Reading every day is one of the best ways to learn any language. It not only introduces you to new ideas and perspectives, but also strengthens your vocabulary by teaching you how to use new words. If English is not your first language, reading English novels can be challenging just like Urdu Novels. However, if you avoid reading English novels because they are difficult, this article is for you. Today, I will explain which English novels you can read to improve your fluency.
Before we move on, let’s understand the difference between books and novels. Every novel is a book, but not every book is a novel. A novel is a book that tells a fictional story, with characters and events created by the writer. Books, on the other hand, can be fictional, non-fictional, autobiographical, educational, and more. Now, let’s talk about English novels that are easy to read.
Here is the list of the 10 Easy to Read English Novels one after the other.
Table of Contents
1. Animal Farm by George Orwell:
George Orwell, an important writer in Post-Colonial Literature, wrote openly about political issues. However, he made politics entertaining. One of his works, a short novel or novella, is an allegorical satire. This means it has a big message and speaks against the government system. Although it might look like a children’s book because it’s about animals, it feels more like “The Communist Manifesto.”
The story is about farm animals that rebel against their owner and create their own government, which eventually turns into a dictatorship. The dictator is a pig named Napoleon who starts betraying the animals that supported him. Sound familiar? It’s a very short novella, so I recommend downloading the PDF version or reading it on Goodreads. It’s a great companion for traveling.
2. The Old Man And The Sea by Earnest Hemingway:
Ernest Hemingway, a famous writer, wrote this classic novel. It’s about an old fisherman who hasn’t caught any fish in a while. One day, he finally catches a huge fish, but it’s too big for him to handle. He struggles for three days to kill it. Unfortunately, sharks attack and eat the fish, leaving only bones behind. Despite this, the story ends with hope. You can find the PDF version online or on Goodreads and Kindle. If you prefer physical books, it’s affordable.
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3. The Room On The Roof by Ruskin Bond:
One of the favorite book, “The Room On The Roof,” was written by Ruskin Bond when he was only seventeen years old. It won the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957, which is pretty amazing! The story is about a seventeen-year-old orphan boy who runs away from his guardian and rents a room on a roof.
There, he falls in love with the young wife of his landlord. It’s all about how a teenage boy sees the world around him. It made me think that it might be like Ruskin Bond’s own life because he’s written a lot about himself. I recommend getting the book; it’s a great read and a perfect gift for a seventeen-year-old boy!
4. Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh:
“Train to Pakistan” is set during the Partition of India in 1947, focusing on the village of Mano Majra. The story follows characters like Juggut Singh, a local bandit, and Iqbal, a government magistrate. As communal tensions rise, the village grapples with moral dilemmas when a train carrying Sikh and Hindu refugees arrives. Khushwant Singh’s novel delves into themes of identity, nationalism, and the human cost of communal violence during partition.
In “Train to Pakistan,” Khushwant Singh doesn’t delve deeply into politics. Instead, he explores how the Partition shattered a once-harmonious community of different religions. The novel prompts us to ponder whether the divisions of Partition still linger in India, forcing our fellow citizens to consider leaving for Pakistan. Purchasing the book would be a worthwhile investment, as it’s available at a low cost.
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5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho:
Originally written in Portuguese by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist” is an allegorical novel about a young shepherd from Andalusia. He has a dream that there’s treasure waiting for him in the Egyptian pyramids. On his journey to find it, he encounters various people, including someone who buys his sheep, someone who steals his money, and someone searching for an alchemist.
He also meets Fatima, whom he falls in love with. What sets this novel apart is the shepherd’s discovery of the real treasure. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but it’s definitely worth reading. It’s a short book, so you can download the PDF version, but I recommend getting the paperback because it’s a story you’ll want to revisit and keep on your bookshelf.
6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote two amazing books: “The Great Gatsby” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Both were turned into big movies with famous actors. “The Great Gatsby” talks about life in 1920s America, known as the Jazz Age. The main character, Gatsby, is in love with Daisy, who married Tom for his money. When Gatsby gets rich illegally, he wants Daisy back.
This book questions love, marriage, friendship, wealth, and the American Dream. It’s one of my favorites because it really makes you think. You won’t want to put it down once you start reading. I suggest buying the book instead of reading it online, and don’t bother with the movie because it didn’t do the book justice. The book is much better and more intense. I’ve done both, and trust me, the book is worth it.
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7. The Guide by R. K. Narayan:
Adapted into a big movie by Dev Anand, R.K. Narayan’s novel is set in the made-up town of Malgudi, like many of his other stories. It’s about a guy named Raju who becomes a guide and falls for a married woman named Rosie. Despite society’s disapproval, they start living together in post-colonial India. Rosie achieves her dream of being a dancer, but Raju ends up in jail.
Afterward, he becomes a Sadhu and is asked by villagers to fast to bring rain. Like in Narayan’s other works, readers have to guess the ending. You should buy an old copy of the book and read it because they’re more original than newer ones. Plus, they often have great cover pictures if you’re into that.
8. My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl:
You’ve probably seen the movie version of Roald Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” with Johnny Depp. But did you know Dahl wrote an adult novel too? It’s about a rich and charming guy who finds a natural Viagra in the Orient and wants to start a sperm bank. He thinks he can sell it to women who want genius kids. But it turns out his plan doesn’t work because kids don’t just inherit their dad’s genius. So this guy, Uncle Oswald, is tricking people.
If you’re into reading erotic stories, this could be a fun bedtime read. It’s a comedy about sex, and since it’s short, you could download the PDF version. Using Kindle or Goodreads might be better so no one sees what you’re reading.
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9. Lord Of The Flies by William Golding:
The British author William Golding won the Nobel Prize for this book, so it’s definitely worth reading. It begins with a plane crash where a group of boys ends up on a deserted island and tries to govern themselves. One of the boys becomes the leader, and they make their own rules, but things start to fall apart. Panic, fear, and violence make the story intense.
It’s also about how religion might have started. It makes you think deeply about human nature. Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop until you finish. You can easily find PDF versions, and it’s not too long of a book. I recommend buying it because it’s the kind of book you’ll want to read over and over again.
10. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby:
This novel by Nick Hornby is written in simple language, almost like having a conversation with someone. The main character, Rob Fleming, owns a record shop and tells the story as he tries to recover from a tough breakup. It was really popular when it was first published, so they made a movie out of it. But honestly, the book is much better (at least in my opinion). It starts with a quick overview of Rob’s past relationships and where he is now. Eventually, he reconciles with his ex-girlfriend because he figures out why he was afraid of commitment.
It’s a good read if you’ve struggled with commitment issues. It won’t make you cry, but it might make you think about yourself and your choices. It’s not a short book, so I suggest buying it. Personally, I found it a bit boring because I prefer classics, or maybe I couldn’t relate as a woman. But I still recommend reading the book instead of watching the movie trailer, as the book is much better. You might enjoy the audiobook version for a more engaging experience.
Final Discussion:
I hope you enjoyed reading my article and found my style engaging. If you have any other easy-to-read novels in mind, feel free to share them in the comments section. As a sensitive #litwrit, I appreciate polite feedback. Keep on reading, everyone!