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If you’re someone who learns languages with a book in hand and a cup of tea or coffee nearby, this post is for you! Reading in Serbian is not only a great way to expand your vocabulary and feel more confident with grammar, but it also helps you connect with the culture, humor, and emotions behind the words. So, if you’re at a B1 level or higher, these carefully picked titles will help you grow your Serbian skills while enjoying stories that actually make you want to keep reading. Ready to turn the page?
This is one of the most famous books in the world, and many people have already read it in their own language. Reading it again in Serbian is a great way to practice the language.
Fun fact: In Serbia, Mali Princ is a required school reading — students read it both in elementary school and high school. This is because the sentences are short and the story is simple, which makes it perfect for children, but it’s also full of meaning, making it a great read for teenagers and adults as well!
It’s a beautiful book about friendship, childhood, imagination, and human relationships. You will often hear quotes from this book in everyday conversations among the Serbs, so reading it can help you understand more than just the language, it helps you understand the people, too.
“Čovek samo srcem dobro vidi. Suština se očima ne da sagledati.”
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Buy the book here.
These books are extremely popular among children in Serbia, and there is a good chance you have already read about Geronimo’s adventures a long time ago. Džeronimo Stilton is a mouse who works as a journalist, but somehow always ends up on exciting adventures. The stories are fun, fast, and easy to follow.
The language is simple and perfect for learners, and the illustrations are amazing—colorful, interactive, and full of creative text designs that help you connect words with emotions and actions.
Even though these are books for children, they are also a great way to connect with your inner child, laugh a little, and enjoy reading in Serbian without pressure. These books will definitely make learning Serbian feel like play.
Buy the books here.
This is a touching and emotional story about family, love, and loss. It’s told from the perspective of a young boy, Tonino. The language is simple and clear, but the emotions are deep and real.
It’s a great book for practicing Serbian because the sentences are short, and the story is easy to follow, even if you don’t understand every word. It’s a great way to not only improve your vocabulary but also to evoke some beautiful memories about our grandparents and the wonderful times we spent with them. If you enjoy books that make you feel something and stay in your heart, this one is a perfect choice.
Buy the book here.
Jasminka Petrović is one of the most beloved authors for children and teenagers in Serbia. She writes about growing up, family, friendship, and emotions in a way that is honest, funny, and easy to connect with. Her books are modern, full of heart, and written in clear, everyday language, making them perfect for learners of Serbian.
Leto kada sam naučila da letim is a story about a 12-year-old girl who spends the summer with her grandmother on the Croatian coast. It’s a beautiful book about discovering who you are, learning about your family, and finding your own voice. The book is very popular in Serbia and is often read in schools. There is also a movie based on the book, which you can watch after reading. It’s a great way to hear more natural Serbian and enjoy the story differently.
Any book by Jasminka Petrović is a treasure. So, if you’re learning Serbian, her writing is a fantastic place to start.
Buy the book here.
Some people say Agi i Ema is like the Serbian version of The Little Prince. This short novel is told from the viewpoint of a lonely child, Agi, who tries to create a new life outside the limits of reality.
The story is about a special friendship with an older lady, Ema, that knows no borders or prejudice. A friendship that helps heal loneliness. It also speaks to children whose parents are often busy and don’t have much time to listen or help.
The language is simple and clear, with a lot of dialogue and short sentences that sometimes feel like text messages, making it very easy for learners to read. It’s a touching story about feelings, people, and true connection, perfect for practicing Serbian while reading something meaningful.
Buy the book here.
This is a gentle, illustrated book that feels like a warm hug. It’s created by Serbian illustrator Javorka Đurić, better known as Maple Things on Instagram. This collection brings together around 80 expressive digital drawings followed by short, thoughtful text.
Each illustration explores themes like anxiety, loneliness, childhood, hope, and belonging. Javorka began sharing these during the pandemic as a way to process her feelings, and quickly, many people found comfort in them.
Her goal with these illustrations is to connect people through shared emotions and show that we are not alone. The drawings of faceless figures allow viewers to see themselves within the art, and the simple texts add a quiet emotional depth.
If you are learning Serbian, this book is an excellent choice: the text is short, clear, and emotionally rich, and the illustrations will help you understand the feelings behind the words.
Buy the book here.
This is a modern short story collection about life, loneliness, and the quiet struggles of a generation. Through nineteen stories, Olivera Mitić writes about what it feels like to grow up, feel lost, and search for meaning in today’s world. The characters move through nightclubs, city apartments, and late-night thoughts. In other words, all the places where emotions get heavy and everything feels a little too real.
The tone is sometimes bitter, sometimes warm, but always full of empathy. This book speaks to millennials in particular, but anyone who has ever felt disconnected, uncertain, or misunderstood will recognize something familiar in these pages. The stories are short, written in everyday language, and deeply emotional, which makes them perfect for students learning Serbian who want to read something honest and contemporary.
All in all, this is not just a book you read; it’s a book you feel, so it’s definitely worth reading!
Buy the book here.
Reading in Serbian can open up a whole new world, not just of vocabulary and grammar, but of voices, emotions, and ideas. Whether you’re diving into childhood classics or exploring modern stories about life today, each book on this list offers something special for language learners. And if you ever feel ready to go a step further, our Intermediate Course is here to help you build on what you’ve learned and keep moving forward, one lesson at a time.
If you’re someone who learns languages with a book in hand and a cup of tea or coffee nearby, this post is for you! Reading
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