*this article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. for complete information, see the disclaimer here.
Learning Russian beyond saying hello is a powerful yet exciting challenge. To reach the goal, some books to learn Russian are essential.
You are reading: Books in russian language
In this article, I will list the best textbooks, grammar books, audiobooks, and even storybooks for learners of Russian, from beginner to advanced.
the best part? you can find all this on amazon so you can learn Russian from anywhere in the world.
With a little hard work and dedication, you will begin to follow Russian rap and understand the words of Tolstoy and Chekhov.
let’s get started.
best books to learn Russian for beginners
A quick google search for books to learn Russian yields many results. but how do you find the best Russian language books in a sea of options?
If you’re just starting out, I recommend looking into easy Russian books for beginners.
start with books that teach the Cyrillic script or the Russian alphabet, azbuka. then dive into Russian grammar and learn more Russian words and phrases with the vocabulary books.
Good Russian textbooks will give structure to your learning journey. but you can also keep it fun and engaging with Russian audiobooks and short stories.
books to master the Russian alphabet
1. teach yourself Russian writing for beginners
A favorite among novices, this book presents a great method for learning to write and pronounce the Cyrillic alphabet.
Each chapter is accompanied by dialogues and exercises with phrases that are useful whether you are in a restaurant, in a subway station or need to ask for directions in Russian.
Overall, this book is a must for self-taught beginners.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- compartmentalization of pronunciation and writing
- best value for money as a guide for beginners
- review quizzes to re-assess your knowledge
- perfect for students planning to visit russia
2. Master the Russian alphabet, a handwriting practice book
Cyrillic script usually comes with a lot of baggage. The modern Russian alphabet has 33 letters: 20 consonants, 10 vowels, one semivowel, and two modifier letters.
It may sound daunting, but luckily, workbooks like Mastering the Russian Alphabet can help you assimilate faster.
Perfect for children and adults alike, this workbook teaches the Russian alphabet with ease and allows you to master Cyrillic writing in the best way possible: by writing. Sure, you can write Russian letters on a keyboard, but learning how to write on paper will strengthen your muscle memory.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- uppercase and lowercase variations of Russian letters in both print and cursive
- “trace and learn” sections for detailed stroke order and strengthen stroke technique strokes
- simple pronunciation guidelines
- additional pages dedicated to handwriting practice
3. Russian alphabet in 33 movements
Russian Alphabet in 33 Movements is one of the most refreshing and not boring books to learn Russian. uses visual or mnemonic cues, which are among the most effective tools for learning a foreign language.
It is proven that one can learn faster and remember longer after making connections between letters and their respective pronunciation. this is exactly what this book does.
for example, Á looks like a creature with a big belly and is pronounced “b” as in the word “belly”. Ч, which looks like an upside down chair, is pronounced “ch” as in the word “chair”.
This book definitely makes learning the Russian alphabet easier and more fun. highly recommended for students who have no experience in Russian.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- An engaging way to learn the Russian alphabet
- Learning with visual cues is fast, effective and efficient.
- A great resource for making flashcards
- comes with easy to understand explanations and quizzes
textbooks to learn Russian
4. russian for dummies
Do you have cold feet in the face of the daunting task of learning Russian on your own? Then Russian for Dummies is the book for you!
This complete guide for beginners is a perfect option to understand the basics: learning to count; write in Cyrillic; confess to your friend how many pounds of borscht you ate; talk about your hobbies and much more.
combines fun facts about Russian culture with humorous text and heartwarming illustrations. You will learn about common phrases, favorite holidays, traditional dishes and things you should never do in Russia.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- easy to use, conversational format
- focused on speaking and listening skills
- complemented with an audio cd with conversations
- gives you an idea of Russian traditions and customs
5. sputnik: an introductory course on the Russian language
If you feel ready to dedicate yourself to the glory of the Russian language, go for this holistic option.
A reference book for learning Russian, it is packed with listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary exercises. explains grammar rules and sentence structures in an easy-to-understand way.
It also comes with audio materials to help you improve your pronunciation skills.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- concise and easy to read
- includes images and illustrations
- can be supplemented by a free online program
6. Complete Russian (beginner to intermediate course)
the complete learn yourself series is one of the best resources for any language learner. This Russian learning book is also one of the most comprehensive books for learning Russian as it covers lessons on all four key skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Complete Russian uses authentic conversations, extensive vocabulary lists, and clear grammar explanations. it also contains many review sections to help beginners advance to the next level.
