8 Best Books for Learning German [That You Need To Try]

Using a book to learn German is one of the best ways to get started. There are an endless selection of books aimed at everyone from beginners to intermediates, all making big promises. But which ones really work?

I’m going to share with you the best books for learning German. These are all very different books, so whether you’re a complete beginner, want to learn how to put sentences together, are into German grammar in a big way or want to learn the art of conversation, there’s something here for you.

I’ve used all these books myself as a complete beginner as well as books I use now as an intermediate (yes, that’s my bookshelf in the photo at the top!)

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My Choice

StoryLearning German

• Engaging story to immerse you in German
• Learn grammar & everyday phrases
• Beginner & Intermediate levels available

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Why Use Books to Learn German?

Imagine you’ve spent your whole day at work sitting at your computer. Your eyes are tired, your head aches, you just want to get away from that screen.

If you’ve committed to learning a new language, it can be tempting to make excuses in the evenings when you’ve had a day in front of a computer.

There is something comforting and relaxing about reading words on a page. A way to give your eyes a break.

Perhaps you’re out and about, have a poor internet connection but still want to continue your language learning. Perfect, just keep your text book and a pen nearby and you’re good to go!

Of course with textbooks you will focus a lot on reading and grammar, but many books also have downloadable audio files to go with the dialogues. That’s great news because you can now practice your listening comprehension too!

Best Books for Learning German

Language Hacking German (Benny Lewis)

Language Hacking German was the first book I picked up when I started learning German. I took it everywhere with me. In this book by polyglot Benny Lewis, Benny guides you through your very first steps in German. Each chapter focuses on a different topic.

At the beginning things like introducing yourself, asking about others, talking about family and friends. It then moves on to slightly more complicated conversations such as using the past tense to talk about what you’ve been up to, and using the language to describe places and people.

Each topic chapter has 3 dialogues, conversations between two people. If this sounds a little scary, don’t worry. The very first conversation is a simple introduction, and it goes from there. Benny very gently guides you through your first conversations, introducing grammar and basic sentence structures along the way.

The conversations are very engaging, you won’t even realise that you’re actually studying.

The book also comes with a free audio download of all the conversations so you can practice your listening comprehension as you work through the book.

Benny’s philosophy is to start talking in German from day 1, so the book encourages you to use what you have learned and adapt a script for your own use.

I cannot recommend Language Hacking German enough. Study it seriously, work through it from start to finish, complete all the exercises and create your own scripts. It will give you a great foundation in German. In my opinion, this is one of the best books for learning German if you’re just starting out.

The Wunderbar World of German Idioms (Emma Jackman)

I couldn’t not mention my own book The Wunderbar World of German Idioms. Using idioms in conversations will make you sound like a native, improve your fluency and help make German more fun.

This book packed with 75 everyday German idioms and sayings (approved by German speakers).

You’ll get a thorough understanding of what each idiom means, know how to use it thanks to the inclusion of it’s English counterpart, and see it in action with an example sentence.

Some idioms will seem familiar like den Kopf in Sand stecken (to put your head in the sand = to ignore what’s going on around you) and some will be completely different, for example mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießen (to shoot sparrows with cannons = to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut).

The Wunderbar World of German Idioms will introduce you to the lighthearted, fun side of German.

Unlocking German (Paul Noble)

Unlocking German was the second book I used at the start of my German learning journey. I was still studying ‘Language Hacking German’ at the same time but was curious about this book having read some reviews.

Paul Noble uses spaced repetition to gradually implant simple, every day phrases into your head. I found this method to be really effective. You will learn basic sentence structures, grammar rules and loads of vocabulary.

As I flick back through this book now, I can recall that I memorised so many new words because of this book, Nachmittag (afternoon), vorbeikommen (to come over), beschäftigt (busy), kaufen (to buy), verkaufen (to sell).

If you’re completely new to German and think these words look complicated, please don’t worry. This book is a brain workout, but it is aimed at the complete beginner. I just want to reassure you that if you work through this book as Paul instructs, you will learn LOADS.

My only criticism is that Paul does such a good job of simplifying everything, and making German seem completely un-scary, that he doesn’t mention any of the grammar terms at all. This doesn’t actually detract from the book in any way. However later on you may find yourself encountering grammatical terms, then realise that you learned it from Unlocking German.

StoryLearning German (Olly Richards)

If you want to use books to learn German, but you’re after something a bit different, StoryLearning German is an online course which uses the power of stories to immerse you in German.

