Students often ask me about recommendations in terms of books that they can read to improve their English. I generally respond that the most important element about choosing a book to read in a foreign language is that you have a strong interest in the subject matter so that you will be motivated enough to see it through until the end.
Saying that, I do think that there are a few books out there that can be useful if you are completely lost. So the list below has been selected with the idea that most of you are have an intermediate level of English.
1. Animal Farm - George Orwell
I read this book while I was at school and I can remember thinking that it was quite exciting and entertaining. Considering that most kids hate the books that they have to read at school, the fact that I thought it was quite good is a good indicator of its suitability for people who want to learn English.
I will not go into the detail of the plot here because you can have a look at that on Amazon but it is a very interesting story that is written in a simple way but has many very important messages about how society is built and the power relations that it contains. Really interesting!
I will not go into the detail of the plot here because you can have a look at that on Amazon but it is a very interesting story that is written in a simple way but has many very important messages about how society is built and the power relations that it contains. Really interesting!
2. Boy - Roald Dahl
This is a book that I read a long time ago, but I can remember enjoying it a lot. Roald Dahl is a very famous author in the UK, and I am quite confident when I say that I think almost everyone in the UK has read one of his books during their childhood. I recommend this book because I think it is a little more appropriate for an adult audience.
Any book written by Roald Dahl is a good choice in terms of improving your English, but some of them might seem too childlike for your tastes and the childrens books often include made-up words that don't even exist in English which is extremely entertaining for English kids but not so useful for people whose main aim is to improve their English.
Other options that I would recommend by the same author include "Going Solo", "Kiss Kiss", "Tales of the Unexpected" and "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar".
Any book written by Roald Dahl is a good choice in terms of improving your English, but some of them might seem too childlike for your tastes and the childrens books often include made-up words that don't even exist in English which is extremely entertaining for English kids but not so useful for people whose main aim is to improve their English.
Other options that I would recommend by the same author include "Going Solo", "Kiss Kiss", "Tales of the Unexpected" and "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar".
3. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
I read this book when I was at university. It is probably one of the harder books on this list so make sure that you look at a few pages of the book before you buy it. It was a huge hit when it first came out, and everyone was talking about it.
I can remember the edition that I had had a very large font so for me it was very easy to read. I liked the story because it talks about choosing your route or path in life rather than just following the pack.
The original version was written in Portuguese, but it was subsequently translated into many languages. Highly recommended.
I can remember the edition that I had had a very large font so for me it was very easy to read. I liked the story because it talks about choosing your route or path in life rather than just following the pack.
The original version was written in Portuguese, but it was subsequently translated into many languages. Highly recommended.
4. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon
This book came out just when I first arrived in Spain, and I noticed that quite a lot of my students at that time bought it because it was recommended as a book that was interesting but also quite simple to read. I have to be honest and say that I have never read the book, but from the feedback that I have got from students over the years, it seems that it is a GOOD CHOICE.
5. Of mice and Men - John Steinbeck
I can remember reading this book at school. I was not the best at reading in the class, but I found it enjoyable...even exciting!
It is set in America and follows two characters who have very little in terms possessions, but they have big dreams. They set out together with the aim of finding a job and living the American dream of social mobility. Very quickly things go wrong, and their plans need to alter dramatically!
It is set in America and follows two characters who have very little in terms possessions, but they have big dreams. They set out together with the aim of finding a job and living the American dream of social mobility. Very quickly things go wrong, and their plans need to alter dramatically!
6. The Diary of Anne Frank - Anne Frank
I read this when I was a teenager or maybe a little earlier. In many ways, the type of books that you need to look for when you want to improve your English are the books that native speakers use to strengthen THEIR English. So this book is a good option.
The book is set in Amsterdam during the Second World War and talks about the dangers that Anne encounters as a Jewish girl. Once again the narrator is a child which helps.
The book is set in Amsterdam during the Second World War and talks about the dangers that Anne encounters as a Jewish girl. Once again the narrator is a child which helps.
7. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne
I can remember this book being a massive hit and it was subsequently made into a film as well which many of you may have seen.
Anyway, like many books in this list of recommendation the narrator is a child which helps to make the language used slightly more straightforward. When you are trying to learn English, that is a useful thing because you don't want to get into a book where the language is overcomplex. Remember, an essential element of reading a book in a foreign language it that you enjoy it and that you get to the end. Nothing else.
The story, in this case, is about a boy who is living in a concentration camp. It is about his daily life and the people that he meets. It is a powerful book and definitely worth reading.
Anyway, like many books in this list of recommendation the narrator is a child which helps to make the language used slightly more straightforward. When you are trying to learn English, that is a useful thing because you don't want to get into a book where the language is overcomplex. Remember, an essential element of reading a book in a foreign language it that you enjoy it and that you get to the end. Nothing else.
The story, in this case, is about a boy who is living in a concentration camp. It is about his daily life and the people that he meets. It is a powerful book and definitely worth reading.
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