6 books to start reading in Spanish

By Marta Díaz on Thursday, November 23, 2023

Have you ever considered starting to read in Spanish? As a student of Spanish, you should know how important it is to improve and expand your knowledge of the language. That's why reading books in Spanish is one of the easiest ways to acquire new vocabulary and improve your level.

In this article, you will discover the advantages of starting to read in Spanish and six books to start reading books in Spanish.

Strengthen your vocabulary

Imagine that every book is like a treasure chest full of linguistic treasures. Reading in Spanish will give you access to a wealth of words and expressions that you probably won't find in grammar books.

The more words you know, the richer your communication with Spanish speakers will be. In addition, it's a great way to discover idioms and expressions that will really make you sound like a native speaker.

Improve your grammar

Nothing beats a good book when it comes to learning grammar. By reading, you absorb sentence structure and grammar rules without conscious effort. You'll become more aware of how Spanish works without even realising it. And, even better, you'll do it without getting bored of studying grammar rules and vocabulary in the traditional way.

Explore new cultures

Every book is a window into a new world. Spanish-language literature offers an incredible diversity of cultures, from the vibrant city life of Spain to the colourful traditions of Latin America. Because Spanish is a language spoken in more than one country, you can choose which world to immerse yourself in and which Spanish-speaking author to discover.

Reading will allow you to immerse yourself in thousands of cultures, understand their peculiarities and increase your perspective of the world. You are not only learning a language, but you are also travelling without leaving home!

Develop your comprehension skills

Reading in Spanish is like a workout for your comprehension skills. As the story progresses, you will be faced with challenges and mysteries to solve. This will not only improve your ability to understand literal content but will also sharpen your ability to understand meanings through context.

One tip to follow when reading in another language is not to become obsessed with understanding each word. Read as if you were reading in your mother tongue, without stopping at every word you don't understand, and try to grasp the meaning of the whole phrase. You will see that, in the end, even if you don't understand two or three words in a sentence, you will have understood the meaning because of the context and the plot.

Books in Spanish for beginners

Here is a list of six books in Spanish to help you immerse yourself in reading.

“El libro de Gloria Fuertes para niños y niñas: versos, cuentos y vida” by Gloria Fuertes (Gloria Fuertes' book for children: verses, stories and life)

This book is a collection of stories for children by the poet Gloria Fuertes, with more than 100 poems and stories, many of them illustrated. It is perfect for beginners who want to start reading in Spanish.

In it you will find dragons, bears, turtles and many more characters. Although you may think it is intended for children, but you will also like this book if you are an adult.

“Cuentos de la selva” by Horacio Quiroga (Jungle Tales)

A collection of short stories that will transport you to the South American jungle, exploring nature and wildlife. This is a book with eight short stories about different jungle animals, in which you will learn basic Spanish vocabulary and verbs.

“La misión de Rox” by Laura Gallego (Rox’s mission)

Laura Gallego is a very well-known fantasy author in Spain, and with her book, 'La misión de Rox', you will enter a story full of magic. Monsters, battles, secrets, and tests of endurance in a story that is easy to read and full of new vocabulary.

Even though this is the third book in a series, you can read it without having read the previous two books. You can also read other books by the author, such as “El valle de los lobos”.

“Aura” by Carlos Fuentes

If you prefer a mystery novel, the author Carlos Fuentes presents 'Aura'. It tells the story of Felipe, a man who works in a widow's house writing the memoirs of her deceased husband. There, Felipe falls in love with Aura, the widow's granddaughter.

Most of the story is told in the present tense, which makes this book suitable for students who are just beginning to learn Spanish.

“El Principito” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (The Little Prince)

Although originally written in French, this is a perfect story for beginners. This timeless classic is known for its simplicity and depth, making it perfect for expanding vocabulary and understanding.

It tells the story of a boy who travels to different places and planets, commenting on the irony of adult life. It has a simple and understandable language, so it is perfect for you to get started in Spanish with it.

“El alquimista” by Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist)

This philosophical book follows the adventures of a young shepherd in search of his personal legend. The Brazilian author uses clear and evocative language which, like The Little Prince, is not written in Spanish, but its translation is perfect for beginners.

However, this book is designed for readers with an intermediate level of Spanish because, although it is a simple story, the vocabulary and literary figures are very present.

Therefore, reading in Spanish will not only improve your level of Spanish, but will also allow you to discover thousands of stories. If you want to immerse yourself in the language, you can also opt for an intensive Spanish course with Enforex.

Learn Spanish in Spain, discover the culture and history of a unique country while improving your level. Because Enforex has courses for all levels and ages.