If you're in a hurry, don't worry, here's the answer. These are the 9 best books for learning English:
- english dictionary
- Charlotte's Web
- Alice in Wonderland
- wonder
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- The Outsiders
- English Grammar in Use
- Pride and Prejudice
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- You
There are many ways to improve your language skills, but books are undoubtedly a valuable learning source.
Whether you're traveling to the United Kingdom, the United States, or any other English-speaking country, or you plan to improve your language skills through academies, online courses like Papora, or on your own.
Here's a list of English learning books that will help you improve faster.
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How to use books to learn English?
When learning a second language like English, it’s essential to use resources that both teach new concepts and boost your progress.
A good approach is to combine practical activities—like language exchanges or interactive lessons—with reading a basic English textbook to reinforce your theoretical foundations.
This approach keeps you from getting bored with too much theory while ensuring your practice stays on track.
Combining a solid theoretical foundation with structured learning and natural conversation and vocabulary exercises creates the perfect formula for learning English quickly, effectively, and enjoyably.
The Best Books to Learn English by Level
The best way to learn English with books is to choose one that matches your level. Consider your language proficiency, the time you can dedicate, and the type of content that interests you.
Think about whether you enjoy reading—if not, this method might not be ideal. Decide if you prefer romantic novels or action-packed stories; the key is to feel comfortable and engaged with what you read.
Today, you also have the flexibility to choose any format—Kindle, physical copy, or PDF. The most important thing is to find the book that works best for you.
To be clear, reading books in English is essential—immersing yourself fully in the language helps you become familiar and comfortable with it.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of books that can help you learn English independently, tailored to different proficiency levels.
Basic
When you’re at a basic English level, it’s best to start with simple books. They help you understand sentences through context, which is especially useful for learning grammar.
Picture books are a great option—they guide you through the story while helping you associate words with images.
Classic childhood stories are perfect for this kind of exercise, making learning both familiar and enjoyable.
English Dictionary
A great place to start is with a dictionary. It’s practical for learning new vocabulary and looking up definitions.
You can even create your own system—keep a notebook or textbook with the words you find important.
For beginners, we recommend the Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries, as they provide clear, easy-to-understand definitions. The Cambridge dictionary, in particular, includes British English expressions, which is perfect for learning phrases used by native speakers and getting familiar with the culture.
Using a dictionary as part of this process of learning a new language is perfect for people who don't have much time to study, whether due to work or other responsibilities.
And even for people who spend a lot of time at home but perhaps don't enjoy reading. A dictionary will be your helping hand on this journey.
Charlotte's Web
In Spanish, this book is known as La Telaraña de Charlotte, written by E. B. White. It’s 192 pages long and illustrated, making it perfect for beginner English learners.
The story is simple, with pictures to guide you, and it introduces a lot of everyday vocabulary, especially about farm animals. Since it’s a short book, you can read it quickly, and if you don’t understand a word, you can always check the dictionary.
An added bonus: Charlotte’s Web has a movie adaptation. After reading, you can watch it in English to reinforce the vocabulary visually.
Alice in Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by English author Lewis Carroll, is a fun and illustrated adventure that’s great for learning English.
The story can be a bit crazy, so you might encounter multiple words or phrases that are challenging—but that’s also a benefit. It helps expand your vocabulary, and tools like Google Translate can guide you when you don’t understand something.
Plus, the book has a movie adaptation. If you’ve seen it in Spanish, now’s the perfect time to watch it in English to reinforce your learning.
Wonder
Wonder is slightly longer than the other books mentioned, making it ideal for learners transitioning from A1 to A2 and for seeing tangible progress in your English skills.
Written by R. J. Palacio, the 310-page story leans toward a more youthful or adult audience and covers slightly more challenging topics, offering a diverse vocabulary. You’ll learn words related to family, holidays, the home, and more.
The book also has a movie adaptation, so watching it in English is a great way to hear native speakers and reinforce what you’ve learned.
Intermediate
If you’re at an intermediate level, it’s time to choose slightly more challenging books.
By focusing on context, vocabulary, and grammar, these novels will help you practice and expand your English knowledge. Opt for books without illustrations—stories that entertain while teaching—so you can immerse yourself fully in the language.
You’ll also encounter natural phrases that native speakers use repeatedly, helping you speak more fluently and naturally.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
You've probably heard of this book because of its Oscar-winning adaptation to the big screen.
