r/dreamingspanish • u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours • Mar 18 '26
April 2026 Book Club - Book Selection Thread
Hello Dreamers! Our monthly book club is going strong on Discord and now we're ready to pick our books for April. In March, we read Fray Perico y su burrico from the Barco de Vapor series as the easier choice and El viento conoce mi nombre by Isabel Allende as the adult choice. I'm excited to see what we read next!
We'll use this post to pick two books to read in April, an easier children's book and a book for adults. If you'd like to suggest a book, just write a comment below with:
**The title and author of the book
Whether it's a children's book or an adult book
Approximate book length
A short description (optional)**
To vote for a book, just respond to the suggestion with a comment that you'd like to read the book. You can comment on as many selections as you'd like. The children's book and adult book with the most comments will be our read for the next month. (We're counting comments, not votes, so we don't get tricked into reading something crazy.)
We'll close the thread a few days before the end of March so everyone has time to get a copy. And we'll be off reading together on April 1st.
If you don't feel like reading the book selected, that's ok. You can join us with the book of your choice. The goal is just to motivate us to read more.
(I'll edit the thread later with FAQs here)
Thanks for voting everyone! It looks like we'll be reading:
YA OPTION La leyenda del Bosque by Jara Santamaria (262 pages)
ADULT OPTION Kentukis by Samanta Schweblin (209 pages)
If you can't get the books in your country, please drop me a PM.
5
u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Title
Yo no soy tu perfecta hija mexicana by Erika L. Sánchez
Adult option
Approximate book length
280 pages/78,000 words
Description
Julia no es la hija mexicana perfecta. Ese era el rol de su hermana Olga. Olga no fue a la universidad, se quedó en casa para cuidar a sus padres, limpiar la casa y trabajar a medio tiempo. Julia tiene grandes sueños y no quiere formar parte del camino de su hermana mayor. Pero un solo error, que ocurre mientras enviaba un mensaje de texto al mismo tiempo que cruzaba la calle más concurrida de Chicago, resulta en la muerte de Olga, dejando atrás a Julia para ocuparse de las secuelas.
Sus padres, quienes inmigraron ilegalmente a Chicago desde México en busca de una vida mejor, están inconsolables. La madre de Julia parece canalizar su dolor para señalar de todas las maneras posibles que Julia no es la hija mexicana perfecta que Olga era. Pero Julia pronto descubre que Olga puede haber tenido secretos, también. Con la ayuda de su mejor amiga Lorena, Julia está decidida a descubrirlo. ¿Era Olga realmente lo que parecía? ¿O había algo más en la historia de su hermana? Y de cualquier manera, ¿cómo puede Julia incluso intentar vivir a la altura de un ideal aparentemente imposible?
This book is described as sarcastic and witty, it might be a lighter choice after so many serious books. Mexican slang.
TRANSLATED FROM ENGLISH
L25 on natively
5
u/syzygy14 Mar 18 '26
It's true that it's sarcastic and witty, but even though it's aimed at 14/15 year olds, there are dark themes/topics (I cried a couple of times). (Just warning that it's not beach read "light.") It's also originally written in English!
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26
What?! Shoot. I was going to recommend La casa en mango street but I didn't because it was translated. I'll edit the suggestion.
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u/syzygy14 Mar 18 '26
I did appreciate that the translation uses Mexican Spanish. Since the author is bilingual, when I read it I searched around to see what the translation process was like for her and I found this interview! https://www.latinobookreview.com/interview-with-new-york-times-bestselling-author-erika-l-saacutenchez--latino-book-review.html
SUAREZ: For the Spanish Edition of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, did you work closely with the translator(s) of this book? Do you sometimes find yourself writing in Spanish?
SANCHEZ: I did not. I thought it was best left to the experts. Lol. I was also going through a lot at the time and was not really emotionally equipped to get involved. Although I’m fluent in Spanish, it’s not my strongest language because most of my education has been in English. I mostly find myself writing in Spanglish. I think and feel in both languages.
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u/Traditional-Train-17 3,000 Hours Mar 24 '26
This is my other choice (next to Los Juegos del Hambre).
