Italian Short Stories and Graded Readers for A1–B2 Learners
By Serena Capilli
Build vocabulary, listening skills, and confidence through engaging stories, authentic Italian culture, and comprehensible input.
Italian Short Stories for Beginners (A1–A2)
Start reading in Italian with accessible stories, controlled vocabulary, helpful repetition, exercises, and audio support.
Due Amiche e un Album di Fotografie
A1 · Italian graded reader
Due Amiche Series — Book 1
Travel through South Tyrol in a warm story about friendship and discovery. Designed for A1 learners, with accessible vocabulary, exercises, and audio.
Due Amiche e una Bufera di Neve
A1–A2 · Italian graded reader
Due Amiche Series — Book 2
Join Costanza and Anna on a winter adventure in Valle d’Aosta. A clear, engaging story for A1–A2 learners, with vocabulary support, exercises, and audio.
Magia a Venezia
A1–A2 · Italian graded reader
Travel through Venice in a mystery filled with time travel, acqua alta, and an unexpected encounter with Marco Polo. A beginner-friendly story that brings Italian language and culture to life.
Le Avventure di Paul a Roma
A1–A2 · Italian graded reader
Explore Rome with Paul through neighborhood life, Italian food, and unexpected encounters. Build everyday vocabulary and confidence with simple, natural Italian.
Italian Short Stories for Intermediate Learners (A2–B2)
Move beyond textbook Italian with richer vocabulary, natural dialogue, cultural insight, exercises, and audio.
Incontri in Sicilia
A2 · Italian graded reader
Follow Fiona to Sicily as she searches for her Italian family roots and the documents she needs for citizenship. Learn through natural dialogue, useful vocabulary, cultural insight, exercises, and audio.
Viaggio in Sicilia
NEW · A2–B1 · Italian graded reader
Join Giulio and his start-up team on a trip to Taormina, where a missing hotel booking, an unexpected wedding invitation and a stolen ancient Greek vase turn their Sicilian getaway into an adventure. With vocabulary, exercises and audio.
Mediterraneo
B1 · Italian graded reader
Follow Liam and Charlotte as their new life in Puglia turns into a mystery. Strengthen your Italian with everyday vocabulary, natural dialogue, and suspense.
Gioielli, Caffè e Firenze
B1+ · Italian graded reader
Follow Marie to Florence, where jewellery making leads to art, romance, and mystery. Build confidence with modern Italian and useful expressions. Book 1 of Le città di Marie.
Cioccolato, Amore e Torino
B1+ · Italian graded reader
Continue Marie’s journey in Turin as love, creativity, and a new dream unfold. Learn natural, modern Italian through a story rooted in everyday life. Book 2 of Le città di Marie.
7 Romance Short Stories in Italian
B1–B2 · Italian graded reader
Explore seven stories about love, relationships, and everyday life. Improve comprehension with natural conversations, useful expressions, vocabulary support, and audio.
Hi, I’m Serena — author and Italian teacher
I’m Serena Capilli, the author behind ItalianPills and a certified Italian teacher (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice). Originally from Sicily and based in Rome, I create Italian graded readers, Piazzetta Italiana magazine, and a slow Italian podcast for adult learners.
My stories grew out of my lessons with English-speaking students: short, accessible texts with useful expressions, cultural insights, exercises, and audio to help you read, listen, and find more to say in Italian.
📘 PDF + EPUB · 🎧 Audiobooks · CEFR A1–B2
Frequently asked questions about Italian graded readers
What is an Italian graded reader?
A graded reader is a story written for a specific language level. Vocabulary and grammar are controlled, so you can enjoy real Italian without stopping at every line. Serena Capilli’s graded readers follow the CEFR levels from A1 (beginner) to B2 (upper-intermediate) and include vocabulary support, exercises and audio.
Which Italian book should I read first as a beginner?
If you are a complete beginner (A1), start with Due Amiche e un Album di Fotografie. Then continue with Due Amiche e una Bufera di Neve, Magia a Venezia or Le Avventure di Paul a Roma, all at A1–A2 level.
What are the best Italian short stories for intermediate learners?
At A2–B1 level, read Incontri in Sicilia and Viaggio in Sicilia. At B1 and above, try Mediterraneo, the Le città di Marie series (Gioielli, Caffè e Firenze and Cioccolato, Amore e Torino) and 7 Romance Short Stories in Italian.
Do the books include audio?
Yes. The books come with audio, so you can listen while you read and improve your listening and pronunciation at the same time.
Where can I buy the books?
All the books are available on Amazon. Digital editions (PDF and EPUB) are also available directly on Italian Pills: open a book’s page with the “Read more” button.
Who writes these Italian short stories?
Serena Capilli is the author behind ItalianPills and a certified Italian teacher (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice). Originally from Sicily and based in Rome, she has taught adults online since 2016 and published graded readers since 2022. She also creates Piazzetta Italiana magazine and a slow Italian podcast for adult learners.
What Italian learners say
★★★★★ 4.7–4.8 out of 5 on Amazon · more than 540 ratings for Incontri in Sicilia, Gioielli, Caffè e Firenze and Le Avventure di Paul a Roma.
★★★★★
“Amazing book!! It’s the first foreign language book where I have found all the skills together to learn Italian: reading, writing, listening (audiobook available), vocabulary, grammar, and of course Italian expressions (including slang). Plus, culture and exercises to put into practice. Well done, Serena.”
Maria · B1–B2 learner, Surrey, UK
★★★★★
“I really enjoyed the story, so it did not feel like a learning exercise reading it. […] In short it was a real pleasure to read this book.”
TD · Verified Amazon review, UK · Incontri in Sicilia
★★★★★
“Serena has an excellent way of writing which captures your interest and concentration so that you are able to learn many new phrases. This is one of the best tools I have found to improve my Italian language skills.”
Verified Amazon review, USA · Incontri in Sicilia
Reviewed by Daily Italian Words: “I couldn’t recommend them more highly!”
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