50 Super Simple books every English learner should read.
Are you struggling to do communication in English? You don't get confidence to speak and writing in English? I am going to recommendations some tips that will help you to gain the confidence and you will be fluent in English day by day.
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Why should you read this post.
I am a non-native speaker, which means my first language is not English. Moreover, not being a native English speaker gives me the benefit of understanding the STRUGGLE of anyone who tries to improve their English language skills.
I had struggled a lot, just like you, to be able to communicate in English. I was rejected in many interviews because I couldn’t speak English very well. As a result, it affected my self-confidence!
It took me a lot of effort to be fluent in English. Later on, I even got a job as an English teacher! However, I am constantly learning and improving my language skills.
I never realized the relevance of reading in refining language skills until two years ago.
I always thought movies are far more exciting than books.
But when I started reading I did see a drastic difference in the way I speak and write. Which made me realize that I should have done more reading in the early stages of language learning!
So In today’s post, I have put together some of the easy and effective strategies that helped me learn English.
Note: This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase, I will get a small commission but it doesn’t cost anything more to you.
How can reading improve your language skills?
Many experts said reading is best way to increase the English language skills but they didn't tell how to read and use in day to day life. I have gone through many Books and found three main fundamental characteristics that will you to increase your language skills.
1. Reading helps to improve your communication skills by describing things better.
A good communication is what, it is nothing but when ever two person communicate with each other and they are able to get their point easily than we said these people are good in their communication. So when we Start reading books you will get a a broad idea about the matter that you are reading and whenever any situations come, in which you have do discussion on same topics than you have too many words to talk and also have good knowledge about it and at that time you will do the good communication with others. By reading books you will learn to describe things quickly.
Let’s have look at how a book would explain! This is from one of the best children’s classics, The Secret Garden.
“The entrance door was a huge one made of massive, curiously shaped panels of oak studded with big iron nails and bound with great iron bars. It opened into an enormous hall, which was so dimly lighted that the faces in the portraits on the walls and the figures”
– Louisa May Alcott- The Secret Garden!
What do you think your friend would have visualized if you described it this way?
Some of you might be thinking, There Is No Way anybody would explain it this way!!
Well, I get it.
These are a bit too detailed in speaking context. However, regular reading of these will help you to develop clarity in your thoughts and next time when you see a castle you will be able to recall at least some of the words!
Give it a try and see for yourself!
2. Reading can improve and expand your vocabulary
There isn’t a better way to boost your vocabulary than reading!
A new book can always give you at least five new words! But remember you should never read with a dictionary. The technique here is to try and understand the meaning of the words through the situations.
You may need to refer to the dictionary sometimes. However, try to avoid checking the meaning of the new words in every sentence. Get the help of the dictionary only if the context is unclear.
Another advantage of books is learning synonyms (a set of two or more words which has the same meaning).
For instance in the sentence: They live in a big house near Alberta, how many other words can you think instead of “big”?
You can say: huge, large or gigantic. These are called SYNONYMS!
Look at these two sentences:
They live in a big house near Alberta.
It’s your big day.
Do you know the word ” big” in both sentences refers to different meanings?
In the first sentence, it refers to the size of the house, whereas in the second sentence it refers to the “importance” of that particular day!
3. Reading can improve your grammar and sentence structure
Novels help you to perfect the structure of the sentences, AKA Grammar!
I always find Reading is a better way to understand the complicated grammatical rules that we hated in high school! But, do not take novels as the ultimate guide to the grammar lessons. They are ONLY a set of example sentences in books to help you understand the rules of English Grammar.
There are a lot of books which are published particularly for English Learners. Most of them are written according to the Learners’ level. Which means the publishers make less complex versions of classics. Most sentences are short and words are more easy to understand.
The well-known publishers are Penguin readers, Cambridge University Press, Oxford Bookworms library!
So before you choose a book, find out your level. Give it a try here
Always remember that these tests are not always complete assessment of your language skills. Sometimes you might find the results of these texts are higher or lower than you had expected.
If you think the level test wasn’t enough to test your level, choose a book from the level the test recommended. And start reading a couple of pages. If you are able to understand the book you choose, then you are at that particular level.
Why Should You Read Simple English Books?
I used to read the short classics from Penguin readers and Cambridge University press and it really helped me to understand the book really well in my earlier reading stages.
