Best Spanish Books to Read for Spanish Learners

You know that feeling of satisfaction when yous finally brainstorm a chat in Spanish?

What about the pleasure y'all experience from understanding movies or songs in Spanish?

Or when you lot finally empathize who's dating who in the dramatic world of telenovelas (soap operas)?

If you lot tin can tick those things off on your list, your next claiming might be to terminate reading a whole volume in Spanish.

There's nothing quite equally satisfying as the feeling when yous turn the last page and realize you've actually done it—you lot've read a whole book in another language!

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The Benefits of Reading in Castilian

Reading in Spanish won't just make you feel more confident nearly your language skills, but it'll also improve them. Information technology'll expand your vocabulary and likewise help internalize the linguistic communication y'all already know.

There's besides something special about seeing a language written downwardly, as opposed to just hearing it. Seeing the words written on the page volition hopefully aid your memory of the word and help you recall it later.

Another benefit is that yous'll have lots of time to read sentences over and over again until you get the pregnant, something that's non so easy when you're trying to eavesdrop on the double-decker.

There'due south besides less anxiety involved in reading than when you lot're trying to get your message across verbally. In fact, reading is probably the most stress-free activity y'all tin exercise to learn a language. When you read, you can sit back, relax and just take it all in at your ain pace.

Reading in another language is besides a great way to find new stories that y'all might not otherwise have had the opportunity to read. Not all books written in Castilian are translated into English, so your Castilian skills may exist able to assist y'all discover a world you lot wouldn't have known existed otherwise.

If the idea running through your head is, "But I'm not advanced enough!" call back again. Merely like when y'all learned to read in your ain language, you can start with basic books and work your way upwards to something more complicated.

You can also apply more than structured interactive reading to build upwards your skills until y'all're ready to tackle books. Try using FluentU's subtitled videos to get you lot used to reading in Spanish, with the added bonus of flashcards, transcripts and instant definitions!

How to Choice the Perfect Spanish Volume

Reading bones Spanish books will go even smoother if you choice a book that's well-suited to your specific interests and level. Your perfect Spanish volume should be:

• An achievable length. Don't aim for "Don Quijote" on your first try. Think near the book length yous'd normally read in English, and then halve it, at least.
• Level-appropriate. It can be difficult to know which book is the correct level for you, which is why graded readers that are fabricated peculiarly for Spanish learners can be useful. Ideally, you should empathise roughly 70% of the words on the page. If yous're not certain, endeavor reading the first page earlier you purchase the book. If you tin can grasp the idea, more than or less, that's a good get-go! If you desire to but get used to reading in Spanish, it might exist a proficient idea to choose a volume that you find adequately simple to assist ease y'all into the reading habit.
• A story that interests yous. The same goes for reading in any language. If yous're not into the story or field of study, you're unlikely to meet the book through to the end. This is possibly even more important for reading in Spanish. Try to detect a story that you similar, or you lot'll terminate upward frustrated and bored.

Luckily for you, I've compiled a list of my top 21 easy-to-read books to get you lot started.

Top 21 Easy-to-read Spanish Books for Spanish Learners

Spanish Short Stories

i. "El libro de Gloria Fuertes para niñas y niños: versos, cuentos y vida" by Gloria Fuertes

This collection of children's literature by poet Gloria Fuertes is a treasure.

"El libro de Gloria Fuertes para niñas y niños: versos, cuentos y vida" (The Book by Gloria Fuertes for Girls and Boys: Poems, Tales and Life) features over 100 poems and stories, many of which are beautifully illustrated by acclaimed creative person Marta Altés, and is the ideal resource for beginner Spanish readers.

The stories are entertaining and the poetry is simple yet often profound. The volume features dragons, bears, picayune chicks, turtles, kangaroos and many other adorable characters.

Not only will the stories obsess you, merely they'll also help you advance on your Spanish learning journeying.

While this book is geared toward the half dozen- to 8-year-erstwhile age bracket, adults will also find great pleasure in information technology!

