lots of exciting action happening quickly.

Letdown (n): a disappointment.

Second-rate (adj): not impressive, mediocre.

Eye-opening (adj): some information that is new and surprising.

Food for thought (exp): something worth seriously thinking about.

Undergo (v): to experience something, usually something unpleasant or a change.

Irreversible (adj): cannot be reversed.

Coherent (adj): a piece of text that is clear and is connected well.

Brush up on (pv): to improve your knowledge of something that you may have forgotten a little.

adj = adjective

exp = expression

pv = phrasal verb

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Cambridge English: Advanced

Check out students' answers to Flo-Joe's CAE Writing tasks with a teacher's feedback

• Writing Class

Writing Class: Review

Task type: review.

Question You see the following announcement in a magazine:

Write your review for the magazine readers. (220-260 words)

Makeover: Anja

Read Anja's answer to this question below. Try correcting the piece of writing yourself first: use the marking codes to think about what might be wrong (or what's good) about the piece of work. Then when you're ready, click the green buttons in the text for our feedback.

This is a very good answer Anja. You've given a summary of the person's character and the impact on him of the decision to save JFK. The review is written in an appropriate format and in an engaging style that would hold the reader's attention throughout. It's clearly organised. Starting with an introduction to the book, two main body paragraphs and a well-crafted conclusion bringing the review to a close. Good use of cohesive devices to link your ideas and sentences together. Finally, you have used language flexibly and shown your ability to describe simple and complex ideas clearly. I have made a couple of stylistic comments, which I think helps a couple of sentences flow a little better, but these are subjective rather than corrections. Well done!

Marking Code

/\ Word(s) missing

- Omit word

C Capitalization

O Organisation

P Punctuation

PE Poorly expressed

R Register/Formality

SS Sentence Structure

T Tip (Not wrong but a suggestion)

WF Wrong form

WO Word order

WT Wrong tense

WW Wrong word

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• English levels
• Understand your English level

C1 Advanced

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR ) has six levels, from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for users who are proficient in the language.

What can a C1-level learner of English do?

Learners who achieve C1 Advanced level can:

• understand a wide range of more difficult, longer texts and recognise implicit meanings
• express themselves fluently and spontaneously with little need to search for the right expression
• use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. They can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects.

Find learning materials at your level

The learning materials in the different sections on LearnEnglish are organised by English level based on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

In our Skills section, you can practise your C1 listening , C1 reading  and  C1 writing  skills. In our Grammar section, you can practise your  C1 grammar .

There are also lots of video, audio and reading materials suitable for C1 Advanced level learners in Business and General English for further practice to help you improve. You can try activities in  Video zone , Audio zone , B2-C1 stories , and  Britain is GREAT .

In our Learning hub , there are lots of activities suitable for C1-level learners to practise your English skills and interact with other learners from around the world.

You can also search for learning materials by level, by section of the site or by topics of interest.

Find learning materials

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You can take our online level test to get an approximate indication of the English level you are working towards or completing.

You can use the test result to help you find suitable learning materials at your level.

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5 recommended novels for B2 and C1 level English speakers

• By Christina Jones
• July 4, 2022

Introduction

Reading is one of the best ways to improve your English, and you don’t have to read boring textbooks or study guides. There are a lot of great novels out there that can help you learn more about the English language while still being enjoyable! These books are particularly useful for B2 and C1 level learners.

( *Disclosure: I only recommend books and products I use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. )

The Circle by Dave Eggers

The Circle by Dave Eggers is a great book to read if you’re interested in dystopian novels, as it’s set in the near future and explores what could happen when the internet is used for all kinds of nefarious purposes.

The Circle focuses on Mae Holland, an employee at a social media company called The Circle with its founder, Eamon Bailey. It’s not long before Mae begins to realize that she has unwittingly become part of a larger conspiracy involving surveillance and mass manipulation.

The Life of Pi by Yann Martel

This novel is a story about a boy and his journey with a tiger on a boat. Pi Patel is the main character, and he teaches us about faith, survival, and family. This story will take you on an adventure through the imagination of Pi Patel.

This book would be recommended to anyone who wants to read some great books for English learners of all levels. The Life of Pi contains many different topics that can help improve your vocabulary as well as give you new words to add into your own vocabulary bank!

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng 

If you’re looking for a story that’s both easy to read and compelling, Little Fires Everywhere is the perfect choice. The story follows the Richardsons, a wealthy suburban family living in Shaker Heights, Ohio. When their daughter gets pregnant at age 16 and gives birth to a daughter named Izzy, they decide to adopt her baby sister after learning that her birth mother plans on giving her up for adoption as well. At the same time, Ruby Warrens (the mother of two teenagers) decides that she wants to adopt an Asian baby—even though she doesn’t have much money or other resources available—in order to give her son some connection with his Chinese heritage after he’s bullied by other kids at school. When Ruby moves into an apartment above where one of the Richardson children used to live (who has since moved out), she begins working as an assistant for Mrs Richardson until it becomes clear how close these two families really are…and why!