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and running around 272 pages, it's still easily digestible, making it a short story.
The vocabulary, phrases, grammar, and content you'll find in the book will be very varied.
The Outsiders
This young adult novel, known in Spanish as Rebeldes, was written by S. E. Hinton in 1967 and has around 219 pages.
If you enjoy dramas and want to learn casual, everyday English phrases, this book is a great choice.
Reading it will help you pick up natural expressions that you can use in daily conversations.
English Grammar in Use
Unlike most of the books mentioned earlier, this one is specifically designed to teach English.
Written by author and professor Raymond Murphy and published by Cambridge in 1985, it offers excellent resources for self-study.
It’s considered one of the best English learning books thanks to its certified grammar content and the valuable tools it provides to readers.
English Grammar in Use is one of the top textbooks for learners at A2 or B1 levels.
Available in Kindle, PDF, or physical formats, some editions also include listening options, allowing you to hear how sentences and new vocabulary are pronounced.
Advanced
If you’re at an advanced level and want to push your English further, it’s time to tackle more challenging books.
At this stage, whether you choose these recommendations or other genres like journalism or nonfiction, the key is to read material that introduces new vocabulary and concepts, helping you expand your language skills.
Pride and Prejudice
The classic Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen in 1813, is an excellent choice if you want to learn rich, historical vocabulary through a captivating story of love and drama.
Keep in mind that this book is best suited for advanced English learners. You’ll encounter words and expressions from Austen’s era, as well as some grammatical differences.
Although it may be challenging at first, using a dictionary or translator can help you navigate the text and fully enjoy the story.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
J.K. Rowling’s books were totally groundbreaking, and chances are you’ve already read at least one in Spanish—or seen the movies.
If your English is advanced enough, it’s the perfect time to dive into the Harry Potter series in English.
Already read them in Spanish? Try The Order of the Phoenix—the characters’ dialogue is more grown-up, and you’ll pick up tons of new words.
If not, just start with whichever book grabs you. Don’t worry if you don’t get every word—Rowling invented a lot of her own vocabulary, and that’s part of the fun!
You
This thriller, written by author Caroline Kepnes, is a novel that even has its own Netflix series.
The vocabulary you'll learn in this book, when read in English, will be very native. You'll likely learn new phrases, new expressions, and, above all, if this is the type of book you enjoy, you'll feel like you've mastered the context.
3 common mistakes when learning a language
Many people make the mistake of going to an English-speaking country and trying to practice without any textbooks or theoretical foundation.
This approach often leads to mistakes that native speakers, out of politeness, might not point out.
If you want to avoid errors—like learning to drive without mastering the basics first—it’s best to have solid English textbooks.
Even a little theory, whether in a physical book, Kindle, PDF, or another digital format, can make a huge difference in your learning.
Another common mistake is going too far in the opposite direction: focusing too much on written grammar and not enough on speaking. Books should never be your only source of learning.
This is why some people study English in a course for years yet still feel insecure when trying to speak.
It can also leave you watching movies in English and not understanding anything, even if you perfectly know the Second Conditional or Reported Speech.
Issues with concepts like the past participle can also cause confusion and slow down your progress.
Another frequent mistake is not recording or reviewing new words you come across in a dictionary while reading. If you don’t write them down, they often get forgotten.
How can I learn to speak English?
While books are an excellent option for learning English, they only serve as a complementary tool to improve vocabulary and grammar.
If you really want to learn the language, it's best to get a basic course or a personalized teacher who can help you with a system created by experts that teaches and exercises all areas of English.
Papora is the perfect solution for this. It offers all the English knowledge you need in a simple and fun format, letting you learn from home.
With Papora’s method, which combines grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and more, you’ll start speaking from day one.
And the best part? It’s not restrictive—so if you want to read books to complement your learning, it fits perfectly.
Frequently asked questions about how to learn English with books
The activities will depend on your interests and needs. You can use English books, movies, watch series with subtitles, or do exercises. However, the best method is to enroll in an English course like Papora, where you can have everything you need in one place.
Learning a new language doesn't have a set timeframe. This depends entirely on the student's effort. You can reach a basic level in a couple of months if you give it enough time. However, you can increase your pace if you take a course like Papora, where learning is made easier.
