15 Best Easy German Books for Beginners Up to Intermediate: Learn German with Reading

This text is a comprehensive resource for beginner-level students studying German: it introduces a wide range of cultural and literary materials.

The first five sections are specifically composed or edited for this book, while the final short story is an original piece by Doris Dorrie. The text places big emphasis on the consistent use of similar words and basic vocabulary with the most common German phrase.

A variety of activities focused on reading comprehension, vocabulary expansion, and methods in word formation are also included. Graded German Reader also has a spectrum of reading passages with varying difficulties and provides footnotes as explanations. A comprehensive list of verbs and a collection of exercises are also included for further study.

This book was specifically designed to provide appropriate reading material that is easy to handle!

It’s not uncommon for educators to assign complex, professional-level texts to their learners. Such books can present difficulties for the reader, requiring the constant need for a dictionary. This is neither pleasant, nor motivational for the student, with many deciding to stop learning as a result.

In this specific book by Lingo Mastery, they have compiled 20 easy, captivating, and enjoyable tales. These German Short Stories are designed to help you expand your vocabulary and boost your comprehension of the stunning German language.

The creation of this book is precisely intended to provide manageable and suitable reading material.

If Emil’s mother, Mrs. Tischbein, knew about the extraordinary series of events that Emil would face in Berlin, she would never have granted him permission to leave. Sadly, Emil’s determination only make it harder when his seven pounds vanish during his train journey. He goes on a quest to recover the lost money, beginning with his unexpected alliance with the inspectors he meets in Berlin.

The story of Emil and the Detectives remains an evergreen and a great narrative. This book contains 20 uncomplicated, captivating, and enjoyable tales that will help expand vocabulary and boost understanding of the mesmerizing German language.

A stranded pilot in the desert awakens one morning to see a remarkably unique small being before him.

Who isn’t familiar with this classic story?

“If you please–draw me a sheep!” – the little voice said.

At that moment, the pilot understands that when life’s circumstances become overly complicated to understand, the only choice is to submit to their puzzles.

He retrieves his pencil and paper…

So begins this heartwarming and enchanting tale that, by uncovering the core of what is genuinely important in life, has eternally altered the world for those who have read it.

Der kleine Prinz (The little Prince), a story beloved and widely read worldwide by both adults and children alike, is reintroduced here in a stunning new translation, accompanied by carefully restored illustrations. This ultimate representation of a universally recognized masterpiece is sure to mesmerize readers across all ages.

Tired of monotonous German study materials and oversimplified practice phrases that don’t make sense?

Check the narrative adventure of Dino, traverse through Berlin, and learn the essence of spoken German organically!

Having just relocated to Berlin, a young man from Sicily is suddenly thrown into a cosmopolitan lifestyle characterized by messy bachelor pads, transient love affairs, and diverse global exchanges. How is he going to cope with the new language? Can he secure employment?

Experience everyday life in Germany’s capital city through the eyes of a newcomer, learn about Berlin and its inhabitants, and improve your German language skills effectively and swiftly.

On the edge of the big city, a small impoverished girl named Momo lives among the ruins of an old amphitheatre.

Momo has a special ability she uses to help all her friends who interact with her. But, another day arrives when eerie men in grey outfits stealthily take over the town.

Momo is the only one who has the potential to resist them. With help from Professor Hora and his interesting tortoise, Cassiopeia, she goes on a journey beyond the boundaries of time to unmask their hidden, malevolent plans.

Kafka’s stories often incorporate elements of the fantastical and surreal, placing ordinary individuals in extraordinary situations that highlight the arbitrary nature of existence.

These tales are written in a distinct style of ambiguity, characterized by symbolism and a narrative technique that leaves much open to interpretation.

Franz Kafka, a game-changing author in 20th-century literature, authored an extraordinary anthology of short stories that have drawn and fascinated both regular readers and literary critics.

Kafka’s short narratives are acclaimed for introducing us into intricate themes including existential dread, the nonsensical aspects of contemporary life, and the perplexity linked to bureaucracy. Read Kafka’s short stories to learn German naturally!

The renowned German author presents a whimsically disquieting story about coming of age in America.

Mike Klingenberg seems to be oblivious to how others see him as boring. While it may be true that Mike lacks a social network, in fact, he doesn’t have any friends, his presentations in class invite mockery instead of applause and he never receives invitations to any social events, including the year’s most anticipated party thrown by the attractive Tatiana.

Tschick, a new student at school, is also quite the social pariah. He comes across as if he’s just made it through a physical encounter, his wardrobe is anything but stylish, and he rarely engages with others.

On a surprising day, Tschick shows up at Mike’s home. He, too, was overlooked for Tatiana’s party and is set on changing that.

Thus begins the unplanned road trip of these improbable friends. As they go on an adventure with no parental supervision, no map, and no known destination, it remains uncertain whether they will stray off course into unfamiliar territory.

The renowned Swiss dramatist, Max Frisch, wrote the play Andorra in 1961.

This masterpiece was originally inspired by a prose outline, named Der andorranische Jude (The Andorran Jew), that Frisch previously recorded in his personal diary.