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a story about friendship and betrayal, set in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion and subsequent American presence. It’s about a boy who is betrayed by his best friend. This novel explores themes of guilt, redemption and forgiveness; family loyalty, friendship and betrayal; love and anger. The language used throughout this book is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

This book will appeal to those studying at B2 or C1 level English because it contains complex vocabulary that may be difficult for lower level learners but which can be explained in simple terms by an instructor without losing any of its meaning or impact on students’ understanding of the story itself.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a beautiful novel that tells the story of Achilles and Patroclus, two soldiers who fight in the Trojan War. While their stories are told separately, they merge together as they become friends, lovers and finally enemies. The story also explores their relationship with each other as well as with their mothers – one very stern and one very loving.

The author’s writing style is poetic but not overly so; she uses words like “butterflies” instead of “fluttering”, which makes it easier for an English learner to understand what’s going on in her narrative without having to look up too many words! It’s the perfect read for someone who wants something fun yet challenging at any level of English proficiency from B2/C1 upwards (and it’ll make you cry).

Read these novels for pleasure and increase your vocabulary!

Novels are a great way to improve your vocabulary and grammar. If you want to know more about the English language, reading is a very good option; it’s also a relaxing activity that can be done anywhere at any time.

Reading novels is an excellent way of improving your reading skills because it will help you understand what you read better and faster. By doing this, you’ll be able to concentrate and pay attention more easily during conversations with native speakers or in class-room situations where there are many distractions around (for example, music playing loudly in the background). You’ll also learn new words very easily while reading because they’re presented in context within sentences.

If you’re an English speaker who wants to improve your proficiency, these five novels are a great place to start!

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6 Books Advanced (C1-C2) English Students Must Read Now

Updated: October 9, 202 3

Advanced (C1-C2)

Time: 9 minutes

Isn’t it frustrating when you want to read something in English, but you don’t know what to read? One thing I always hated when I was learning French or any other language was that it was hard to find reading books for my level. Some were way too easy, or they were for children (we’re all grown!). Often times, though, they were simply not the correct level. I don’t want you to struggle and feel frustrated like I did. I have expertly chosen 6 books that are perfect for advanced (C1-C2) English proficiency level students.

Click here for Intermediate (B1-B2) level. Click here for Beginner (A1-A2) level.

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Blog – Posted on Friday, Mar 29

17 book review examples to help you write the perfect review.

It’s an exciting time to be a book reviewer. Once confined to print newspapers and journals, reviews now dot many corridors of the Internet — forever helping others discover their next great read. That said, every book reviewer will face a familiar panic: how can you do justice to a great book in just a thousand words?

As you know, the best way to learn how to do something is by immersing yourself in it. Luckily, the Internet (i.e. Goodreads and other review sites , in particular) has made book reviews more accessible than ever — which means that there are a lot of book reviews examples out there for you to view!

In this post, we compiled 17 prototypical book review examples in multiple genres to help you figure out how to write the perfect review . If you want to jump straight to the examples, you can skip the next section. Otherwise, let’s first check out what makes up a good review.

Are you interested in becoming a book reviewer? We recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can earn money for writing reviews — and are guaranteed people will read your reviews! To register as a book reviewer, sign up here.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

Should you become a book reviewer?

Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!

What must a book review contain?

Like all works of art, no two book reviews will be identical. But fear not: there are a few guidelines for any aspiring book reviewer to follow. Most book reviews, for instance, are less than 1,500 words long, with the sweet spot hitting somewhere around the 1,000-word mark. (However, this may vary depending on the platform on which you’re writing, as we’ll see later.)

In addition, all reviews share some universal elements, as shown in our book review templates . These include:

• A review will offer a concise plot summary of the book. 
• A book review will offer an evaluation of the work. 
• A book review will offer a recommendation for the audience. 

If these are the basic ingredients that make up a book review, it’s the tone and style with which the book reviewer writes that brings the extra panache. This will differ from platform to platform, of course. A book review on Goodreads, for instance, will be much more informal and personal than a book review on Kirkus Reviews, as it is catering to a different audience. However, at the end of the day, the goal of all book reviews is to give the audience the tools to determine whether or not they’d like to read the book themselves.

Keeping that in mind, let’s proceed to some book review examples to put all of this in action.

How much of a book nerd are you, really?

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Book review examples for fiction books

Since story is king in the world of fiction, it probably won’t come as any surprise to learn that a book review for a novel will concentrate on how well the story was told .

That said, book reviews in all genres follow the same basic formula that we discussed earlier. In these examples, you’ll be able to see how book reviewers on different platforms expertly intertwine the plot summary and their personal opinions of the book to produce a clear, informative, and concise review.

Note: Some of the book review examples run very long. If a book review is truncated in this post, we’ve indicated by including a […] at the end, but you can always read the entire review if you click on the link provided.

Examples of literary fiction book reviews

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man :

An extremely powerful story of a young Southern Negro, from his late high school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.

His early training prepared him for a life of humility before white men, but through injustices- large and small, he came to realize that he was an "invisible man". People saw in him only a reflection of their preconceived ideas of what he was, denied his individuality, and ultimately did not see him at all. This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel, is skillfully handled. The incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. The boy's dismissal from college because of an innocent mistake, his shocked reaction to the anonymity of the North and to Harlem, his nightmare experiences on a one-day job in a paint factory and in the hospital, his lightning success as the Harlem leader of a communistic organization known as the Brotherhood, his involvement in black versus white and black versus black clashes and his disillusion and understanding of his invisibility- all climax naturally in scenes of violence and riot, followed by a retreat which is both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before, but never with such freshness, intensity and power.

