When you are at B1 level Italian, it is essential to consume content in the language, including from books. The best books for B1 Italian will expose you to new words in context whilst using grammar and vocabulary you are familiar with.
The key is to find books at your ability that stretch your skills a bit. If a book is too difficult, it will be unproductive. However, if a book is just the right level of difficulty, you will be able to induce the meaning of new words based on the familiar words surrounding it.
As an Italian language learner myself, I have compiled these tips on the best books for B1 Italian learners using my own experience.
Finding the appropriate book for your level of Italian
Fiction books written for native Italian speakers are still difficult at this stage of your language learning journey. The Italian language uses a massive range of vocabulary in fiction and for a B1 learner, it can feel overwhelming and demotivating.
There are two solutions to this problem.
The first is graded readers, which are short-stories designed especially for language learners. B1 graded readers use vocabulary that you are likely to know at this stage whilst also introducing new vocabulary.
The second is reading the Italian version of books you have already read in English. If you already know the story, it will make it significantly easier to follow the text in Italian. It is a great method to learn new vocabulary because you can infer the meaning of the word based on your knowledge of the story.
Best books for B1 Italian learners
Mediterraneo by Serena Capilli
A graded reader designed for B1 Italian learners. I particularly like this book because I found the story entertaining. Mediterraneo is a mystery short story about an Australian couple arriving at their new home in Italy.
Personally, I finish a book quicker if I enjoy it. Mediterraneo feels less like I am studying and more like I am just enjoying the book.
At the end of each chapter there is a key vocabulary list, designed to stretch your Italian. There are also comprehension questions and the language of the book in general is ideal for a B1 learner.
Harry Potter e la Pietra Filosofale by J.K. Rowling
The Italian version of the first Harry Potter book. If you have seen the movie a few times or read the book, then you will be able to follow the story well at a B1 level of Italian.
This was the first Italian fiction book I read and it essentially taught me the passato remoto tense because it is used frequently in the book.
B1 is a great stage in learning Italian because you can begin adding materials like this to your routine. The first few pages might seem difficult but the more you read, the easier it becomes because the common vocabulary is repeated again and again.
Similar to how Harry Potter books are excellent for children to practice reading, they are some of the best books for B1 Italian learners. After reading the first book, you could read other books in the series in Italian such as Harry Potter e il Prigioniero di Azkhaban, Harry Potter e il Calice di Fuoco and Harry Potter e l’Ordine della Fenice.
Cioccolato, Amore e Torino by Serena Capilli
Another highly engaging graded reader by Serena Capilli. I really like that her stories are set in Italy so they have helped me to learn more about Italian culture.
B1 graded readers use common vocabulary and B1 level grammar to write the story. Serena Capilli’s graded readers introduce you to new vocabulary in a fun way, whilst reinforcing the vocabulary that you already know.
Reading words in context in this setting is excellent for memorising vocabulary. Cioccolato, Amore e Torino is an easy-to-follow story that will build your reading comprehension skills in Italian.
Short Stories in Italian for Intermediate Learners by Olly Richards
Another graded reader style book. Spilt into eight short stories, which are each about 3 chapters long, the book offers a generous amount of reading material. Vocabulary is targeted at B1-B2 level but as a B1 learner myself, I found the book to be at my level.
Some of the themes of these short stories are quite abstract including a fantasy world, the wild west and supercomputers. The stories are easy-to-follow and you will learn some interesting vocabulary.
Conclusion
At B1 level Italian, you will become frustrated quickly by native Italian fiction because the vocabulary is too varied. However, if you are familiar with the Harry Potter series then it could be your ideal first fiction book in Italian.
Alternatively, graded readers are made specifically for your language level. These are excellent books for B1 Italian learners to gain confidence reading in Italian.
I especially recommend Serena Capilli’s books such as Mediterraneo because the stories are fun and you will learn about Italian culture.