Once you think you have improved your reading and beginning to enjoy it, you can always go back and read the full version of the books.
Let me give you an example of one of my favorite books-Black Beauty written by Anna Sewell.
The book has 245 pages and 48 chapters!. The book is pretty short and easy for an average reader. But a bit too difficult for Elementary or Pre–intermediate level English learners. Penguin Readers have published a short version, 48 pages of this book.
Have a look at the first few lines from the first chapter of Original Book :
The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate at our master’s house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the meadow was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook overhung by a steep bank.While I was young I lived upon my mother’s milk, as I could not eat grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her.When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove.
Now let’s see the lines from Penguin Young Readers: Level 2
Now let’s see the lines from Penguin Young Readers: Level 2
“I don’t remember everything about my first months of life. I remember a big field of green grass with one or two trees in it. One hot day my mother stood under a tree and I drank her milk. That was before I got bigger. Then I started to eat grass.”
Did you notice the difference in writing and vocabulary? For a beginner or pre–intermediate level learner this is much more convenient than the original writing.
Once you start to enjoy reading, switch to reading unabridged versions to learn new vocabulary!
You may find some classic books which are already short. However, That doesn’t mean they are easy to read. So make sure to read a few pages to find out!
Choose Your favorite English Genre (with examples)
Remember to choose a book that you will actually READ!
In order to improve your English skills, you should never choose a historical book to read if you know the details of war and political views will put you to sleep instantly.
Instead of encouraging you to read, it will bore you and you will lose interest!
Now you know about the Genres, it’s time for you to find out the more Books!
Now you know about the Genres, it’s time for you to find out the more Books!
12 Simple Novels for You To read In English:
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Mark Twain.
This book is all about childhood-fun and adventure. The story takes place in the 1840s. You can read this novel and fill the childhood.
Where the Red Fern Grows: Wilson Rawls
Do you love dogs? Do you have your own? Well, you would want to have one after reading this book. This is a heartwarming and adventurous story about a boy a pair of redbone coon hounds. Children love this book. Click on the text to get the book on Amazon without wasting your time in searching for the same.
The curious incident of the dog in the night-time : Mark Haddon.
This is the story of a boy, Christopher Boone. He is autistic and lives with his father. One day he discovers a dead body of his neighbor’s dog. Later de decides to investigate the murder. This book is all about the life of an autistic boy and it’s thoughts. It’s rather complex in theme but you will get to enjoy the humor as well. Read this marvelous book, to buy click on text.
The Blue Umbrella- Ruskin bond
This is a short and easy Indian novel, about the life of a girl in a small village. Written in simple language this is a perfect book for anyone looking for a short and easy read. You will find many fun characters to amuse you in this book.
The Incredible Journey: Sheila Burnford.
If you love pets this one’s for you. This book narrates the incredible journey of two dogs and a cat traveling through mountains and rivers to find their owners!
Ali and His Camera: Raymond Pizante
Do you love taking photos? How do you take them? Well, the boy is in this story is just like you. He loves to take pictures of places and people in Istanbul but he doesn’t have own camera.
Find out whether he is able to buy one his own.
Gulliver’s Travels: Jonathan Swift.
What would you do when you end up on an unknown island with strange people? Well, you will find out in this book what Gulliver did. He ends up in an Island called Lilliput, where little people live.
David Copperfield: Charles Dickens
This is a classic novel from one of the famous writers, Charles Dickens. This book narrates the life of David. Including his childhood memories, family and his life as an adult.
TREASURE ISLAND: Robert Louis Stevenson
Are you a fan of adventure stories? then this one is for you. The story takes place in the days of ships, pirates, and treasure!
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Lewis Caroll.
You must have heard about this book a lot when you were in school. This story is about a girl who ends up in a completely different world. There are a lot of strange characters.
I am sure this would be a fun read.
Have you heard of Roald Dahl? He is a renowned Children’s author. In this book, he writes about the life of Mr. Fox and his friends.
Do you enjoy reading stories of animals? then give it a read.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit: Beatrix Potter
This book is written by Beatrix Potter. This the story of naughty Peter Rabbit and his brothers and sisters. I am sure you will never be too old to read children’s stories. This book has been made into the movie in 2018!
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