This is Ellison's first novel, but he has complete control of his story and his style. Watch it.

Lyndsey reviews George Orwell’s 1984 on Goodreads:

YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good." Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.

This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. The world-building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it's almost as if George travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down.

I read Fahrenheit 451 over ten years ago in my early teens. At the time, I remember really wanting to read 1984, although I never managed to get my hands on it. I'm almost glad I didn't. Though I would not have admitted it at the time, it would have gone over my head. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it fully. […]

The New York Times reviews Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry :

Three-quarters of the way through Lisa Halliday’s debut novel, “Asymmetry,” a British foreign correspondent named Alistair is spending Christmas on a compound outside of Baghdad. His fellow revelers include cameramen, defense contractors, United Nations employees and aid workers. Someone’s mother has FedExed a HoneyBaked ham from Maine; people are smoking by the swimming pool. It is 2003, just days after Saddam Hussein’s capture, and though the mood is optimistic, Alistair is worrying aloud about the ethics of his chosen profession, wondering if reporting on violence doesn’t indirectly abet violence and questioning why he’d rather be in a combat zone than reading a picture book to his son. But every time he returns to London, he begins to “spin out.” He can’t go home. “You observe what people do with their freedom — what they don’t do — and it’s impossible not to judge them for it,” he says.

The line, embedded unceremoniously in the middle of a page-long paragraph, doubles, like so many others in “Asymmetry,” as literary criticism. Halliday’s novel is so strange and startlingly smart that its mere existence seems like commentary on the state of fiction. One finishes “Asymmetry” for the first or second (or like this reader, third) time and is left wondering what other writers are not doing with their freedom — and, like Alistair, judging them for it.

Despite its title, “Asymmetry” comprises two seemingly unrelated sections of equal length, appended by a slim and quietly shocking coda. Halliday’s prose is clean and lean, almost reportorial in the style of W. G. Sebald, and like the murmurings of a shy person at a cocktail party, often comic only in single clauses. It’s a first novel that reads like the work of an author who has published many books over many years. […]

Emily W. Thompson reviews Michael Doane's The Crossing on Reedsy Discovery :

In Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl.

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

The Narrator initially sticks to the highways, trying to make it to the West Coast as quickly as possible. But a hitchhiker named Duke convinces him to get off the beaten path and enjoy the ride. “There’s not a place that’s like any other,” [39] Dukes contends, and The Narrator realizes he’s right. Suddenly, the trip is about the journey, not just the destination. The Narrator ditches his truck and traverses the deserts and mountains on his bike. He destroys his phone, cutting off ties with his past and living only in the moment.

As he crosses the country, The Narrator connects with several unique personalities whose experiences and views deeply impact his own. Duke, the complicated cowboy and drifter, who opens The Narrator’s eyes to a larger world. Zooey, the waitress in Colorado who opens his heart and reminds him that love can be found in this big world. And Rosie, The Narrator’s sweet landlady in Portland, who helps piece him back together both physically and emotionally.

This supporting cast of characters is excellent. Duke, in particular, is wonderfully nuanced and complicated. He’s a throwback to another time, a man without a cell phone who reads Sartre and sleeps under the stars. Yet he’s also a grifter with a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” attitude that harms those around him. It’s fascinating to watch The Narrator wrestle with Duke’s behavior, trying to determine which to model and which to discard.

Doane creates a relatable protagonist in The Narrator, whose personal growth doesn’t erase his faults. His willingness to hit the road with few resources is admirable, and he’s prescient enough to recognize the jealousy of those who cannot or will not take the leap. His encounters with new foods, places, and people broaden his horizons. Yet his immaturity and selfishness persist. He tells Rosie she’s been a good mother to him but chooses to ignore the continuing concern from his own parents as he effectively disappears from his old life.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

The Book Smugglers review Anissa Gray’s The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls :

I am still dipping my toes into the literally fiction pool, finding what works for me and what doesn’t. Books like The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray are definitely my cup of tea.

Althea and Proctor Cochran had been pillars of their economically disadvantaged community for years – with their local restaurant/small market and their charity drives. Until they are found guilty of fraud for stealing and keeping most of the money they raised and sent to jail. Now disgraced, their entire family is suffering the consequences, specially their twin teenage daughters Baby Vi and Kim.  To complicate matters even more: Kim was actually the one to call the police on her parents after yet another fight with her mother. […]

Examples of children’s and YA fiction book reviews

The Book Hookup reviews Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give :

♥ Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to tackle the voice of a movement like Black Lives Matter, but I do know that Thomas did it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with emotion, The Hate U Give is a crucially important portrayal of the difficulties minorities face in our country every single day. I have no doubt that this book will be met with resistance by some (possibly many) and slapped with a “controversial” label, but if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk in a POC’s shoes, then I feel like this is an unflinchingly honest place to start.

In Angie Thomas’s debut novel, Starr Carter bursts on to the YA scene with both heart-wrecking and heartwarming sincerity. This author is definitely one to watch.