I love that the sample sentences and exercises present a variety of scenarios and situations that have a cultural context, so it also builds cultural awareness along the way.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- extensive verb reference and glossary for vocabulary building
- perfect for self-study, with a tutor, or even for classroom use
- lots of cultural notes and usage daily conversations that give a touch of real spoken Russian
- includes an audio cd for listening practice
7. live language russian full edition
living language is one of the most useful books to learn Russian for serious learners. True to its name, it is comprehensive and is intended to take you from beginner to advanced level.
living language russian complete edition consists of three books of increasing difficulty. In all, there are 46 lessons, review exercises, culture notes, and a grammar summary.
You also get nine audio CDs for listening practice, but you can also download them online, along with other online learning materials.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- comprehensive and easy-to-understand explanations of grammar rules, verb tenses, conjugations and more
- all-in-one resource and multimedia for serious learners of Russian
- learning materials online free
- helpful hints and tips on how to learn Russian fast
Russian grammar and vocabulary books
8. English-Russian, Russian-English dictionary
This is a nearly exhaustive dictionary that can be your sancho panza when you’re trying to kill those giants of grammar… which are just harmless modal verbs.
More than just a Russian dictionary, it helps with conjugation and declension, imperfective and perfective versions of a verb, and even some Russian spelling rules.
Best of all, it’s clearly and precisely written.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- good explanations about the multiple meanings of each word
- useful for learners of all levels, from beginner to near expert
- lots of bonuses in Russian
9. the new penguin russian course: a complete course for beginners
Dive into the unknown realm of learning Russian on your own? then this can be your grammar bazooka.
is an introductory nonsense Russian language textbook with concise grammar rules, readings and exercises. It is ideally combined with Russian learning apps for listening practice.
Whether you are a novice or an experienced student, this is one of the best books for learning Russian. can help you review the basics of Russian and develop your intuition when using different grammatical structures.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- simple with digestible instructions
- suitable for self-taught beginners
- focused on grammar and reading
10. Russian Word Book – Learn 500+ commonly used Russian words through pictures
Building Russian vocabulary can be difficult when you don’t have context. picture books are great because pictures help memory through context and association.
One of the best books to learn Russian, this language exercise book contains 15 common scenes dedicated to a different theme, such as picnic, classroom, living room, on the beach and more. each scene contains familiar objects labeled in Russian.
When you finish the book, you will have over 500 terms for various objects in your vocabulary arsenal. the photos of each scene can even be colored in, adding another fun element to your language learning time.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- contains a variety of words used in everyday settings
- full list of Russian words and English translations at the end of the book
- fun addition to your Russian studies
- perfect for self-taught or children
audiobooks to learn Russian
11. russian pimsleur
Created by pimsleur, this audio-focused course that can come in audiobook format is based on the pimsleur method. This effective method enriches your vocabulary through spaced repetition and the incorporation of a manageable number of new words in different contexts.
pimsleur russian provides 30-minute basic lessons, with digital flashcards and additional learning materials. At the end of this Russian course, you will be able to understand and speak Russian with confidence.
why you should enroll in this course:
- good tool to improve listening and speaking skills
- contextualized and common dialogues
- improves comprehension through detailed instructions
- can be combine with russian textbooks for writing as well as pimsleur app
12. learn Russian for beginners easily & in your car! vocabulary editing!
Let’s be real. Not all language learners have the luxury of having time to read books and review for hours on end. but lack of time shouldn’t stop you from learning.
learn Russian for beginners easily and in your car is perfect for people who don’t have time because as its title suggests, you can simply listen to it in your car. Or anywhere, really.
This approximately six hour long Russian audiobook can help you kill your time productively while practicing your listening skills.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- contains more than 1,500 frequently used Russian words, covering various spheres of everyday life
- ideally combined with a quality grammar book and vocabulary exercise book
- contains a pdf with the transcribed version of the audiobook
- aimed at intermediate learners who are comfortable reading Cyrillic text
13. easy Russian phrasebook: 1500+ common phrases for everyday use and travel
Russian is a language brimming with phonetic nuances and subtleties of accent. even if you work hard on your grammar and vocabulary, it still takes a lot of confidence to be able to speak like a native. audiobooks are ideal for this purpose.
