August 22, 2024 by Rafael Parra Our Top Picks 0 comments

Top 10 Science Fiction Spanish Books for Adults (with PDFs)

Spanish books come in all shapes and sizes. And, even if those shapes are almost always rectangular, it’s what’s between the pages that matters the most.

Today, we’ll talk specifically about science fiction. This timeless literary genre creates fantastical worlds where technology is advanced and life is adventurous. These imaginary worlds offer us an easier descent into challenging topics.

Stories about politics, war, and social issues are often the focus of science fiction narratives, which are made entertaining by the imaginations of the authors who invent these futuristic worlds.

Keep reading to discover 10 science fiction Spanish books to read and hone your Spanish in the process.

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Reading Tips for Spanish Books

Reading Spanish books can seem overwhelming at first, but it’s a great way to improve your fluency! By using context clues and dictionaries, you can learn a ton from these books.

Check out the following 3 tips to make your reading experience more enjoyable.

1. Build a Glossary

When you’re reading literature in a foreign language, you will often come across words that you don’t understand. When my mom was reading To Kill a Mockingbird, she would keep a sheet of paper where she would write down all the words and phrases that she didn’t understand. I remember her telling me the book was a fun challenge because of this!

If you’re more like me and prefer to use technology over paper, you can make a word document or use a sticky note app to keep track of all the new words.

2. Read Alongside an Audiobook

Audiobooks are a great way to pick up the pace and accent of a native speaker. This tip is useful when you’re a listener rather than a reader, and while you might have to pause every now and then to catch up, you will train your ear to keep up with some of the fastest Spanish talkers out there.

3. Re-read a Book in Spanish

So, you already read Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy three times and are itching for the fourth run through your favorite book series? Why not read it in Spanish instead?

Knowing the story is a huge help when reading the book again in another language, so picking books that you’ve read in English before is a great option if you’re a bookworm. I’ll include some classics on this list — choose one if you want to try out this strategy.

Top 10 Science Fiction Spanish Books

1. Viaje al Centro de la Tierra (Jules Verne, 1864)

A great place to start talking about science fiction is the classic french author Jules Verne. This tale of a fantastic journey into the center of the earth starts when a professor finds an ancient scroll that gives them instructions on how they reach the earth’s core.

This classic tale is a great example of how we project our sense of wonder into the unknown, finding adventure and important lessons along the way. If you want to re-read a book you’ve already read in English, this might be a great fit! Check out the PDF for the Spanish version of this book.

2. Identidad Compartida (Rafael Baralt Lovera, 2015)

This science fiction novel by a Venezuelan author tells a story of love, escapism, and cloning. A world where people can make clones of themselves to have in case they need a transplant or blood transfusion poses ethical questions.

The author explores the potential repercussions of cloning while telling the story of a young man who finds his clone. To learn more, check out the book on Amazon!

3. Yo, Robot (Isaac Asimov, 1950)

This classic by Russian author Isaac Asimov is on the must-read list of any science fiction fan. That’s why it’s another great option for re-reading in Spanish. This book is the inspiration for countless science fiction books, even today! It’s almost uncanny how robots are getting more humanlike as the years go by. If you want to know where to get this book, you can ask Siri. Or, check out the PDF.

4. La Invención de Morel (Adolfo Bioy Casares, 1940)

It’s hard to talk about this story without spoiling any of the great bits you’ll find when reading it. This is one of the classic Spanish books that will keep you on your toes with mysteries to solve and interesting characters.

La invención de Morel is the diary of a fugitive on an island plagued with a rare disease. What causes this disease? Read it to find out! Here’s the PDF.

5. El Aleph (Jorge Luis Borges, 1949)

El Aleph tells the story of a writer who desperately tries to preserve the source of his inspiration, which lies in the basement of a house that’s about to be demolished. What’s more, he’s being pestered by a terrible poet who wants to get his work published.

This classic story by Jorge Luis Borges is one of the most famous works of the prolific Argentine writer. It’s more of a short story, so you can take a weekend to read if you want something on the lighter side. Check out the PDF for El Aleph.

6. El Mapa del Tiempo (Félix J. Palma, 2008)

This science fiction story takes place in 1876. I thought science fiction was supposed to be about the future?! Well, this story tells precisely that when two characters time travel into the future and past to find new love and prevent untimely death.

This book asks the age-old question: What happens if we change our past? Sometimes, it’s better to live in the present, with all the good and the bad. Get the book on Amazon.

7. Veintemil Leguas de Viaje Submarino (Jules Verne, 1870)

Coming back to another classic by Jules Verne, Veintemil Leguas de Viaje Submarino is another amazing option. The first book we talked about explored the depths of the earth, and now we’re going into the darkest parts of the ocean!

As creepy and unsettling as that may be, this book provides a claustrophobic and thrilling adventure as the prisoners try to escape from a vessel and its eccentric captain.

8. Las Constelaciones Oscuras (Pola Oloixarac, 2015)

This book touches on one of my favorite topics: user privacy. This ingenious novel tells the story of three characters who live in a world where data mining and user privacy reach the corners of our DNA.

This is one of the most contemporary stories you’ll find when it comes to books in Spanish. Hackers and biologists star in this amazing story that predicts a grim future with genetic engineering. Get Las Constelaciones Oscuras on Amazon.

9. Kentukis (Samanta Schweblin, 2018)

Do you remember having a Tamagotchi as a kid? Or maybe a friend of yours had one of those cute gremlin cousins called Furby’s. This book is analogous to social media and puts an artificial intelligence twist to it.

There‘s a new technological sensation in the world called Kentukis, plush toys with AI that let you connect with the private lives of others. Think of it as a fusion between a pet and social media. These toys end up becoming a reflection of the people who use them, and so we have cute and friendly Kentukis, as well as some creepy ones.

10. Plan de Evasión (Adolfo Bioy Casares, 1945)

This book is full of mystery! The protagonist of this adventure seeks out a temporary job as a prison guard on a Caribbean island. As the days go by, he finds that some inmates and staff members are acting… strange. I can’t say too much without spoiling the book, but Plan de Evasión is a great pick if you’re into science fiction and reading spooky stuff.

Keep Reading, Get Smart!

Spanish books can bring a world of discovery and learning to your foreign language experience. If you want to discuss any of the topics of these books, or the vocabulary in them, take a free class with one of our certified teachers! They will help you figure out anything that might elude you, as well as clarify vocabulary words related to your favorite topics.

What’s your favorite science fiction book in Spanish? Let us know in a comment!

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Rafael Parra

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

A native Spanish speaker from Guatemala, I'm a psychology student, creative developer, and aspiring polymath who's always learning new things and improving as a person. I'm a nerd when it comes to language, education, and videogames. My goal is to practice all these disciplines in unison and make something great with my time.