Best Books to Improve Your Reading Skills?

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1. Why learn English through literature?

If you want to become more than fluent in English, you demand to keep pushing yourself. Reading original English books is a keen way to practise this! Even if y'all are an intermediate English speaker, you tin nonetheless apply unproblematic novels and books to make proficient progress. Let's take a look at how reading can aid you meliorate:

• Real English: Modern novels show you real examples of how English is used today. Textbooks do not always practice this because they are written in a simpler way for non-natives. Novels tin too teach y'all how to show emotion, express ideas or tell a story in English. You can also use literature to discover examples of realistic conversations between native speakers.

• Vocabulary: Even if you speak English language well, in that location is ever more than you lot tin can acquire. A good novel will exist simple and easy to sympathize, but it will too introduce you to new words. Reading books gives you the chance to learn vocabulary in the context of a story. This means you can see how words and phrases are connected in everyday conversation. Reading modern British or American novels will teach yous all sorts of weird and wacky English language words (similar 'wacky', which means: 'crazy' or 'eccentric')!

If you cannot find a word or expression in a standard dictionary, then this could mean it is a slang term. Endeavor using UrbanDictionary.com to detect out the pregnant.

• Accuracy: Great authors are masters of the English language. Their writing uses perfect mode and form. To improve your grammar and your written English, there is no amend instructor than a skillful volume! When you read books regularly, y'all begin to understand English more through passive learning.

• Interaction: Past reading a novel in English, you are interacting with the language. Many books have several layers of significant and tin can be understood in different ways. When you develop your own thoughts and opinions on a story, you lot create a personal relationship with the language. Students oft say that they feel different when reading a book in English, even if it has been translated from their own native language.

• Reward: Reading a novel might seem like a lot of work, but it tin exist one of the virtually rewarding means to improve your English. When yous read a novel, you are using English to attain a goal. In other words, you are reading and translating in order to understand and bask a story. When you lot apply English equally a practical tool in this way, you are one step closer to fluency.

2. How to amend your English language by reading simple books

There are many different ways that y'all can use reading books in English to improve your language skills. However, it is important to notice the books and methods that piece of work best for you. Remember to choose novels that suit your level of English and personal interests. Reading should be interesting and fun. If you find information technology boring or difficult, and so alter the volume! These viii tips will assist you become started:

1. Find a volume that Really interests yousThere are millions of books out there, and when y'all offset reading English literature information technology is of import to choose one that you will really love. Openthebook.com is a website that suggests books for you to read. All you have to exercise is enter your preferences or keywords! You tin can likewise use Bookbrowse.com to read extracts (or samples) from electric current books and then choose which you like best.
2. Make sure the level is right for youYou lot need to find a volume that is not also difficult, but not too like shooting fish in a barrel. First, try reading 2 or 3 pages. If at that place are more than than 10 new words per page, then it may be best to choose a simpler book. Reading should not become a slow 'lexicon practise'. If you can understand the general meaning and but look upwards a few new words per folio, then the book is probably a good choice for you lot.
3. Sentry the movie!If reading an original novel in English feels a bit scary, attempt watching the film first. Many popular books now have film versions. These will give you a basic understanding of the story before you read the volume itself. Watching movies is nifty practice too!

Most novels are now also available equally audiobooks. If you observe that reading takes too much time, and so why not try listening to an audiobook as you bulldoze to piece of work or relax on the sofa? You can notice costless audiobooks on LibriVox.

4. Attempt dual language booksDual language books have the original English text on one page and the translation into your language on the other. This means that you can quickly reference your own linguistic communication if you do not understand all of the English text. You can buy books of this kind in local shops or online, but the selection is always express. Alternatively, you can buy the same book in English and in your language, and then compare the two. You can get-go with these 5 gratuitous bilingual novels.
5. Analyse the linguistic communication in the bookAlways pay attention to how the writer uses words and constructions in English. Novels use both formal and informal language and are often filled with everyday English expressions. As you read, utilize a pencil to highlight whatsoever unfamiliar words and write them in a notebook. When you are speaking English, endeavour to use the words and phrases that you lot take read in recent books. Remember to check words and phrases from older books equally they may sound former-fashioned today.
6. Acquire new vocabulary in contextOriginal English language books will contain words yous practice not know. Earlier yous look them up in a lexicon, endeavor to work out what you think they hateful based on the context of the story. In many cases, you lot will be able to guess the meaning of the discussion without having to open your dictionary. Even so, when writing down new vocabulary, it is a good idea to double cheque.
7. Think almost what you take readWhen y'all have finished your volume, take a moment to reflect on what you have read. Were there any new words from the book that you peculiarly liked? Have you written these down in your notebook? If you actually enjoyed the book, and then would y'all like to try another past the same writer or perhaps read most the writer's life on Wikipedia? Just because you lot accept finished one book does not mean yous have reached the terminate of the road! There is always more to find…
8. Choose your side by side book!
   When yous have finished your showtime novel, information technology is time to cull the next one! If you are feeling confident, you could try to find a more than advanced book. Reading books by the same author (or from the same genre) tin brand life easier. Writers often apply the same words and phrases in their books, and this can help yous learn vocabulary through repetition.