2. "Cuentos de la selva" past Horacio Quiroga

A book of short stories for children, "Cuentos de la selva" (Jungle Tales) was written in 1918 by Uruguayan author Horacio Quiroga.

Quiroga spent many years living in the jungle of Misiones, Argentina, and used his experiences to bring the jungle to life in these brusk stories.

This is a world where crocodiles put on banana necklaces and fume Paraguayan cigarettes, where parrots invite tigers around for tea and where one lazy bee drinks all the dear to avoid having to work.

These short and sweet stories are piece of cake to read, and you'll definitely have improved your animal vocabulary by the fourth dimension y'all've finished.

3. "Spanish Short Stories" by Sergio Rodriguez

If you're seeking multifariousness in literature, here's a drove of 20 original short stories that bridge across the genres.

From romance to science fiction, you'll observe Castilian in different contexts.

Although Spanish does vary from region to region, Sergio Rodriguez offers just enough data through his tales for readers to have a amend grasp of the language in general.

It's highly recommended that yous accept a notebook ready once you finish a story since each is followed past a little questionnaire to come across how much you absorbed from the text.

The questions are in English, but some of them require a response in Castilian. I exercise, in item, asks readers to rewrite the ending of a story in Castilian and so in English language.

In addition to the exercises, the author includes vocabulary, grammar and cultural notes to give you a well-rounded understanding of each brusque story.

Each chapter besides ends with the English language translation, which is a nice reference to have. It'southward as well strategically placed subsequently the questionnaire and so y'all can get equally much equally you lot can out of the Spanish text instead of relying on the translation.

4. "Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas" by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada

An homage to family unit and heritage, "Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas" (Tales Told by Our Grandmothers) is a sneak peek into the rich Latin American cultures diversified by their African, Standard arabic, European, Hebrew and indigenous roots.

From a shrewd vixen to cheerful bagpipes, these 12 stories have been passed down from generation to generation, withstanding the exam of fourth dimension and changing landscapes, and finally immortalized in this heartwarming anthology.

Given that these stories are distinctly Latin, this volume is extremely helpful for those who want to focus on Spanish of the Americas, although it's a still wonderful and accessible read for advanced beginners in European Castilian.

Spanish Novels

v. "La misión de Rox" by Laura Gallego

"La misión de Rox" (Rox's Mission, known in English every bit "All the Fairies in the Kingdom") is an easy-to-read young adult volume.

While it'due south the third installment in a series, it'due south a delightful tale that tin hands stand alone from the other two books. You lot don't need to read the others to love this i, unless of course, you want to!

This is a brilliant tale near magic, a quest and the need to defend culture.

At that place are monsters, battles, secrets and tests of endurance. The book is piece of cake to read although absolute beginners volition likely benefit from a translation app or a good Spanish lexicon on paw.

half-dozen. "Detective Malasuerte" past Hilario Pena

Hilario Pena's "Detective Malasuerte" (Detective Bad Luck) is an heady read. Information technology's well-suited for beginner readers since the vocabulary is relatively uncomplicated.

Yet, this book also provides only a bear on of a challenge to assistance you go on moving forward and growing equally a language learner.

There are cultural references, slang and some intermediate-level passages, likewise.

A good translation app or Spanish lexicon volition help get yous over whatever vocabulary hurdles. Rely on the lexicon to look upward what y'all don't know. Recall, nosotros use dictionaries to learn new words in our native languages, too!

The story includes a private investigator, Detective Malasuerte, who finds himself involved in a case that'south filled with supernatural occurrences. The unsavory characters he meets are both intriguing and revolting!

This is a page-turner that every level Spanish learner will likely find attention-holding, especially those who like the detective genre.

This book volition offer you lot an first-class opportunity to have note of some vocabulary that'due south a chip more difficult, while too helping y'all gain confidence in all the vocabulary that you actually already know!

vii. "El principito" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Although this book was originally written in French, its simple story and sweet pictures mean that it'south a delight to read in whatsoever linguistic communication.

