Learning Tips

Great books to help you improve English reading skills

English reading skills and comprehension ability cannot be developed overnight. It takes regular practice of reading in english, you can be sure to get better at it with time. As someone who reads 52+ books each year, I can say that reading has taught me a lot! Reading in english can help improve your English language skills, and learn exciting new things every day.

As reading is a huge part of learning any language, I will update this article with some of my favorite books or novels, and why you should consider reading them to improve your english reading skills.

How novels help you improve english reading skills?

Reading isn’t for everyone, but it is one of the fastest ways to improve your vocabulary. It can be a great way to learn about various topics at the same time. Further, good english reading skills will not only help you understand the language better, but also help you improve your business or interview english to excel in professional settings.

Strategies when reading

It is always tempting to stop and look up every word when you are reading. But you do not want to do this. If you stop every time there is a new word, your progress will be slow and you will likely get frustrated very quickly. Instead, try to read sections or pages all at one time and focus on understanding the general meaning, not every single word. When you see a new word, try to understand it from the context before looking up the definition. Highlight or underline new words and phrases as you read and return to them only after you have finished a chapter or page.

Books about communication

1. The Checklist Manifesto – Atul Gawande

Difficulty:

What is it?

A respected surgeon talks about his quest to improve his work and his field by developing checklists. The author visits experts from different professions and collects incredible stories and perspectives related to the power of checklists.

Why you should read it

Although it is about checklists, the book talks extensively about communication and how to improve communication among teams. This book can give you some great ideas on how to improve your communication skills in your professional life and help you develop better systems.

2. Talking to Strangers – Malcolm Gladwell

Difficulty:

What is it?

The author discusses the way we communicate with strangers and how to face the challenges of these interactions. Gladwell discusses lies and trust and other concepts related to communication. This book will help you evaluate how you approach new interactions and understand more about how we communicate.

Why you should read it

As a journalist and public speaker, Gladwell expertly explains difficult concepts in a way that is easy to understand. He is a talented writer and his books will keep you engaged and interested. This book contains knowledge that can be applied to you life and help you be a stronger communicator.

3. Five Stars – Carmine Gallo

Difficulty:

What is it?

A guide to speaking with more confidence and persuasion in the professional world. Great for anyone who is interested in public speaking and professional growth.

Why you should read it

Just because English is not your first language, that does not mean you can’t excel in the English-speaking workplace. This book gives practical advice on how to communicate your ideas and show your value. The tips are useful in any language, but reading this in English can give you the push you need to speak with more confidence and assuredness.

Powerful books by female authors

1. Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi

Difficulty:

What is it?

Persepolis is a graphic autobiography from about a young girl growing up in Iran around the time of the Islamic Revolution. Satrapi tells her story from a 1st person perspective and takes you through several years of her life.

Why you should read it

First of all, it is illustrated, meaning you can visualize the actions and understand new vocabulary from looking as well as reading. The story is told in the voice of a young girl creating a narrative that is easy to follow. The book introduces a different culture in a different time and you will find yourself engaged with the story.

2. I am Malala – Malala Yousafzai

Difficulty:

What it is?

The story of a young girl in Pakistan who stood up for the right of education. The book will take you through her activism in her home country and how she was shot by the Taliban.

Why you should read it

If you need to be inspired to continue learning then this book is crucial. Although the events in the book are almost 7 years in the past, Malala’s message remains relevant today. The story tells of her young life in Pakistan and how she became an icon for education throughout the world.

3. Inside out and back again – Thanhha Lai

Difficulty:

What is it?

A fictional story based on the author’s life, the book talks about moving from one culture to a very different one. The book covers one year in the life of a girl and her family and is told through the short poems.

Why you should read it

This book is a little different than your typical story and will allow you to see the flexibility and beauty of the English language. The author narrates through the eyes of a young girl creating an easy-to-read book. Also, the book contains several chapters about learning English and how the language seems from a foreigners perspective.

4. Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa Lahiri

Difficulty:

What is it?

Interpreter of Maladies is a collection of short stories from an American-Indian author. The stories talk about relationships and cultural differences. Each story is independent with unique characters and settings.

Why you should read it

Are you ready for a challenge? This book is beautifully crafted for advanced readers and will take you through nine unique stories. Because the stories are separate, this book is easy to digest and read little by little. The stories talk about maintaining traditions and living in a culture different than the one you were born in. It is a highly enjoyable read.

5. Daring to Drive – Manal Al-Sharif

Difficulty:

What is it?

A memoir of a Saudi women who became an “accidental activist” and championed the rights of women in her home country.  The narrator talks about how she grew up as a devout Muslim before fighting against an oppressive system.

Why you should read it

Being the most recent book on this list, the topic is relative to today’s world. The events Al-Sharif describes are happening now. This book is a great read for students who care about human rights and want to be aware of some of the current issues that women still face in 2019.

Which novels have helped you improve reading in english and language skills? Tell us via Facebook and Instagram.

James L.

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