Contents
- Contents
- What is World Book Day?
- Why you should read:
- Recommendations:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Expert/Native
- Still want more?
- Video – Why Reading is a Secret Weapon
- Extras
- References
- Discussion
What is World Book Day?
World Book Day is a yearly event organised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), and is celebrated on 23rd April! On this day, UNESCO chooses a ‘World Book Capital‘, which is a city that has promoted books and reading. This year’s (2023) world book capital is Accra in Ghana! There is also a theme for every year, and this year’s theme is ‘Indigenous Languages’.
World Book Day is sometimes celebrated by different countries on a different day- in the UK, World Book Day falls on the first Thursday of every March to avoid clashing with Easter and St. Georges Day. It is celebrated as a charity event, which gives every child in full time education in the UK a voucher to get one free book, promoting reading and literacy!
The reason why the UNESCO World Book Day falls on the 23rd April is deeply rooted in history- Spain was the first country to have a World Book Day, and it was originally celebrated on 7th October, which is believed to be the birth date of one of the most important writers in Spanish history – Miguel de Cervantes (who wrote Don Quixote).
A few years later, King Alfonso III changed the celebration to Cervantes’ date of death, the 23rd April, which is eerily also the date of death of William Shakespeare, Garcilaso de la Vega and some other famous authors. Also, spring time was considered to be more convenient for reading, because people could sit outside, enjoy the fresh air and read, and so April was preferred compared to October.
Why you should read:
There are loads of reasons why I think that you should read, but when it comes to your language learning, reading can be the key to unlocking the next level! It improves your vocabulary, allows you to see grammar in action and can teach you loads about the culture of your target language – and you can enjoy interesting stories at the same time!
Studies that looked at the progress language learners made when reading show that those who read progress much faster than those who don’t. Pupils who were exposed to reading advanced in their English learning twice as fast as those who didn’t read. In one particular study, those who read made double the progress in listening and comprehension compared to those who didn’t, and after 20 weeks of reading, this progress also spread to other skills like speaking and writing.
This is because reading helps you to practice the passive side of language learning. It gives you a chance to see language in context, internalise it, imagine situations, and eventually it could even help you to think in your target language.
You can start reading no matter your level, and I’ve put together a collection of my favourite books for readers of ALL levels! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced reader, there’s a book for you on this list.
So this World Book Day, let’s celebrate by committing to reading more. It’s not just about improving your language skills, but also about experiencing the inspiration that comes from diving into a great book. Happy reading!
Recommendations:
Here is a list of my favourite books! Choose the book that most fits your level! If it’s too hard, go back a level, and don’t be afraid if it seems challenging at first! It’s OK to use a dictionary or REVERSO if you need to! The more you practice, the easier it will get!
Beginner
For beginners, I recommend checking out children’s books, graphic novels, or simplified versions of classic novels. These options have simpler language and are great for building vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Julia Donaldson – The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo is a sweet story that speaks about a mouse that goes for a walk through a forest, meeting different characters along the way and using its intelligence to avoid danger – particularly when it’s time to meet the Gruffalo- a fictional character which is described in the book! The story rhymes and has a lovely rhythm, and uses easy vocabulary like parts of the body and animals. You can also find a read aloud version, audiobook and more by typing ‘The Gruffalo” into YouTube.
Dr. Seuss – The Cat in the Hat
The Cat in the Hat is another rhyming story with loads of fantastic illustrations to help you follow the story! The Cat in the Hat is a fun (and really funny) classic and is NEVER boring. A gigantic cat shows up at the house of two children, and when trying to entertain them, makes a huge mess! Read the book discover what happens next! There is also a hilarious movie version that you can enjoy and even a cartoon TV show! (Read the book first of course!)
Judith Kerr – The Tiger Who Came to Tea
A young girl called Sophie is having her afternoon tea with her mother when a tiger invites himself and eats all of their food! This book is simple to follow and full of illustrations – and will help you to learn loads of vocabulary about food.
Emma Chichester Clark – Where Are You Blue Kangaroo
Lily takes her blue Kangaroo with her everywhere she goes, but he always gets lost! She spends the story looking for him – this book will help you to learn vocabulary related to place names, and you will enjoy a very themes about friendship! A couple of years ago, World Book Day (UK) published a read aloud version on YouTube – check it out.
Intermediate
For intermediate readers, try branching out to young adult or contemporary fiction. These books often have more complex language and themes, allowing you to push your language skills even further.
Michael Morpurgo – Running Wild
Will and his mother go on a trip to Indonesia, and while Will is enjoying an elephant ride, Oona the elephant starts acting strangely – a tsunami comes crashing in, and Oona goes off running, Will on her back with nothing but a t-shirt and a bottle of water! Will Will find his way back to his mother? Read the book and let me know!
Jaqueline Wilson – Double Act
This story is about a pair of identical twins, who, as much as they might be identical, are very different in character and world view! This book is great practice for improving your English because it’s written in the style of a diary, so you can really get a feeling of how the characters express themselves! There was also a movie adaptation that came out in 2002.
Roald Dahl – Fantastic Mr. Fox
Mr Fox is an intelligent and witty fox who would do anything for his family. He makes nightly trips to 3 local farms to steal food for his family, and let’s just say that the farmers are not too happy about it. They try to hunt him down, but time and time again Mr. Fox outsmarts them – will they catch him in the end?
There is also a somewhat controversial movie adaptation which some people love and others hate! After reading the book, why not have a watch and see for yourself.
Roald Dahl is an incredibly amazing author to learn English with, because his books are funny, interesting and the way he writes introduces you to loads of fantastic new vocabulary! Some of his other famous books include Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG.
Enid Blyton – Famous 5 (Series)
The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton is a classic set of books loved by children and adults alike. Join Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and their beloved dog Timmy on their countless adventures and mysteries. From camping on an island to solving a theft case, each book is packed with suspense and action that will keep you hooked till the very end. The language used in these books is clear and simple, making it a perfect read for English learners of all ages. The entire series comprises 21 books, so you will have plenty to keep you busy!
Advanced
For advanced readers, challenge yourself with classic literature or books written by native speakers. Not only will you improve your language skills, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the culture and society of your target language.
Nadia Aguiar – The Lost Island of Tamarind
This is one of my favourite books! Written by Nadia Aguiar who grew up in Bermbuda, The Lost Island of Tamarind tells the story of siblings that have lived on a boat for most of their lives. One night, during a terrible storm, their parents go up to reign in the sails and get washed off board- Maya, Simon and Penny are left totally alone, when they wash up on an eerie and enchanting island. Will they be able to find out what happened to their parents? If you read this book and love it, it’s part of a trilogy and the story continues in 2 more books.
Siobhan Dowd – The London Eye Mystery
If you like mysteries this one is for you- Ted gets a visit from an Auntie and her son, Salim. They decide to take a ride on the London Eye, and Salim buys a ticket for the London Eye from a stranger….and then goes missing. The rest of the characters follow clues to try and solve the mystery- what happened to Salim?
Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Percy discovers that his mother has been keeping a life changing secret from him – that he’s half human and half… God! He discovers that he’s the son of the Greek God of the sea, Poseidon, and not long after, he learns that Zeus’s lightning bolt has been stolen and must go on a quest to find it, all the while an oracle warns him of the betrayal of a friend. This book is action packed and if you like mythology, you’ll find this one really interesting and … there are 6 more books in the Percy Jackson series, so you won’t run out of things to read! The film adaptation is pretty good too.
Anthony Horowitz – Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker is the first novel of the Alex Rider series (which is made up of no less than 13 books), and follows the story of a young boy called Alex, who after the strange death of his uncle, is contacted by MI6 ( the UK’s secret intelligence service) and sent on a mission as a spy. The language is easy to follow and the story is thrilling, if you like action, you’ll enjoy this one. There is also a movie adaptation featuring actor Alex Pettyfer, and interestingly, rumours say that Horowitz wasn’t too satisfied with it, but you might have a different opinion, and it’s a great way to immerse yourself into English.
Expert/Native
Feel ready to take on more of a challenge? Read what native speakers are reading! Here are some of my favourites:
E. Lockheart -We Were Liars
We Were Liars is a modern and sophisticated suspense novel full of mystery. I couldn’t put this one down, and if that doesn’t intrigue you enough, here’s the blurb :
A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.
Paula Hawkins – The Girl on the Train
The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a girl who, broken up with her partner, takes the train into London every day, and looks over the terrace of one particular house each time she passes. She becomes obsessed with these unknown people, gives them names, and idolises them and slowly intertwines their lives with hers. The story deepens and even a murder is involved, but no spoilers! You’ll have to read it for yourself to know what happens!
Yan Martel – The Life of Pi
This is a philosophical novel which features a young Indian boy who has always been interested in spirituality and metaphysics, even before surviving a shipwreck and spending 227 days stranded on a lifeboat, in the middle of the ocean with a Bengal Tiger. During this time, he thinks about and explores the idea of reality, and how it is perceived and told. The movie adaptation just doesn’t quite capture the full extent of the book’s philosophy, but it’s a nice watch nonetheless.
Dan Brown – The Da Vinci Code
This is the second book in the Robert Langdon series (and in my opinion the best), but don’t worry, you don’t need to read them in order at all to understand the story. Robert Langdon is a cryptology professor who becomes intertwined in a mystery which explores an alternative to religious history. Factually intriguing, Dan Brown uses elevated language and history to tell a story that you won’t be able to put down.
Stephen King – 11/22/63
Most people associate Stephen King with horror, but this thriller is one that will make you feel nostalgic, intrigued and surprised all at the same time. The protagonist, Jake Epping is a high school teacher, who through a series of events goes through a ‘time slip’ and finds himself back in 1958. The title of the book is a very historical date (can you guess what happened on 22nd November 1963?) and I won’t give any more spoilers. Don’t let the whopping 849 pages put you off- I’ve read it twice and it’s well worth the read!
Still want more?
If you haven’t heard of Good Reads, you NEED to check it out, there are so many book recommendations, reviews and more: www.goodreads.com/
Video – Why Reading is a Secret Weapon
For a lot of people, reading can be a ‘breakthrough’ when they feel stuck with their language learning. Watch to video to find out more about WHY!
Extras
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230420-12-of-the-best-books-of-the-year-so-far-2023
https://www.vogue.com/article/best-books-2023
https://www.newyorker.com/best-books-2023
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Book_Day
- Elley, W.B. and Mangubhai, F., 1983. The impact of reading on second language learning. Reading research quarterly, pp.53-67
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