Interestingly, the Andorra portrayed in his play does not aim to reflect the real Andorra located between France and Spain.

Frisch clarified that he intended the Andorra reference to simply be a provisional name, however, he took pleasure in using the term “Andorrans“, and thus it endured.

In Germany, Andorra holds the reputation of being one of the most illustrious plays written by Frisch.

This accomplished and goal-driven narrative shows the intricacies of the human journey, delivering a breathtaking viewpoint on existence, affection, and the fundamental nature of literature. It is a captivating piece highlighting the exploration into human consciousness, the capacity to genuinely comprehend another person, and the influence of language in shaping our identities.

The plot revolves around Raimund Gregorius, a Latin educator at a Swiss institution, whose life takes an unexpected turn stimulated by a mysterious encounter with an enigmatic Portuguese lady.

This instigates a massive transformation in his life as he abandons his previous lifestyle to commence a fresh expedition. He hops on the evening train bound for Lisbon, taking along a novel penned by Amadeu de Prado, a Portuguese doctor-turned-author, who deeply reflects on themes such as loneliness, the inevitability of death, friendship, and love in his writings.

Intrigued by the book, Gregorius becomes engrossed in it, relentlessly trying to comprehend the author’s existence. His pursuit of understanding leads him to various corners of Lisbon, sketching a representation of a man—a medical practitioner and poet who stood up against Salazar’s tyranny.

Praised for its intricate erotic scenes and moral dilemmas presented to the reader, this enthralling novel unravels a story of passion, mystery, fear, and sympathy, set in the haunting landscape of post-World War II Germany.

Michael Berg, a 15-year-old boy, falls ill on his way home from school and is rescued by Hanna, a woman who is twice his age. In time, she turns into his romantic partner before she disappears without a trace.

When Michael stumbles upon her again, he is an aspiring law student, and she is on trial for a terrifying crime. Witnessing her refusal to defend her innocence, Michael slowly realizes that Hannah might be guarding a secret that she considers more shameful than murder.

The Invention of Curried Sausage is an intelligently crafted, perceptive, and endearing narrative which explores the origin of a beloved German street delicacy.

Uwe Timm reminisces about his experiences consuming currywurst in Hamburg during his formative years, from a vendor owned by Lena Brücker.

This is despite the common claim that it was first created in Berlin in the 1950s. Intrigued, he goes on a quest for the truth.

While the novel does eventually reveal the genesis of the curried sausage, it is the preceding events – particularly the tale of Lena Brücker’s encounter, allure, and capture of a runaway German in Hamburg around April 1945, just as World War II was drawing to a close – that are most compelling.

Timm masterfully paints a picture full of the vibrant reminiscences of Lena, and it is the joy these recollections bring to both her and the reader, that truly captivate throughout the story.

On a hot day in June, the corpse of a teenage girl surfaces on a riverbank just outside Frankfurt.

She has suffered a horrific murder and bears evidence of prolonged maltreatment.

However, no clues regarding her identity have come out. Even after several weeks, the local law enforcement cannot determine who she is. Then, a case involving a beloved TV presenter occurs.

She is assaulted, sexually abused and confined in the trunk of her own vehicle. Miraculously, she survives but can only provide the police with certain nebulous clues, related to her recent investigations surrounding an organization, the members of which hail from society’s highest ranks.

They’re potentially hiding a scandalous past they’d rather keep hidden from the public.

When both cases intertwine, Detective Inspectors Pia Kirchhoff and Oliver von Bodenstein start to deep dive into the history. Time is almost up for a person very dear to Pia before Pia and Oliver finally apprehend the mastermind.

The Wave is a narrative inspired by real events that took place in a high school history class in Palo Alto, California, in 1969.

The overwhelming power of group influence, which has characterized many historical movements such as Nazism, is meticulously recreated in the classroom when Burt Ross, a history teacher, introduces an innovative system to his students.

In no time, The Wave, built on the principles of “strength through discipline, unity, and action”, rapidly spreads throughout the entire school. As the majority of the students get swept up in the movement, two discerning students, Laurie Saunders and David Collins, identify the alarming acceleration of The Wave.

They come to realize that they must intervene and put an end to this movement before it spirals out of control.

A globally applauded bestseller, Patrick Suskind’s renowned novel triggers a chilling exploration into the horrifying consequences when a man’s indulgence in his most profound passion—his olfactory sense—results in homicide.

In the poverty-stricken areas of 18th century France, an infant named Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born, blessed with an extraordinary gift—a magnificent sense of smell. As a child, he dedicates his life to unravel the aromas of Paris, and positions himself under the guidance of a notable perfumer who imparts him with the ancient knowledge of blending valuable oils and herbs.

Yet, Grenouille’s talent is of such magnitude that he is not content with just that, and develops an obsession with encapsulating the scents of items like brass doorknobs and raw cut wood. One day, a trace of a fragrance piques his interest, leading him on an increasingly terrifying pursuit to craft the “ultimate perfume”—the scent of a young, beautiful virgin.

Narrated with resplendent storytelling prowess, Perfume is a gripping narrative of murder and sensual corruption.