♥ Review: The hype around this book has been unquestionable and, admittedly, that made me both eager to get my hands on it and terrified to read it. I mean, what if I was to be the one person that didn’t love it as much as others? (That seems silly now because of how truly mesmerizing THUG was in the most heartbreakingly realistic way.) However, with the relevancy of its summary in regards to the unjust predicaments POC currently face in the US, I knew this one was a must-read, so I was ready to set my fears aside and dive in. That said, I had an altogether more personal, ulterior motive for wanting to read this book. […]

The New York Times reviews Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood :

Alice Crewe (a last name she’s chosen for herself) is a fairy tale legacy: the granddaughter of Althea Proserpine, author of a collection of dark-as-night fairy tales called “Tales From the Hinterland.” The book has a cult following, and though Alice has never met her grandmother, she’s learned a little about her through internet research. She hasn’t read the stories, because her mother, Ella Proserpine, forbids it.

Alice and Ella have moved from place to place in an attempt to avoid the “bad luck” that seems to follow them. Weird things have happened. As a child, Alice was kidnapped by a man who took her on a road trip to find her grandmother; he was stopped by the police before they did so. When at 17 she sees that man again, unchanged despite the years, Alice panics. Then Ella goes missing, and Alice turns to Ellery Finch, a schoolmate who’s an Althea Proserpine superfan, for help in tracking down her mother. Not only has Finch read every fairy tale in the collection, but handily, he remembers them, sharing them with Alice as they journey to the mysterious Hazel Wood, the estate of her now-dead grandmother, where they hope to find Ella.

“The Hazel Wood” starts out strange and gets stranger, in the best way possible. (The fairy stories Finch relays, which Albert includes as their own chapters, are as creepy and evocative as you’d hope.) Albert seamlessly combines contemporary realism with fantasy, blurring the edges in a way that highlights that place where stories and real life convene, where magic contains truth and the world as it appears is false, where just about anything can happen, particularly in the pages of a very good book. It’s a captivating debut. […]

James reviews Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight, Moon on Goodreads:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is one of the books that followers of my blog voted as a must-read for our Children's Book August 2018 Readathon. Come check it out and join the next few weeks!

This picture book was such a delight. I hadn't remembered reading it when I was a child, but it might have been read to me... either way, it was like a whole new experience! It's always so difficult to convince a child to fall asleep at night. I don't have kids, but I do have a 5-month-old puppy who whines for 5 minutes every night when he goes in his cage/crate (hopefully he'll be fully housebroken soon so he can roam around when he wants). I can only imagine! I babysat a lot as a teenager and I have tons of younger cousins, nieces, and nephews, so I've been through it before, too. This was a believable experience, and it really helps show kids how to relax and just let go when it's time to sleep.

The bunny's are adorable. The rhymes are exquisite. I found it pretty fun, but possibly a little dated given many of those things aren't normal routines anymore. But the lessons to take from it are still powerful. Loved it! I want to sample some more books by this fine author and her illustrators.

Publishers Weekly reviews Elizabeth Lilly’s Geraldine :

This funny, thoroughly accomplished debut opens with two words: “I’m moving.” They’re spoken by the title character while she swoons across her family’s ottoman, and because Geraldine is a giraffe, her full-on melancholy mode is quite a spectacle. But while Geraldine may be a drama queen (even her mother says so), it won’t take readers long to warm up to her. The move takes Geraldine from Giraffe City, where everyone is like her, to a new school, where everyone else is human. Suddenly, the former extrovert becomes “That Giraffe Girl,” and all she wants to do is hide, which is pretty much impossible. “Even my voice tries to hide,” she says, in the book’s most poignant moment. “It’s gotten quiet and whispery.” Then she meets Cassie, who, though human, is also an outlier (“I’m that girl who wears glasses and likes MATH and always organizes her food”), and things begin to look up.

Lilly’s watercolor-and-ink drawings are as vividly comic and emotionally astute as her writing; just when readers think there are no more ways for Geraldine to contort her long neck, this highly promising talent comes up with something new.

Examples of genre fiction book reviews

Karlyn P reviews Nora Roberts’ Dark Witch , a paranormal romance novel , on Goodreads:

4 stars. Great world-building, weak romance, but still worth the read.

I hesitate to describe this book as a 'romance' novel simply because the book spent little time actually exploring the romance between Iona and Boyle. Sure, there IS a romance in this novel. Sprinkled throughout the book are a few scenes where Iona and Boyle meet, chat, wink at each, flirt some more, sleep together, have a misunderstanding, make up, and then profess their undying love. Very formulaic stuff, and all woven around the more important parts of this book.

The meat of this book is far more focused on the story of the Dark witch and her magically-gifted descendants living in Ireland. Despite being weak on the romance, I really enjoyed it. I think the book is probably better for it, because the romance itself was pretty lackluster stuff.

I absolutely plan to stick with this series as I enjoyed the world building, loved the Ireland setting, and was intrigued by all of the secondary characters. However, If you read Nora Roberts strictly for the romance scenes, this one might disappoint. But if you enjoy a solid background story with some dark magic and prophesies, you might enjoy it as much as I did.

I listened to this one on audio, and felt the narration was excellent.

Emily May reviews R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy Wars , an epic fantasy novel , on Goodreads:

“But I warn you, little warrior. The price of power is pain.”

Holy hell, what did I just read??