This phrasebook consists of over 1,500 common phrases used in everyday conversation and in native settings. Lessons cover a variety of topics like ordering food, medical situations, money, and more, so you’re sure to go beyond the basic “thank you” and “you’re welcome.”
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- Auditory lessons improve listening, recall and build confidence in speaking.
- Practical Russian vocabulary
- Introductory lessons on how to pronounce vowels and consonants in the Russian language
- includes a section with learning tips
storybooks to learn Russian
14. Russian tales for beginners
When Russian learning books become too academic, you can take a break by choosing Russian literature. And no, I don’t mean war and peace. Russian novels will generally not help beginners. instead, I recommend starting with short stories.
Lingo Mastery’s short stories in Russian for beginners are a best seller for many reasons. it is relatively easy to read and compelling. and contains realistic dialogue and common everyday situations.
Story summaries include text in Russian and English, which helps you easily understand what the story is about. Also included is a list of relevant vocabulary, plus questions to test what you’ve learned.
it is true that this is not for absolute beginners. but as you continue to learn from other resources, this can be great additional material to review or expand your vocabulary.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- entertaining and realistic stories that help expand Russian vocabulary
- include Russian slang and sayings
- perfect for upper and intermediate beginners
15. stories in Russian for beginners
In my third year of learning Russian, I was surprised when we made an excerpt from Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin (a special recommendation for some of you who like sonnets).
Despite not knowing most of the words, I managed to get the gist of the story. when I studied the unknown vocabulary afterwards, each word represented a part of the plot, embedding its meaning in my memory.
If this is also an effective learning method for you, you will surely enjoy these eight short stories, which go from the romance genre to the thriller and mystery genre.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- contains plot summaries and a bilingual word list
- can test yourself with comprehension questions
- ideal for advanced beginner Russian learners
best books to learn russian for intermediate and advanced learners
If you are in your second or third year of Russian and have somehow understood the six complicated declensions in Russian, it is time to delve into advanced books. maybe you can even accept books that are entirely in Russian.
Once you’ve reached a higher level, you don’t need to limit yourself to academic materials. Whether you choose to read Russian novels, history books, or Russian travel guides, you’ll end up challenging yourself as you develop a deeper understanding of the Russian language and culture.
And if you ever need help, you can always find an online Russian tutor to guide you.
textbooks to learn Russian for intermediate and advanced learners
16. russian jazyk: 5 elementsv
My journey to learn Russian began with this textbook.
The book is organized in a conventional teaching structure. is packed with real-life conversations so you can learn essential Russian grammar and vocabulary. exercises include writing essays, completing audio tasks, and grammar quizzes.
The small appendix at the end of the book contains all the Russian phrases and vocabulary you found in each chapter.
See Also: Jeffrey Archer – Book Series In Order
I promise you that the Russian cultural references and humor in this book will make your baby’s steps into the world of the Russian language that much more exciting.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- good for developing reading and writing skills
- works well with a Russian tutor
- useful exercises and illustrations
17. Russian: intermediate to advanced
466 pages may seem overwhelming, but this should be quite manageable for intermediate level learners. is one of the best books to learn Russian if you are in your third or fourth year of study.
This Russian language course focuses on developing reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills while expanding cultural literacy. Lessons are structured around contemporary themes and use up-to-date readings and excerpts.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- wide variety of readings including blogs, forums, polls, comments, and audio and video excerpts
- comes with free online resources in audio and video formats
- all-around resources to learn Russian grammar, vocabulary and improve speaking skills
Russian grammar and vocabulary books for intermediate and advanced learners
18. a complete russian grammar (4th edition)
This is the book of books to learn Russian grammar.
covers every topic you can think of, organized into detailed chapters ranging from numbers to pronunciation, case usage, short and long adjectives, and verb conjugation.
The e-book format allows you to write notes, highlight sections, and explore different chapters seamlessly.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- aimed at English speaking learners
- modern reference grammar book for all levels
- covers all topics related to the Russian language
- lots of ebook features that appeal to techies
19. v puti: Russian grammar in context (2nd edition)
Russian grammar can certainly be a puzzle. There are only three tenses in Russian, but for some reason each verb has a myriad of different forms. is it “поговорить” or “сказать”, “исправлять” or “поправлять”?
