1. ….whose grammar is different from other versions of English.
2. If ‘Read’ is past tense - pronounced like the color, you can say ‘Even before I started to read the novel to you, I’d already learnt something.’
2. Talking about the future, you can say ‘Even before starting to read the novel to you, I’ve already learnt something.’
Your phrase isn’t formally wrong, but not too clear or natural. My suggestions are based on how I interpret your meaning.