Do you feel your English learning is going great, you can create sentences, you have mastered the grammar rules, but you are still missing something?
It is quite common to feel that you are a little bit behind in practice and experience. This is pretty much likely because you need to broaden your horizons and your vocabulary!
Vocabulary is one of the key elements of language learning. After all, grammatical structures won’t make sense if you don't have the words to build them. Besides, it is easier to learn how to formulate sentences in the different verb tenses, than to learn a vast number of words with all their meanings.
Of course, you can pick up a lot of vocabulary as you learn and practice, but you may need a little boost to speed you toward your English fluency goals. There are many ways to expand your vocabulary. You could use movies and series, songs and podcasts, and even conversations with your friends.
However, if you are an avid reader, you’ve come to the right place. We have created an outstanding list of books that will definitely help you expand your vocabulary. Let's go!
Table of Contents
Textbooks for learning new vocabulary
We know you have seen many textbooks dedicated to improving your English. But if you're feeling a little lost about which books to choose, we have a list for you of the best books to add words to your active vocabulary!
1100 Words You Need To Know
This book is one of the best-selling English vocabulary books. If you are a disciplined learner, we assure you that you will love this book by Murray Bromberg and Melvin Gordon. It contains daily lessons and exercises, so you can slowly learn the words you need to take your communication to the next level!
Vocabulary Builder by Merriam–Webster
If you are one of those curious people who like to know the origin of things, this will be your chosen one. This pocket-sized book, published by Merriam-Webster, will teach you about words through their roots.
You will learn more than 250 Greek and Latin roots, which will help you understand and put into practice more than 1000 words! Isn't it great?
When you understand the root of a word, you can spot other words with the same structure! It is a great help to learn more words with less effort.
Picture Dictionary by Oxford Dictionary
If you are a visual kind of person, don't miss out on this book! It is a picture dictionary published by the renowned Oxford University. This book will help you learn a lot of vocabulary through images distributed in 12 thematic units. It is very complete and practical.
Associating words with images is one of the most effective ways to remember their meanings. In some cases, the exact definition or use won’t come to mind, but the image will!
We promise you won't get bored by learning with this incredible tool!
Novels to expand your vocabulary
Not only didactic books can help you. Another way to increase your vocabulary is by reading novels. They will not only allow you to improve your vocabulary, but you can also learn about culture and even have new conversation topics at parties!
If you find textbooks boring, and you want your English level to take a big leap, this is the route for you! If you don’t know where to start, here are some simple yet captivating stories!
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This book is a true literary classic, first published in English and French in 1943. Since then, it has been translated into several languages and read by millions of people. If you have already read it in another language, and you liked it, it can be a great starting point.
Although some people think this is a book for children, the reality is that it has a profound message! Here, you will find great vocabulary and also food for thought. Have at it!
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
This is one of the best books ever! It is a classic and also a great tool to learn vocabulary thanks to its simplicity. Hemingway was one of the greatest American novelists and short story writers of the 20th century. If you don't know his work, this is your time to read an incredible author and his outstanding work.
Hemingway was known for writing with short and simple sentences, making it easy to understand regardless of your English level.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
If you are a frequent reader and love challenges, this literary classic is for you! Charles Dickens was a British writer and is currently considered one of the best novelists of the Victorian era. This historical novel for sure will expand your vocabulary and take your English to a higher level.
As the name suggests, the story takes place between two cities and has an intricate story between its characters. You won’t regret reading this one!
Are you not a classics lover?
Hey, don't panic! If classics are not your thing, you don't need to read them. You can start with something a little less dense, like a saga that has always interested you or maybe a book you've already read in another language.
Think about it. Reading a book again (but now in English) will allow you to be flawless about the context and learn the terms and their meanings more easily.
Check out these recommendations of some sagas and books that might interest you:
Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling
If you're a fan of Harry Potter movies but haven't read the books yet, this is your moment! If you think you can't get any deeper into the story, we'll tell you: there's nothing like reading the books in their original language.
The books are considered teen literature, so the level is adapted to English learners as well!
A Song of Ice and Fire Series By George R.R. Martin
This set of books was the basis for one of the most successful television series in history – Game of Thrones. If you are a fan of the TV series, you can't help but delve into the world of the characters in their original language.
In addition, the author wrote these books using a broad vocabulary that will take you word-learning from Winterfell to Westeros.
Book bye!
There are books for all preferences, and from all of them, you can learn the vocabulary that will help you express yourself in a better way! Don't miss this incredible opportunity; choose your favorite book and delve into the world of English language and culture. You will surely enjoy it!