VOX Cultural Digest, Issue N.3

Books are a uniquely portable magic They can take you anywhere, and inspire you in ways like nothing else. 

Stephen King

We know that the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it. That’s why we have put together a list of our favorite books for B1 and B2 levels in different languages. Check out the list below:

in German: 

Momo

by Michael Ende

Momo, also known as The Grey Gentlemen or The Men in Grey, is a fantasy novel by Michael Ende, published in 1973. It is about the concept of time and how it is used by humans in modern societies.

Die unendliche Geschichte

by Michael Ende

The Neverending Story is a fantasy novel by German writer Michael Ende, published in 1979. A must-read. And a must-see!

Homo Faber

by Max Frisch

This is a modern German classic. Its interesting story and relatively basic grammar and vocabulary make this novel great for beginner learners.

in English:

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket

Novel series written by American author Daniel Handler under the pen name Lemony Snicket. The books follow the turbulent lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. There are a couple of movie adaptations as well and a TV series on Netflix. 

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde

A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde. You will have a fantastic time watching the 2002 British-American romantic comedy-drama based on this book.

in Italian:

Novecento

by Alessandro Baricco

Short, beautiful, incredibly deep, and moving. We highly recommend the movie, too (La leggenda del pianista sull’oceano).

in Russian:

Ночной дозор (Night Watch)

by Sergei Lukyanenko 

Sergei Lukyanenko’s Ночной дозор (Night Watch) – vampires, conspiracy theory, etc. There’s a movie based on this book.

Рубашка (The Shirt)

by Yevgeny Grishkovets

Yevgeny Grishkovets’s Рубашка (The Shirt) or “Спокойствие” (“Serenity”) – feel-good and often lite but Grishkovets has a great understanding of psychology that makes it easy to identify with his stories. Unusually easy to read. 

in French:

Lupin, gentleman cambrioleur

by Maurice Leblanc 

It is a classic – read it and watch the Netflix series. 

Le petit Nicolas

by René Goscinny

You are guaranteed lots of very French humor. A must-read and must-see! 

Astérix

It is a French comic book series about Gaulish warriors, who have adventures and fight the Roman Republic during the era of Julius Caesar in an ahistorical telling of the time after the Gallic Wars.

Hope this helps!

Stay tuned for more book suggestions for beginner and advanced levels!