9 great novels to help improve your English

a hand reaching for a book from a bookshelf

Reading is one of the most fun and effective ways to help improve your English language skills. It can help to expand your vocabulary and expose you to different sentence structures, all while you enjoy some wonderful stories.

E-readers and tablets make learning English even easier because if you don’t know a word, you can click on it to read its definition. On the Kindle, you can even add new words you’ve learnt to its Vocabulary Builder feature, which is stored on the device. Others recommend listening to and reading text at the same time as an excellent way to enhance the learning process. Kindle’s Whispersync for Voice is designed for just this purpose and includes audio with selected books, so you can listen and follow the text as you read.

9 great novels to help improve your English

Below, we reveal nine novels, including William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and George Orwell’s Animal Farm, to help improve your English.

1. The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame

This classic tale takes place in the English countryside and shares the adventures of the animals that live by the river. Grahame’s simple use of language with imaginative stories makes this a pleasurable read for adults and children.

2. Lord of the Flies – William Golding

This book is a modern classic and a popular study text for schools all over the world. When a group of boys are isolated on a desert island, the society they create descends into ruthless behavior. Golding uses dramatic and descriptive language, almost like poetry, making you feel like you’re in the scenes yourself.

3. The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway is well-known for his clear, straightforward writing style and short sentence structure, which is great for English language learners and many people have read it in school. It’s the courageous tale of a Cuban fisherman and his battle to land a giant marlin and it’s a perfect introduction to Hemingway as an author.

Check out our English Readers for more inspiration

4. Animal Farm – George Orwell

This short, allegorical novel tells the story of animals rebelling against their human masters, and is a satire of the Stalin era in the Soviet Union. Orwell uses simple English to appeal to all reading levels with a ‘less is more’ approach, and the animals speak in short, clear sentences.

5. Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom

When Mitch Albom reconnects with Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor, he learns valuable life lessons and shares with readers all the funny, insightful wisdom that Morrie reveals in the last months of his life. It’s a great book to pick up a more conversational reading and writing style. It’s also a great book to read aloud.

6. High Fidelity – Nick Hornby

A must-read for any music lover, this modern story uses a casual language style. It is written from the point of view of the main character, Rob, a heartbroken vinyl record store owner living in north London. It has a quick-pace feel with short, funny conversations between characters that really keep the story moving.

7. The Giver – Lois Lowry

Lowry uses short sentences and simple grammar to create an attention-grabbing story from the start. It’s about a boy called Jonas and his community – where freedom, individuality and choice don’t exist.

8. Fantastic Mr Fox – Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is one of the greatest children’s authors and very popular with adults too. Beginning with a children’s book is an excellent way to begin reading English novels, as they often have exciting plots and fun dialogue.

9. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Mark Haddon

This is the story about the adventures of a young boy with autism, Christopher. When he discovers the murder of his neighbor’s dog, he decides to investigate it. As it’s told from Christopher’s point of view, his matter-of-fact explanations for everything he sees are clear and easy to understand and take you on an intriguing journey.

More of a sci-fi and fantasy fan? check out our postÌýBooks to improve your English: Sci-fi and fantasy edition

Need more reading ideas? We have a wide range of English Readers for all ages and interests.

ÌýSee our range of English Readers here

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    Discussion points for English language learners on United Nations topics

    Por Sam Colley
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Navigating global issues: United Nations topics to spark discussion for English language learners

    The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. For English language learners, discussing the key issues addressed by the UN can be an enriching exercise that enhances both language skills and global awareness. For United Nations day on 24th October why not use some of the discussion points in this blog to spark meaningful conversations and deepen understanding of these critical topics.

    Climate change and environmental sustainability

    Climate change affects every corner of the planet. The UN has been actively working to mitigate its effects and promote sustainability. Here are some prompts to spark a conversation on this urgent issue:

    Key points to discuss:

    The impact of climate change: How does climate change affect different parts of the world? Discuss rising sea levels, extreme weather events and their consequences.
    Sustainable practices: What are some sustainable practices individuals and communities can adopt to combat climate change? Consider renewable energy, recycling and conservation efforts.
    Global cooperation: How important is international cooperation in addressing climate change? Look at agreements like the Paris Accord and the role of the UN in facilitating these agreements.

    Discussion questions:

    • How has climate change affected your country or region?
    • What can individuals do to reduce their carbon footprint?
    • Why is it important for countries to work together to tackle environmental issues?

    Ìý

    Global health and well-being

    Global health and well-being are vital for sustainable development and international cooperation, underpinning the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here are some ideas to start conversations around this topic:

    Key points to discuss:

    Health crises: Discuss major health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in managing these crises.
    Access to healthcare: What are the challenges to accessing healthcare in different parts of the world? Explore issues like healthcare infrastructure, affordability and availability.
    Mental health: Why is mental health an important aspect of overall well-being? Discuss stigma, access to mental health services and the impact of mental health on communities.

    Discussion questions:

    • How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about global health?
    • What are the biggest healthcare challenges in your country?
    • How can we improve mental health awareness and support?

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