Available as a beginner and intermediate course (I’m currently working through the intermediate), With StoryLearning German you get an engaging, interesting story as both an audiobook and written format. The story incorporates level appropriate grammar, with each chapter focusing on a particular grammar point.

In the video lessons included for each chapter, the teacher will go through vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and communication tips.

Everyday German Phrases (Emma Jackman)

Oh the humble phrasebook! Often looked down upon but ‘serious’ language learners as a tool for mere tourists. In my opinion, phrasebooks are a goldmine! Let me explain.

Phrasebooks have an enormous selection of premade sentences for all situations. My favourite method for learning German is the ‘chunking’ method, in short, learning chunks of text, phrases and sentences to improve fluency. When you use a phrasebook at the start of your German learning journey, you won’t know what every single word in a phrase means. And that’s absolutely fine.

Keep your phrasebook with you, imagine a situation you may find yourself in. My favourite example, something that actually happened to me, was on one of my first solo trips to Bremen.

After this I realised I needed to learn the phrase ‘I’m just looking around’ to save myself from future embarrassment. My trusty phrasebook told me, ‘ich schaue mich nur um’. I spent the next hour repeating this phrase, so that the next time I went into a shop to browse, it was at the forefront of my brain.

That is the power of phrasebooks. I love them so much I even wrote one myself, ‘Everyday German Phrases for Beginners‘. Discover over 400 easy German words & phrases which can be used in everyday situations.

Each chapter covers a certain phrase such as ‘nice to meet you’, introductions etc. & explores the different ways to say that phrase.

German Grammar & Practice (Collins)

If you’ve moved along from the complete beginner stage, maybe you’ve worked through some of the books aimed at beginners and you want to learn more about German grammar. German Grammar & Practice is a fantastic next step.

You’ll learn about more intermediate grammar concepts; adjective endings, cases, tenses, adverbs. This book is not for the faint hearted. If you’re a grammar nerd like me, you’ll love this book.

Each chapter explains each grammar point and gives examples. And the best bit, you’ll have exercises to complete as you learn about each grammar concept. You’re free to hop around the chapters and fill in any knowledge gaps you might have.

So if you have a basic understanding of German, and know a few phrases or sentences, but you want to know how these sentences are put together, German Grammar & Practice is the book you need.

Enjoy German (Teach Yourself Series)

And finally, another fantastic book for intermediates. Enjoy German is divided into 10 chapters each of which focuses on a different topic such as daily routines, studying & education, working in Germany, culture, giving opinions, travel plus more.

Each chapter has around 3 audio downloads (via an app), which can be conversations or interviews. Key vocabulary used in the conversation is listed, plus the transcript. There are listening comprehension questions, grammar explanations and written exercises.

You also get reading exercises, again with grammar and vocabulary explanations. In a nutshell, this book covers intermediate grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening and some writing skills.

Enjoy German is fantastic all-rounder that goes deep into everyday topics that you will actually use. Since it is conversation based, rather than a traditional grammar book like ‘German Grammar & Practice’ I mentioned previously, you’ll learn loads of really useful everyday phrases that you can use in your own conversations.

I’m actually about halfway through this book, but my German studies have taken a bit of a break due to me working so hard on EmmaLovesGerman.com. Writing this review has reminded me how amazing this book is, and that I need to get working through it again soon.

Café in Berlin (André Klein)

Have you had enough of ‘studying’ German and just want to enjoy the language for a while? Look no further than Andre Klein’s ‘Café in Berlin‘. This is the first in a series of short stories written especially for German beginners. The best thing is that it’s written for adults, so the stories are engaging and interesting as opposed to wading through books written for children.

The series follows the story of Dino, an Italian guy who has just arrived in Berlin. His adventures are interesting and at times hilarious as he moves to a different city in each book, meeting new people, having some unusual jobs and generally trying to learn German and explore the German culture.

Each chapter has a glossary of useful words and phrases highlighted within each chapter, as well as a few comprehension questions. These books are also available as an audiobook.

As the series goes on, the stories become a little more complex, challenging the reader a little more each time. The books range from A2-B1 level. The first four books are available as a bundle on Amazon, and all 11 of the books are also available on Kindle.

Read next: 19 Short Stories in German [To Improve Your Reading Skills]

So there you have it, some of the (in my opinion) best books for learning German. Have I missed any of your favourites? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear which books you find helpful.