➽ A fantasy military school

➽ A rich world based on modern Chinese history

➽ Shamans and gods

➽ Detailed characterization leading to unforgettable characters

➽ Adorable, opium-smoking mentors

That's a basic list, but this book is all of that and SO MUCH MORE. I know 100% that The Poppy War will be one of my best reads of 2018.

Isn't it just so great when you find one of those books that completely drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters, and demands that you sit on the edge of your seat for every horrific, nail-biting moment of it? This is one of those books for me. And I must issue a serious content warning: this book explores some very dark themes. Proceed with caution (or not at all) if you are particularly sensitive to scenes of war, drug use and addiction, genocide, racism, sexism, ableism, self-harm, torture, and rape (off-page but extremely horrific).

Because, despite the fairly innocuous first 200 pages, the title speaks the truth: this is a book about war. All of its horrors and atrocities. It is not sugar-coated, and it is often graphic. The "poppy" aspect refers to opium, which is a big part of this book. It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking.

Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry’s Freefall , a crime novel:

In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it’s a more subtle process, and that’s OK too. So where does Freefall fit into the sliding scale?

In truth, it’s not clear. This is a novel with a thrilling concept at its core. A woman survives plane crash, then runs for her life. However, it is the subtleties at play that will draw you in like a spider beckoning to an unwitting fly.

Like the heroine in Sharon Bolton’s Dead Woman Walking, Allison is lucky to be alive. She was the only passenger in a private plane, belonging to her fiancé, Ben, who was piloting the expensive aircraft, when it came down in woodlands in the Colorado Rockies. Ally is also the only survivor, but rather than sitting back and waiting for rescue, she is soon pulling together items that may help her survive a little longer – first aid kit, energy bars, warm clothes, trainers – before fleeing the scene. If you’re hearing the faint sound of alarm bells ringing, get used to it. There’s much, much more to learn about Ally before this tale is over.

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One , a science-fiction novel :

Video-game players embrace the quest of a lifetime in a virtual world; screenwriter Cline’s first novel is old wine in new bottles.

The real world, in 2045, is the usual dystopian horror story. So who can blame Wade, our narrator, if he spends most of his time in a virtual world? The 18-year-old, orphaned at 11, has no friends in his vertical trailer park in Oklahoma City, while the OASIS has captivating bells and whistles, and it’s free. Its creator, the legendary billionaire James Halliday, left a curious will. He had devised an elaborate online game, a hunt for a hidden Easter egg. The finder would inherit his estate. Old-fashioned riddles lead to three keys and three gates. Wade, or rather his avatar Parzival, is the first gunter (egg-hunter) to win the Copper Key, first of three.

Halliday was obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980s, primarily the arcade games, so the novel is as much retro as futurist. Parzival’s great strength is that he has absorbed all Halliday’s obsessions; he knows by heart three essential movies, crossing the line from geek to freak. His most formidable competitors are the Sixers, contract gunters working for the evil conglomerate IOI, whose goal is to acquire the OASIS. Cline’s narrative is straightforward but loaded with exposition. It takes a while to reach a scene that crackles with excitement: the meeting between Parzival (now world famous as the lead contender) and Sorrento, the head of IOI. The latter tries to recruit Parzival; when he fails, he issues and executes a death threat. Wade’s trailer is demolished, his relatives killed; luckily Wade was not at home. Too bad this is the dramatic high point. Parzival threads his way between more ’80s games and movies to gain the other keys; it’s clever but not exciting. Even a romance with another avatar and the ultimate “epic throwdown” fail to stir the blood.

Too much puzzle-solving, not enough suspense.

Book review examples for non-fiction books

Nonfiction books are generally written to inform readers about a certain topic. As such, the focus of a nonfiction book review will be on the clarity and effectiveness of this communication . In carrying this out, a book review may analyze the author’s source materials and assess the thesis in order to determine whether or not the book meets expectations.

Again, we’ve included abbreviated versions of long reviews here, so feel free to click on the link to read the entire piece!

The Washington Post reviews David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon :

The arc of David Grann’s career reminds one of a software whiz-kid or a latest-thing talk-show host — certainly not an investigative reporter, even if he is one of the best in the business. The newly released movie of his first book, “The Lost City of Z,” is generating all kinds of Oscar talk, and now comes the release of his second book, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the film rights to which have already been sold for $5 million in what one industry journal called the “biggest and wildest book rights auction in memory.”

Grann deserves the attention. He’s canny about the stories he chases, he’s willing to go anywhere to chase them, and he’s a maestro in his ability to parcel out information at just the right clip: a hint here, a shading of meaning there, a smartly paced buildup of multiple possibilities followed by an inevitable reversal of readerly expectations or, in some cases, by a thrilling and dislocating pull of the entire narrative rug.

