Are you just starting your journey into reading in English? Don’t worry—finding the right books can make all the difference! I’ve put together a list of some of the best books to get you started, covering everything from thrilling mysteries to heartfelt romances and even inspiring nonfiction. These are stories with accessible language, engaging plots, and short chapters to help you ease into reading in English while having fun along the way.
Over the years, I’ve explored different genres and stories that entertained me, challenged me, and even taught me something new. Whether you're looking for suspenseful twists, emotional love stories, or practical tips, this guide has a little bit of everything to help you dive in with confidence.
Let’s explore these recommendations—and I hope one of them becomes your next favorite!
Thrillers
The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Audience: Young Adults
Why you’ll love it: Short chapters make it easy to follow, and suspense waits at the end of every chapter.
Storyline: Avery Grambs unexpectedly inherits billions of dollars from a stranger, but there’s a twist: the family of the deceased is determined to uncover why she was chosen.
Series: A saga of 4 books.
Why I recommend it: I read three books in this series in English, and I found the plot thoroughly entertaining. It’s fast-paced, gripping, and perfect for fans of mystery.
The Paris Apartment - Lucy Foley
Audience: General
Why you’ll love it: Features multiple points of view and short chapters that keep the pace fast.
Storyline: Set in Paris, Jess investigates the mysterious disappearance of her half-brother while uncovering secrets in his apartment building.
Why I recommend it: Even if I read this book in Italian, the multiple characters made it a bit challenging, the plot twists kept me hooked. It’s a perfect read for fans of suspenseful, layered storytelling.
You Shouldn’t Have Come Here - Jeneva Rose
Audience: General
Why you’ll love it: A dual perspective narrative filled with suspense.
Storyline: Grace Evans, a busy New Yorker, books an Airbnb in remote Wyoming to escape city life. However, things take a dark turn with a missing woman and no cell phone service to call for help.
Why I recommend it: I read it in Italian, and checked regularly the English version. The short chapters kept me turning the pages. The final plot twist? Absolutely mind-blowing.
Romance
The Fine Print - Lauren Asher
Audience: Young Adults
Why you’ll love it: Easy vocabulary, short chapters, and a unique workplace romance.
Storyline: Zahra drunkenly critiques Dreamland’s most expensive ride, earning her a job with Rowan, her incredibly demanding (but attractive) new boss.
Why I recommend it: I read it a while ago and enjoyed the tension between Zahra and Rowan. It’s a fun, light read that’s part of a trilogy.
Reminders of Him - Colleen Hoover
Audience: General
Why you’ll love it: An emotional love story that’s easy to follow, even for non-native English speakers.
Storyline: After five years in prison, Kenna returns to her hometown to reconnect with her daughter. But the town, and her daughter’s guardians, want nothing to do with her.
Why I recommend it: I read this in 2022 and found it to be an emotional, heartfelt story. The writing was simple and easy to understand, but the themes were deeply moving.
One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Audience: General
Why you’ll love it: Suspenseful and deeply emotional, with a gripping love triangle.
Storyline: After losing her husband Jesse in a helicopter crash, Emma moves on with her life and gets engaged to Sam. Years later, Jesse is found alive, leaving Emma torn between her past and present.
Why I recommend it: I read it in 2023, and it’s one of my favourite romances. The emotional stakes and Emma’s difficult choice made it unforgettable.
Nonfiction
Atomic Habits - James Clear
Audience: General
Why you’ll love it: Short, engaging chapters with practical tips and summaries. Learn how to form good habits, break bad ones, and boost productivity.
Key Feature: Over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
Why I recommend it: This is my favourite nonfiction book. It taught me so much about myself and why we do the things we do. Plus, the author’s website offers great freebies to complement the book.
A Little Book of Language - David Crystal
Audience: General
Why You’ll Love It: A delightful exploration of language, from baby talk and spelling rules to bilingualism, slang, and texting. Chapters are short, with illustrations and helpful recaps.
Why I recommend it: As someone interested in teaching, this book deepened my understanding of English and how language evolves. I highly recommend it to educators and language enthusiasts.
Not My Cup of Tea
Unfortunately, I can’t recommend any fantasy or sci-fi books—they’re just not my thing. However, if you’re a fan of crime fiction or thrillers, feel free to reach out! I’d be happy to recommend more books from my favourite genres.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in the mood for suspense, love stories, or practical advice, I hope these recommendations spark your interest. Reading has always been my way of exploring different worlds, learning new things, and finding inspiration. If you’ve read any of these books or have recommendations of your own, let’s connect—I’d love to hear from you!
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