VOA慢速英语:For All Book Lovers: Chapter 2

for granted – idiomatic phrase : to accept or assume without question: one takes certain amenities for granted : to fail to appreciate the value, merit, etc, of (a person)

iconic – adj. widely recognized and well-established

nod – n. something done to show that someone or something has been chosen, approved, etc.

novel – n. a long written story usually about imaginary characters and events

cram – v. to prepare hastily for an examination <cram the students for the test>

to judge a book by its cover – saying : said to show that you cannot know what something or someone is like by looking only at that person or thing's appearance (featured in Words and Their Stories - For All Book Lovers: Chapter 1)

D.J. – n. abbreviation for disc jockey : a person who plays popular recorded music on the radio or at a party or nightclub

backfire – v. of an engine or vehicle : to make a loud sound when fuel is not burned properly; slang : to have the opposite result of what was desired or expected