Some people claim that the alien landscapes described in the volume refer to Patagonia in Argentina, as Saint-Exupéry flew over the region many times during his time as a pilot.

A proficient book for practicing simple dialogue and the past tense, "El principito" (The Fiddling Prince) is a slim volume and is a manageable length for intermediate students and to a higher place.

Even if yous've already read "The Little Prince" in English (or some other linguistic communication), yous'll find information technology useful to read it once again in Castilian since you'll be able to just concentrate on the language and bask the familiar story.

viii. "El alquimista" past Paulo Coelho

Originally written in Portuguese, the Spanish translation of this international bestseller is a good 1 if you want to read a whole novel in the linguistic communication.

The story of "El alquimista" (The Alchemist) concerns a immature Spanish shepherd who goes on a quest after having a recurring dream.

Lessons learned past the shepherd throughout the book can be applied to a diverseness of life decisions, and considering of this, the book is frequently referred to equally more "self-help than literature."

Apart from its spiritual message, this book's master language benefit is that both the vocabulary and grammer are uncomplicated and piece of cake to understand.

9. "El túnel" past Ernesto Sábato

This psychological thriller was written in 1948 by Argentine writer Ernesto Sábato.

It was highly acclaimed internationally when information technology came out, and is a popular text for teenagers in Argentine republic today. Information technology has also been adapted for the stage and the big screen.

The plot of "El túnel" (The Tunnel) concerns Juan Pablo Castel, a painter from Buenos Aires who has killed the woman he loved, María Iribarne. Castel examines his motives and much of the book deals with existentialism. It's besides heavily laced with the author's characteristic acid pessimism.

This volume deals with some tricky subject matters, merely is a fascinating read for anyone who wants to challenge themselves to read a book in another language that'll truly make you call up.

Spanish Bilingual Texts

10. "First Spanish Reader: A Beginner's Dual-Language Book" by Angel Flores

"First Spanish Reader: A Beginner's Dual-Language Volume" is an splendid introduction to the wonderful world of reading Spanish stories. The tales are presented with the Spanish story on one page and the English translation on the opposite-facing folio.

Many of the stories also include accurate Spanish idioms, which will only help deepen your agreement and connection to the language.

The vocabulary used in this volume is uncomplicated, but that doesn't mean that the stories are overly simple or meaningless. These tales are thought-provoking!

Graded readers are an excellent option for beginner readers. They typically comprise simple stories, use basic vocabulary and often add extras to assist learners power upwardly their skills.

This book is no exception: in that location's a bonus section that highlights vocabulary and offers exercise exercises for Spanish learners.

Another plus of graded readers like this one is the fact that the stories are a manageable size. They're dandy little bites of literature designed for linguistic communication learning.

eleven. "xi Bilingual Fairy Tales in Spanish and English" by Frédéric Bibard

Revisit your childhood by reading all of your favorite fairytales in Spanish!

Equally the title indicates, this book is a collection of folklore that nosotros grew up with, such as Ricitos de oro y los tres osos (Goldilocks and the Three Bears), Jack y las habichuelas mágicas (Jack and the Beanstalk) and Caperucita Roja (Little Ruby Riding Hood).

1 thing to keep in listen with this volume is the seemingly archaic linguistic communication.

Because the stories are the original texts, some of the Spanish translations might await outdated, though this was washed on purpose to preserve the style of the original authors. Bibard shares his tips on how to make the most out of the translated fairy tales.

In improver to this ebook, you'll also get the audio files of each story (270 minutes in total), narrated by both native Spanish and English speakers.

The audio accompaniment is perfect for listening anywhere at any time and allows you to heed for proper pronunciation and natural speech catamenia.

12. "Short and Easy Spanish Novels for Beginners" past Joe Arenas

Looking for a bit of suspense in your Castilian language books?

The horror genre isn't something that a lot of beginners dive into, but this author makes it accessible even for those who have only started on their linguistic communication journeying.

