This blog was originally published in November 2013, but was updated in September 2019.
Reading is one of the best ways to improve your English. Whether you’re preparing for a Cambridge exam or just studying to improve your language skills, reading is a fantastic way to acquire new vocabulary, explore new structures, discover complex expressions and get a real feel for the language. unfortunately, however, it can sometimes be difficult to find the right kind of novel for your level. That’s why we’ve created this list of the best English novels for beginners.
You are reading: English books for beginners
easy novels for learners of English
1. the curious incident of the dog in the night by mark haddon
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night is the story of a boy, Christopher, who suffers from autism. Christopher goes to a special school and finds it very difficult to understand and communicate with people from the outside world. he discovers that his neighbor’s dog has been murdered and decides to investigate the crime. This leads him on a terrifying and challenging journey that changes his life.
The story is told by Christopher, which means the language is simple and easy to understand. its short length also makes this book easy to read, even for beginners!
2. fantastic mr fox – roald dahl
A good tip when choosing books to improve your English is to read books written for children. We chose Fantastic Mr. Fox, but really we could have chosen just about any book by the iconic writer Roal Dahl, who is arguably one of the greatest children’s authors of all time.
Fantastic Mister Fox is the story of three evil local farmers and a cunning fox who steals their chickens, geese and apple cider to feed his family and friends. Boggis, Bunce, and Bean (the Horrible Farmers) plan to capture the Fox by digging up his house, but Mr. Fantastic Fox has a plan of his own…
another great thing about these books is the illustrations by quentin blake. reading a picture book also helps you understand the story better.
3. the old man and the sea – ernest hemingway
the old man and the sea is a short novel about an epic battle between an old Cuban fisherman and a giant fish. Hemingway uses the simple story as a fable that explores the themes of defiance, courage, survival, defeat, and personal triumph.
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hemingway is famous for his clean and minimalist writing style, which is perfect for language learners. By using short sentences and getting right to the point, every level of an English learner will find the language accessible.
4. lord of the flies – william golding
lord of the flies is a popular modern classic to read in school. It was once the set text for the Cambridge Advanced Exam, making it an even better book to help you improve your English! Whether you’ve read it in your own language or not, it’s good to try it in English.
lord of the flies begins with a plane crash that leaves a group of children marooned on an island. alone on the island, they choose a leader and create their own society. things go terribly wrong and a war for leadership begins. the boys go wild and form two rival tribes, resulting in panic, fear, and death.
It will make you think about human nature. Will our cruelty and hunger for power end up destroying us?
5. empty world – john christopher
When Nick’s parents are killed in a car accident, Nick moves in with his grandparents. Shortly after the move, a deadly virus spreads across the world, killing most of the population. nick is left alone to survive in a lonely and empty world…..
the language of an empty world is simple because it was written for a teenage audience, but it is as dark, disturbing and thought-provoking as any adult book. Although it may be an easy read, it will also make you think!
6. to kill a mockingbird- harper lee
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic American novel that many students in the UK and the US will study in high school.
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The book is set in the United States and follows the story of a crime in a small rural town and its repercussions. It’s told from a child’s point of view, so the language is never too complex, making it a great novel for beginners of the English language.
7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. paddle
so it may be an obvious choice, but the first few harry potter books are an excellent introduction to the english language. Written for children and young adults, the language is somewhat simple, making the books accessible to people with low English proficiency. if that wasn’t enough, you’re probably already familiar with the story, which always makes reading in your second language so much easier!
We hope you enjoyed reading about our favorite books. Do you want to learn English with native speakers? Take a look at our online English courses and improve your English today.
Find other English language tips on the British Study Centers blog:
best television & netflix programs to learn english
the best songs to learn English
the 10 best films in English
all images are used for educational purposes to illustrate a critical analysis of the novels. All image rights belong to the book publisher or cover artist.
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