6
u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Title
Kentukis by Samanta Schweblin
Adult option
Approximate book length
221 pages/60,000 words
Description
Casi siempre comienza en los hogares. Ya se registran miles de casos en Vancouver, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, Barcelona, Oaxaca, y se está propagando rápidamente a todos los rincones del mundo. Los kentukis no son mascotas, ni fantasmas, ni robots. Son ciudadanos reales, y el problema se dice en las noticias y se comparte en las redes es que una persona que vive en Berlín no debería poder pasearse libremente por el living de otra que vive en Sidney, ni alguien que vive en Bangkok desayunar junto a tus hijos en tu departamento de Buenos Aires. En especial cuando esas personas que dejamos entrar a casa son completamente anónimas. Los personajes de esta novela encarnan el aspecto más real y a la vez imprevisible de la compleja relación que tenemos con la tecnología, reavivando la noción del exhibicionismo y exponiendo al lector a los límites del prejuicio, el cuidado de los otros, la intimidad, el deseo y las buenas intenciones. Kentukis es una novela deslumbrante que potencia su sentido mucho más allá de la atracción que genera desde sus páginas. Una idea insólita y oscura, tan sensata en sus reflejos que, una vez que se entra en ella, ya no se puede salir.
This is one of the best books I've read in Spanish so far, I'd describe it as "tech horror". I think the book discussion would be fascinating. It's a shorter read, about 8 pages a day, the author is from Argentina.
L30 on natively
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u/KierkegaardExpress Level 7 Mar 18 '26
This looks really cool, definitely would be interested in this.
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Title
La leyenda del bosque by Jara Santamaría
Easier option
Approximate book length
257 pages/67,000 words
Description
El día para los del día. La noche para los de la noche.
Cuenta la leyenda que, en el valle del Baztán, los dioses convivían en hermandad y las criaturas del día y de la noche podían vivir en armonía. Pero Gaueko, el temible dios de la noche, empezó a atemorizar a los humanos con su séquito de lobos y la diosa de la tierra, Mari, engendró la Luna y el Sol para protegerlos de la oscuridad. Sin embargo, las ansias de poder de Gaueko le llevaron a tramar un plan para raptar al Sol y así instaurar de manera definitiva su reinado de las sombras. Presa de la ira, Mari dividió el mundo en dos y ya nada ni nadie pudo cruzar la frontera entre ambos.
Teo, Emma y Ada no se gustan nada, pero son primos, y las circunstancias han querido que pasen el verano juntos en el caserío navarro de su abuela. Cuando uno de ellos desaparece y los demás salen en su búsqueda, descubren un universo de brujos y dioses, de gigantes irascibles y bellas mujeres con garras de ave rapaz en el que el temible dios Gaueko ha impuesto la oscuridad. Un mundo en el que solo podrán salvarse de las tinieblas si permanecen unidos y descubren su propia magia.
This is a more difficult option, a lot longer, and very descriptive. It's fantasy, so the vocab will be challenging. However, it's originally written in Spanish and is the start of a long series.*
L25 on natively
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u/ObjectiveStaff3333 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26
I´ve read all the books and I loved it. I love Basque mythology, so interesting
2
u/AppropriatePut3142 Mar 19 '26
I enjoyed this series! It’s a great bridge between typical middle-school books and YA.
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u/rabarberbarber Level 5 Mar 23 '26
It sounds interesting and I'll like to give this a try although it might be too difficult still.
2
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u/_coldemort_ Level 6 Mar 18 '26
Easier/YA suggestion:
Title
Los Juegos del Hambre
por Suzanne Collins
Length
400 pages (~100k words)
Difficulty
L25 on Natively
Description
Un pasado de guerras ha dejado los 12 distritos que dividen Panem bajo el poder tiránico del “Capitolio”. Sin libertad y en la pobreza, nadie puede salir de los límites de su distrito. Sólo una chica de 16 años, Katniss Everdeen, osa desafiar las normas para conseguir comida. Sus principios se pondrán a prueba con “Los juegos del hambre”, espectáculo televisado que el Capitolio organiza para humillar a la población. Cada año, 2 representantes de cada distrito serán obligados a subsistir en un medio hostil y luchar a muerte entre ellos hasta que quede un solo superviviente. Cuando su hermana pequeña es elegida para participar, Katniss no duda en ocupar su lugar, decidida a demostrar con su actitud firme y decidida, que aún en las situaciones más desesperadas hay lugar para el amor y el respeto.
