If you really can’t stand (or speak) Spanish and just need a break : a run down of your English language literature options in Madrid, Spain.
I know, you feel guilty about it. You’re in a foreign country, you’re supposed to immerse yourself in the culture. But what you really want is a day to curl up with a bad (or even a good) novel and effortlessly enjoy the sight of your mother tongue. It’s ok, we won’t judge you. Besides, if you’re just passing through, chances are you haven’t mastered the language. And sometimes, after days of struggling with the three phrases you remember from 9th grade Spanish and endless pantomiming, you just want to lay your eyes on some English.
Luckily, Madrid being the cosmopolitan place it is, and thanks to it’s growing British and Irish population, you’ve got many places to go to get something to read. Avoid new books if you’re on a budget, English lit in Spain is expensive (the average paperback running from €10-20), second-hand stores are your best budget option (usually between 4 and 8 €).
THE BIGGIES
I will be frank, these will probably not be your best options, but if you want a quick novel and money is no object, they’ll do in a pinch. And if you’re in Madrid long-term they will usually order you a title if they don’t have it in stock.
-
FNAC
Located in Plaza Callao, this mega-store is Europe’s answer to Borders or Barnes & Noble. Look for “Idiomas” on the 2nd floor, amble past the grammar books and travel guides and you’ll find a decent but pricey selection of classics and some new titles, mostly fiction. And after you’re done you can load up on DVDs and music as well. They’ve also got a silent reading nook so you can browse as long as you like before you buy.
-
Casa Del Libro
Another biggie, but all dedicated to books. The largest central store is only a stone’s throw from FNAC at Calle Gran Via, 29. Similar selection of classics, and some new titles, hidden in the back on the ground floor.
THE INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS
Not one of the mega-stores, but it is entirely dedicated to foreign language books, a big favorite of English teachers in Madrid (well, those with steady income, cuz as the books are new, they’re still pricey). But for the budget traveler, worry not! There are more and more used book stores popping up all the time! These two specialize in English books and combine reading with drinking, with a bar/café upstairs and the bookstore below!
-
J&J’s Books and Coffee
This little store was opened in 2003 by Jamie, an American expat, and her Spanish husband Javi (hence the two J’s). The bar’s just been remodeled to fit a few more café-sipping expats into it’s cozy interior, the bar-staff are always bilingual and book-savvy. In addition to a good selection of fiction (and the classics, which are priced super cheap!) there are activities, like language exchange nights and a Trivia Quiz on Fridays. And free WIFI!
J&J’s Books and Coffee shop
C/ Espiritu Santo 47
Metro Noviciado
-
Bacchus
Bacchus is Madrid’s newest hangout for bookish expat types. There’s slightly more room to spread out in Bachhus’ upstairs café and always good company and friendly helpful bar staff. They too have a quiz night (on Wednesdays), language exchanges, and free WIFI. It’s easy to spend quite a while sipping one of their many teas, and browsing their collection, again, mainly strong on fiction.
Bacchus bookstore
C/Melendez Valdez, 52
Metros Moncloa or Arguelles
There are also book stores that have a variety of foreign language books, some with a good English selection.
-
Pasajes International Bookshop
Don’t let this store’s relatively modest facade mislead you. Venture inside, walk past the heavy-looking Spanish philosophy books, go downstairs, past the French lit and you will be pleasantly surprised by the fantastic selection of (new) English books. There’s the regular selection of classic literature, but a much better selection of contemporary fiction and non-fiction than you’ll find at FNAC or Casa del Libro. Any bookstore carrying a book about all things Big Lebowski prominently displayed next to an alternative history of Britain is at the top of my list!
Pasajes International Bookshop
C/ Génova Nº 3.
Metro Alonso Martinez
-
La Libreria de Lavapiés
This little shop in the quirky multicultural neighborhood of Lavapiés has a small selection of English language fiction tucked into it’s back room along with a couple of other languages. If you just need something for that next train ride, it’ll certainly do. Also good for book-lover presents like journals.
La Libreria de Lavapiés book shop
C/Argumosa, 39
Metro Lavapiés
-
Petra’s: The International Bookshop
This is one of the more well-established second-hand bookshops, dealing with various languages. It’s selection isn’t as good as some of the afore-mentioned places, and a lot of their stuff is hardback, which most other stores don’t bother buying. But again, it’s worth a browse for airplane ride literature and if you need a pick-me-up, they offer free coffee and tea while you peruse.
Petr’as book store
C/ Campoamanes Nº 13.
Metro Opera
PRESS
If you’ve been traveling for a while and really just want to catch up on current events, you can also easily find English language newspapers and magazines.
-
VIPS
This massive chain of restaurants and food & gift shops have a selection of press as well. In the larger shops (such as on Gran Via or C/ Fuencarral) there will be English Language newspapers, usually British, such as the Guardian, as well as magazines like Time, Newsweek, the Economist, People, or Wired.
