Mastering Italian: 5 Must-Read Books for Language Learners
If you're looking for ways to improve your Italian, reading books in Italian is an amazing option.
Reading books in Italian can allow you to immerse yourself in the language, expand your vocabulary and enhance your understanding of Italian grammar.
Also, reading well-written books
in Italian can be something that doesn't feel like "homework".
It can actually be an enjoyable experience, as you're reading something that could be really interesting.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing a selection of Italian books that are perfect for language learners.
But before we dive in, let's be honest—having a solid understanding of Italian grammar is very important. Otherwise, things will only get confusing and you won't enjoy the process!
Also, reading well-written books
in Italian can be something that doesn't feel like "homework".
It can actually be an enjoyable experience, as you're reading something that could be really interesting.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing a selection of Italian books that are perfect for language learners.
But before we dive in, let's be honest—having a solid understanding of Italian grammar is very important. Otherwise, things will only get confusing and you won't enjoy the process!
#1 "Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi (B1 - B2 Level)
Let’s start with a true classic - "Pinocchio". It is a timeless children's classic that follows the adventures of a wooden puppet who comes to life.
The language used in this book is quite simple and straightforward, and having a grasp of the plot will make it much easier to "guess" the words used in the book!
But don't forget, it's still essential to know Italian grammar well to actually understand and enjoy the book better!
The language used in this book is quite simple and straightforward, and having a grasp of the plot will make it much easier to "guess" the words used in the book!
But don't forget, it's still essential to know Italian grammar well to actually understand and enjoy the book better!
#2 "Io non ho paura" by Niccolò Ammaniti
(B1 - B2 Level)
(B1 - B2 Level)
Next up, we have "Io non ho paura" by Niccolò Ammaniti.
It is a captivating and haunting novel that uncovers a dark secret. A boy in a small town finds out that his father and the rest of the townspeople have kidnapped a boy from a wealthy family.
The best part? The vocabulary and the grammar in this book are actually not that hard, making the book fairly easy to understand!
It is a captivating and haunting novel that uncovers a dark secret. A boy in a small town finds out that his father and the rest of the townspeople have kidnapped a boy from a wealthy family.
The best part? The vocabulary and the grammar in this book are actually not that hard, making the book fairly easy to understand!
#3 "Novecento" by Alessandro Baricco (B2 Level)
Now, let's talk about "Novecento" by Alessandro Baricco, a monologue with a very fascinating plot.
The story is about Novecento, a talented pianist who was born and raised on a ship, never setting foot on land.
The beauty of this book lies in its conversational style, giving you an opportunity to improve your understanding of Italian dialogue and casual speech.
The story is about Novecento, a talented pianist who was born and raised on a ship, never setting foot on land.
The beauty of this book lies in its conversational style, giving you an opportunity to improve your understanding of Italian dialogue and casual speech.
#4 Elena Ferrante's "Neapolitan Novels" (C1 Level)
Now we come to the very popular "Neapolitan Novels" series by Elena Ferrante (which, by the way, is a pseudonym!).
This series includes "My Brilliant Friend", "The Story of a New Name", "Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay" and "The Story of the Lost Child".
The series follows the lives of two girls, Elena Greco and Raffaella Cerullo, from childhood to adulthood and old age, as they try to create lives for themselves in a very poor area in Naples.
The books can be difficult for Italian learners because they have long and complex sentences, dialects and cultural references that might be challenging to understand.
This series includes "My Brilliant Friend", "The Story of a New Name", "Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay" and "The Story of the Lost Child".
The series follows the lives of two girls, Elena Greco and Raffaella Cerullo, from childhood to adulthood and old age, as they try to create lives for themselves in a very poor area in Naples.
The books can be difficult for Italian learners because they have long and complex sentences, dialects and cultural references that might be challenging to understand.
#5 "L'isola di Arturo" by Elsa Morante (C1-C2 Level)
Last but not least, we have "L'isola di Arturo" by Elsa Morante, a captivating novel that takes you back to the early 20th century and introduces you to the world of a boy named Arturo on the island of Procida.
I absolutely love this book because it portrays the island's customs - which I personally know quite well - and traditions while exploring very deep themes, such as isolation and identity.
The language here is a bit more complex and challenging, but the reward is worth it!
I absolutely love this book because it portrays the island's customs - which I personally know quite well - and traditions while exploring very deep themes, such as isolation and identity.
The language here is a bit more complex and challenging, but the reward is worth it!