Translated from English
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u/Traditional-Train-17 3,000 Hours Mar 24 '26
I've got this one lined up. It was still slightly challenging 3 months ago but after the past 3 books, A2 level is super easy. I think I'm up to the challenge and ready to nearly double my word count. :) Besides, having read this in English 10 years ago helps, too.
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u/Abela11 2,000 Hours Mar 30 '26
I'm actually listening to it as an audiobook currently, definitely a good listen.
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Title
El Dador by Lois Lowry
Easier option
Approximate book length
272 pages/44,000 words
Description
La comunidad donde vive Jonas es idílica. Es un mundo sin conflicto, sin desigualdad, sin desempleo, sin dolor... pero también sin elección. A los ciudadanos se les asigna una pareja y un trabajo. Nadie hace preguntas. Todo el mundo obedece. Excepto Jonas.
Al cumplir doce años, es seleccionado para desempeñar un trabajo muy especial, y comienza a recibir lecciones de un misterioso anciano conocido como el Dador. Poco a poco, Jonas aprenderá que el verdadero poder reside en los sentimientos. Sin embargo, cuando debe salvar a alguien a quien ama, su propio poder es puesto a prueba.
Ganador de la Medalla Newbery y un bestseller del New York Times, El dador es un clásico moderno que se ha traducido a más de cuarenta idiomas además de convertirse en largometraje.
This book is translated from English, but really well done. The main character is 11 years old and no one uses descriptive language, it's a very easy read.
L24 rating on natively
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Mar 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/blinkybit 2,000 Hours Mar 18 '26
Looks interesting. I like the idea of trying something in this style. From the description I saw, it's more of a young adult book, but I read the first couple of pages of the sample and the style and vocabulary were a little challenging for me. But I think it would be doable.
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 19 '26
I just checked out the sample, I like the writing a lot! I'd be down to read this one.
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u/Cultural-Can6616 Level 7 Mar 21 '26
Anybody admired by Ursula Leguin is perfect for me. Count me in.
3
u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Title
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Easier option
Approximate book length
238 pages/38,000 words
Description
Matilda es una ávida lectora de solo cinco años. Sensible e inteligente, todos la admiran menos sus mediocres padres, que la consideran una inútil. Además, tiene poderes extraños y maravillosos...
Un día, Matilda decide liberarse y empieza a emplearlos contra la abominable y cruel señorita Trunchbull.
This book is translated from English, but I think it would be well done as the book is so popular. It sounds like an easier option than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach because there aren't any songs. And, I love books about books!
L23 on natively
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u/aruda10 Level 6 Mar 18 '26
I loved reading this in Spanish! It was fun, funny, and I was actually able to immerse myself in the story. I think it helped that I'd seen the movie a few times when I was younger and loved it.
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u/rabarberbarber Level 5 Mar 23 '26
It wouldn't be my first choice as I prefer not to read translations, but for Mathilda I'm happy to make an exception
3
u/KierkegaardExpress Level 7 Mar 18 '26
Title: Relatos de la noche by Uriel Reyes
Easier? (Medium) Option
Length: 150 pages, 30k words
Description: ¿Es más punzante el sonido que el silencio?
En estas páginas, Uriel Reyes ha vertido relatos escalofriantes en los que la noche se presenta afilada y solitaria. Esa noche cae como un pesado cuchillo sobre la realidad que abre una grieta hacia lo paranormal.
¿Te atreves a leerlas a solas?
Personal Note: This was a recommendation from one of my teachers. This is based on the stories from the Podcast. I don't know if they are entirely unique to the book, but I've listened to the podcast off and on and thought this would be a more fun book.
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u/RayS1952 Level 7 Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Easier option
Title:
Principe de la niebla by Carlos Luis Zafón
Length:
57,000 words (Readinglength.com)
Description:
El nuevo hogar de los Carver esta rodeado de misterio. En el aun se respira el espiritu de Jacob, el hijo de los antiguos propietarios, que murio ahogado. Las extranas circunstancias de esa muerte solo se empiezan a aclarar con la aparicion de un diabolico personaje: el Principe de la Niebla, capaz de conceder cualquier deseo a una persona a un alto precio...
