Some good books to start reading in Italian

If you are studying a foreign language and are an avid reader, I am sure that finally reading a book in the language you are studying would be a great achievement. I love reading, and I vividly remember the first time I read an English book that was not an assignment or a classic I read in school with the help of a teacher, but rather a real English book that I picked up in a bookstore. 

Needless to say, I didn’t understand all of it – quite the opposite, to be honest – but the feeling of satisfaction I felt was unparalleled. From that very first time, I have read many other English books over the years, and it is still one of my favourite ways to practice the language. 

Apart from the great feeling of pride for finally reaching an important personal goal, reading is a great activity for your language practice. First and foremost, it is a slow and relaxed activity, a moment between you and the language you are studying, without pressure and anxiety – and we know that learning is more effective if anxiety is not part of the process. 

On a purely linguistic level, reading is a great way to learn new words by seeing them used in context and repeated multiple times. This also reinforces the knowledge of the ones you have already studied. Reading does wonders for your grammar skills because you can see how grammar is actively used to build sentences, helping you understand how to use certain grammar structures. 

Reading assignments picked for you by your teacher, who knows your level and your reading skills, is quite different than choosing your own, which can be tricky. If you pick the wrong book, it can turn a useful, fun and enriching experience into a disappointing one, making you think you’ll never be able to approach a foreign language book again. 

Based on my experience both as a teacher and passionate reader, I think that a good book to start reading in a foreign language must have certain characteristics: it must be divided into short chapters, be centred on a story that is easy to follow (digressions or time-lapses can make the reading experience less easy), have a good balance between actions and descriptions or reflections (actions are always easier to follow and understand), and feature a common vocabulary (not too archaic, not too specific). 

Following these guidelines and based on the feedback I got from my students, I am recommending three books that are a great pick if you want to start reading in Italian (they are written for Italians, so please keep in mind that you have to be at least B1-intermediate to approach these books). 

La felicità è una storia semplice – Lorenza Gentile 

The book follows the story of Vito, a 40-year-old who is living in London and is unhappy with his life, so much so that he decides to commit suicide. But when he is about to hang himself, the phone starts ringing and doesn’t stop.

He immediately realizes that it’s his grandmother who is calling, an old lady who doesn’t take a no for an answer. So he picks up the phone and learns that his beloved nonna wants him to return to Italy and take her to Gibellina, where she is from, and where she wants to visit for the last time. As a result, the two embark on a road trip from Milan, where his grandmother is living, to Sicily, the place where she belongs.

Regarding the language, it is a good read because the sentence-building and vocabulary are not too difficult. The chapters are short, and there is a lot of dialogue, which makes the reading experience way easier and flowing.

Per dieci minuti – Chiara Gamberale

Per dieci minuti is partially autobiographical and tells the story of Chiara, a 40-something who is going through a very hard time in her life. She is desperate, so her therapist tells her to try doing something new: every day, for a month, she’ll have to spend 10 minutes doing something she has never done in her life.

Each chapter of the book describes one day in that program, focusing on the new activity she picked for that day. Simultaneously, we also follow Chiara’s life, her relationship with her husband, and with Ato, a young orphan from Eritrea who spends time with her on the weekends. Every chapter is an opportunity for Chiara to do something new and find a different perspective to look at her life and actions.

The book is a perfect read because the language is contemporary and not too difficult, the story is clear and easy to follow, there is a good balance between description and dialogue, and it is divided into short chapters. Actually, there are some flashbacks, which can make the story a bit more difficult to follow, but each chapter is focused on a specific story (like episodes in a TV series), and this undoubtedly makes the reading experience less overwhelming.

Mio fratello è figlio unico – Giacomo Mazzariol

The book is a memoir, so its story is not exactly linear but contains some digressions, yet the language is easy to follow, and there are a lot of dialogues and short chapters. Therefore, I think it still is a good choice for students (as long as they are familiar with passato remoto).

In the book, which is funny, gentle, and moving at the same time, Giacomo writes about his life with a brother who is different from the others. When Giovanni is born, his parents tell Giacomo that his brother is "special", so he thinks he is a superhero. Growing up, Giacomo realizes that his brother is not a superhero; he's just different. This is very difficult to accept for him, especially when Giacomo becomes a teenager and only wants to conform and be like the others.

It's a really honest coming-of-age story, where nothing is hidden, even the shame and the embarrassment for a brother who doesn't stick to the norm. But shame is only a temporary feeling, and it is easily surpassed by love and acceptance, respect, and pride for all the goals Giovanni reaches during his life. This makes it a beautiful story and an equally beautiful book, written by a very talented 19-year-old boy.

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Cinzia Ferri is an Italian teacher who strongly believes in the power of reading as a fantastic way to improve foreign language skills. She has written language practice books to encourage students to practice Italian in a fun and relaxed way and loves helping students find the confidence to speak Italian via 1-on-1 conversations. 

Follow her on Instagram or check her website for information regarding language courses and books. You can also read her blog to learn more about the Italian language, culture, and off-the-beaten-tracks locations in Italy.