-
Your Local Kiosk
Most of the street corner news agents won’t have international press, but there are exceptions at major central locations, such as on Plaza Puerta del Sol, or one near Metro Bilbao (outside the Cafe Comercial), another near Plaza Callao, etc… The selection varies, and you may not have many choices. They are often disappointingly full of British tabloids like the Sun, but you can usually get the International Herald Tribune.
-
Local Press
And of course if you want to pick up something to read in English about Madrid, there are a couple of English language mags. In Madrid, and The Broadsheet, are both monthly publications. In Madrid is available for free in expat hangouts, like most Irish Bars and some of the bookstores listed above, and caters more to the study abroad, young expat demographic. The Broadsheet’s a glossy mag, costs a couple euros and caters more to the older somewhat British crowd.
Photo of old books in Almoneda, Madrid originally posted by zsita
13 responses to “How to find English language books in Madrid”
Report an inappropriate commentMay 4th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Thanks for the list, Karina. I’m Bookmarking this post incase I ever decide to visit that end of Europe.
I know you’re probably sick of hearing this, but I really enjoyed you on Mobuzz. What am I saying, I still do! You’re gonna make it big, and if you need a hand, I can slap together a blog for ya and promote it via my blog, which pulls in between 500 to 800 unique visitors a day, watching over a thousand music videos.
It’s all legal. I find them on YouTube.
About me: I’m a writer, award winning artist, video editor, carpenter, website/blog designer, programmer, and marketer.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Thank you very much for this post. Am actually Spanish (from the Canary Islands), living at Salamanca. I’ll be spending a few hours at Madrid on my way back home and there’s this book I really want to read and I cant find anywhere. Well, I can find in Spanish but I would much rather read the original. Your guidance is definitely going to be helpful.
July 13th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Karina, I have to start by thanking you for the information but I wanted to tell you that I am in Madrid now and I find what you said very very useful. Also you write in a nice and unique style, I have read some other reviews of yours.
Good luck whatever you do.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Hi,
I noticed that you didn´t have Bookworld España on your list. It´s an english language bookshop in Goya (C/Goya 56 esq. Francisca Moreno). All types of books, all in English
May 4th, 2009 at 9:59 am
You just saved my day, Karina! : ) Thx a ton for having posted this for people like me… Just moved here from London, though I’m Austrian, craving for some good fiction in English. Can’t wait to venture out and find me a nice novel. Thanks again!
August 11th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Hi Karina,
I noticed that you forgot provably the most important one, Booksellers, S.A. since 1986 in Madrid with two branches. Recomended for British Institutes (British Council)
August 28th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Bacchus seems to be closed. We tried to find and found nothing and we called and received a message that the number did not pertain to anyone. J&J is absolutely great!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Well that’s a great list, I’m lucky to find this, maybe I’ll go for some book-hunting. And by the way do you know any bookstore specilized in American academic books? Basically, I’m in need of some university books in English.
Thanks
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
THANKS KARINA, BUT YOU FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE: BOOKSELLERS BOOKSHOPS IN FERNANDEZ DE LA HOZ, 40 AND PLAZA OLAVIDE, 10. AND THE SECOND ONE PASAJES IN GENOVA, 3.
July 31st, 2010 at 2:28 am
“If you really can’t stand (or speak) Spanish… ”
If you cant stand spanish then gtfo of spain, that was a terrible way to start the article. Still useful all the same but maybe you should consider the fact that many spanish people pick up english books to learn the language, a sign of respect for a foreign language you seem to have forgotten
July 31st, 2010 at 3:26 am
@Gandalf – admittedly its a strong sentiment to express in the opening line, and I apologize if it offended you but it’s just meant to grab someone’s attention. As for your assessment I don’t think you shouldn’t make so many assumptions because of it. I’m merely proposing that it is possible that foreigners get frustrated and want a dose of their native language.”Can’t stand” is simply meant to speak to that frustration, but I can see where you might interpret it as you have.
Some people will be visiting for business or a short vacation and it’s totally normal that people visit countries where they do not speak the language, otherwise those of us who only speak a few (or even just one) language would pretty much have to stay at home, and that’s no fun.
I myself speak fluent Spanish, so there’s no need at all to assume I don’t respect foreign language. Not everyone who visits a foreign country does it to live there as I did, and this blog is meant for all types of travelers.
February 18th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
I AM TRYING TO TRACE TWO BOOKS:
DUKE, MADELEINE:THE HOLY MURDERER’S DEATH
GARY LEON HILL: PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE DE DEATH
DO YOU KEEP THEM IN STOCK? OR CAN PROVIDE ANY INFO. PERTAINING TOTAL PRICES AFTER DELIVERY?
lOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.
July 11th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Wow, this list was really helpful. Thanks!
Leave a comment