All of these strengths are on display in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Around the turn of the 20th century, oil was discovered underneath Osage lands in the Oklahoma Territory, lands that were soon to become part of the state of Oklahoma. Through foresight and legal maneuvering, the Osage found a way to permanently attach that oil to themselves and shield it from the prying hands of white interlopers; this mechanism was known as “headrights,” which forbade the outright sale of oil rights and granted each full member of the tribe — and, supposedly, no one else — a share in the proceeds from any lease arrangement. For a while, the fail-safes did their job, and the Osage got rich — diamond-ring and chauffeured-car and imported-French-fashion rich — following which quite a large group of white men started to work like devils to separate the Osage from their money. And soon enough, and predictably enough, this work involved murder. Here in Jazz Age America’s most isolated of locales, dozens or even hundreds of Osage in possession of great fortunes — and of the potential for even greater fortunes in the future — were dispatched by poison, by gunshot and by dynamite. […]

Stacked Books reviews Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers :

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Malcolm Gladwell’s writing. Friends and co-workers tell me that his subjects are interesting and his writing style is easy to follow without talking down to the reader. I wasn’t disappointed with Outliers. In it, Gladwell tackles the subject of success – how people obtain it and what contributes to extraordinary success as opposed to everyday success.

The thesis – that our success depends much more on circumstances out of our control than any effort we put forth – isn’t exactly revolutionary. Most of us know it to be true. However, I don’t think I’m lying when I say that most of us also believe that we if we just try that much harder and develop our talent that much further, it will be enough to become wildly successful, despite bad or just mediocre beginnings. Not so, says Gladwell.

Most of the evidence Gladwell gives us is anecdotal, which is my favorite kind to read. I can’t really speak to how scientifically valid it is, but it sure makes for engrossing listening. For example, did you know that successful hockey players are almost all born in January, February, or March? Kids born during these months are older than the others kids when they start playing in the youth leagues, which means they’re already better at the game (because they’re bigger). Thus, they get more play time, which means their skill increases at a faster rate, and it compounds as time goes by. Within a few years, they’re much, much better than the kids born just a few months later in the year. Basically, these kids’ birthdates are a huge factor in their success as adults – and it’s nothing they can do anything about. If anyone could make hockey interesting to a Texan who only grudgingly admits the sport even exists, it’s Gladwell. […]

Quill and Quire reviews Rick Prashaw’s Soar, Adam, Soar :

Ten years ago, I read a book called Almost Perfect. The young-adult novel by Brian Katcher won some awards and was held up as a powerful, nuanced portrayal of a young trans person. But the reality did not live up to the book’s billing. Instead, it turned out to be a one-dimensional and highly fetishized portrait of a trans person’s life, one that was nevertheless repeatedly dubbed “realistic” and “affecting” by non-transgender readers possessing only a vague, mass-market understanding of trans experiences.

In the intervening decade, trans narratives have emerged further into the literary spotlight, but those authored by trans people ourselves – and by trans men in particular – have seemed to fall under the shadow of cisgender sensationalized imaginings. Two current Canadian releases – Soar, Adam, Soar and This One Looks Like a Boy – provide a pointed object lesson into why trans-authored work about transgender experiences remains critical.

To be fair, Soar, Adam, Soar isn’t just a story about a trans man. It’s also a story about epilepsy, the medical establishment, and coming of age as seen through a grieving father’s eyes. Adam, Prashaw’s trans son, died unexpectedly at age 22. Woven through the elder Prashaw’s narrative are excerpts from Adam’s social media posts, giving us glimpses into the young man’s interior life as he traverses his late teens and early 20s. […]

Book Geeks reviews Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love :

WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5

SUBJECT: 4/5

CANDIDNESS: 4.5/5

RELEVANCE: 3.5/5

ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5

“Eat Pray Love” is so popular that it is almost impossible to not read it. Having felt ashamed many times on my not having read this book, I quietly ordered the book (before I saw the movie) from amazon.in and sat down to read it. I don’t remember what I expected it to be – maybe more like a chick lit thing but it turned out quite different. The book is a real story and is a short journal from the time when its writer went travelling to three different countries in pursuit of three different things – Italy (Pleasure), India (Spirituality), Bali (Balance) and this is what corresponds to the book’s name – EAT (in Italy), PRAY (in India) and LOVE (in Bali, Indonesia). These are also the three Is – ITALY, INDIA, INDONESIA.

Though she had everything a middle-aged American woman can aspire for – MONEY, CAREER, FRIENDS, HUSBAND; Elizabeth was not happy in her life, she wasn’t happy in her marriage. Having suffered a terrible divorce and terrible breakup soon after, Elizabeth was shattered. She didn’t know where to go and what to do – all she knew was that she wanted to run away. So she set out on a weird adventure – she will go to three countries in a year and see if she can find out what she was looking for in life. This book is about that life changing journey that she takes for one whole year. […]

Emily May reviews Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Goodreads:

Look, I'm not a happy crier. I might cry at songs about leaving and missing someone; I might cry at books where things don't work out; I might cry at movies where someone dies. I've just never really understood why people get all choked up over happy, inspirational things. But Michelle Obama's kindness and empathy changed that. This book had me in tears for all the right reasons.

This is not really a book about politics, though political experiences obviously do come into it. It's a shame that some will dismiss this book because of a difference in political opinion, when it is really about a woman's life. About growing up poor and black on the South Side of Chicago; about getting married and struggling to maintain that marriage; about motherhood; about being thrown into an amazing and terrifying position.

I hate words like "inspirational" because they've become so overdone and cheesy, but I just have to say it-- Michelle Obama is an inspiration. I had the privilege of seeing her speak at The Forum in Inglewood, and she is one of the warmest, funniest, smartest, down-to-earth people I have ever seen in this world.

