Vocabulary is essential to our English skills as it defines our grasp of a particular subject. Magazines, newspapers, comic books, and some best novels significantly affect our vocabulary and English skills. There are many novels to read that will improve your English vocabulary. Here I have listed the 15 best novels to improve English vocabulary.
Reading novels is one of the great ways to increase/improve English vocabulary. If I talk about myself, I have been a constant reader for the last two years, and reading has drastically enhanced my tongue. That ultimately increase the hold on my English as a language.
Today, we are highly blessed by the almighty that we have thousands of novels within our reach of favorite genres, and every novel has its level of difficulty for different persons. It is imperative to enjoy the books one reads, start with slightly easier books, and then progress to more advanced ones.
The novels I have mentioned below are based on my personal experience as well as on my research.
15 Best Must Read Novels to Improve Vocabulary
After surveying some of my best friends who study books, I have created a collection of some of the best novels which could help you.
1. The Post Office by Rabindranath Tagore
The Post Office is one of the best novels by the famous Indian author “Rabindranath Tagore.” This book was written in 1912, originally named “Dakghar” in Bengali, and later translated into English in 1914.
The author portrays the story of an 8-year-old boy who was stuck inside his home due to a long-term illness. He sees the world only from his window and tries to engage with the passerby to evoke a conversation.
Once, a watchman told him that the big building opposite was the King’s new office. Imagining that the King will send him a letter, he creates an imaginary world around him. The author used allusions to make readers understand his situation and evoke empathy among everyone.
2. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
This book was written by E.B. White (author of Stuart Little) and is one of many children’s classic literature works she wrote. This book is appealing to both children as well as adults.
E.B. White’s Charlotte web is one of the best novels for many upcoming generations revolving around friendship, love, life, and death. It is the story of a spider named Charlotte, a pig named Wilbur, and a girl named Fern who saved Wilbur in his childhood.
Whether read in school, at home, or independently by adults, it has been many people’s favourite.
3. Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone by J.K Rowling
Authored by J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter series requires no introduction. The series has set its standards high among many children and adults. It has been a favorite of many readers, a lifelong journey of children from childhood to adulthood.
This series has books about Harry Potter and his friends sent to a magic school at Hogwarts to complete their education. His best friends are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry is being hunted by the most powerful villain, who returns from the dead with some magic in the latter part of the series to avenge himself.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone is the series’ first book. I recommend this novel to everyone as the latter part will gradually attract you towards it to complete it.
4. The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Thomas L. Friedman writes this brilliant classic novel. He illustrates the brave new world for readers, allowing them to make sense of the often bewildering global scene unfolding before their eyes.
With his ability to translate complex foreign policy and economic issues, Friedman explains how the flattening of the world happened at the dawn of the 21st century; what it means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals; and how governments and societies can, and must, adapt.
The World Is Flat is a timely and essential update on globalization, successes, and discontents, powerfully illuminated by one of our most respected journalists.
5. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Written by Lois Lowry, the story of this book revolves around a 12-year-old named Jonas who uncovers the dark secrets lying in his perfect world as he is the receiver of memory. It is dystopian fiction, one of the best novels I recommend to everyone above 12.
The details & descriptions have been described very well in the story evoking emotions and making the characters feel real. The author has used simple English and short sentences, making studying easy for learners.
6. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, ‘Love in the time of Cholera‘ is a romantic novel translated into English yet lost none of its touch from the original in Spanish.
It is the story of 2 adults who fall in love with each other and face the harsh reality of human society, portraying humans’ fundamental nature and the American culture in the 20th century.
This book is one of the best romantic novels composed in simple language that the readers can use to understand English better.
7. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Written by Nicholas Sparks, ‘The Notebook‘ is a fierce romantic story that evokes emotions. If you are really into romantic novels, this is also highly recommended.
The story revolves around Noah Calhoun, a boy who returned from war and started working at his home plantation to avoid the ghosts of war. However, eventually, his memories of her lover Allie haunt him.
Her parents never approved of her love, and thus they were separated. Noah used to write her letters yearly, and she showed herself on his doorstep one day. Noah was excited and wanted to win her back, but she was married this time and was not a woman to back up her promises.
It’s a thrilling love story that will break your heart and then makes up for the suspense at the end.
8. Murder on Orient Express by Agatha Christie
One of the incredible murder mysteries of Agatha Christie. The story revolves around a Simplon-Orient Express train travelling from Istanbul to Calais. Surprisingly, the train is full on that day of the year. An American businessperson lies dead in his compartment, is locked from inside, and is stabbed dozens of times.
Detective Hercule Poirot boarded the train and set himself on solving the mystery before the suspect made another person their victim. It is an exciting plot for both adults as well as children.
9. The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway wrote “The Old man and the sea” as one of my favorite novels. Even though some may find it boring at the start, the message of hope, will, determination, luck, nature, and life are the ones to look out for.
