Jane and Kieran's Conversation about Books and Bookshop

ANNOUNCER: Part 3. You will hear two students called Jane and Kieran talking about books. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.

KIERAN: So, Jane, you'll be off to Denmark soon to do your work placement.

JANE: Yes, I'm really looking forward to it. And I've just started packing up all my books to put in storage.

KIERAN: Well, I hope they don't get spoiled.

JANE: It's OK. My grandfather works in a bookshop, and he told me how to pack them.

KIERAN: Oh, that's helpful.

JANE: He says you have to support the spine, otherwise the paper can come away from the cover.

KIERAN: Yeah, that seems obvious.

JANE: He also told me to pack them flat in the box, not on their side, because they can bend. If you leave them like that for a long time, it becomes hard to get them back to their original shape.

KIERAN: That definitely ruins them. But many people just can't be bothered to protect their books.

JANE: My grandfather always says it's a shame publishers don't use better quality paper.

KIERAN: It's the acid in the paper that causes the problem, isn't it?

JANE: Yes, that's why old books turn yellow. Some of the books my grandfather gave me are already like that.

I suppose I should throw them away if they're going to deteriorate further, but I'd feel bad. They'll always remind me of him.

KIERAN: Well, if they're important to you.

JANE: Exactly. I'd regret throwing them away.

KIERAN: Maybe it's because I was taught to value books, but I hate seeing students force open paperbacks. They press so hard they end up breaking the spine.

JANE: Unfortunately paperbacks aren't designed to last very long. Hardbacks are stronger.

KIERAN: Yes, but I still think people don't value hardbacks like they used to.

JANE: Maybe because they aren't very decorative, like other objects. And people don't display them on shelves as much nowadays.

KIERAN: That's a pity. When I visit someone's house and see a colourful book on the table, it's the first thing I notice.

JANE: I agree. Book covers can be works of art. Some designs are really eye-catching.

KIERAN: I've always been told to handle books carefully. Most people take books off a shelf the wrong way.

JANE: My grandfather says you should put your hand over the top of the book, or move other books aside so you can hold the whole cover.

KIERAN: When did you learn all this?

JANE: When I was small I pulled a heavy book off a shelf the wrong way. It fell on the floor and broke apart.

KIERAN: Oh dear.

JANE: I still remember it.

KIERAN: You know what I really like?

JANE: What?

KIERAN: The smell of new books.

JANE: Me too.

KIERAN: My parents used to laugh at me when I was a kid because I loved smelling books almost as much as reading them.

JANE: New books aren't cheap though.

KIERAN: That's true. We're lucky we can buy them.

JANE: My grandfather sells second-hand books as well as new ones, though they don't smell quite as good.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30. Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.

KIERAN: I'd love to have a bookshop like your grandfather's. What's it like?

JANE: It's quite big. It has two floors and an attic, and he stocks all kinds of books.

KIERAN: I suppose he keeps valuable things like first editions hidden away.

JANE: Actually he displays them in the shop, but on shelves that require a ladder to reach.

KIERAN: That probably helps prevent theft.

JANE: Yes.

KIERAN: Does he sell books for children?

JANE: Yes, he encourages children to read. There's a special area on the ground floor with cushions where parents can read to their toddlers.

KIERAN: That sounds great.

JANE: There's also space for pushchairs near the entrance and a café if customers want refreshments.

KIERAN: Nice.

JANE: Behind the shop there's a storage area.

KIERAN: What does he keep there?

JANE: Books that customers or institutions have requested. They're kept boxed at the far end.

KIERAN: What about unwanted books?

JANE: He almost never throws them away. He leaves them by the front door for customers to take.

KIERAN: That's generous.

JANE: He also sells course books for colleges.

KIERAN: Did you buy your course books there?

JANE: Of course. They used to be on the first floor, but when a new university opened nearby, he moved them downstairs to attract students.

Now they are on low shelves around the coffee shop.

KIERAN: Sounds like a great place. You'll have to take me there sometime.

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of Part 3. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to Part 3.