And yes, I know we present what we want the world to see, but I truly do think it's genuine. I think she is someone who really cares about people - especially kids - and wants to give them better lives and opportunities.

She's obviously intelligent, but she also doesn't gussy up her words. She talks straight, with an openness and honesty rarely seen. She's been one of the most powerful women in the world, she's been a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, she's had her own successful career, and yet she has remained throughout that same girl - Michelle Robinson - from a working class family in Chicago.

I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading this book.

Hopefully, this post has given you a better idea of how to write a book review. You might be wondering how to put all of this knowledge into action now! Many book reviewers start out by setting up a book blog. If you don’t have time to research the intricacies of HTML, check out Reedsy Discovery — where you can read indie books for free and review them without going through the hassle of creating a blog. To register as a book reviewer , go here .

And if you’d like to see even more book review examples, simply go to this directory of book review blogs and click on any one of them to see a wealth of good book reviews. Beyond that, it's up to you to pick up a book and pen — and start reviewing!

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Student Languages

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Table of Contents

C1 Advanced Books Introduction

If you provide yourself with the right C1 Advanced books and materials to use, YOU CAN PREPARE YOURSELF effectively and cheaply for the CAE exam .

Which C1 Advanced book do you need? There are many different types of CAE books and in my opinion, it is not a "one size fits all" approach. I recommend buying a couple of different books. You should buy at least one course book and one practice test book. A good course book will take you through all the grammar and vocabulary necessary for the exam. It will also train you with exam exercises. Whereas, a practice test book will allow you to evaluate your level of English and see if you are ready to take the exam or not.

By the end of this page, you should have a good idea which course books and practice test books will be good for your training.

Let's quickly take a look at what we will cover on the rest of this page...

C1 Advanced Books

I want to quickly tell you what I believe...

I believe students spend too much time and money going to language schools. My name is Rory ( #cambridgerory ) and I want this to change.

I want you to be able to prepare yourself for the C1 Advanced exam.

I recently wrote 2 C1 Advanced books. These books will help you effectively prepare yourself for the exam. I poured my heart and soul into the books, so let's have a look at them in more detail...

My New 'C1 or not C1?' CAE Book

I just recently released ' C1 or not C1? ' a new book for exam students.

I wrote ' C1 or not C1? ' as a cheap, "side book". What does "side book" mean? Well, if you don't want to spend a lot of money buying course books, or you prefer to use free, online resources to study with, my "side book" will be perfect for this.

Well, the book comprises all of my newly updated, POWERFUL exam techniques and I deliberately didn't include exam exercises.

I want you to easily and quickly find the correct page with the technique you need to use. The book is therefore extremely lightweight and there is an online version for you to use.

I'm really happy with how the book turned out, but, unfortunately one student who bought the book wanted to have exercises with it. For this reason, he only gave it a 2 star rating 🙁 So, I kindly ask, if you buy the book (and you enjoy it), please give it a 5 star rating as this will really help other students find my work.

Even though it took me a lot of time and effort to write the book, I wanted to make it affordable for all and in some countries, you can even read the book for free with Kindle Unlimited >>

Read Now >>

C1 Advanced Book of Writing Samples

The writing paper is one which students often struggle with. While I have lots of useful tips for the writing paper on my membership website , I also really recommend having a read of my CAE writing samples book . This is one of the most comprehensive bodies of work I have put together and I am really pleased with the feedback it has received. Learning from other students' writings is one of the best ways to prepare for the CAE writing paper. You can read their answers and then see my feedback, including mistakes, corrections and comments on the official examiner assessment scale.

You can find the paperback and ebook on Amazon here , or if you want to know more about it, watch the video below:

Now I'm going to tell you something else that I believe...

I believe there are 2 main things you need to do to pass the C1 Advanced exam:

1. Learn exam techniques

There is a technique you can and should follow for every part of the exam.

I recently updated my techniques and added them all to my 'C1 or not C1' book which I talked about above. You can also find all of these techniques, with examples, video explanations and extra resources by becoming a paid member of my website .

2. Use these techniques to complete more exercises

If you use the techniques from my 'C1 or not C1' book to complete more practice exercises, you will be very well prepared for the exam.

Remember, there are loads more exercises in my membership website and if you sign up to my newsletter here , you can access some of these exercises for free!

Below is a list of other CAE books that I recommend training with. I actually made a video critiquing a couple of these books, which I have put for you to watch below as well.

CAE Book Review

  If you want to see some online CAE resources, I recommend checking out this page >>

Which exam do you want to pass?

B2 first: fce >>, c1 advanced: cae >>, linguaskill >>.

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Free Practice Tests (Online) | C1 Advanced (CAE)

FCE, CAE, CPE

Practice tests online, c1 advanced (cae) practice tests online: use of english.

What’s in Part 1? Part 1 consists of a text in which there are eight gaps . Each gap represents a missing word or phrase . The text is followed by eight lists of four words or phrases, each list is assigned to a gap. Candidates have to choose which word or phrase in the set fills the gap correctly.

What’s in Part 2? Part 2 consists of a text in which there are eight gaps . In this part, as there are no sets of words from which to choose the answers, candidates have to think of a word that will fill the gap correctly .