Dearest reading in English? Why not create a book club to read and and then discuss English novels with your friends? This can be done contiguous or via Skype. Try to read ane book per calendar month and requite each society member a choice!

iii. Genres of English books (with examples)

Before you choose a book to read, it is a practiced idea to think about your favourite styles or genres. Whether you like scientific discipline fiction or romance novels, there are thousands of English books out there for you. The table below gives some examples of books from different genres:

Genre	Meaning	Examples
Science fiction (besides called 'sci-fi')	Books about an 'imagined future'. Frequently well-nigh space or other planets	1984 – George Orwell State of war of the Worlds – HG Wells
Fantasy	Includes things that are not existent. For example: magic, or mythical creatures similar dragons	Harry Potter – JK Rowling Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien
Romance	This has two meanings: – A story most a hero who is faced with challenges – A book about love/relationships	Male monarch Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table – Roger Lancelyn Green Jane Eyre – Emma Bronte The Notebook – Nicholas Sparks
Satire	'Satire' is a genre that uses humour to criticise the government or order	Animal Farm – George Orwell A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess
Horror	A story that has been fabricated to frighten you – a scary story!	Dracula – Bram Stoker The Shining – Stephen King
Murder mystery (as well called 'whodunit', 'detective novels' or 'crime fiction'	'Murder mysteries' are books about somebody who has been killed. The novel is spent trying to work out who the killer is – this will normally be revealed at the end	And Then In that location Were None – Agatha Christie The Hound of the Baskervilles – Arthur Conan Doyle
Thriller	An action novel that aims to leave you in suspense. It comes from the English give-and-take "thrilling" – which means exciting	The Girl on the Railroad train – Paula Hawkins The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brownish
Non-fiction	A book that is factual and informative, instead of telling an imaginary story. A not-fiction volume can be nearly whatever topic. For instance, historical accounts and biographies are non-fiction	Into the Wild – Jon Karkauer A Brief History of Time – Stephen Hawking Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson

4. 5 simple novels for y'all to read in English language

The Former Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway

(Mind to the audiobook hither!)

The Old Man and the Ocean is the story of an onetime Cuban fisherman chasing the biggest take hold of of his life. All alone, and miles out to body of water, he battles with the fish for several days. The book looks at many themes, like 'human vs. nature' and the idea of 'masculinity' (or being a 'human'). It is the fashion this volume deals with these themes that makes it one of the most famous and successful novels written in English.

When reading older books, you may discover words or phrases that are not used today. Attempt a Google search to see if the phrase is yet popular in modern English. Think to look at the dates of the published web pages as well.

Hemingway uses brusk, simple sentences to slap-up effect. This means that the book is quite easy and quick to read, simply that information technology is also powerful. Perhaps i tip to take from Ernest Hemingway's writing  is that elementary is ofttimes all-time when using English. In that location are few better authors to teach English language than Ernest Hemingway, and The Former Man and the Sea is one of his finest works.

Then he began to pity the groovy fish that he had hooked. He is wonderful and strange and who knows how old he is, he thought. […] He cannot know that information technology is merely one human being against him, nor that it is an onetime man. Simply what a great fish he is and what he will bring in the market place if the mankind is adept. He took the bait similar a male person and he pulls similar a male and his fight has no panic in it. I wonder if he has any plans or if he is only equally desperate every bit I am?

In this excerpt, Hemingway is 'personifying' the fish (giving information technology human qualities) and the fisherman is comparing it to himself.

Men are shown to be weak and small compared to nature throughout the novel and even in the title itself – The Former Human and the Sea. Despite man's technological progress, he is no unlike to the fish as they both struggle to survive in the dangerous ocean.

Words related to angling are used a lot in this book, which means you will learn some specific jargon related to this topic. In the extract, you tin can meet the word 'hooked', which ways to catch a fish on a claw. There is also lots of emotional language. For instance, 'pity' means 'to feel sorry', and in this context 'desperate' means 'hopeless'.

1984 – George Orwell

(Listen to the audiobook here!)

George Orwell has a special place in many British hearts. There is even a prize named later on him: the Orwell Prize, which awards the best political writing across the world.

1984 is a 'dystopian' novel – which means it is based in an imaginary, unpleasant world. This is the opposite of a 'utopia', which is an imaginary perfect gild. It was released in 1948 and looked forward to a future where the world is run by dictators and everybody is constantly being monitored. In the book, the primary character, Winston, tries to autumn in dear and struggle against the government in a world where his every motion is being watched.

