The best books to learn English

How to learn English books

Here are three simple ways to learn English through reading. You can mix them, but start with one and keep it consistent.

1. Read for “easy wins” (extensive reading)
   Choose a book that feels comfortable. Your goal is flow, not perfection. If you understand about 90–95% of the page, you can keep reading without stress. This trains your brain to recognize patterns and builds reading speed.

2. Read for “deep learning” (intensive reading)
   Pick a short chapter or 2–3 pages. Slow down. Underline new words, mark useful phrases, and write 3–5 sentences using them. This is great when you want quick progress in work English, exams, or writing.

3. Read + listen (shadowing with text)
   Use an audiobook or a narrated version. First, listen and follow the text. Then read aloud for 2–3 minutes. This helps pronunciation, rhythm, and natural sentence structure. It also improves speaking confidence, even if you are shy.

Quick routine (15–20 minutes a day):

• 10 minutes reading

• 5 minutes noting phrases

• 2–3 minutes reading aloud

• 2 minutes review the next day

Adapted books

Adapted books (also called graded readers) are written for a specific English level. For most learners, they are a better starting point than originals. Here are three reasons:

1. You learn faster because the level matches your brain
   If the book is too hard, you stop often and lose the story. With adapted books, you stay in the story and still learn new words naturally.

2. You get “repeat vocabulary” on purpose
   Adapted books often recycle key words and phrases. That repetition is not boring—it is exactly how you remember vocabulary.

3. You build confidence and finish books more often
   Finishing a book matters. It shows you: “I can do this.” When you finish, you want to read more. That habit is powerful. A tool like Linguapress app can help you capture the phrases you meet and review them later in short sessions.

Adapted vs original books (what you gain)

Best books to learn English vocabulary: the best books to learn English

If your main goal is vocabulary, choose books with clear descriptions, repeated everyday words, and practical topics. Here are five solid picks (fiction and non-fiction) that many learners find friendly:

1. “Charlotte’s Web” — E.B. White
   Simple, warm storytelling with strong everyday vocabulary.

2. “The Giver” — Lois Lowry
   Short chapters, clear language, and useful emotional and descriptive words.

3. “Wonder” — R.J. Palacio
   Modern vocabulary, school-life words, and easy-to-follow chapters.

4. “Atomic Habits” — James Clear
   Very practical words for routines, goals, and self-improvement. Great for daily life English.

5. “The Elements of Style” — William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
   Not a story, but excellent for learning clean writing and common mistakes.

Mini-plan to grow vocabulary while reading

• Pick 10 words per week, not 50.

• Focus on phrases, not single words (example: “make a decision,” not only “decision”).

• Write one sentence with each phrase.

• Review them in a small set. That’s where Linguapress app can help: short reviews, often, instead of long sessions once a month.

Best books to learn spoken English

To improve spoken English, you want books with natural dialogue, modern voice, and clear social situations. Here are five books that can help you “hear” English in your head:

1. “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” — Gail Honeyman
   Modern conversation style and clear emotional language.

2. “The Catcher in the Rye” — J.D. Salinger
   Very talk-like voice and informal rhythm (some slang).

3. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” — Mark Haddon
   Simple sentences, clear logic, and strong everyday expressions.

4. “Fahrenheit 451” — Ray Bradbury
   Short scenes, strong dialogue, and memorable phrases.

5. “Who Moved My Cheese?” — Spencer Johnson
   Very easy to read, short, and often used in workplace English.

How to turn reading into speaking practice (simple steps):

• Choose a dialogue scene (half a page).

• Read it once silently.

• Read it aloud once, slowly.

• Read it again with feeling (like acting).

• Record 30 seconds on your phone and listen back.

Best books to learn English for advanced learners: the best books to learn English

If you are advanced learners, you need richer language: complex ideas, longer sentences, deeper vocabulary, and more subtle tone. These books are strong choices:

1. “1984” — George Orwell
   Clear writing but deep meaning. Great for understanding tone and argument.

2. “The Great Gatsby” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
   Beautiful style, strong metaphors, and classic American voice.

3. “Sapiens” — Yuval Noah Harari
   Big ideas, academic-but-readable language, and great topic vocabulary.

4. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” — Daniel Kahneman
   For patient readers: precise words, careful logic, and useful academic structure.

5. “Talking to Strangers” — Malcolm Gladwell
   Story + analysis style, strong narrative flow, and great listening companion if you use audio.

Tip for advanced learners: read with a goal (tone, argument, style). Don’t only “collect words.” If you are advanced learners, try a weekly focus like:

• Week 1: connectors (however, therefore, although)

• Week 2: opinion language (it seems, it suggests, evidence shows)

• Week 3: tone (irony, humor, criticism)