This book contains two stories, Espectro (Spectrum) and La Casa (The House), both filled with uncomplicated grammar constructions and relevant vocabulary.

The stories are short and sweet, with each judgement no more than 12 words long and each chapter only containing 10 sentences, which ways there's plenty of space on each page if you lot desire to take any notes.

The stories conclude with a little quiz as a reading comprehension exercise. Information technology's a multiple-option quiz, and then goose egg scary to make you lot dread reaching the finish of each story.

13. "Short Stories in Spanish" past John R. King

Suitable for all levels of learners, "Short Stories in Spanish" is a compilation of ten gimmicky stories by the nigh celebrated Hispanic writers, including Gabriel García Márquez and Laura Freixas.

Compared to the rest of the books in this category, the content might seem slightly more avant-garde given that each story is more or less x full pages.

But no need to worry since the short stories come with annotations, so you lot'll have all the information you need to read them without reaching for a dictionary.

This is as well a dainty alternative for beginners and intermediates that want to go beyond children's literature and explore authentic but shorter Spanish texts that are style more outgoing compared to the featured writers' novels.

Castilian Children's Books

14. "La liebre y la tortuga" by Tina Valles

"La liebre y la tortuga" is the Spanish retelling of "The Tortoise and the Hare," which is a love and well-known classic children's book.

This story has a target audition of three- to five-year-olds but will bring as much joy to an older reader every bit it would to any young listener!

This is an excellent way to build upwardly your core vocabulary. This fun, even so meaningful, story is told using basic words and phrases.

Additionally, the brusque sentences offering beginner learners a chance to do reading Spanish aloud without being faced with long, complex sentences.

A bonus? The book features interactive scrapbooking activities. Whatever hands-on activities in Spanish are definitely beneficial for learners!

15. "Papelucho" by Marcela Paz

Written past Chilean writer Marcela Paz, "Papelucho" is a series of 12 books written betwixt the 1940s and 1970s well-nigh an eight-year-old middle-form boy named Papelucho.

The stories, written in diary form, item Papelucho's everyday life in Santiago, Chile and are based on the writer's own babyhood experiences.

Books include "Papelucho historiador" (Papelucho the Historian), "Papelucho y el marciano" (Papelucho and the Martian) and "Papelucho ¿Soy dix-leso?" (Papelucho, Am I Dyslexic?).

These stories were unusual at the time they were written because unlike other pop children's stories, they weren't moralistic. These books also have lovely illustrations that help explain the story.

As the stories are written from the perspective of an eight-year-old boy, the prose is uncomplicated and piece of cake to understand. They're likewise fairly brusk stories, so the books are definitely manageable reads. The stories besides bargain with everyday life, so they're packed full of useful vocabulary.

If y'all really tin can't get enough of Papelucho, yous can also watch the "Papelucho" blithe film "Papelucho y el marciano" which was released in 2007.

16. "Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre" by Juana Martinez-Neal

Written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal,"Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre" (Alma and How She Got Her Name) is about a young girl learning about her heritage through her proper name.

And with a name like Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, in that location's a lot of history that needs to be uncovered.

Information technology'south a beautiful story well-nigh family unit and self-discovery. And given that information technology's a children'south book, the story is very accessible to beginners.

And what'south likewise wonderful near this book is the petty writer'south note at the end, where she shares the history of her own proper name and encourages yous to share yours. Information technology's the perfect opportunity for a little writing practise using some of the family vocabulary and simple grammar structures from the story.

17. "La luz de Lucía" by Margarita Del Mazo

This award-winning children's tale is another corking one for Castilian beginners.

"La luz de Lucía" (Lucía's Light) is a story of a little firefly that'due south struggling to calorie-free up similar the residual of her family unit. The night comes when it's finally her time to smooth, but something gets in her way.

Suited for kids between the ages of iv to 6, it's a gorgeous picturebook full of forest vocabulary and animal terms that you don't really come beyond as a novice. Luciérnaga (firefly) doesn't appear as well oft in beginner Spanish curriculums, so you'd be surprised with what else you choice up from this children'southward book.

