Books to read to improve English (for beginners)
Do you often have creative ideas in your mind, but are unable to put them to words? Maybe you have a friend whose English and communication skills you admire, or it was a TV personality’s speech that moved you, and you wish to speak like that. Don’t worry, we all have been there. Just like any other skill, Effective English Communication is a skill and can be learned. It does not matter whether you want to improve your writing competency or speaking capability in the language.
I can guarantee that these books will help you improve your English language skills (both spoken and written)
BUT WHY BOOKS?
I am sure you spoke in your mother tongue, way before you went to school to learn that language.
Have you ever wondered why is that the case? How did you learn your mother tongue with ease, but face countless difficulties while learning another language?
That’s because you learned your local language subconsciously. You heard it in your family, you were surrounded by that language, and the learning seemed effortless. To improve the English language effortlessly, we need to follow the same principle. We need to make our surroundings, what I like to call “English-Oriented”.
What’s the best way to do that? Yes, you got it right. Reading books in the English language.
But like the majority of people I have come across, you do not like reading, right? Wrong. I believe, no one can dislike reading. Each and everyone has interests and you need to pick a book that interests you, and which is simple and comprehensive to read. Reading should not feel like a chore, especially, when you are just starting out, so here are five books, or rather five categories of books, that you should pick up. I assure you, they will enhance your English language ability.
1.Children Magazines:
I remember spending my entire summer vacation reading magazines like Champak, Nandan, Balhans, etc. I am sure, a lot of you would have already heard about it. These magazines were usually available in the local language, but my grandpa made sure, I read the English ones as well. I owe my language skills to these magazines.
So, if you are just starting, read these magazines right now. See, you need to read, to develop the habit of reading, so start with reading easy and short stories. These magazines are filled with engaging pictures throughout, and our mind has a better stimulus towards pictures. It makes the text more comprehensive. So, start your reading journey from here.
These stories are also available to read online on their official website. Here is the link to Champak’s website. (https://www.champak.in)
However, I feel it’s efficient if you read them in print format. Our screen time anyway dominates, so give rest to your eyes. These magazines are affordable, and you can buy a pack for 4 for as cheap as 150 INR.
These books will help you with sentence formation skills. You’ll understand how are the sentences framed, ensuring the best reading experience. Note down the sentences that you like, and speak them aloud.
Great, you are many steps closer towards your goal of learning effective English, just by developing this reading habit.
2. Graphic Novels:
Graphic Novels are just like comics. The only difference between graphic novels and comics is that comics are usually shorter in length and are usually a combination of several stories, but Graphic Novels usually follow one story throughout. So, as the name suggests, it is a novel, with images.
A few of my favorite graphic novel recommendations are Heartstopper (which is going to be adapted for Netflix very soon), Pumpkin Heads, and The Prince and the Dressmaker.
These novels are easy to read, filled with pictures, the writing is charming and they will broaden your horizon.
Reading does that, you know. It makes us feel things we would not otherwise feel, it makes us understand other people whose backgrounds, cultures, and struggles are different from us. It make us compassionate human beings. And the world could do with some compassion, can’t it.
3. Fiction Novels:
Humans need stories, and when you make these stories a part of your life, your understanding and a solid command of the language becomes inevitable.
There are stories for every one of us. So, it does not matter, what your interests are, you will find stories that resonate with you. So after you have started your reading, with children’s magazines, comics, and graphic novels, you are now ready to move on to a full-fledged novel.
I usually recommend the contemporary genre for beginners, because the stories take place in the world we live in, and hence it is comprehensive to understand them. Some of my recommendations are, The Geography of Lost Things, Turtles All The Way Down, The Fault in our Stars, The Hate You Give and Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the Universe.
Thriller fictions are breathtaking, as you cannot put them down till you have completed them. Some of my recommendations are Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, And then there were none and the Truly Devious series.
If you want to start a book, which is out of this world, the Fantasy genre is the best. My all-time favorite recommendation is the Harry Potter book series. If you have watched the movie, read the books. They are even better.
The use of vocabulary is wonderful in Harry Potter books. It’s effortless and amusing to read. Pick up the first book, and you’ll end up reading it all.
Another fascinating series, to make you fall in love with reading, and hence the language, is the Percy Jackson series. Don’t have the daunting pressure that you need to complete the entire series. Just pick up the first book and read it.
Other easy fantasy novels that you can pick up are Shadow and Bone, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and The House in the Cerulean Sea
4. Novel in Verse:
If you are still intimidated by a full-fledged novel, you can always pick up a novel that is written in verse. Here, a novel-length story is told through the medium of poetry rather than prose.
They are short to read and can be finished in a day or two. Its concise format is an added benefit for people who like to read stories but do not want to commit to a full-fledged novel.
Some of my recommendations are The Poet X, Long Way Down and Clap When You Land, and The Girl and the Goddess.
5. Poetry:
You must be wondering, poetry? Seriously? How is poetry going to help me with my language? See, I am not telling you to go and pick up Shakespeare. I am telling you to read something short, or modern, anything which is comprehensive. Poetry uses metaphors and descriptive language. It broadens your language usage.
Poetry explores emotions and feelings in a way, no medium can. Consider it like reading a song’s lyrics. We all love the lyrics of Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey’s songs, right. That’s what poetry teaches. It teaches how to put our hearts to paper.
In case you are interested in public speaking, or debate and speech competitions, or creative writing, you will need to put your heart on paper. So, you should read Poetry.
Some of my recommendations are Milk and Honey (if you want to start reading, you can start here), Stuff I’ve been feeling lately, and Fierce Fairytales.
Hey, I understand, it all seems a little daunting and overwhelming right, but. you don’t have to read all of them. For now, just pick one. Just pick one book out of this list and get to reading. You can buy the books from the link mentioned here. Complete that book, underline your favorite sentences, and speak them aloud. Keep doing this, and see the wonder in just a week.
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