I have had an on-again, off-again goal to learn Spanish for some years now. It’s just something I want to do for myself.
Some years ago I got very earnest about learning Spanish, particularly reading it. I went to downtown L.A. and picked up some Spanish language Harlequin Romances at some of the newstands down there. I figured that Harlequins are generally trivial fluff, so if my newbie Spanish-language skills failed me in comprehension a few times while reading, well, it was just a Harlequin, not some serious novel. (Besides, once in a blue moon I read Harlequins in English anyway, so reading them in Spanish seems like a natural progression!)
I also used to get these sort of spanish-language comic books or graphic novels down at these downtown newstands. They weren’t typical comic books—if memory serves, they were smaller (perhaps half the size of a paperback book—perhaps 4x4") and the topics were usually regular fiction or drama (pulp novel stuff), like murder mysteries, that sort of thing. The artwork was usually pretty decent. I no longer can get down to L.A. to see if these graphic novels are still available—does anyone know if they are still being made, or where I can pick some up for cheap? They’re not that important but I always thought they were kind of cool.
Well, I’m deciding to brush up my skills again, so along with some instructional books, it’s back to the Spanish Harlequins. But it’s been an eye-opener. Look at what a this one sells for (used) on Amazon.com. :eek: Some are a lot cheaper, but a lot are quite expensive and none are dirt cheap. (Does anyone have a theory as to why this is?)
I went through a Harlequin-reading binge (English version) a while ago and they are selling in lots of 20 or so for a few bucks on eBay. Essentially, pennies for each book. I never anticipated that the Spanish ones would be so pricey.
Now, I can always get the books new on Harlequin’s site for $4 each and I’m willing to do that, (and truly, how many Spanish language Harlequins will I want to read?) but I’m still interested in finding sources for inexpensive Harlequin (or Silhouette romances) in Spanish. Any help or insights will be appreciated!
Tus ojos son tan bonitos como el cielo, tu cuerpo es tan suave como la seda más magnífico, y tu pelo es, es… no puedo describirlo, es muy bonita. Tú eres mi vivo. ¿Quieres hacerlo?
emekthian makes no guarantees about whether this would get you a slap in the face or a confused look if you tried it with a Spanish speaking woman
Anyway, I would suggest going to your local Little (Havana, Mexico City, Puerto Rico, etc.) and checking out any Spanish language bookstores in that area.
What’s scary is that even after all these years, and even though my Spanish is pretty rusty, I understood most of what you said here! Bravo to you for making it simple (and bravo to me for remembering as much as I did!) Thanks!
Yeah, I’d be careful about that . . .
Good idea! I am not very familiar with the area and I don’t think it’ll compare to downtown L.A., (which, as you might imagine, has a significant Spanish-speaking population) but it might have something. Thanks!
One author I’ve really enjoyed reading in Spanish is Arturo Perez Reverte. I got the books from Amazon, and they weren’t cheap, but I felt it was a good investment. Maybe you can find them used. The books are mysteries with some romantic elements, and he uses the language beautifully. When my husband travels occasionally to Mexico, he visits a bookstore to pick up a few mysteries for me, also.
If there is a library in your area they may carry Spanish language novels, and may sell some if they have an annual book sale.
Thanks, Harriet! I looked up that author on Amazon and will be on the prowl for used copies! That author sounds like someone I’d like. And thanks for the library idea as well. It’s worth a look.
Also, Like Water for Chocolate/Como Agua Para Chocolate is romantic, yet uses fairly simple language and construction. Good for practicing your flow.
Also, last time I checked our local Barnes & Noble, they had a rockin’ Spanish language section. Stephen King, Isabel Allende, Chicken Soup for the Hack’s Soul…etc.
There’s also Reader’s Digest in Spanish, and a publication called ¡Mira! which is like an Enquirer in Spanish available at my local grocer. You’ll learn a million new ways to say “booty” (pompis, detraseros, nalgas, cola…)
A book I really liked was El Cartero de Neruda. It takes place in Chile in the '70s around the time of Allende and Pinochet, so it’s political in the background. However, the main story is about a fifteen-year-old boy falling in love with a girl and with poetry, and I really think you should read this book! It’s by Antonio Skarmeta. I read it in my upper-intermediate level Spanish class; it was the first novel I ever read in Spanish, and it was a bit of a challenge, but I really enjoyed it.
Wow, thanks, guys! I love this board! You guys are great!
You know, I realized that the last time I was trying to immerse myself in Spanish, it was during a pre-Internet era (for me). Things are so much different now. So many Spanish-language options on the Internet. That’s going to really help a lot.
I also checked my satellite dish’s programming, and we do get one Spanish language station. I started watching a little bit of it (with subtitles on—reading the words really help me) and I actually kind of comprehended some of what was being said. I’m very rusty, but so much of it is so close to the surface. I am hoping that it won’t take too long to refresh my memory . . . Of course, I’ve got a long way to go, but I did get to a certain point before and I hope I can catch up to that point fairly quickly again and then go past it. :crossing fingers:
Well, I thought I’d boot this thread up with an update. I broke down and bought some books from the eHarlequin.com. They were actually cheaper (in price and with shipping) than they would be on Amazon, which is unusual, since I usually find Amazon to be less expensive. I found some cheaper used Harlequins on Amazon (some in the $1-2 range, used) but none of the penny books that I sometimes see for the English versions of these books. Damn! Oh well.
I also found some favorite childhood books (Little House on the Prarie, etc.) in Spanish on Amazon, so I’ve got them on my list!
I’m glad you found my earlier suggestions somewhat helpful.
One thing I’d recommend to get the most benefit from your reading is to focus on books where Spanish is the original language. You may think Little House on the Prairie would be good, but it’s possible the translator did a bad job, and you’ll find the wording to be artifical or just plain wrong. I once read The Color Purple in Spanish. That was not a good reading experience. So the original language the book was written in can make a big difference.
Even more than TV, I find listening to music helps me keep my Spanish current. Mecano is a group I’d particularly recommend. Their lyrics are very literate and the singer, Ana Torroja, who also has solo albums, has a beautiful, clear voice.
My high school Spanish teacher really wanted me to read Sisters/Hermanas by Gary Paulsen before I graduated, but I never got around to it. It’s a young adult book told in both Spanish and English. You can read the Spanish version first and then read the English version to sort of test your comprehension.
There also appears to be a version of Hatchet in Spanish and English.
(Besides, once in a blue moon I read Harlequins in English anyway, so reading them in Spanish seems like a natural progression!)
