Our Favorite Spanish Reading Lists for Language Students
Having a Spanish reading list is essential for any committed language student.
The Spanish-speaking world is responsible for creating some of the best literary gems and masterpieces. Getting your hands on renowned Spanish literature is an excellent way to take your Spanish to the next level. Besides that, reading enhances your cognitive skills.
Keep reading for a Spanish reading list packed with fantastic titles and literary treasures for language students of different levels.
Perks of Having a Spanish Reading List
Spanish literature and language learning are closely related and influential to each other.
Reading in Spanish improves your capacity to actively write, read, listen, and converse in a different language. When you read in Spanish, you use grammar actively and learn to apply native vocabulary and idiomatic expressions naturally.
Engaging with Spanish narratives also amplifies your semantic and contextualization capacity in a foreign language. You learn to understand social situations and scenarios directly related to different genres. Coming up close to these narratives expands your capacity for analysis and critical thinking.
Reading in Spanish is an enjoyable activity and moves away from traditional language learning methods. When you read, you allow your creativity and imagination to grow. You get an interest in criticizing, researching, and asking questions about those aspects of a book that captivate you.
A Spanish reading list is an innovative and hands-on resource that motivates and educates language learners. The world of Spanish literature has infinite possibilities and styles for you to discover.
Join me as I break down our top 4 favorite Spanish reading lists for language students.
Favorite Spanish Reading List: Novels
This Spanish language reading list has six literary classics that are considered a must for Spanish literature fanatics. It features some of the best-selling Spanish-speaking authors and their masterpieces.
1. Love in the Time of Cholera (El amor en los tiempos del cólera) by Gabriel García Márquez
Gabriel García Marquez is a must read author in any Spanish reading list! El amor en los tiempos del cólera tells the story of Florentino and Fermina throughout 60 years in a small Caribbean coastal town.
As the story develops, the characters face multiple adventures and challenges in their love story. Chaos revolves around them and manifests through political and social turmoil. The book is written in beautiful prose and evokes feelings of nostalgia, heartache, and hope.
Links to the Book
2. The Tunnel (El túnel) by Ernesto Sabato
El túnel is one of the greatest of the century by Argentinian author Ernesto Sabato. The book is written in the structure of a police novel and is a tale of mystery, despair, and existentialism.
The novel is short and flows easily for the reader. It focuses on the story of Juan Pablo Castel, a disturbed and unpredictable character who finds himself on a tumultuous path with no escape.
Links to the Book
3. In the Time of the Butterflies (En el tiempo de las mariposas) by Julia Alvarez
En el tiempo de las mariposas is a novel by Dominican author Julia Alvarez. The book tells the story of the four Mirabal sisters, active members of the Dominican Republican revolution, and vocal speakers against Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship.
This novel impresses the reader because it’s inspired by true events. It is also highly educational, and it brings you close to an essential period of Latin American history.
Links to the Book
Read this enchanting blog post to learn more about Julia Alvarez and her Books and Poems.
4. Fierce Times (Tiempos recios) by Mario Vargas Llosa
Mario Vargas Llosa is another essential author for any Spanish reading list. His novel Tiempos recios focuses on the political event that defined Guatemala’s political and social history: a coup d’etat against president Jacobo Arbenz.
With support from the CIA, the Guatemalan military took over the government following a series of international conspiracies and conflicts that spiraled into a 36 year long civil war.
This novel focuses on recent history through a fascinating approach where you come close to a narrative filled with politics, suspense, and unforgettable events.
Links to the Book
5. Island Beneath the Sea (La isla bajo el mar) by Isabel Allende
La isla bajo el mar is a novel by recognized author Isabel Allende. The novel evokes the classical magical realism style of Allende. The story tells the tale of Zarité, a young woman born into slavery in Dominican Republic. She then becomes property of a French land-owner at the turn of the 19th century.
Her journey eventually takes her to New Orleans, where she yearns for freedom and independence. Any solid Spanish reading list should have a hint of magical realism. The genre is fundamental for anyone who’s starting with Spanish literature—the cultural traits and language of the book is captivating and exciting.
Links of the Book
Read this spectacular list of 6 essential books by Isabel Allende.
6. Hopscotch (Rayuela) by Julio Cortazar
Rayuela is one of the most respected novels in the Spanish speaking world. It focuses on two characters known as Horacio and La Maga. The story follows them as they meet in Paris and journey all the way to Argentina. It’s written as an anti-novel with a narrative full of humour, love, freedom, and art. Rayuela is one of the top literary classics in this Spanish reading list.
Links to the Book
Read this fun blog post for More Literary Classics you can add to this Spanish reading list.
Favorite Spanish Reading List: Poems and Short Stories
Spanish is a romance language that is full of passion and feelings. The poems and short stories in this Spanish reading list have emotional narratives and attractive stories.They’re ideal for readers who want to elevate their Spanish.
7. The Things We Lost in the Fire (Las cosas que perdimos en el fuego) by Mariana Enríquez
Las cosas que perdimos en el fuego is a collection of short stories by author Mariana Enriquez. The stories are focused on different women protesting against domestic violence.
This book is bound to keep you alert and awake. The stories of bravery often contain realism, dark humour, cruelty, and evoke compassion.
Links to the Book
8. Fictions (Ficciones) by Jorge Luis Borges
Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges is definitely a book in this Spanish reading list that is dedicated to advanced Spanish learners. The book is a collection of 17 fictional short stories that are compelling and bizarre. They call the reader to reflect on the narrative and use several references that require a strong Spanish reading comprehension.
The stories are highly entertaining and are a fantastic mix of fantasy and philosophy.