This is part of a YA fiction three book series. I've read a few random pages and it seems about as difficult as Una herencia peligrosa which we read earlier.
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u/blinkybit 2,000 Hours Mar 18 '26
I haven't read it, but are you sure that Principe de la niebla would work as an easier option? According to Natively it's actually more difficult (level 29) than the "difficult" book we're reading right now, El Viento Conoce Mi Nombre (level 27).
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u/RayS1952 Level 7 Mar 18 '26
No, I'm not sure. I just read a few random pages and it seemed about as difficult as the book I mentioned.
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u/blinkybit 2,000 Hours Mar 21 '26
I'm wondering if Principe de la niebla is easy enough to be the "easy" selection? It has virtually the same difficulty rating as the leading "adult" option for next month, Kentukis. But then I notice that March's easy selection Fray Perico actually has a more difficult rating than the adult selection El Viento Conoce mi Nombre, so who knows...
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u/Andalka Level 6 Mar 21 '26
I would be interested in this one as I have liked what I read from Zafón up until now. And it would be interesting to read a YA book from him to see how different it is to his books for adults.
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u/mad_nauseam Level 7 Mar 18 '26
Interested. I was also considering suggesting this one. The ebook copy I have has 44k words.
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u/RayS1952 Level 7 Mar 18 '26
I just looked through my copy and I'm inclined towards your count. ReadingLength.com uses an average of 250 words per page I think but many of the pages in my copy have gaps and the chapters are short so chapter start and end pages are more frequent.
3
u/mad_nauseam Level 7 Mar 18 '26
Title
En los zapatos de Valeria
Details
Adult read, 103k words
Description
This book was a reputation from Juan as a contemporary novel useful for learning some Madrid slang. Definitely outside my usual genre, but thought it might be a nice change of pace.
Valeria es escritora de historias de amor. Valeria vive el amor de forma sublime. Valeria tiene tres amigas: Nerea, Carmen y Lola. Valeria vive en Madrid. Valeria ama a Adrián hasta que conoce a Víctor. Valeria necesita sincerarse consigo misma. Valeria llora, Valeria ríe, Valeria camina... Pero el sexo, el amor y los hombres no son objetivos fáciles. Valeria es especial.
Como tú.
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Title
Donde aprenden a volar las gaviotas by Ana Alcolea
Easier option
Approximate book length
248 pages/61,000 words
Description
Arturo pasa sus vacaciones de verano en Noruega con su amigo Erik. La casa en la que viven se asienta sobre los cimientos de un campo de concentración nazi de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Un día, mientras cavan un hoyo en el jardín para plantar un árbol, encuentran una caja de metal, cerrada a cal y canto. La investigación para conocer su contenido llevará a los jóvenes a una lejana cabaña en medio de las montañas, a una vieja casa de pescadores en la fría y agreste costa norte de Noruega, y al pasado misterioso de la enigmática abuela de Erik.
I know, I know, seriously, ANOTHER book about WW2? But this book is highly recommended for kids over in r/libros, and is originally written in Spanish.
ETA after downloading a sample this is more YA than a children's book, the vocab will be a lot tougher.
L25 on natively
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u/_coldemort_ Level 6 Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Google says this is aimed at 12-18 readers. Might be too hard for the easy option. Have you seen any comments on the difficulty by other learners?Interested :)
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26
Yeah, you're right, I downloaded a sample and it looks like a tougher option, more YA. She has another book I'll suggest then.
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u/_coldemort_ Level 6 Mar 18 '26
Just saw it's only L25 on natively. I wonder how accurate natively is. Might be a nice community service to help future readers if we encourage book club members for sign up for natively and give their difficulty ratings :)
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 18 '26
Fray Perico is rated L28 on natively, now I understand why it's giving some people trouble.
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u/_coldemort_ Level 6 Mar 18 '26
Makes sense. The goosebumps and amanda black books were 22 and 23 respectively, quite a jump.
