Books
144 newsIt keeps the Spanish angle clear, linking public decisions, local events and everyday practical impact. Updates are written for English-language readers who need clear Spain-focused context without losing the human detail behind each story.
Premio Planeta draws record 1,424 entries for 75th edition
Felipe VI and Letizia presided over the 75th Premio Planeta ceremony in Barcelona. The winner receives €1 million, and this year’s contest drew a record 1,424 entries from around the world.
Letizia chooses a customised Sybilla gown for Planeta awards
Queen Letizia wore a customised black Sybilla gown with PDPAOLA earrings at the 75th Premios Planeta in Barcelona. The winner received €1 million from a record field of 1,424 manuscripts.
Cartagena’s book fair brings young readers back to paper
Hundreds of primary pupils took part in a book challenge at Cartagena’s fair. Local booksellers say interest in reading is growing among children and teenagers, with paper books still holding their ground.
Cartagena’s Book Fair Opens at Plaza Juan XXIII
The 33rd Feria del Libro runs from 14 to 18 October, with 32 stalls and a programme featuring Sergio del Molino. School visits and children’s events are also scheduled.
Spanish royals will preside over Planeta Prize’s 75th gala
King Felipe and Queen Letizia are due at the Barcelona ceremony on Thursday. The contest drew a record 1,424 manuscripts; nine finalists remain after one entry was removed for prior publication.
Barcelona hotel gives a writer’s pen name architectural form
At Sir Victor, curved limestone and a library connect the hotel to Caterina Albert i Paradís, who wrote under the name Víctor Català.
Philip Hoare reads William Blake through the whale
In Barcelona, Hoare traces Blake’s sea creatures through Melville and T. E. Lawrence. His 520-page book takes an associative route that can leave readers searching for the thread.
Johnson & Johnson faces a deepening fight over trust
Gardiner Harris accuses Johnson & Johnson of lethal marketing and corruption. His book links major products to millions of deaths and a Spanish health scandal, while available sources do not independently confirm the estimate of two million deaths.
Anne Carson Puts Translation at Literature’s Center
Anne Carson turns translation into a literary act. Her Nobel recognition follows books where damaged texts, modern lives and classical forms occupy the same page.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso turns her life into Íntimo
Isabel Díaz Ayuso will publish Íntimo on 2 December 2026. The book covers her childhood, political career, private life and the COVID-19 pandemic, while its treatment of a disputed Chamberí penthouse remains unknown.
Spotify rolls out Audiolibros Plus with 350,000 audiobooks in Spain
Spotify is shaking up the Spanish audiobook scene with Audiolibros Plus. The new subscription brings over 350,000 titles and fresh listening features to users across Spain.
Forgotten queen returns to Madrid spotlight in new historical novel
Margarita de Borbón y Parma, once erased from Spain’s royal narrative, emerges at the heart of a new novel that reimagines Madrid as a beacon of ambition and resilience. The book challenges the silence around her legacy.
Miriam Garlo turns deafness into a fight for identity
Miriam Garlo won the Goya for best new actress. Her novel revisits years of isolation and the struggle to accept deaf identity, after sign language changed how she understood herself.
Jerez Book Fair draws 18,154 visitors in 2026
Jerez's 2026 Book Fair drew 18,154 visitors, up from 17,300 at the previous edition. Its wider family and cultural programme helped push the event beyond the usual book-fair format.
Julio Llamazares wins Spain's 2026 National Narrative Prize
Julio Llamazares has received Spain's 2026 National Narrative Prize for 'El viaje de mi padre'. The novel follows his father's wartime route across Aragón, including the Battle of Teruel, and extends a connection with the region that began with Ainielle.
Julio Llamazares to receive Spain's National Narrative Prize
Julio Llamazares will receive Spain's National Narrative Prize for El viaje de mi padre. The €30,000 award recognises a career shaped by memory, abandoned landscapes and the human cost of war.
Julio Llamazares wins Spain’s National Narrative Prize
Julio Llamazares has received Spain’s National Narrative Prize for 2026. His book follows his father’s journey through the Civil War and the scars it left behind.
Maruja Torres faces Zapatero jewel scandal and the loss of ideals
Maruja Torres returns with a book that refuses to look back. She threads Beirut, grief, and political letdown into a raw look at happiness and the failures of those once trusted. Her voice cuts through as sharp as ever.
