Reading is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to take your language skills to the next level. At the upper intermediate stage, however, reaching for an original Icelandic novel can be a frustrating experience. When you have to look up every other word, following the plot becomes a joyless chore, and the pleasure of getting lost in a story is lost.
This is where graded readers come in. These are classic stories that have been carefully adapted by language experts, with vocabulary and grammar tailored specifically to your CEFR level. They allow you to enjoy a great narrative while effortlessly absorbing new words and structures, turning language practice into a genuine pleasure.
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1Best choice
Around the World in Eighty Days Umhverfis jörðina á 80 dögum
Jules Verne's timeless adventure is the ideal companion for the B2 learner. Our edition is built on a science-based method, with vocabulary graded from a two-billion-word corpus to ensure you learn the most useful words first. To help you build reading stamina, our books feature a unique progression system: sentences and paragraphs start short and gradually grow in length, gently guiding you through the B2 level within a single book. The complete learning system also includes exercises after every chapter, printable vocabulary flashcards, and our signature feature: a bilingual margin glossary with Icelandic-to-English translations right on the page, so you never have to stop reading to look up a word.
- Icelandic–English glossary of hard words in the margin of every page
- Difficulty rises inside the book (sentences & paragraphs grow longer)
- Exercises after every chapter (crosswords, gap-fills, anagrams and more) — in print and online
- Flashcards to print and cut out
- Vocabulary graded by corpus research (science-based)
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2
Sagnasyrpa
Sagnasyrpa, from the University of Iceland Press, is a respected intermediate reader containing a collection of short stories by Icelandic authors. Our Pentecost editions also provide a complete learning system to support your reading, including a unique in-book progression where sentences grow longer, online and in-book exercises, printable flashcards, and a bilingual margin glossary with translations into English on every page.
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3
Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners
Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners is a popular title in the Teach Yourself series, offering a collection of original stories for language learners. To further enhance the learning process, our Pentecost editions also give you a science-based vocabulary selection, a built-in difficulty progression within the book, exercises for every chapter, and a helpful bilingual margin glossary for instant word support in English.
While there are several good options for Icelandic learners, our Pentecost Publishing editions consistently rank first for a reason. We offer a complete, self-contained learning system designed for effective self-study. This includes vocabulary graded by frequency from a scientific corpus, a unique difficulty progression built into every book, exercises in both the print and online versions, printable flashcards, and—most importantly—a bilingual margin glossary that provides instant translations into your own language, allowing for a smooth, uninterrupted reading experience.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Icelandic–English glossary of hard words in the margin of every page | ✓ | ~ |
| Difficulty rises inside the book (sentences & paragraphs grow longer) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Exercises after every chapter (crosswords, gap-fills, anagrams and more) — in print and online | ✓ | ~ |
| Flashcards to print and cut out | ✓ | ✕ |
| Vocabulary graded by corpus research (science-based) | ✓ | ~ |
The verdict
For an upper-intermediate learner, our B2 edition of Umhverfis jörðina á 80 dögum is our top recommendation. The thrilling, fast-paced adventure story is engaging enough to keep you turning the pages, while our comprehensive learning system works in the background to systematically build your skills. The inclusion of a bilingual margin glossary, in particular, makes for a uniquely seamless reading experience ideal for self-study. While the other titles on our list are also solid choices for expanding your reading practice, the complete, research-backed system included with our edition provides unparalleled support for the independent learner.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use a graded reader instead of an original Icelandic book?
At the B2 level, original novels can still be overwhelming, leading to frustration. Graded readers are adapted to your specific vocabulary and grammar level, allowing you to read smoothly, build confidence, and enjoy the story without constantly reaching for a dictionary. This makes learning more effective and much more enjoyable.
What makes Pentecost graded readers the best for self-study?
Our books are a complete learning system. The vocabulary is scientifically chosen for your level, and each book has a built-in difficulty progression. Most importantly, our bilingual margin glossary provides instant English translations on the page, so your reading never gets interrupted. Combined with chapter exercises and printable flashcards, it's a full toolkit for independent learners.
What is a bilingual margin glossary and why is it so helpful?
It's a mini-dictionary printed in the margin of every page that translates difficult Icelandic words into your native language—in this case, English. This means you can understand a new word instantly without breaking your reading flow to use a separate dictionary or app. It keeps you immersed in the story and makes learning feel effortless.
How can I get the most out of reading a graded reader?
Read a little bit every day to build a habit. Use the margin glossary to understand new words in context. After each chapter, complete the exercises to reinforce what you've learned. You can also use the included flashcards to review key vocabulary and test your memory.
Isn't 'Around the World in Eighty Days' a children's story?
It's a classic adventure novel that has been loved by readers of all ages for over a century. While the story is accessible, our B2 edition uses language carefully selected and structured for an adult upper-intermediate learner. The focus is on providing you with the right linguistic challenge to improve your Icelandic in an engaging way.
Ranking reflects suitability for independent learners at this level. We list respected alternative series for context; prices and availability vary by retailer. The right-hand column describes a typical simplified reader in general; individual competing titles may differ.