There is no doubt in the book lovers’ minds that novels are a unique way to dive into another world.
In the history of man, it is estimated that over 130 million books have been published, not including the millions more that were written and never shared.
That is a lot of information to learn and stories waiting to be told.
While reading can be an entertaining form of escape, many use books to learn and expand their knowledge and vocabulary.
If you’re learning a language, you likely already use books to help you learn new words and expressions in your target language.
The average native speaker knows between 20,000 and 30,000 words, but there are over 170,000 words in the English language!
If you want to get a head start adding some of those 150,000 missing words into your vocabulary, you could read a dictionary.
However, a much more enjoyable way is to pick up a novel that will truly enrich your vocabulary.
Let’s take a look at five novels, classic and modern, that are sure to broaden your grasp of the English language!
1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Published in 1960, Lee shows us the world of a small Alabama town and the racial tensions that exist within it.
If you have yet to read this book, now is the time to delve into a novel often regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.
Lee explores the depths of human decency through the childhood eyes of Scout.
Not only will you get to know three-dimensional characters such as Atticus Finch through the pages of this novel, but you will also add such words as malevolent and assuaged to your vocabulary.
2. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
In this classic set in the French Revolution, Hugo weaves an intricate story of love, justice, and heroism in Les Miserables.
We follow the life of Jean Valjean and his journey towards an honest life.
It is originally written in French and translated into English, staying true to the original’s beautiful range of vocabulary.
Once you’re finished reading this critically acclaimed classic, you’ll hopefully understand words such as austerity, pallor, and lugubrious.
3. Jane Eyre by Emily Bronte
A beautifully crafted Victorian coming-of-age story, Bronte shares the story of an independent and strong young woman Jane.
Orphaned and abandoned, we read of her story of love and mystery in Thornfield Hall.
Published in 1847, this tale is far before its time and leaves no question of why it has reached the ranks of a classic.
Soon you’ll be using words like torpid, antipathy, and reproach in your everyday speech!
4. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Vonnegut provides this powerful and popular anti-war novel, Slaughterhouse-Five.
It follows Billy Pilgrim as he is captured by the German army and survives as a prisoner of war (while traveling through time).
Through a non-linear glimpse of his life events, the reader is transported to vivid scenes.
Look for the words soliloquize, covetous, and sordid as you read this classic.
5. Ulysses by James Joyce
This book is last on this list for a reason. Adding this novel to your reading list is a big commitment!
Coming in at over 265,000 words, finishing this novel is no easy task.
Joyce revels in the ability to add complex and obscure words to his text to challenge and push his readers.
Are you up to the task?
If so, you might want to pull out your dictionary and brush up on words such as bedraggle and ineluctable.
Reading is one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary and your outlook on the world.
For millions, books are a means of escape and a nearly inexhaustible source of knowledge.
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