Equally for any unnamed creatures in the illustrations, feel free to look them up in a lexicon to expand your brute vocabulary!

Spanish Graphic Novels

xviii. "Gael y la cherry de mentiras: una novela gráfica" by Ernesto Rodríguez

"Gael y la cherry-red de mentiras: una novela gráfica" (Gael and the Network of Lies: A Graphic Novel) is one of iii books in a wonderful graded reader series.

The other 2 books are called "Gael y las sombras de la huida" (Gael and the Shadows of Flight) and "Gael y el arte de la traición" (Gael and the Fine art of Treason).

This series uses a comic book format and the illustrations are fabulous. Each book too offers reading comprehension exercises for learners to assess their reading skills.

The series targets beginner-level learners, but anyone who enjoys comic books volition love reading virtually Gael and his amigos (friends).

Gael is an unlikely hero. He'due south a cat burglar whose adventures accept him to Madrid, Mallorca and other intriguing spots.

He lives a thrilling life, one which Spanish learners will be swept into with far less trouble than it takes our intrepid hero to plot a theft!

I highly recommend this serial, both for its language learning strengths, also as for the stories themselves!

19. "Enola Holmes y el sorprendente caso de Lady Alistair" past Nancy Springer

"Enola Holmes y el sorprendente caso de Lady Alistair" (Enola Holmes and the Surprising Case of Lady Alistair) is 1 of a series of graphic novels that feature the wildly imaginative Enola, who just so happens to exist Sherlock Holmes' younger sister!

The illustrations are gorgeous!

They're then detailed that even if you're struggling a chip, there's a high probability that just by looking at the drawings that back-trail the text any confusion will be chop-chop cleared upwards.

The Castilian text is engaging, while remaining, in classic graphic novel style, short and to the point.

This volume includes Enola dressed in disguise and on the search for a missing teenager. She manages to keep one step alee of her more well-known brother throughout the entire story.

This book is such an interesting read from start to finish—and engaging resources are a Spanish language learner'southward best friend!

20. "Vivos se los llevaron" by Andalusia Knoll Soloff

"Vivos se los llevaron" (Taken Alive) is an account of a factual consequence.

The graphic novel format of this story makes it accessible to beginner readers, as well as more advanced learners. The passages are clear and concise and the commitment is sequential—each upshot is told in a logical timeline.

This fascinating factual account involves the Mexican police force and 43 student teachers who disappeared from a college without a trace.

The novel relies on interviews and official documents to tell the tale.

The story includes dangerous issues that affect Mexico and many other countries, such as drugs, decadent politicians and everyday citizens who get caught in the crossfire of these problems.

This is a true-life story that you'll never forget. While reading, make certain you lot also accept note of the colorful cultural references and any unfamiliar slang!

21."Una arruga en el tiempo" Adjusted past Hope Larson

Y'all've read the original volume, yous've watched the film, and information technology's high fourth dimension you revisited the scientific discipline fiction tale in a different format—this fourth dimension in a Spanish graphic novel!

"Una arruga en el tiempo" (A Wrinkle in Time) is a treasured babyhood classic and perfect for beginners.

And fifty-fifty if yous haven't read the original text or seen the moving picture, the vivid illustrations clearly depict the Spanish translations, so you e'er accept an idea of what's actually going on in each console.

But if the plot is, or certain words are, withal unclear to you, try browsing each affiliate before reading and writing down whatever words that you're unsure of.

Look up and write down each of their definitions and have that list handy as you read through the affiliate.

Don't forget to record any new vocabulary you learn equally you lot continue, and not to give up if there are words or fifty-fifty sections of any of these books you don't understand.

You lot don't know every discussion in your ain language, so of class you won't understand all the Spanish words right away either!

Most importantly, try to find a squeamish space to sit back and enjoy your book. Whether it'due south a comfy sofa, hammock or but lying in bed, enjoy the experience and savor that feeling of satisfaction once you lot're done.

Happy reading!

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