Jack: What's that you are reading?

 

Mieko: It's a novel but it's not very good.

 

Jack: I can't read on a train. I can't concentrate.

 

Mieko: I like to read a lot.

 

Jack: So do I, when I am not travelling.

 

Mieko: So what kind of books do you enjoy?

 

Jack: I like non-fiction best, books about travels or science.

 

Mieko: I like fiction but non-fiction too. There is a good library where I live.

 

Jack: My library is small but they will order books for me. I am studying twentieth century history at the moment.

 

Mieko: I am studying to be a doctor. The books are very expensive.

 

Jack: Yes, even on the Internet books aren't cheap.

 

Mieko: No, but you have to buy them or you can't learn the work. What do you study?

 

Jack: History and philosophy. Not much good for a job but very interesting. But I like to read popular books about science, and especially about astronomy.

 

Mieko: Is that your hobby?

 

Jack: Yes, a bit. But my main hobby is climbing mountains.

 

Mieko: Is that why you like books about travel?

 

Jack: Yes, I like to know about strange places.

 

Mieko: I don't think I would want to climb mountains but I would like to read about them.

 

Jack: I like to read biographies too and autobiographies about people's lives.

 

Mieko: Does that help your history and philosophy?

 

Jack: Yes, it does. Reading about other people helps you to understand their mistakes. You can learn a lot from other people.

 

Mieko: I like to read the classic novels, Charles Dickens, Tolstoy, and more modern ones like John Steinbeck. They knew about life.

 

Jack: I agree. Perhaps I'll see you in the college library sometime. I'll probably be in the history section.

 

Mieko: And I'll probably be in the medical one. Here's our stop. See you soon!