Since it was released, 1984 has been seen as a classic – meaning people recall it as one of the all-time books of all time because of its story and the manner information technology deals with difficult themes. It even created a new word: 'Orwellian', which is used to describe things similar to the earth described in the book.

Orwell also had several ideas in 1984 that are often used in political discussions in the United kingdom. Ane of these is 'doublethink', which means to accept ii reverse ideas at the same time. Another is 'idea law', which can be used when somebody punishes or judges someone because of what they think.

From where Winston stood it was only possible to read, picked out on its white confront in elegant lettering, the three slogans of the Party:
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS Force

In this extract, Orwell uses 'contradictions'. This means he has taken two opposite ideas and put them together. The Party slogans are all contradictions, and examples of 'doublethink'. 'War is peace' ways that by always being at war and having an enemy, the people will back up their government. 'Liberty is slavery' ways that, in the eyes of the government, independent men are certain to fail. 'Ignorance is strength' is the idea that if the public are ignorant of politics, the government can stay strong and in full control.

As you tin can see, 1984 deals with some quite heavy political themes – but this should not put you off. Information technology is one of the virtually popular and entertaining books in the English language

George Orwell besides wrote a list of rules on how to write well. This is used by native English speakers. Why not try using it to meliorate your writing in English?

Harry Potter – JK Rowling

(Listen to the audiobook here!)

Possibly you accept already read the Harry Potter books, or at to the lowest degree seen the films. These books are a must read for all English students who enjoy fantasy novels. There are 7 books in the series, which get progressively longer and more avant-garde in their English language. It is all-time to start with the first.

Harry Potter is a story about witches and wizards. All of the main characters get to Hogwarts, which is a school where they are taught how to use magic. The wizarding world of Harry Potter has its ain animals, history, and fifty-fifty words! Some authors like to create 'nonsense' words – for instance, Rowling uses the term 'muggle' to hateful 'someone who cannot utilise magic'.

Possibly it had something to practise with living in a dark cupboard, just Harry had ever been small and skinny for his age. […] Harry had a thin face, knobbly knees, blackness hair and bright green optics. He wore circular glasses held together with a lot of scotch tape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose. The only thing Harry liked about his ain advent was a very thin scar on his brow that was shaped similar a bolt of lightning.

In this extract, you can see Rowling's easy-to-read just descriptive fashion. This detailed account of Harry Potter's appearance is in the commencement volume – Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. You tin can meet that these books are a goldmine for practical English words and phrases.

'Skinny' is another word for sparse, but in a negative mode (from the word 'skin'). Calling someone 'skinny' ways they are likewise thin, and this is seen as insulting. Yous can besides say: 'He's all skin and bones'. Scotch tape is some other discussion for mucilaginous tape or Sellotape. 'Knobbly knees' is a term for someone who has legs so skinny that you lot can see their knee joint joints clearly sticking out. This term sounds funny in English, but it can be a little insulting. In the excerpt, Rowling is painting a picture of Harry as scruffy and lanky – meaning his advent is messy and he is alpine and sparse.

YouTube has some groovy videos to assistance you larn English with popular books such every bit Harry Potter. The video beneath is an English lesson that uses the first book:

About a Boy – Nick Hornby

(Heed to the audiobook here!)

Nick Hornby is one of the most popular modern English authors. Many of his books are bestsellers that have too been made into pop movies – including About a Boy (the moving picture). This is a funny story nearly an immature man who behaves like a male child and a serious young boy who behaves like a human being. In many ways they are opposites, simply they become friends and aid each other to understand their ain hearts.

The great thing most novels is that they teach you both formal and informal English. It is a good thought to read new books equally well as old classics, every bit they will help y'all larn the modernistic language every bit it is used today.

Loving yourself and allowing yourself to be loved, was simply worth the risk if the odds were in your favour, but they quite clearly weren't. There were about seventy-nine squillion people in the globe, and if you were very lucky, you would end up being loved by fifteen or twenty of them. So how smart did you have to be to piece of work out that it just wasn't worth the run a risk?

Hornby writes with a lot of energy and this makes his books heady to read. In this excerpt, he shows the cynical mode the primary character sees the globe – which means he does not trust people's intentions.

Near a Boy uses a lot of modern slang words and phrases. 'Squillion' is a slang term used to say that in that location are lots and lots of something. Saying at that place are 'seventy-nine squillion people in the globe' is an example of 'hyperbole', or exaggeration. Hornby too says 'if the odds were in your favour'. This is a phrase oftentimes used in England. If the odds are in your favour, it means something is likely to turn out well for you. It comes from the gambling term 'odds' (run a risk), which is a way to show how likely something is to happen.

The Corking Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

(Listen to the audiobook here!)

F. Scott Fitzgerald is an example of how poetic you tin be with the English linguistic communication. Set up in 1920s America, this novel looks at the ideas of love and the American Dream. It is 1 of the best-selling books ever written in English.

