Imagine walking through the streets of Munich in August.
Oktoberfest talk is in the air.
You are reading: Best german learning books
Throw a stone into the bubbling Isar River, stop by a local restaurant, and maybe even learn some science at the German museum.
Wouldn’t it be nice to speak a little German during your adventure?
Asking for directions or ordering from a menu in German makes you feel like you’re part of the atmosphere, and it’s always good to have a conversation to improve your own German language skills.
The best books to learn German may be the key to your problems, as they are easy to take with you on your travels, provide wonderful quizzes, and offer educational tools to brush up on German.
oh yes, and it’s always easier to open a book in a restaurant or museum than on a computer.
- our best choice: the german book to learn everything
- living german
- simplified german
- hammer german grammar and usage
- living language german
- learn german with stories: cafe in berlin
our top 6 book picks for learning German
- our best choice: the german book to learn everything
- living german
- simplified german
- hammer german grammar and usage
- living language german
- learn german with stories: cafe in berlin
download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable pdf that you can take anywhere. click here for a copy. (download)
why read books to learn german?
Think of all the options you have to learn a new language like German. From chatting with native speakers on Skype to flipping through flashcards on your smartphone, the possibilities for learning are endless, but few offer the advantages of good traditional reading.
To begin with, reading books in German helps to simulate learning in the classroom. I remember reading “The Catcher in the Rye” at school and it made my education in English much more enjoyable, because the book was fun and we had the opportunity to discuss it with others.
Not to mention that many of these books come with learning materials (worksheets, grammar guides, and flashcards) and CDs to improve your listening and pronunciation skills. On top of that, the authors are experienced instructors and German speakers, giving you connections with people who live and breathe German every day.
The final reason to read books in German is my favorite. Books are mobile! It’s not always reasonable (or safe) to lug around a laptop on the go, so tossing a book into your backpack provides fun learning you can take out on a plane, while you’re on the go. in a restaurant or even while chatting with friends.
at the same time, being able to access books on a smaller device like a kindle or ipad can be very convenient, and resources like vitalsource make it possible to buy books to learn german with exactly that kind of convenience in mind. At vitalsource, you can access your bookshelf in-app purchases, which allows you to store all your learning books (dictionaries, textbooks, grammar books) together.
See Also: Sue Ann Jaffarian – Book Series In Order
If you want an even more interactive and multi-sensory experience, you can watch various animated stories in fluentu. this show actually has many different types of authentic German videos, like movie clips, news clips, and vlogs.
there’s even a video of a german speaking man reading olly richards book, “tales in german”:
Videos can be great reading practice. Read along with the accurate German subtitles and you’ll improve your reading fluency (i.e. how fast you read). fluentu makes it easy to go back to single sentences, and you can check the definition of any word with one click (as well as add it to cards to review later).
how to choose the right german learning books for you
When was the last time you were in a library? how about browsing through amazon? It doesn’t matter what kind of book you’re looking for, because sometimes it’s almost easier to close your eyes and grab the first one your fingers touch. My point is that the world is full of books and books to learn German are no different.
How do you choose from this wide selection of German books? well, it’s a three-step approach.
- level: start with an internal assessment of your knowledge of the German language. Are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced? some German books suit all of these groups, but you can narrow down the selection for many.
- age: Next, think about your age. Some German books are only designed for children, with cartoon images and simpler learning procedures. on the other hand, a teenage girl may not learn in exactly the same way as a 60-year-old man.
- goals: You should also compile a list of goals you want to achieve by learning German from a book. looking for fluency? Just need to get ready for your two-week trip to Berlin? Write down these goals to connect them to the right books.
That said, read on for the best books to learn German.
1. “The Everything Book for Learning German: Speaking, Writing, and Understanding Basic German in No Time” by Ed Swick
“the german book to learn everything” is for the basic german learner who wants to ask fluently about the beer selection at oktoberfest. learn simple phrases like wie viel kostet der käse? (how much does cheese cost?) or ich möchte ein berliner, bitte (I want a Berliner, please).
