Do you ever wish you could learn German by reading your favourite books? Believe it or not, reading is one of the most valuable (and often overlooked) activities in language learning.
It’s easy to get enticed by the opportunity to practice speaking German or to spend hours struggling through German TV shows or films. But neither of these activities is likely to have as big an impact on your German fluency as reading is.
“More speaking or writing does not result in more language or literacy development, but more reading does” – Stephen Krashen
If you’re learning German and forget to invest valuable reading time, you’re making a huge mistake. But, I’m not talking about reading textbooks here, rather real language material that exposes you to everyday written language.
You may be resistant at first since you know you won’t understand certain grammar and vocabulary. But, you shouldn’t let this scare you away.
Reading short, captivating stories or interesting articles about topics you enjoy will strengthen your language skills immensely and help you to develop well-rounded knowledge of German vocabulary and grammar.
In this article, I’ll share some tips with you on how to learn German by reading without getting hung up on unknown words and confusing grammar. So let's get straight into it with the book recommendations.
Pro Tip
By the way, if you want to learn German by reading fast and have fun, my top recommendation is German Uncovered which teaches you through StoryLearning®.
If you’re ready to get started, click here for a 7-day FREE trial.
Table of Contents
7 Great German Books For Beginner And Intermediate Learners
Of course, at a beginner or intermediate level, you probably don’t want to start reading books by German philosophers.
Instead, try German books for beginners such as short stories and other easy books. They should still offer challenges, but shouldn’t be so difficult that you don’t understand anything.
Stories should also be compelling to read and involve interesting plots. The more you lose yourself in the story, the more you focus on the meaning rather than on the grammar or the unknown words.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of some of the best German storybooks for those looking for engaging reading material. The following books will leave you with a feeling of achievement as you progress through stories suitable for beginner and intermediate level students.
1. “German Short Stories for Beginners”
I’m such a believer in the power of story and reading as a learning tool that I decided to write a series of short story books myself! This book contains 280 pages of unconventional German short stories that are perfect for A1-B1 levels.
Each of the stories in the book is designed to be fun and engaging with just the right amount of new vocabulary. I’ve also included regular comprehension questions and summaries to help you along the way.
The language is conversational and natural, and manageable chapters, combined with a gentle introduction of new grammar will have you enjoying reading in German from the very beginning.
I took this story concept even further with the creation of my German Uncovered course. Instead of learning through textbooks and grammar rules, you go from beginner to intermediate in German by immersing yourself in an intriguing story.
I've developed this more natural approach to language learning through years of language study and experimentation. And now I've put all my knowledge together in German Uncovered so you can learn though story too. Check it out here.
2. “Emil und die Detektive”
This is a classic book for beginner and intermediate German language learners.
Published in 1929, it’s a well-known German children’s book about a young boy who leaves his small town to travel to Berlin.
The story contains realistic characters and descriptions of the world of crime, art, and cabaret during the Weimar Republic. This is a must-read for German language beginners.
3. “Die unendliche Geschichte”
Known in English as “The Never Ending Story”, this book by Michael Ende tells a fantasy tale that many of us are already familiar with.
Reading books with stories you recognize can present a great opportunity to improve your German skills.
If you’re interested in fantasy literature, this book offers a perfect chance to become familiar with commonly used vocabulary of the genre.
4. “Momo”
This is another fascinating story written by the author Michael Ende. He was one of the most popular German writers of the 20th century and well-known for his juvenile fiction.
Although originally written for teenagers, this novel is just as exciting for adults.
This strange story of time-thieves and the child who brought stolen time back to the people is an excellent (and very entertaining!) read for German language students.
5. “Die Verwandlung”
Also known as “Metamorphosis” this book is a literary classic from Franz Kafka.
He uses simple grammar and short sentences, which makes this book perfect for German beginners.
The plot is somewhat unusual too – telling the story of a salesman who wakes up one day to find he has been transformed into an insect.
The vocabulary is relatively simple, and the story is easy to follow making this a great work of fiction that all German language students need to read.
6. “Homo Faber”
Swiss author, Max Frisch wrote this modern German classic.
Its interesting story and relatively basic grammar and vocabulary make this novel great for beginner learners.
The story follows the life of an engineer who values rational and practical thinking. However, an exciting chain of events forces him to reconsider his view on life.
Beginniner and intermediate language students will find this story compelling and without too many grammatical challenges along the way.
7. “Der Richter und Sein Henker”
This classic detective story can be translated as “The Judge and his Hangman”.
It was written by Friedrich Dürrenmatt in 1950 and is classic reading material for intermediate German students.