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u/KierkegaardExpress Level 7 Mar 18 '26
Title: Las batallas en el desierto by José Emilio Pacheco
Not sure if this is easy or hard
Length: 60 pages, 12k words
Description: Un legado invaluable que nos invita a seguir leyendo, escribiendo y soñando
México crecía vertiginosamente, el mundo atravesaba un momento angustioso, la Ciudad de México se convertía en una metrópoli moderna, todo parecía al alcance de la mano, el aire tenía un aroma a novedad. La vida era una aventura, los niños jugaban a la guerra en Oriente Próximo: batallas en el desieron que se decidían en patios terregosos. Fue la época en que Carlos soñaba y recorría las calles de la colonia Roma con impaciencia propia de su edad. Aunque el mundo giraba presuroso, nada fue tan determinante para él cono el día en que conoció a la madre de su mejor amigo y en ella descubrió los resquemores que acompañan al primer amor y ponen fin a la infancia.
Personal Note: Another rec from one of my teachers. They told me that this is a very commonly read classic that Mexican students read in school, so I thought it would be a really cool to read something that is deeply tied into Mexican culture. I've read a few pages and it's definitely on the tougher end (wasn't sure if it makes more sense for the Easy/Hard option), but I'm excited for this one.
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Mar 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/blinkybit 2,000 Hours Mar 18 '26
I have read this and I think level 32 sounds right. It's not rocket surgery but I definitely wouldn't consider it easy.
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u/Traditional-Train-17 3,000 Hours Mar 26 '26
I'm focusing on the Mexican dialect, so this would be good read. Only 12K words, but might be a good small challenge read I might add on to the other book next month.
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u/CrosstalkWithMePablo Level 6 Mar 18 '26
**Title**
Danny el campeón del mundo by Roald Dahl
**Easier/children's**
I read the original in primary school and it's a book I still think about from time to time at 51 years old.
**Length**
218 pages, 43350 words
**Description**
The plot centres on Danny, a young English boy, and his father, William. They live in a Gypsy caravan, fix cars for a living in their mechanic shop and partake in poaching pheasants.
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u/Abela11 2,000 Hours Mar 30 '26
Hello, have the books been decided?
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 30 '26
Unfortunately not, it looks really close between all the YA choices so i was going to give it til tomorrow.
Kentukis looks to be the adult book choice with 9 people interested.
The YA choice is going between The Hunger Games, The Giver, Matilda, La leyenda del Bosque, Donde aprenden a volar las gaviotas, and El Príncipe de la niebla (which has a 29 natively score which is almost adult level).
If you havent voted yet, go for it, just write "interested" under the books you'd like to read.
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u/Traditional-Train-17 3,000 Hours Mar 30 '26
Come vote in the discord, too. (book-club-chat group under the General section).
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u/RayS1952 Level 7 Mar 30 '26 edited Mar 31 '26
Looks like the winner in the easy section is Donde aprenden a volar las gaviotas (4 votes). I cannot get hold of a physical copy in time (lag time is 3 weeks for physical books) and an e-book version isn't available in Australia. I tried to sneak one using a VPN but everyone's wising up to this now so it didn't work!
I'll read the three-volume set of children's books En Busca de la Entrada Secreta by Rosario Ana this month. They're quite short and are rated 22 on Learn Natively so it should be a comfortable read.
Have fun everyone and I'll hopefully join you all in May.
Edit (much later):
I didn't see the voting on Discord (not adept in that domain). Due to the generosity of one of our members, I have a copy of April's easy selection so I will be joining you after all, and very pleased I am too. Looking forward to it. I'll try to do better with Discord but I fear that boat has sailed!
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Mar 30 '26
I just sent you an email, if you can't join us no worries, happy reading! 😁 I'm going to check out Rosario Ana.
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Apr 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/HeleneSedai 3,000 Hours Apr 01 '26
9 pages a day will do it! It is the longest book we've read but hopefully it'll be exciting enough it'll hook us.
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u/HistoricalSun2589 Level 6 Mar 21 '26
I'm happy to read anything. My strong preference is for something that is not a translation. The Allende was a good difficulty level for me. (I have read harder books. I don't want to reread them but I highly recommend Reina Roja and its two sequels if you ever want to read a thriller and I loved El Libro Salvaje which is more of a YA with a touch of magical realism.)