When F. Scott Fitzgerald died, the Nifty Gatsby had sold less than 25,000 copies. Upon receiving his last payment, the author said: 'I am a forgotten human'. The volume has since sold 25 meg copies worldwide!

Although The Nifty Gatsby is harder to read than the other books mentioned here, you lot can learn many new words from it. Fitzgerald uses a wide range of vocabulary and images to bring out the dazzler in the language. This book may be a lilliputian complicated in places, only the story is interesting and volition proceed you lot turning the pages!

 This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic subcontract where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdering air.

In this excerpt, yous can see how poetic Fitzgerald'southward writing can exist. In that location is a 2013 film version of this book, which y'all may like to watch before yous read it. YouTube one-act aqueduct Thug Notes has a plot summary for The Bang-up Gatsby (encounter below).  As these videos use lots of slang words, you lot may need to printing the 'CC' push to see the English language subtitles.

5. Common writing techniques you lot should know

At that place are many 'literary techniques' that are used in novels. Although they are used in literature from all beyond the world, they take different names in dissimilar languages. Why not effort using some of these techniques to bring your own English to life?

Personification

Personification is when yous give homo characteristics to something that is not human. This might exist objects or animals.

Example in a novel: 'Her heart was divided between business organization for her sister, and resentment against all the others.' (Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen)

In this instance, Jane Austen is giving the character's heart homo features. This shows the emotion her worry is causing her.

Examples in everyday chat:

• 'Dear is bullheaded'. This is a common English saying, meaning that when y'all love someone, you do not run across their faults.
• 'Time waits for no one'. A philosophical way of telling someone to exercise something before they run out of fourth dimension.

Metaphor

A metaphor is when you describe 1 affair every bit something else to create a more memorable description of it. This can exist used all of the fourth dimension in conversation.

Instance in a novel: 'It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.' (Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare)

Romeo and Juliet is one of the almost famous romance stories always. In this line, Romeo is comparing Juliet to the rising sun to show how much he loves and worships her.

Examples in spoken English:

• 'A centre of stone'. A way to describe someone who is unkind or cruel.
• 'Apple of my eye'. Something that yous love more than than anything or anyone else.
• 'Jumping for joy'. This means 'really happy'.

Simile

A simile compares two things past saying item A is similar item B. It is oft confused with a metaphor. The difference is that yous are not describing something every bit actually being something else. So, if you were to say 'I am an ox' that would be a metaphor. If you say 'I am as strong every bit an ox' or 'I am strong, like an ox' that would be a simile.

Example in a novel: 'Her romantic heed was like tiny boxes, 1 within the other' (Peter Pan – J.M. Barrie). This is a lovely simile, which shows the many layers of the homo heed. It too shows how in her 'romantic mind' she is always discovering new feelings – every fourth dimension she opens a box. With this quote, Barrie shows how a simile can exist used to describe something beautifully.

Examples in everyday conversation:

• 'Good every bit golden'. This is used to say somebody is behaving very well, or even perfectly. It is often used to describe adept children at school.
• 'Busy equally a bee'. This is a way to say somebody is very busy, as bees are known to work hard. Both 'busy equally a bee' and 'good equally gold' are examples of 'ingemination', which is where words with the same starting alphabetic character are used together.
• 'As snug as a bug in a rug'. People say this when they are comfortable in bed. Information technology is too a good example of rhyming in the English linguistic communication!

Hyperbole

Hyperbole is when y'all exaggerate on purpose to show how important something is. 'Exaggerate' means to make something seem bigger, ameliorate or worse than information technology is in reality. Hyperbole is often used in native English conversations, but exist conscientious not to overuse information technology!

Example in a novel: 'People moved slowly then. At that place was no hurry so, for in that location was nowhere to get, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see exterior the boundaries of Maycomb County' (To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee)

In this example, the author is proverb at that place is zero to purchase and nix to run across. Of course, this is an exaggeration: in that location are at to the lowest degree a few things to buy and see! The hyperbole here makes the scene announced desolate – which ways empty and bleak.

Examples in everyday conversation:

• 'Her brain is the size of a pea'. This is an insult. It means someone is very stupid or dim.
• 'I could eat a horse'. This is a phrase used to say 'I am very hungry' – we do not actually eat horses in England!
• 'I've told you lot a million times'. If y'all take told somebody something several times and they do not think or understand, and so this is what you say!

Personification, metaphor, simile and hyperbole are the well-nigh common 'literary techniques', merely there are many others. Cheque out Literarydevices.com to see all of the techniques you can find in English books. Equally your skills develop, you lot can apply these 'decorations' to bring your spoken and written English language to life!

Download: This web log post is available every bit a convenient and portable PDF that you tin accept anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

James Firby
— Staff Writer.

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