English Conversation: A Friendly Debate at the Bookstore

Amit – a college student who loves novels.
Sara – his friend, who prefers non-fiction books.
Mr. Rao – the bookstore owner.

Scene:
A cozy bookstore on a winter afternoon. Shelves are full of books, soft music is playing, and the smell of fresh coffee is in the air.

Conversation

Amit: (looking at a shelf) Wow, look at this! A new novel by my favorite author. I have been waiting for this book for months.

Sara: (smiling) You and your novels, Amit! Every time we come to the bookstore, you run to the fiction section. Don’t you ever get tired of reading made-up stories?

Amit: Not at all! Stories take me to another world. When I read a novel, I can live in the shoes of the characters. It’s like traveling without moving.

Sara: I don’t know. To me, novels are nice for entertainment, but they don’t teach us real things. That’s why I like non-fiction. I’d rather read about history, science, or real people’s lives.

Amit: But stories teach lessons too! Just because the characters are made up doesn’t mean the emotions are fake. A novel can teach you about love, kindness, struggle, and courage.

Sara: Hm. But I feel that time is precious. If I’m going to spend hours reading, I want to gain knowledge that I can use in real life. For example, I read a book on psychology last week, and now I understand people’s behavior much better.

Amit: That’s great, but novels can do that too in their own way. A good story can show you how people think and act. Sometimes, fiction explains life better than facts.

Mr. Rao: (joining in with a friendly laugh) Oh, so we’re having a debate in my store today? Fiction versus non-fiction?

Amit: Yes, sir. Sara thinks non-fiction is more useful, but I think novels are just as valuable.

Sara: Not “just as valuable,” Amit. I think non-fiction is more important for learning.

Mr. Rao: Well, both of you have strong points. Why don’t we continue this little debate? It will make the bookstore lively.

Amit: Okay, let me ask you, Sara. Do you remember how you loved that movie last year—the one about a young girl chasing her dreams?

Sara: Yes, of course. It was inspiring.

Amit: See? That was a story, just like a novel. It touched your heart and made you think about your own dreams. A novel does the same, only in words.

Sara: Hmm, I see your point. But the movie was based on a real story, wasn’t it? That’s why it inspired me even more.

Amit: Maybe. But even if a story is made up, it can still inspire you. For example, when I read The Alchemist, I felt like I should never give up on my goals.

Sara: I respect that. But I like books that give me facts. If I read about space, I learn real science. If I read a biography, I learn from someone’s true experience. That feels more solid to me.

Mr. Rao: (nodding) You know, this debate is as old as books themselves. Some people prefer facts, others prefer imagination. Both are valuable.

Amit: True, sir. But I think imagination is what makes us human. Without stories, life would be boring.

Sara: And without facts, we wouldn’t grow. We need real knowledge to solve problems.

Amit: Okay, let’s test this. Imagine you’re tired after a long day. Which book would you pick up—a heavy history book or a light-hearted novel?

Sara: (laughs) Honestly? A novel. But that’s only when I want to relax.

Amit: Exactly! Novels help us rest and escape stress.

Sara: Fair enough. But when I’m serious about learning, non-fiction is my choice. For example, I read a book on healthy eating, and now my habits have changed. Isn’t that useful?

Amit: Yes, I can’t deny that. But novels also shape our thoughts. They make us kinder and more understanding.

Sara: Maybe we need both, then?

Mr. Rao: (smiling) Now you’re talking like a wise reader. Reading is not a competition between fiction and non-fiction. It’s about balance.

Amit: That’s true. But still, if I had to choose, I’d pick novels.

Sara: And I’d still pick non-fiction. But I admit, novels have their charm.

Amit: Let me give you an example. Last year, I read a novel about a boy who lived through a war. It was fiction, but it made me feel the pain of war much more deeply than any history book.

Sara: Interesting. I read a soldier’s autobiography last year. That was non-fiction, and it gave me a real sense of war. Maybe the difference is that fiction shows feelings, while non-fiction shows facts.

Amit: Yes! That’s why they complete each other.

Mr. Rao: You know, I once had a customer who was like Sara. She only bought non-fiction. One day, I gave her a free novel as a gift. A month later, she came back for more novels.

Sara: (laughing) Maybe that will happen to me too.

Amit: It’s only a matter of time.

Sara: But you should also try reading more non-fiction, Amit. You can’t live in a dream world forever.

Amit: Okay, deal. I’ll try one non-fiction book if you try one novel.

Sara: That sounds fair. What non-fiction would you try?

Amit: Maybe a biography. Who do you suggest?

Sara: How about The Diary of Anne Frank? It’s true and emotional.

Amit: That sounds good. And for you, I suggest Pride and Prejudice. It’s a classic novel with great lessons.

Sara: Hmm, I’ve heard of it. Okay, I’ll try.

Mr. Rao: Wonderful! That’s the spirit of reading. Open minds, open books.

Amit: You know what, Sara? This debate was fun.

Sara: Yes, and I actually learned to respect your love for novels.

Amit: And I learned to value non-fiction more.

Sara: See? Books teach us even when we’re debating about them!

Mr. Rao: (laughs) Exactly! Now, let me pack these books for you both before the shop closes.

Amit: Thank you, sir.

Sara: Yes, thank you. And Amit, next time we’ll continue our debate over coffee.

Amit: Deal! But I’ll still win.

Sara: (smiling) We’ll see about that.

English Conversation: A Friendly Debate at the Bookstore