Increasing interest in reading from an early age is important, especially during adolescence. Reading is one way to learn English . As technology advances, people tend to choose to read information from cyberspace which tends to have more concise content. Thus, causing people to lack the ability to read long texts.
In fact, the learning process at school requires the ability to understand long texts. Not to mention, if you want to continue your study abroad, which requires the ability to read texts and a deeper understanding of the English language. However, don’t worry, reading skills can be trained, for example by starting to get used to reading novels.
In addition to entertaining the story, the novel packs moral values in an exciting way, making it easy to understand. Moreover, reading English novels will certainly train your English skills.
10 recommended English novels for you
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – JKRowling (1997)
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Who does not know the Harry Potter series? This series is certainly not to be missed. The series consists of seven books, and if this is your first time reading the series, you can start with the first book, ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.’ This book tells the story of an orphan named Harry Potter who lives at his uncle’s house. However, Harry was treated unfairly by his uncle’s family, where in the house Harry was forced to live in a cupboard under his uncle’s stairs. However, things change when Harry learns that he is a wizard and is accepted into Hogwarts wizarding school. The existence of Harry Potter in the wizarding world itself is quite special, because he is the only person who has survived the curse of Lord Voldemort. Harry’s first year at Hogwarts is the best experience for Harry, but he discovers there is a secret object hidden within the Hogwarts school. So that the object does not fall into the wrong hands, Harry and his friends try to find the object, but it can endanger them.
2. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins (2008)
The Hunger Games trilogy series is one of the most popular series in the world. The reason is, with the popularity of the book series, this story was successfully appointed to the big screen and achieved great popularity. If this is your first time reading the trilogy from the Hunger Games, you can start reading from the first novel of the same title. This novel tells the story of the Panem nation which has a prosperous region called the Capitol, and is surrounded by 12 poorer districts. However, there was a rebellion from the 13th district against the Capitol which led to its destruction and the beginning of the creation of the television show called ‘Hunger Games.’ This event is a form of punishment and commemoration of the power of the Capitol. So each district is required to submit 1 girl and 1 boy between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system. The chosen ones are required to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor as the victor.
The story begins, when Katniss Everdeen’s younger sister, Primrose, is elected as a representative of the 12th district, Katniss voluntarily proposes to replace Primrose’s position. Katniss and Peeta as the representatives of the 12th district, have to fight competitors who are stronger than them.
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3. Fangirl – Rainbow Rowell (2013)
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For you lovers of light stories, Fangirl novels might be your choice. This novel tells the story of Cath, a new student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who has an identical twin, namely Wren. Cath and Wren have different personalities. Wren is a sociable child, while Cath is more interested in writing. As a child, Wren and Cath were big fans of the Simon Snow series, but since college Wren decided to no longer be a fan of the series. While Cath is still obsessed with the series, and is actively writing fan fiction from the series which has thousands of loyal readers. Cath has difficulty adapting at school, because Wren doesn’t want to share a room with Cath in the dorm, and Cath has Social Anxiety Disorder. Now Cath must struggle to survive outside her comfort zone. Will Cath manage to survive?
4. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan (2015)
Anyone still remember the Percy Jackson series? The Percy Jackson & The Olympians novel series consists of five books. His first book, ‘The Lightning Thief’, tells of a boy named Percy Jackson who suffers from dyslexia and ADHD. On his school trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a teacher turns into a monster and tries to kill Percy. This led Percy’s mother to decide that it was time to reveal Percy’s true identity. Percy is sent by his mother to join Camp Half Blood, where he learns that he is a Demigod – a descendant of both humans and gods – and the son of Poseidon. Percy is given the task of unraveling a mystery that could lead to war between the Gods. Percy with his friends,
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5. Life of Pi – Yann Martel (2001)
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Life of Pi tells the story of Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, which tells the story of her childhood in India, where her father owned a zoo in Pondicherry. However, in February 1976, the Indian government declared “The Emergency” against the condition of his country, so the Pi family decided to migrate to Canada. However, there was a problem when transporting the animals from the zoo to Canada. In the process of moving, there was a storm on their route, which caused the ship they were on to sink. Pi managed to survive by using a makeshift boat, along with a Hyena, Zebra, Orangutan, and Tiger. What will Pi’s next adventure be? Will Pi survive the journey?
6. The Fault in Our Stars – John Green (2012)
The Fault in Our Stars tells the story of Hazel, a girl who suffers from cancer which causes her to carry oxygen cylinders with her everywhere she goes. This depressed Hazel, so her mother made Hazel attend a cancer patient support group. Unexpectedly, by attending the meeting, Hazel’s life changed when she met Augustus Waters. How is the story of Hazel and Augustus in dealing with this malignant disease?
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7. The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank, Eleanor Roosevelt (Introduction) (1993)
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If you are a history buff, you certainly know the figure of Anne Frank. Anne Frank was one of the victims of the genocide during World War II. In hiding for 2 years, Anne poured her story through writing in her diary which was later published under the title ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ or commonly known as ‘The Diary of Anne Frank.’ So, for those of you who like history, this book can certainly be on your list.
8. My Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult (2004)
My Sister’s Keeper tells the story of Anna Fitzgerald, a 13 year old girl. Anna was born with one goal in mind: to become an organ donor for her sister, Kate, who has leukemia. Unlike children in general, Anna has gone through various operations in order for her sister to survive. But this makes Anna question his existence, which seems to only exist as a donor for his sister. Through this, Anna finally made a decision where her decision could tear her family apart. How is the result of Anna’s struggle in fighting for her rights?
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9. Everything, Everything – Nicola Yoon (2015)
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Everything, Everything tells the story of Madeline “Maddy” Whittier, a 17-year-old girl who suffers from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) which prevents her from leaving the house and everything around her must be sterilized first. His life is only filled by his mother, Pauline and his nurse, Carla. However, one day Maddy sees her new neighbor, Olly through her bedroom window. Maddy’s lonely world is now filled with Olly’s presence.
10. The Princess Diaries – Meg Cabot (2000)
Who used to dream of being a princess? The Princess Diaries may be able to bring you back to that dream of yours. This novel tells the story of Mia Thermopolis, an ordinary girl who is sitting in 9th grade, suddenly being told that she is a descendant of the Genovian kingdom, and not only that. Mia is a crown princess of the kingdom. Of course this changed Mia’s life drastically. Curious how Mia’s journey in becoming a princess?