It is also one of the best for improving English vocabulary due to the simple sentences straightforwardly used by the author. The plot in this book revolves around an older man, Santiago, who hasn’t found a fish in 84 days.
While returning from the board, the young boy Manolin, the older man’s life, cried to Santiago to take him fishing. The older man told him he had been struggling to fish, but the young boy kept the hope alive in Santiago and left for fishing.
The story’s suspense, twists, and turns are not worth spoiling rather than enjoying.
10. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl is known for his best children’s novels, also famous among adults. Fantastic Mr. Fox is one of a kind with a simple yet exciting plot engaging the readers with suspense and an intense story.
The story revolves around three farmers and Mr. Fox, who used to snatch the livestock from the farms of these farmers every day. Every time the farmers create a plan to capture the Fox, he eventually escapes. Now, the farmers decided to kill it and devise a plan. Now, Mr. Fox must find a way amidst the trap to capture his dinner yet stays alive.
11. The Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
The Song of Ice and Fire Book series is one of the incredible novels written by “George R.R. Martin.” This series is one of the greatest epic thrillers of the modern era. The TV series has yet to depict the exact plot the author has presented in these books. The readers eagerly await the remaining parts of the series of the book.
The author has portrayed every emotion you can name. This series was rare in millions by absolute anger, love, lust, war, fiction, horror, adventure, romance, and politics. No one could have expected the author to have fabricated such a story, and believe me, and it can’t be depicted in one summary.
However, the whole plot revolves around a kingdom’s crown and the long winter awaiting the world, which will consume everyone unless the unexpected is stopped.
Apart from the story, it is also highly recommended that the readers expand their English vocabulary since the series has more than 1,000 pages using different words, and the author is highly admired for his talent in language.
12. The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough is a true story of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Who had just made an outstanding invention that would take some time for the world to believe, yet was primarily unexpected by anyone.
Wilbur and Orville Wright were more than just brothers. They were determined to achieve success which led them to this path. They were bicycle mechanics with remarkable courage and the same interests with a little bit of curiosity between them, which led them to build an aeroplane.
With this thrilling book, the author draws attention to the story of the Wright brothers’ success and their humane nature with the help of their colleagues, friends, and relatives.
13. The Emperor of all Maladies by Siddartha Mukherjee
This brilliant science novel by “Siddartha Mukherjee, ” a doctor, writer, and researcher. This book portrays the documentation of the powerful disease Cancer since its detection, cure, and control towards a new understanding of its nature.
The author has superbly glimpsed through the story of Cancer and how it has lived among Humans for more than 5,000 years. He narrated the history from the words of his peers, scientists, doctors, and researchers, documentaries of the victories and losses of this deadly disease and how the world has found a way to cure it.
This novel also gives a short yet brilliant glimpse of the future therapies for the disease and how scientists and doctors have understood and observed the human body around diseases for centuries.
Siddhartha Mukherjee has brilliantly used his talent in language to help the readers by using compelling words and sentences in the book.
14. Ulysses by James Joyce’s
James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is considered one of the most challenging books for improving English vocabulary. It is advised for the readers to keep a dictionary along with them. The author has used English well by using more than 30,000 unique words in this novel, such as ineluctable meaning unavoidable.
The book has been written in a uniquely artistic way by the author in which all the action takes place in one day. The book starts at 8’o clock in the morning involving three main characters, Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and his wife, Molly Bloom.
Ulysses is a literary masterpiece and one of the best novels ever.
15. Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Moby Dick is another novel with more than 17,000 unique words unfamiliar to the general population, which must be interpreted by a dictionary or the context of the sentence. Written by Herman Melville, it is considered another one of the most challenging books after Ulysses, yet highly recommended to expand vocabulary.
The story revolves around Ahab, a mysterious sailor, and Moby Dick, a legendary great white whale. He took Ahab’s leg during their last encounter. Being a whaler, Ahab pursues the ship to avenge his leg by killing Moby Dick and, in the process, risking the lives of others on the boat.
Moby Dick is a great book that gives you insights into different aspects of life and portrays a good impact on good vs evil.
Conclusions | 15 Best Novels to Improve English Vocabulary
Reading is one of the most extraordinary ways to improve vocabulary. Yet, they need to be noted and used regularly in sentences or will be forgotten in an hour or a day. A dictionary must be kept handy while reading to learn and use new words, ultimately expanding our library of words.
There are countless novels to choose from, yet we need clarification while selecting. These are the 15 of many books I have stated above that have proven profitable to me. Some other books that can help you are:
- The White tiger
- Trevor Noah
- The Alchemist
- The Martian
- Evil under the sun
- The weird world of worlds
- Twilight book series
- Goosebumps most wanted
- A thousand splendid suns
- The Cinderella Murder
- A tale of 2 cities
- Elon Musk
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