Almodóvar and Cercas receive France's highest cultural honour
At Casa Velázquez in Madrid, Emmanuel Macron honoured Pedro Almodóvar as an officer of the Legion of Honour and Javier Cercas as an officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. His speech tied their work to Spain's democratic story and Europe's shared culture.
Gonzalo Suárez Remains a Bookseller in Manuel Jabois's Memory
Manuel Jabois recalls meeting Gonzalo Suárez in Madrid. The filmmaker, writer, journalist and actor stayed with him as the bookseller who showed him the shelves, even after Suárez's death brought his long public career back into view.
Gonzalo Suárez dies at 92, and Spanish culture loses its rebel
Gonzalo Suárez died at home in Madrid on September 29, 2026, aged 92. His restless career moved through cinema, literature, journalism and fantasy without accepting the usual rules of success.
Gonzalo Suárez leaves Spanish cinema with a restless legacy
Gonzalo Suárez has died at his Madrid home aged 92. He leaves behind 21 films and a literary career shaped by experimentation.
Carlos Tatay returns to racing after life changing Moto2 crash
After a devastating Moto2 accident left him in a wheelchair, Carlos Tatay refused to give up on competition. His journey through rehabilitation, depression, and a new career in adapted motorsport now inspires a new generation.
Eduardo Rodríguez 'Rodway' dies at 81 in Cádiz
Eduardo Rodríguez 'Rodway', Triana's founding guitarist, died at 81 in Cádiz. He was the last surviving member of the original lineup, and his death closes a long fight over the band's name.
Report of Spanish theatre critic Marcos Ordóñez's death remains unconfirmed
Marcos Ordóñez has been reported dead at 69 after a major career in Spanish theatre criticism. His work linked performance with literature, cinema, music and popular culture, though the death report has not been independently confirmed.
Spain's literary festivals put books on stage
More than 90 literary festivals now operate across Spain. A dispute over sponsorship in Madrid tested the model, but the programme went ahead with leading international and Spanish authors.
Judicial crisis in Spain exposes fragility of rule of law
Spain’s judiciary faces mounting pressure as political interference and public distrust grow. Leading lawyer Javier Cremades warns that without mercy and respect for the courts, the rule of law is at risk. His new book dissects the roots of the crisis.
Zadie Smith explores uncertainty in her new essay collection
Zadie Smith's new book gathers essays from nearly a decade. She examines art, politics, and personal memory. The collection stands out for its openness to doubt and change.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte Watches Europe Fade, Without Illusions
At 74, Arturo Pérez-Reverte calls witnessing Europe's decline a privilege. The acclaimed author prepares to release new novels while reflecting on the erosion of the world he once knew.
Barcelona’s García Márquez Library Shuts as Staff Strike Escalates
Barcelona’s municipal libraries, including the acclaimed García Márquez, remain closed as staff extend their indefinite strike. Workers demand better pay, improved schedules, and safer conditions. Negotiations with the city are stalled.
RTVE Play Releases First Episodes of 'La amiga estupenda'
The acclaimed Italian series 'La amiga estupenda' debuts new episodes on La 1 and RTVE Play. The first three episodes are now available for streaming. The story follows the evolving friendship of Elena Greco and Lila Cerullo in 1950s Naples.
Juan Tamariz, Legendary Spanish Magician, Dies at 83 in Madrid
Juan Tamariz, a pioneer of Spanish magic and television, has died in Madrid at 83. His impact shaped generations of illusionists. His daughter confirmed the news. The magician's legacy remains unmatched.
Madrid Libraries Spark Outcry Over Lorca Death Description
Madrid's municipal libraries faced backlash after calling Lorca's killing a 'death'. The city quickly deleted the post and issued a correction. The incident reignited debate over historical memory and language.
From Jobless Coach to World Champion: Luis de la Fuente’s Unlikely Rise
Luis de la Fuente once scanned newspapers for coaching jobs in Getxo. Thirteen years later, he led Spain to its second World Cup title. His journey from unemployment to the pinnacle of world football reveals the power of persistence and adaptation.
J.K. Rowling Names 'Deathly Hallows: Part 1' Her Top Harry Potter Film
J.K. Rowling has identified 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1' as her preferred film in the series. The author shared her view during a recent event, sparking discussion among fans.
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