Links to the Book
9. The Plain in Flames (El llano en llamas) by Juan Rulfo
El llano en llamas is a collection of short stories that’s been translated to over twenty five languages. The book by renowned author Juan Rulfo is considered a classic of Mexican and Hispanoamerican literature.
The author uses different tones and has an impressive ability of connecting with the reader. The stories are realistic and have profound moral lessons.
Links to the Book
10. Madwomen (Las locas mujeres) by Gabriela Mistral
Las locas mujeres is a collection of poems by Chilean author Gabriela Mistral. Each poem depicts a “mad” woman who is in actuality anything but mad. The characters are powerful, brave, and even relatable. The author focuses on highlighting the humane nature of women and their emotions.
The book is written in a bilingual version that allows you to move back and forth within translations for further understanding.
Links to the Book
11. Twenty Love Poems and a Desperate Love Song (Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada) by Pablo Neruda
Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada is a romantic and beautiful poetry collection by Chilean author Pablo Neruda. The book is known for using a highly nostalgic and loving language. It’s enchanting and it is a reflection of how to interpret emotions in the Spanish-speaking world.
The author wrote the book at a young age and some believe it was inspired by his experiences with several of his love interests.
Links to the Book
Favorite Spanish Reading List: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books
The tales in this Spanish reading list share thrill-seeking adventures that allow the reader and Spanish learner’s imagination to soar. Spanish sci-fi and fantasy books are inventive, humourous, mysterious, scary, and appealing.
12. The Aleph and Other Stories (El aleph y otros cuentos) by Jorge Luis Borges
El aleph y otros cuentos is another masterpiece by Jorge Luis Borges in this Spanish reading list. The book is divided into short stories that focus on the supernatural and inspire the reader’s imagination. It’s a collection of literary vignettes that focus on a point of space and time where immortality and fantasy encounter each other.
Links to the Book
13. The Map of Time (El mapa del tiempo) by Felix J. Palma
El mapa del tiempo is the first book of a science fiction trilogy by Spanish author Felix J.Palma. The novel focuses on the fascinating subject of time travel. It’s geniously inventive and mixes historic events with memorable characters.
The book is bound to keep you entertained and brings you close to exceptional and appealing storytelling.
Links to the Book
14.The Road of Life (La vida que no elegí) by Lorena Franco
This fantasy book set in New York tells the story of Nora, a woman who’s head of a division at an important pharmaceutical company. Unfortunately, she finds herself forced to fire 10,000 employees who will be replaced by a machine. This unforeseen event unleashes the rage of an unknown woman who uses magic to affect Nora’s life.
La vida que no elegí is a fantasy story that shows how life choices can often affect us beyond control. It has a valuable lesson to teach the reader and allows a smooth flow between pages as it’s an exciting and thrilling novel.
Links to the Book
15. Abcalia, the Journey of Dreams (Abcalia, El viaje de los sueños) by Ricardo Roque Mateos
Abcalia tells the tale of Daian, a traveler who explores different planets in search of a woman. This award-winning book is recommended for Spanish learners and is considered by Goodreads one of the best books with a solid methodology for learning a language.
Link to the Book
16. Silent Invasion (Invasión silenciosa) by Jenaro Martínez
Invasión Silenciosa tells the story of David, a paleontologist who makes an astonishing discovery in fossilized bones. The book is set in modern times and dives deep into theories about humanity and unidentified flying objects. It’s the first part of an exciting and adventurous trilogy.
Link to the Book
Favorite Spanish Reading List: Young Adult Literature
This Spanish reading list focuses on the young adult genre. It targets those readers and Spanish learners interested in coming-of-age stories that are enjoyable at any level.
17. Memoirs of the Eagle and Jaguar (Memorias del águila y del jaguar) by Isabel Allende
Memorias del águila y del jaguar is a trilogy by Isabel Allende. It’s made of three novels: La ciudad de las bestias (The City of Beasts), El reino del dragón de oro (The Kingdom of the Gold Dragon), and El bosque de los pigmeos (The Forest of Pygmies).
The series tells the epic journey of young Alexander Cold, his grandma Kate, and their young friend Nadia. In Isabel Allende’s literary style, the books are filled with elements of magic, mysticism, and unique adventures for kids.
These books are set in amazing scenarios in the Amazon, Himalayas, and Africa; they’re guaranteed to keep any young Spanish student interested.
Links to the Book
18. A Handbook to Luck (Las caras de la suerte) by Cristina García
Las caras de la suerte is a young adult classic that tells the tale of three teenagers located in different countries. It’s a coming of age tale where culture plays a key role on the journey to adulthood.
The book uses simple Spanish language that makes it ideal for students.
Links to the Book
Check out this useful and practical list of 6 books by Cristina Garcia.
19. Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros
Caramelo is a novel by internationally acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros. The book narrates the adventures of Lala and her family as they take a road trip from Chicago to Mexico City to visit her awful grandmother.
The novel’s main theme is family history and values, and it’s a captivating and insightful tale.
Links to the Book
20. The Prince of the Mist (El príncipe de la niebla) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
El principe de la niebla is a young adult Spanish literature classic that tells the tale of the Carver family. In the aftermath of World War II, the family relocates to the coast and begins to experience supernatural events.
The narrative is compelling and ideal for Spanish learning beginners who want to amplify their reading skills.
Links to the Book
Improve Your Spanish Reading
This set of Spanish reading lists is guaranteed to get you on the path to language fluency.
Another excellent way of attaining Spanish proficiency is conversing with a native speaker. Engaging in meaningful conversations where Spanish vocabulary and expressions are used naturally has fantastic results on your confidence and experience. Commit to becoming fully bilingual today and sign up for a free class with our certified, Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala.
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