Are you learning German and want to read some fantastic books? Reading German literature is an excellent method to enhance your language abilities, expand your vocabulary, and gain a better understanding of the German culture. There are many books available that fit your level, whether you are a beginner, elementary, or intermediate learner. In this article, we will offer some fantastic German books based on your level.
Many of the books we will be mentioning today are from a series of books that are specifically written to help aspiring learners expand their knowledge on the German language, but there are some German classics among those books as well.
Let’s look at the collection of books!
Beginner Level Books A1/A2
1. Die Skorpion-Frau: Liebe und Tod in Heidelberg
This book follows the story of a lecturer at Heidelberg University who is found dead. Private detective Elisabeth Aumann takes on the case and starts to dig deep to try to solve the mystery. Her investigation leads her to track down someone known as the Scorpion Woman, but the more she learns, the more danger she finds herself in. It’s a gripping tale of suspense and danger that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Aumann’s efforts to uncover the truth behind the lecturer’s death.
2. Ein Toter zu viel: Wiener Walzer – Wiener Blut
This book is set in Vienna, where a private investigator named Elisabeth Aumann visits and has a pretty eventful time. While she’s there, she gets to check out some of the city’s famous cafes and even gets to experience the waltzes that are popular there. But things take an unexpected turn when she finds herself looking into the mysterious death of someone from the city’s elite circles. It’s a thrilling mystery that takes place against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities.
3. Sport ist Mord: Fußball-Krimi in Hamburg
This book is about a talented soccer player named Ricardo Schmidt who travels from Brazil to Hamburg to pursue his dream. But instead of just focusing on his training, Ricardo gets caught up in a risky scheme filled with deception and mystery. It’s up to Markus Berg to unravel the conspiracy before it’s too late and Ricardo’s safety is jeopardized.
4. Kaltes Blut: Heimliche Rache in Garmisch
The book is about a group of teenagers who face a dangerous conflict during a skiing trip in Garmisch. Markus Berg takes charge of investigating the situation and works to prevent any disastrous outcomes. Ultimately, the case concludes in a dramatic fashion.
5. Haifische in der Spree: Tödlicher Streit in Berlin
The book centers around the real estate company Novaspree, which wants to construct office buildings on the Spree River’s banks in Berlin. However, this plan is met with strong opposition from the locals. Amidst this conflict, a murder takes place, further complicating matters. Private detective Elisabeth Aumann takes on the case and investigates while also attempting to answer the crucial question of who owns the banks of the Spree River.
6. Teufel in Seide: Falsches Spiel in Leipzig
The book’s plot revolves around an intense award ceremony for an international prize at a fashion fair in Leipzig. Tensions escalate when the director is abducted, prompting detective Elisabeth Aumann to step in and investigate on behalf of the defeated participants. As the investigation unfolds, the discovery of a young model’s body further complicates the case.
7. Leise kommt der Tod: Gift und Geld in Salzburg
The book centers around the play “Jedermann” and its aftermath in the Salzburg Cathedral Square, where Death makes an appearance. Following the play, a spectator named Manfred Hofer passes away, but his life insurance company suspects foul play and enlists the help of the SIRIUS detective agency to investigate in the city of Mozart.
The book follows Ben’s journey to a music workshop in Berlin, where he stays in the same apartment as his older sister and meets Ivy, the younger sister of one of her roommates. Things get complicated when Ben’s twin brother Malte shows up unexpectedly for the final concert, leading to misunderstandings and confusion between the characters.
Elementary Level A2/ B1
1. Tödlicher Cocktail: Eifersucht und Lügen
The book revolves around a dangerous combination of emotions and actions, including jealousy, envy, lies, betrayal of a friendship, and a grave mistake. These elements are mixed together like a deadly cocktail, resulting in a gripping and intense story.
2. Der kleine Drache Kokosnuss und der chinesische Drache
This is a series of children’s books that follow the adventures of a young dragon named Kokosnuss. The books are written in a simple and engaging style that is perfect for elementary level learners.
This is a mystery novel about a family who moves into a creepy old house and discovers a hidden room filled with mysterious objects. The book is written in a clear and straightforward style that is suitable for elementary level learners.
The book follows the journey of five curious and youthful students with a keen interest in German language and history. In July, they embark on a two-week adventure filled with unexpected surprises as they explore the mysterious and intriguing places of Germany.
