Heartstopper is a graphic novel series about Charlie and Nick, two high school boys who develop a romantic relationship. The series is recommended for A2-B1 English learners and uses natural, spoken English instead of formal, written English. While the first three volumes are great for A2 beginners because they are lighthearted and focus on the romance, volumes four and five are better for B1 intermediates because they discuss more mature themes like mental health and sexual

A slow burn horror story that will keep you up at night with plot twists you won't see coming. The perfect read for an advanced learner or for the learners who have been stuck at B2 and can't get out. This book will be a good challenge to test your vocabulary.

A fascinating murder mystery with an interesting and sort of terrifying main character. The artworks depicting murders are beautiful and haunting without crossing any lines. The story is great for the intermediate english learner looking to grow their vocabulary. Some words might be hard to understand, but the images help support your understanding. Just remember, this is a story about a series of murders with images of murder. Only read if this is a topic you enjoy.

While this story had some flaws in its writing—specifically issues with representation of disabilities and the awkward character speech patterns—I actually really enjoyed the book overall. Plus, for my English learners specifically, this book sits in that perfect middle ground of easy grammar with occasionally difficult vocabulary. That's perfect for both intermediate and advanced learners to get some English practice in!

Reading is one of the most effective ways to build vocabulary, experience grammar in use, and get comfortable with how English is actually used. To make that kind of input easier to find, I’m introducing a new Book Reviews column here on EWT. To kick things off, you'll find mini-reviews for seven of my favorite books that I read last year, in no particular order.