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.
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:
That is more formal, and more appropriate to written English.
You can use a variety of verbs with the book as subject:
And for the most formal, when the author isn't known, one may use the passive voice: