If you’re excited about reading a book in English but don’t know how to pick one that’s right for you, or if you’ve tried before but felt overwhelmed and bored, you’re not alone!

Learning to enjoy reading in a new language can be challenging, but it’s completely doable with the right approach.

Here are 6 actionable tips to help you choose the perfect book and make reading more fun—and faster.

1. Pick a Genre You Already Love

Start by thinking about the genres you enjoy in your native language. Do you love the suspense of mysteries, the excitement of action, or the emotions in romance? Or maybe you’re more into sci-fi or non-fiction?

Stick to what you enjoy—it’ll make the whole process more engaging from the start.

2. Use Book Summaries and Reviews to Narrow Down Your Choices

Once you’ve got a genre in mind, head over to sites like Goodreads.com or Amazon to read summaries and reviews. These can help you find books that match your interests and reading level.

Bonus tip: pay attention to reviews from other non-native speakers. They often mention if the book was a good fit for learners!

3. Preview the Book Before You Commit

Before purchasing a book, search for "[Book Title] Chapter 1 PDF" to preview the first chapter. This is a great way to see if the language is too challenging or just right for you.

Don’t worry if you have to spend some time looking—choosing the right book is half the battle!

4. Pair the Book with an Audiobook

Listening to the audiobook while you read is a fantastic way to improve your pronunciation and reading speed. Make sure you purchase the unabridged version so the audio matches the text exactly.

Audiobooks can also help with intonation and keep you engaged, especially with harder texts.

5. Don’t Look Up Every Word You Don’t Know

It’s tempting to grab a dictionary every time you come across a word you don’t understand, but doing this too often breaks your flow. Instead, try to guess the meaning of new words using context clues. If you absolutely must, underline the word and look it up after you finish the chapter.

6. Join a Book Club or Start a Reading Group

Reading becomes a lot more fun when you can share the experience with others. Join a local or online book club, or even start one with your friends.

Discussing what you’ve read helps improve both your reading comprehension and conversation skills.

Bonus Tip: Choose a Series

Once you find a book you like, it’s easier to stick with the same author or series. Many authors write multiple books with the same characters, so if you enjoy their style, you'll have more material to explore. This will also help you build reading confidence over time.

Need Recommendations? Here Are Some Great Reads to Start With:

• Robert Langdon Series by Dan Brown

• In Death Series by J.D. Robb

• Matilda by Roald Dahl

• The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

• 1984 by George Orwell

• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

• The Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris

Keep It Fun and Relaxing

Remember, reading in English doesn’t have to be stressful. The more fun you make the process, the more motivated you’ll be to continue—and the better you’ll become. Relax, enjoy the journey, and keep challenging yourself. You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make!

Ready to dive in? Start with these tips, and before you know it, you’ll be breezing through your next English novel!

Want more tips to boost your reading skills? Download my free reading guide for non-native speakers [link] or book a session to get personalized feedback on your reading journey!

Keep Learning

Don’t stop here—learn how to be more confident and natural with small talk in English. Click here to dive in!

Also, sign up for your free, advanced pronunciation masterclass here.

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