What’s in Part 3? Part 3 consists of a text containing eight gaps . At the end of some of the lines, and separated from the text, there is a stem word in capital letters . Candidates need to form an appropriate word from given stem words to fill each gap.

What’s in Part 4? Part 4 consists of six questions . Each question contains three parts: a lead-in sentence, a key word , and a second sentence of which only the beginning and end are given. Candidates have to fill the gap in the second sentence so that the completed sentence is similar in meaning to the lead-in sentence. The gap must be filled with between three and six words , one of which must be the key word. They key word must not be changed in any way

Would you pass C1 Advanced (CAE)?

C1 advanced (cae) practice tests online: reading.

What’s in Part 5? Part 5 consists of one long text , drawn from a variety of sources which include fiction. The text is followed by six 4-option multiple-choice questions which are presented in the same order as the information in the text so that candidates can follow the development of the text.

What’s in Part 6? Part 6 consists of four short texts , on a related theme, followed by multiple-matching prompts . In total, there are four questions . Candidates must read across texts to match a prompt to elements in the texts.

What’s in Part 7? Part 7 consists of one long gapped text from which six paragraphs of equal length have been removed and placed in jumbled order after the text, together with a seventh paragraph which does not fit in any of the gaps. The text is usually from a non-fiction source (including journalism).

What’s in Part 8? Part 8 consists of one or two sets of questions followed by a single page of text: the text may be continuous, or divided into sections, or consist of a group of short texts. In total, there are 10 questions and four to six options.

C1 Advanced (CAE) Practice Tests Online: Listening

What’s in Part 1? Part 1 consists of three unrelated short texts . These texts are approximately 1 minute in length and involve two speaker s. Texts are taken from a wide range of real-life contexts and, therefore, contain a correspondingly wide range of topics, voices and styles of delivery. There are two 3-option multiple-choice questions on each text.

What’s in Part 2? Part 2 features an informational monologue of approximately 3 minutes in length. Texts typically take the form of talks, lectures or broadcasts, aimed at a non-specialist audience, and are delivered in a neutral or semi-formal style.

What’s in Part 3? Part 3 features interviews and d i scussions, involving two or more speakers. The text is approximately 3–4 minutes in length and typically takes the form of a broadcast interview or discussion aimed at a non-specialist audience.

What’s in Part 4? Part 4 consists of a series of five short monologues on a theme. The text is 3–4 minutes in length with each monologue lasting approximately 30 seconds . The monologues represent spontaneous speech, delivered in an informal spoken style by speakers with a range of backgrounds and voices. There are two parallel multiple-matching tasks, each with a different focus. In each case, the correct option has to be chosen from a list of eight.

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Activate Advanced C1: A Complete Self-Study Course (Activate Your English™) 1st Edition

Purchase options and add-ons, improve your english in all the skills (vocabulary, grammar, writing, speaking and listening) and pass your official cambridge c1, ielts, trinity or toefl english exam. this self-study book will teach you essential c1 english and help you achieve your c1 advanced certificate. are you preparing for an official english language test.

You need to...

✓ speak fluently about the most current exam topics.

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This course has everything you need to improve your English level and pass your C1 test!

Ideal for students preparing for:.

TOEFL Aptis ESOL Advanced Cambridge Advanced C1 Cambridge Proficiency C2 Linguaskill C1 Trinity EOI C1

Our ACTIVATE YOUR ENGLISH ™ methodology combines this original book with advanced digital content.

★ Twenty units covering the most current exam topics.

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★ Fascinating audios to train your ear to the sounds of English.

★ Complete audio transcripts with C1 phrase glossaries.

★ Step-by-step guides to writing emails, reports and articles.

★ Writing models with notes on organization, style and language.

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• ISBN-10 8412214358
• ISBN-13 978-8412214352
• Edition 1st
• Publication date March 8, 2022
• Part of series Activate Your English™
• Language English
• Dimensions 8.5 x 0.47 x 11 inches
• Print length 206 pages
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The Self-Study Course for Advanced (C1) English Learners

Improve your English in all the skills (vocabulary, grammar, writing, speaking, and listening) and pass your official Cambridge C1, IELTS, Trinity, or TOEFL English exam.

This self-study book will teach you essential C1 English and help you achieve your C1 Advanced certificate.

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Future House Languages S.L; 1st edition (March 8, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 206 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8412214358
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8412214352
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.47 x 11 inches
• #208 in Vocabulary Books
• #274 in Linguistics Reference
• #505 in Foreign Language Instruction (Books)

About the author

About E. Mason

Throughout her career, Edwina has worked as an academic English teacher in universities in both the United Kingdom and Spain. As an examiner for many of the leading official English exams, she now specialises in writing modern and intuitive books and programmes for independent language learners.

Her career and master's degree in education led her to found Future House Languages, an English language publisher that combines pedagogical and educational techniques to produce books and digital content at the cutting edge of language learning.

Her books use her own Flipped Languages™ methodology, which encourages students to become independent learners, resulting in higher levels of motivation and faster progress.

She is the creator of the Activate Your English™ self-study series and the author of best-selling exam preparation guides for the British Council's Aptis ESOL tests.

Edwina also co-hosts the English vocabulary podcast WordUp™

All of Edwina's titles can be found at fhlanguages.com

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