The story is easy to understand and uses straightforward grammar. This novel is perfect for those who want to practice learning vocabulary through context.
The Right Approach To Learn German By Reading
Most of us know that reading helps us learn a foreign language, but how?
When we learn from textbooks, we usually scrutinize information carefully, reading and re-reading sentences with an emphasis on understanding.
This is called intensive reading. Here, the focus is on studying each detail and comprehending material thoroughly.
However, we use a very different technique when reading in our native languages.
We may skim through material or skip words to get a gist of the story. We usually don’t spend very much time concentrating on each word or sentence, instead we’re focused on meaning: the plot of the story or the argument a writer is making.
This is called extensive reading. We’re able to quickly read through large amounts of text and extract the most important information and ideas.
When we start to learn German, especially as a first foreign language, we grow accustomed to reading intensively. We don’t trust ourselves to apply the same shortcuts we would use when reading in English.
This method makes reading unenjoyable for a prolonged period of time.
If we concentrate on looking up every single word we don’t know and understanding the grammar of each sentence, we lose track of the story.
Pretty soon, the enjoyment starts to disappear.
“What’s a German language learner to do?”, you might ask…
Why Read Extensively In German?
Intense reading works well for some aspects of language learning. It helps us:
- comprehend grammatical concepts
- remember key vocabulary
However, if you fail to integrate extensive reading into your learning practice, you’ll find your progress slows down.
This is because intensive reading doesn’t offer a lot of exposure to the language in the way extensive reading does.
And yet, we know that exposure to a language on a regular basis is key to acquiring the language faster and improving your overall level of understanding.
Interesting and level-appropriate reading material can help keep you engaged and motivated while gaining exposure to spoken and written German.
Best of all, there are lots of different options for what to read. These can be short stories, novels, or books on topics that interest you.
You’ll have to accept the fact that you won’t understand every word in the beginning. But, although it can be frustrating and awkward at first, reading in German gets easier with practice.
Remember, the goal is to read as much as possible, each time improving your comprehension a little bit more.
Strategies For Smart Reading In German
It may be intimidating to learn German by reading, as you'll inevitably encounter unknown words. Imagine reading a book and coming across the word Schneeeule.
You’d probably think the writer had a good sneeze and failed to notice his typo. Or perhaps you’re seeing double. German is known for long words that seem hard to pronounce.
But you can usually understand words by breaking them down. If you learn the meanings of prefixes and suffixes, you can decode any word.
If you break down Schneeeule, you can see that this word is a combination of two shorter words:
- Schnee (snow)
- Eule (owl).
All of a sudden, a seemingly unknown word is actually quite simple.
You don’t need to do this for every word of a story. You just need to understand the meaning of the most important words.
As long as you can get the core meaning and follow the gist of what you’re reading, you don’t need to worry about every tiny detail.
Here are a few more smart German reading strategies:
- Stay motivated! Read stories that you enjoy, make you laugh, and excite you. Try not to focus on what you can’t understand. Reward yourself for the parts you can comprehend.
- Read books from beginning to end. You may be tempted to read chapters over and over until you’ve fully understood them. Resist this urge and continue reading. The goal is to understand the plot of the story, not every detail.
- Read often. Quantity is more important than quality. The quality will develop with practice.
Finally, if you absolutely need to know the meaning of a word, try to guess it by breaking the word down. This allows you to be more engaged with the material and have a better chance of remembering the word in the future.
Reading German In Five Easy Steps
- When you start a book, read the first chapter until the end, without looking up words in the dictionary. In the beginning, it doesn’t matter if you can’t understand all the words, try to grasp the larger picture. If you’re attempting to read a book with particularly long chapters, you can try breaking them up into more manageable sections.
- Review what you’ve read at the end of the first chapter. Ask yourself how much you were able to understand and try to write a short summary.
- Re-read the first chapter. You may want to look up any essential words, but otherwise just try to read through the story as you did the first time. This will help you build up confidence and you may be able to learn a few things from context.
- Write down additional notes once you complete the chapter the second time. You may have understood extra details that you didn’t notice the first time.
- Continue to re-read the chapter, this time noting unknown vocabulary, but don’t go overboard. It’s not necessary to understand every word in order to understand the story. Focus on vocabulary that’s vital to the story and resist dwelling on unimportant details. Then continue on with the rest of the book, allowing yourself to get lost in the story.
Follow these tips whenever you start reading a German text and you’ll improve your reading comprehension and language skills substantially.
The most difficult part will probably be resisting the urge to look up words in the dictionary. Try to learn new vocabulary through context, when possible, to gain confidence. The more you practice, the easier it will get.
FAQs About Learning German By Reading
Can I learn German by reading?
