The 5 Best Spanish Books for Beginners 2023

Learning a new language requires practice - and a great way to learn Spanish is by reading. Finding the right book for you might be difficult when you are still new to the language and the culture. That's why Battersea Spanish is here to help you! Here’s our list of the 5 Spanish books for beginners in 2023.

Spanish Short Stories for Beginners by Olly Richards

A great place for Spanish beginners to start is with short stories. This allows new readers to ease into the language. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by long stories with extremely complex plots, new readers can practise their Spanish directly and intentionally.

Spanish Short Stories for Beginners contains 8 short stories designed for those that are new to the language. The book contains a glossary and a bilingual word list for an easy way to access clarifications when reading. The book also has a quiz after each story to ensure that you really understood what you've read.

This helps readers engage with the language actively. The book was written with both young and adult readers in mind and contains stories from many different genres. Whether you like science fiction, thriller or fantasy, you'll find it here.

El Principito by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Another great place to start when you're learning Spanish is with books directed at younger audiences. They are still full of new vocabulary, while being easier to follow. The stories may be shorter and will contain more straightforward plots.

El Principito is the Spanish translation of the popular children's book The Little Prince. This book follows a boy who travels to different planets. He goes on a trip where he meets interesting characters that share different secrets about life. In hearing these messages, the boy comments on what he has learned about various aspects of life.

This book contains deeper topics about life, friendship and loneliness. Because it's a shorter book, it can be a very effective way to practise your Spanish.

El Alquimista by Paulo Coelho

If you want to focus on improving your vocabulary, reading a book you already know can be an easy way to do so. You already know the plot and the characters, so all you have to focus on understanding are the new words.

The Alchemist is a popular Portuguese book that has been translated into many different languages. The book is about a young man who dreams of finding treasure and goes on an adventure to find it. He believes that his dreams are a sign which he must follow to unveil his destiny. Throughout his journey he learns more about himself and the world around him.

If you haven’t read it yet, no worries! You can choose to read it for the first time in Spanish or - alternatively - look for a Spanish version of your favourite novel before you tackle this one.

Como Agua Para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

This Spanish novel for intermediate level students delves into Mexican culture. The story follows a woman’s life from birth, with the story narrated from the perspective of her granddaughter.

It contains elements of different aspects of life including love and tragedy and themes of tradition, repression, revolution and femininity. Interestingly, the story revolves around how many of her most impactful life events are associated with her kitchen. It highlights the important role that family and food play in Mexican culture. This book is a great way to better understand Latin cuisine and culture.

The book has gained popularity and has even been adapted into a film. Further your comprehension skills with this novel of complex emotions. Do you know what the expression “como agua para chocolate” means?

Vivos Se Los Llevaron by Andalusia K. Soloff

This book offers the best of both worlds. The story takes place after the disappearance of 43 students. Parents, friends and other survivors of the attacks of Iguala band together to find these missing kids.

The book is based on the events of 26 September 2014, when buses of student activists were ambushed in Mexico on their way to Mexico City. The story is written in sequential order, making it easy to follow for Spanish learners.

This book is perfect for people that love graphic novels and those that enjoy reading stories based on real events. It contains more serious topics and includes interviews and testimonials allowing for Spanish learners to gain exposure to a great range of vocabulary and styles.

Reading is an essential part of learning any language - it's the perfect way to gain some practice alone in your spare time. This short list for Spanish beginners and intermediate learners is a great starting point of book recommendations.

We hope you found some inspiration from this reading list.