Top 10 easy books to read for English learners

Learning English through reading can be both enjoyable and educational, especially when starting with books that are accessible and engaging. Look for some easy books to read to learn English as well as pick up some knowledge in your interest? Here’s a curated list of the top 10 easy books to read that can help you on your journey to mastering the English language.

1. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White – NO.1 easy books to read

• Author: E.B. White
• Year of Publishing: 1952
• Summary: “Charlotte’s Web” is a heartwarming tale of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a clever spider named Charlotte. The story explores themes of loyalty, kindness, and the beauty of unlikely connections.
• Suitable for: Children, young readers, and anyone who enjoys enchanting stories with meaningful lessons.
• Example Passage:
  • “Some Pig,” Charlotte had written in her web. Wilbur, a runty pig, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the words magically woven into Charlotte’s web. The farm animals, too, were astonished. The message sparked a series of extraordinary events that changed Wilbur’s life forever.

2. “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway

• Author: Ernest Hemingway
• Year of Publishing: 1952
• Summary: This novella follows an aging Cuban fisherman, Santiago, on an epic journey to catch a giant marlin. “The Old Man and the Sea” is a classic tale of resilience, determination, and the enduring struggle between man and nature.
• Suitable for: Intermediate readers and those interested in a short yet profound story with vivid imagery.
• Example Passage:
  • “He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish.”

3. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

• Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Year of Publishing: 1925
• Summary: Set in the Roaring Twenties, “The Great Gatsby” is a tale of love, wealth, and the American Dream. The story unfolds through the eyes of Nick Carraway as he becomes entangled in the lives of his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and his cousin Daisy Buchanan.
• Suitable for: Readers with an interest in classic literature and exploring the societal dynamics of the Jazz Age.
• Example Passage:
  • “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

4. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon

• Author: Mark Haddon
• Year of Publishing: 2003
• Summary: Narrated by Christopher, a fifteen-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome, the book takes readers on a unique journey as he investigates the mysterious death of a neighbor’s dog. It’s a compelling story that offers insight into a different perspective on the world.
• Suitable for: Those interested in contemporary fiction and gaining empathy through diverse perspectives.
• Example Passage:
  • “I find people confusing. This is for two main reasons: people do a lot of talking without using any words, and nobody likes me.”

5. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

• Author: Paulo Coelho
• Year of Publishing: 1988
• Summary: “The Alchemist” is a philosophical novel following Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a journey to discover his personal legend. Filled with wisdom and inspiration, it explores themes of destiny, dreams, and the pursuit of one’s true calling.
• Suitable for: Readers seeking a blend of adventure, mysticism, and self-discovery.
• Example Passage:
  • “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

6. “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

• Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
• Year of Publishing: 1943
• Summary: A timeless tale of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting quirky characters and learning important life lessons. This philosophical novella is filled with charming illustrations and conveys profound messages about friendship and love.
• Suitable for: Readers of all ages who enjoy whimsical stories with deep meanings.
• Example Passage:
  • “On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.” (“One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”)

7. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee – one of the wonderful and easy books to read

• Author: Harper Lee
• Year of Publishing: 1960
• Summary: Set in the American South during the 1930s, this classic novel explores racial injustice through the eyes of Scout Finch, a young girl. It’s a powerful narrative that touches on themes of morality and compassion.
• Suitable for: Intermediate readers interested in exploring social issues through compelling storytelling.
• Example Passage:
  • “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

8. “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett

• Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Year of Publishing: 1911
• Summary: A heartwarming story about Mary Lennox, a spoiled and sickly girl who discovers a hidden, neglected garden on her uncle’s estate. As she brings the garden back to life, she undergoes a transformation herself.
• Suitable for: Readers who appreciate tales of growth, healing, and the magic of nature.
• Example Passage:
  • “And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed, and every morning revealed new miracles.”

9. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl

• Author: Roald Dahl
• Year of Publishing: 1988
• Summary: Matilda is an extraordinary girl with a love for reading and telekinesis. As she faces her neglectful parents and the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda discovers her own strength and resilience.
• Suitable for: Young readers and those who enjoy whimsical tales with strong, clever protagonists.
• Example Passage:
  • “So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea.”

10. “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien – recorded as top 10 among easy books to read

• Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
• Year of Publishing: 1937
• Summary: Join Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit with a taste for comfort, on an epic adventure to help a group of dwarves reclaim their homeland from a dragon. “The Hobbit” is a classic fantasy novel filled with excitement and memorable characters.
• Suitable for: Readers with an interest in fantasy and epic journeys.
• Example Passage:
  • “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”

In conclusion, the journey of improving English language skills is greatly enhanced by engaging with accessible and enjoyable literature. The top 10 easy books for English learners discussed in this exploration offer a diverse range of stories, genres, and language proficiency levels, catering to various interests and abilities.

Dive into these easy books to read to enhance your English skills while enjoying the beauty of language and storytelling. Each book offers a unique experience, making the learning process both effective and enjoyable. Discover the English world with these top 10 easy books to read right now!

See also: Best choice for TEFL Courses in Vietnam