Learn English – a book “said”…? Which expression do you use when you refer from books

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A few weeks ago, one of my friend and I talked about tomorrow's traveling course.
I said, "my guidebook said a city walking course."

But books can't say anything. So I thought "said" was a wrong expression.
What should I have said? Which verb do you use when you refer information from a book?
Or just I could have said "There is a city walking course in my guidebook."?

If you know any alternative expression in the situation please let me know.

Best Answer

Using "the book said..." is understood to be figurative, and is quite common. We know the book isn't talking.

The book says that the church was built in 1089

You can't say "The book writes..." because it is not the book that is writing, it is the author. So, if the book has a named author you can, as an alternative say:

In his guidebook, Jack Smith wrote about a city walking course.

That is more formal, and more appropriate to written English.

You can use a variety of verbs with the book as subject:

The guidebook (describes/ explains/ contains) a city walking course.

And for the most formal, when the author isn't known, one may use the passive voice:

It is written in the Book of Genesis that when God's Spirit hovered over the water at the beginning of time, all was darkness."

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