This is where learning in context comes into play.
unlike some textbooks that stray from the academic side, v puti teaches russian grammar through relevant and relatable everyday conversations. dialogue is realistic and includes topics you normally talk about.
one of the best books to learn Russian, it includes various reading exercises extracted from resources such as biographies, poems and historical texts.
why should i get this book?:
- helps develop listening, reading, writing and speaking skills at intermediate and advanced levels
- lots of speaking exercises and various readings
- clear explanations of grammar and practice
20. Russian Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook
if you are a serious autodidact who wants a deeper understanding of Russian grammar rules and vocabulary, you will love this book.
With the Russian tutor, you can learn Russian grammar and expand your vocabulary with 200 activities that have concise explanations and real-world tasks. It also contains illustrations and infographics for more context and practice.
The good thing is that you can follow along, unit by unit, or dip and dip to address your weak areas. this is easily one of the most flexible books for learning Russian while still offering intensive lessons.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- interactive lessons allow you to advance both Russian grammar and vocabulary.
- reinforces understanding of how the Russian language works.
- great for beginners self-taught who need a structured and attractive structure. materials
- additional tutor tips and advice for learning Russian effectively, as well as culture points
alternative books to learn Russian
21. Russian advanced through history
Who says that learning Russian should only focus on grammar rules and vocabulary indigestion? history books, while not focused on language, teach culture through a broad lens.
This book is an exposition of the history of Russia, starting from the times of Kyivan Rus and reaching the post-Soviet era. Chapters on Slavic philosophy, samizdat activity, and the position of women in the 19th and 20th centuries are scattered throughout the book.
If you are up for a challenge and enjoy a good command of the language, this is one of the best books to learn Russian. highly recommended for insatiable history buffs!
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- interactive applications, with chapters expanded by mini-lectures
- various online exercises that cultivate your argumentation skills in Russian
- multi-dimensional presentation of Russian history</li
- ideal for advanced students who want to learn more about russia in general
22. Russian folk tales from the collection of a. afanasyev: a bilingual book
I don’t think you can really dive deep into the Russian soul without knowing the story of Tsarevich Ivan, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf or without being aware of the mythical creature Baba Yaga.
This book features new translations of selected stories from Alexander Afanasyev’s three-volume collection. the left pages show the original russian text, while the right pages contain the new english translation by sergey levchin.
These timeless stories are captivating and sure to earn you bragging rights.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- provides a cultural immersion into the world of Russian literature and folklore
- gives insight into the transformation of language and thought patterns of the masters of that time
- compelling stories with good translations to aid learning
23. cinema for conversations in Russian, volume 1
Movie buffs and movie mortals alike will have a lot of fun with this one. a book that acquaints you with the largely unknown world, to most Westerners, of Russian cinema.
This Russian book covers 14 Russian movies from which you can learn new vocabulary and practice your writing and speaking skills. it also includes structured exercises that help to better understand the film.
The proposed films aim to generate debates about Russian culture, reflected through the lens of Russian directors at different times in history.
See Also: 10 Positive Leadership Books to Motivate and Inspire You During Difficult Times
why you should get this book:
- good selection of Russian films that address changing Russian norms and culture
- allows students to combine their knowledge of Russian linguistics and history
- exercise combinatorial thinking while improve speaking and writing skills
- perfect for classroom discussions
how to learn russian fast
download some apps
Combine these books with some of the best apps for learning Russian. this will transform the strenuous act of learning Russian into vocabulary-heavy speed and memorization games.
use a language exchange app as a tandem
Finding an exchange partner is one of the best investments to learn Russian. this way you can get immediate feedback on your sentence structure, declension and verb conjugation. You can also request constructive corrections in assignments and written messages.
Even better, study Russian with the guidance of an online tutor.
watch Russian movies and listen to Russian music
I’m going to make a confession. I have an unhealthy addiction to Soviet patriotic songs. Also, I’ve recently been falling down a rabbit hole of cold war Russian spy movies. all in the name of learning Russian, of course. then I’d suggest obsessing over Russian pop, rock, or rap (or even join the cold war comrades club).
You can always enjoy movies like Ivan the Terrible (1945), Brother (1997), Russian Ark (2002), and Battle for Sevastopol (2015).
Buy Russian cookbooks and make some blinis!
you can experiment in your kitchen preparing shashliki, kasha and pirozhki, making sure you have your food vocabulary well defined for a future trip to russia.
To conclude, in the world of the internet and Russian banyas, you can find many resources to learn Russian in an effective and enjoyable way.
just remember… Ровторение- мать учения!
See Also: How Many Books Are Published Each Year? – Tagari.com