Absolutely! Reading is a powerful tool for language learning, and helps you immerse yourself in the cultural context.
When you read in German, you learn how native speakers use the language, including idiomatic expressions and cultural references not covered in traditional textbooks. As a result, you develop a more intuitive grasp of the language.
Reading is one of the best ways to learn German. Story-based learning is an immersive way to accelerate your German language fluency. The stories keep you entertained while you learn difficult German grammar topics and vocabulary.
Even beginners can learn German by reading. You don’t need to have as much prior knowledge as you think.
Short stories written specifically for learners are an ideal starting point for beginning German learners. The sentences and vocabulary are simple to comprehend.
More advanced German learners can try literature from classic authors like Franz Kafka and Wolfgang von Goethe.
When you read in German, you start to get a better grasp of the grammar rules, learn new vocabulary, and become familiar with the culture.
Ideally, you want to combine reading with other language acquisition strategies for a well-rounded curriculum. Read, write, speak, and listen in German to cover all the bases.
What book should I read to learn German?
Choosing the right book depends on your current proficiency level and interests.
For beginners, starting with short stories or children’s books is highly recommended. Titles like “German Short Stories for Beginners” by Olly Richards or “Emil und die Detektive” by Erich Kästner offer simple language and engaging plots, making them ideal for building vocabulary and confidence.
If you’re at an intermediate level, consider classics like “Die Verwandlung” by Franz Kafka or “Der Richter und Sein Henker” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. These books introduce more complex grammar and vocabulary while keeping the content manageable for learners.
In addition to your proficiency level, consider your interests when selecting a book. If you enjoy fantasy, “Die unendliche Geschichte” by Michael Ende can make the learning process more enjoyable.
And if you prefer philosophical themes, “Homo Faber” by Max Frisch provides a deeper, thought-provoking narrative with straightforward language.
The goal is to find a book that captures your interest and keeps you motivated to continue reading, even when you encounter challenging words or grammar structures. Over time, you’ll find that it gets easier to understand and enjoy German texts.
What is the most effective way to learn German?
The most effective way to learn German is through a combination of consistent practice and varied learning methods.
Start by immersing yourself in the language through reading. You’ll be able to get familiar with vocabulary and grammar in context.
Complement your reading with listening to German podcasts, watching films or TV shows, and speaking with native speakers.
Writing in German, whether through journaling or engaging in online discussions, also helps improve your understanding. The key is to stay engaged and motivated by choosing materials that interest you and challenge your current level.
Balancing all four skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—will accelerate your progress and fluency.
Integrate language learning into your daily routine. You can set aside time each day for activities: read in the morning, listen to German podcasts during your commute, and practice speaking in the evening.
Additionally, consider using spaced repetition systems (SRS) for vocabulary retention.
Engaging with German culture through cooking German recipes, listening to German music, or following German news are other fun ways to practice.
By consistently exposing yourself to German in various ways, you make steady and sustainable progress.
Learn German By Reading With My Story-Based Courses
Reading books is a fantastic way to improve your German.
In fact, it's my favourite way to learn languages!
That's why I've created a series of story-based German courses to help you learn German with stories.
German Uncovered is my story-based programme for beginners. It's my top recommendation for anyone who wants to learn German from scratch.
The course is built around a story – Der Mann mit dem Hut – and the story is the engine of the course.
Der Mann mit dem Hut has 20 chapters, written in simple German, so you can immerse yourself in German at your level, right from the start…even as a complete beginner!
Stories are supposed to be fun, and the story at the centre of German Uncovered is no exception!
Three friends find a mysterious note left in a dusty library book, and set off to travel around Germany, following clues left by the mysterious “man in the hat”.
The story is full of suspense, and by following the method I teach in the course, you’ll be amazed how you can read and enjoy it, even if you can’t imagine understanding anything in German right now!
You'll see that learning through story keeps you motivated… especially if you've had trouble staying motivated with languages in the past.
German Uncovered is as comprehensive as any other German programme, but it won’t feel like study at all, because Der Mann mit dem Hut introduces German grammar and vocabulary naturally, as part of the story. Exactly how reading in German ought to be!
It’s Time To Learn German By Reading!
These are just a few of many excellent books to help you Learn German by reading. So what are you waiting for?
Take your pick and find yourself a comfy place where you can sit down and relax as you practice your German reading skills.
By following the tips I’ve given you in this article and dedicating time to reading, you’ll improve your German skills in no time. And you’ll get to enjoy a good story or two along the way as well!
Viel Spaß beim Lesen!
Olly Richards
Creator of the StoryLearning® Method
Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.
Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.
When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.