5. Freude. Liebe. Angst.: Dramatisches im Schwarzwald
The book centers around private detective Patrick Reich and his girlfriend Constanze Zeigen, who are finally tying the knot. They embark on their honeymoon in the Black Forest, but things take a sudden and dramatic turn, leading to an unexpected and thrilling story.
6. Die Entscheidung: Geschichten aus dem Alltag der Familie Schall
The book tells the story of Amelie Schall and how her post-graduation life is not what she had envisioned. It explores the factors that cause her to fluctuate between feelings of hope and despair, leaving her unsure of her future direction.
7. Großstadtliebe: Geschichten aus dem Alltag der Familie Schall
The book is about Sebastian Schall and his carefree life as a student, which takes a sudden turn when he has a chance encounter. The story is full of excitement and suspense from start to finish, making for a captivating read.
8. Pedro kommt an: Ein neues Leben in Wolfsburg
This is a German language learning book aimed at intermediate learners. The book follows the story of Pedro, a young man from Portugal who moves to Wolfsburg, Germany to start a new life. As Pedro navigates his way through daily life in a new country, the reader is exposed to a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures relevant to everyday situations. The book is designed to improve reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, and enhance listening skills through the included audio material. “Pedro kommt an” is a fun and engaging way for intermediate learners to improve their German language skills while also enjoying a relatable and interesting story.
Intermediate Level Books B1/ B2
1. Die Verwandlung by Franz Kafka
This is a classic novella that is widely studied in German literature courses. It tells the story of a man who wakes up one day to find that he has transformed into a giant insect and the impact this has on his life and relationships. It explores themes of alienation and isolation in modern society.
This edition of the book has an English side by side translation so it’s ideal for learning German.
2. Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink
This novel tells the story of a young man who has an affair with an older woman, and later discovers that she was a guard at a concentration camp during World War II.
3. Olly Richards short stories:
This is a collection of short stories written specifically for German language learners. The stories are designed to improve reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, and enhance listening skills through the included audio material. The book is aimed at intermediate learners and features a range of interesting and engaging stories that cover a variety of topics such as romance, adventure, and mystery. Each story includes a glossary of vocabulary and comprehension questions to help learners fully understand the text. “Olly Richards short stories” is an excellent resource for intermediate German language learners who want to improve their reading and listening skills while also enjoying a good story.
4. Der Alchimist by Paulo Coelho
This book is a popular self-help novel that tells the story of a shepherd boy who goes on a journey to find a treasure that he has dreamed about.
5. Anne Frank
This is a non-fiction book that tells the story of a young Jewish girl who went into hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The book is based on the diary that Anne Frank kept while she and her family were in hiding for two years. It provides a firsthand account of the daily struggles and emotional turmoil of living in confinement, as well as insights into the human condition during one of the darkest periods in history. The book has become a classic and is widely read in schools and universities around the world. “Anne Frank” is an important and powerful book that provides a unique perspective on the Holocaust and the human experience of survival during times of extreme adversity.
6. Der kleine Prinz by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This is a classic children’s book that is also enjoyed by adults. It tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting strange creatures and learning about the meaning of life.
A classic German novel by Erich Kästner that tells the story of a wealthy businessman who decides to disguise himself as a poor man and spend some time at a luxurious hotel in the Alps. During his stay, he meets a variety of interesting characters and experiences the joys and challenges of living a simple life. The novel is a humorous satire of the social classes and the absurdity of wealth and status symbols. It has become a beloved classic in German literature and has been adapted into several films and stage productions. “Drei Männer im Schnee” is a delightful and entertaining read that provides a commentary on the human condition and the pursuit of happiness.
This is a coming-of-age novel by Ursula Isbel that tells the story of a young American girl named Jenny who travels to Heidelberg, Germany to study at the university during the summer. There, she meets a variety of interesting people, including a handsome German student named Peter, and experiences the joys and challenges of living in a foreign country. Along the way, Jenny learns about herself, her values, and her place in the world. The novel is a charming and nostalgic depiction of young love and the experience of cultural immersion. It provides a delightful insight into the beauty of Heidelberg and the German language and culture.
Lastly, reading German literature can help your language skills and develop a better grasp of the German culture. There are many wonderful books available that are appropriate for your level. You may make the most of your reading practice and enjoy the process of learning German by selecting books that match your language ability and interests. We hope that this guide has given you some suggestions for German books to add to your reading library.
For tips on how to improve your German language skills while reading a book, check out this blog post, where I mention a few different methods.
Happy reading and learning!
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