What to Read in Spanish: Books for Every Level

Find the right type of reading for you

Don’t love reading in your own language? Then try comics in Spanish. There’s lots to choose from, from classic humour like Mortadelo y Filemón and Superlópez to great adaptations by Carlos Giménez. Comics may seem childish, but the pictures help you follow the story, and you might be surprised how much you improve.

Like the news? Many learners jump into papers like El País too early, and the formal language makes it hard going. Start with something simpler: see our guide to Spanish newspapers for learners.

Want to go step by step? Graded readers, written especially for Spanish learners, are a great complement to your classes. Publishers like Difusión have series for low and intermediate levels, many with audio, exercises and glossaries.

Want to read books for natives? Start with simple ones, like those written for children. The Barco de Vapor collection is a classic among Spanish children, with affordable books graded by colour, from white for early readers to red for teenagers. If that’s too easy, reread a book you already love in your own language, like Harry Potter: knowing the story makes it much easier.

A book for every level

These picks are based on language level, but the most important thing is that the book motivates you.

A2: a Barco de Vapor book from the orange series, for children up to 12. We suggest a classic many Spanish children have read: El pirata Garrapata by Juan Muñoz.

B1: Manolito Gafotas by Elvira Lindo, the funny story of a boy growing up on the outskirts of Madrid at the end of the 20th century. Adults love it too, and there’s a whole series.

B2: El tiempo entre costuras by María Dueñas, a story of love and spies around the Second World War, very popular in Spain and beyond. There’s a TV series too.

C1: time for a 20th-century classic. Many students want to start with Cien años de soledad, but even native speakers find it demanding. Try something short but intense: Cañas y barro by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez.

Tips to read without frustration

Underline what you understand: a page with 95% underlined is far less discouraging than one full of words to look up, and you can often work out the other 5% yourself.

Then underline what you don’t: don’t look up every word, try to guess first. Keep a notebook and write each new word with an example.

Read what you already know: if you know the story, your brain can focus on the language.

Don’t be too ambitious: reading a young adult book is nothing to be ashamed of. Leave the great classics for a high level.

Read in parallel: before jumping to classics, read a chapter in your language and then the same chapter in Spanish, and compare.

Use pictures as a dictionary: searching a word in Google Images is often faster for your brain than a translation. More tips in our guide to Spanish dictionaries and translators.