The outstanding advantage of this book is the included cd to improve your pronunciation and hear how native speakers use the German language. comes with easy-to-understand exercises and everything from basic introductions to verbal conversations.
The guide is not for the most advanced users, but if you are just starting out on your quest for German fluency, it explains the similarities between English and German to make your learning easier.
2. “living german” by ed swick
There comes a point where flipping through flashcards just isn’t enough. you want to experience the German language and immerse yourself in the culture, people and events. that’s where “living german” comes in.
The entire book focuses on reviewing the current German you already know. it’s to interact with people and live with your knowledge of German and not just struggle with conversations.
Don’t go through the horrible experience of practicing your German and then struggling to find the right words in conversation. The book uses a traditional approach with grammar basics, translation skills and practical vocabulary. its exercise key lets you check your answers, and the cd helps you switch between speaking and listening.
The main advantage is that the book offers real-world examples and dialogues that immerse you in authentic German situations.
3. “german made simple: learn to speak and understand german quickly and easily” by eugene jackson and adolph geiger
the book “german made simple” is the ideal option if you consider yourself a self-taught person. is designed to learn the basics, but the goal is to learn common phrases quickly.
See Also: Marian Keyes – Book Series In Order
The popular book includes several reading exercises so you can exercise your own translation muscles, and the pronunciation guide provides guidance on how to say the words the right way.
Common expressions are pleasing to the traveler in you, and review exercises test your knowledge. don’t forget to check the answers in the back when you’re done!
4. “Hammer German Grammar and Usage” (Fifth Edition) by Professor Martin Durrell
This is what all advanced German learners have been waiting for. “Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage” takes an in-depth look at German grammar to challenge intermediate and advanced learners. Grammar examples are taken from contemporary German, so your way of speaking is related to the world we live in today.
If you plan to write in German, this guide is ready to help you, covering spelling reform and current spellings that have evolved over time to mean different things. the book maintains a clear format with lucid descriptions so that you imagine situations and elements in your mind. breaks down commonly used forms, so you know exactly when to use certain words in formal and informal forms.
a key component is the grammar reference area which allows you to double check if you are using the words correctly.
5. “german living language”
For an all-in-one German learning book, choose “Live German” as it presents an easily digestible guide for everyone from beginners to advanced German speakers. is one of the most complete options, where you can start without knowing anything and graduate to speaking fluently.
“living language german” includes three books, nine audio cds and an online training course, so you have the opportunity to learn through all means.
The reading and educational materials are based on linguistic science, proven techniques and more than 65 years of experience. Not to mention, the editor uses the trademark Living Language Method, which includes four steps: Build a Foundation, Progress with Confidence, Retain What You’ve Learned, and Achieve Your Goals.
6. “learn german with stories: café in berlin” by andré klein
Reading a bunch of language guides gets repetitive, so why not dive into some short stories written in German? The book “Learn German with Stories: Coffee in Berlin” is written for beginners and compiles 10 short stories to improve engagement and keep people motivated.
Learn about the German country and its people by following intriguing characters, like a young man who just moved to Berlin from Sicily. man encounters romances, strange life situations and more. The book offers intriguing plots and controversies, making the reader wonder how he will handle his language and figure out how to live in a new country without his family, friends and familiar background.
You receive a nicely formatted table of contents to jump to different stories, and the introduction explains how you should use the stories for your own learning, how to use the book’s dictionary, and how the author came up with the stories. .
Interacting with the heart of the German language takes practice, and your options are endless, from German audiobooks to online courses, but nothing beats a solid book. not only can you find them relatively cheap (and sometimes used), but many of the German books described above come in e-book format for those with tablets and kindles.
That said, keep learning and integrate these books into your current training regimen. the authors are experts and the books provide wonderful ways to have fun and learn about the German language.
download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable pdf that you can take anywhere. click here for a copy. (download)
joe warnimont is a blogger and adventurer. When he’s not biking around Chicago, he can be found honing his German skills. he has watched “run lola run” about ten times too many.
See Also: These 6 conversationalist books will help you make better small talk with anyone, anywhere