The 15 best Spanish language audiobooks of 2023

From the moment I pressed play, I knew that my connection to the story would be one that I'd never forget. Set in California between the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, Lessons in Chemistry finds master chemist-turned-single mother Elizabeth Zott at the end of a strange proposal—she's just been offered a job hosting a cooking show. While reluctant at first, Elizabeth decides to become the host of "Supper at Six," since cooking is chemistry, after all. What Elizabeth doesn't anticipate is daring women to change the status quo with her unusual approach to kitchen essentials. Susana Ballesteros was the narration icing on this already wonderful cake. And just in case you needed another reason to listen to Lecciones de quimica before watching the Apple+ TV adaptation, the story features a dog with quite a lot to say. —Patty R.

In her latest novel, Isabel Allende has woven together a powerful, historical fiction tale in which she combines the past and present—highlighting the tragic devastations caused by family separation. Told in alternating POVs, the story centers on Samuel, a young man who was made an orphan at the age of five by Nazis in 1940s Austria; Leticia, who lost her family to political violence in 1980s El Salvador; and Anita, who in 2019 is separated from her mother at the US-Mexico border. The novel progresses with the three lives intertwining as they search for a path forward. The full cast performance added a level of depth to the story that filled me with emotion long after I finished listening. El viento conoce mi nombre is deeply moving, rooted in tragic histories, but ultimately beautiful and hopeful. —P.R.

Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing speaks to me like no other author does. As a Dominican American, I find her representation of the culture to be on-point, and her exploration of mother-daughter-sisterhood themes throughout all her works are relatable across cultures. Her latest is told from the perspectives of six different women in the Dominican American Marte family, who have various ancestral “gifts”—from seeing the truth to having incredible dance skills. Kianny Antigua delivers a performance that left me thankful to listen. To me, Family Lore proves that Acevedo will always be a poet, whether her writing is prose or in verse. —Edwin D.

The excitement surrounding the release of En la sombra was unparalleled, and it did not disappoint. With delicate vulnerability, Prince Harry takes us through the stages of grief, anger, and denial that influenced his formative years. One cannot help but notice that he's followed in his mother's footsteps in more ways than one. Aleix Peña Miralles delivers a remarkable performance, managing to convey the intimacy of these memories in which the eternal power of love seems to emerge more than once. —P.R.

A writer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, Daniel Habif is also known as one of the most important inspirational Spanish-speaking lecturers in the world. Ruge ("Roar" in English) oscillates between poems and reflections on his personal life that go deeper than his #1 bestseller, Inquebrentables. In this listen, Habif focuses on three sections—Inspire, Light a Flame, and Roar—and in his own voice, he explains how to best apply common-sense behavioral changes that can help you achieve goals and keep them in the long term. —E.D.

With introspective questions and actionable reflections, 21 Dias para creer en ti provides a simplified glance at how asking ourselves the tough questions and changing one small habit at a time can lead to great success. Narrating her own work, Michelle Poler provides the necessary tools to uncover and face difficult things about yourself, while fully embracing who you truly are. —P.R.

Anything Antonio Zierold narrates is a required download for me, so seeing his name as the performer was what initially drew me to Generación idiota. With so many changes happening in the modern world, author Agustin Laje's ability to interpret the reality in words is truly outstanding. Each chapter is an invitation for listeners to reflect on the current culture and to question our way of thinking and acting. Laje leaves listeners thinking about priorities—and how quickly things can change . —P.R.

Following the success of his bestseller, No me puedes lastimar, David Goggins's Spanish-language follow-up, Nunca terminar, makes it one of this year’s best well-being listens. While Goggins's advice is grounded in badassery, his know-how comes from authentic life experiences, setting it apart from typical self-development literature. His inspirational journey serves as essential listening that can genuinely impact someone's life. Spanish narrator Alejandro Vargas-Lugo returns once again, voicing Goggins’s rich personal anecdotes, life challenges, and profound wisdom, rendering it a truly unvarnished and motivating guide.—E.D.

I was one of the many, many people who devoured Romper el circulo, then proceeded to beg Colleen Hoover for a sequel. When Volver a empezar was announced, I laughed, ugly-cried, and pre-ordered my audio version. It picks up right where Romper el circulo left off. This second-chance romance is a dual POV of Atlas and Lily, teenage sweethearts who lost touch after they were forced to separate. Valeria Estrada and Santiago Padilla's performances made it impossible for me to pause as Lily and Atlas finally find themselves at the right place and time in their lives, and both work at navigating their relationship while also dealing with Ryle—Lily's very complicated ex. —P.R.

For romance lovers looking to explore their fantastical side, the romantasy genre has been essential. Rebecca Yarros's Alas de sangre combines the best of both romance and fantasy, making this a story that only left me yearning for more. With wonderful world-building, epic dragon battles, and an enemies-to-lovers trope, this listen was truly unpauseable. Maria Carolina Yarussi and Diego Longstaff's performances added so many layers of depth to this already excting novel. —P.R.

Every so often, my mother proves that “mom is always right” with a great recommendation. In this case, it’s Las señoras del narco. Journalist Anabel Hernández will not be silenced in this deeply researched exposé of the people who surround the drug trafficking industry in Mexico. Covering topics such as the staggering number of “partners” of the heads of criminal groups, Hernández treats listeners to a realistic portrayal of Mexico's current political climate, with Karina Castillo providing a performance that is powerful yet delicate. —P.R.

Two estranged best friends, a disgruntled underwater performer, and stolen technology that in the wrong hands will cause total chaos—all that and more is packed into PREVIA: Golpe de Memoria. The twists, turns, and wonderful multicast performance had me hanging on to every word while looking for the next clue. This quick-paced listen also left me ready to plan and execute my own technology-saving hijinks. —P.R.

An extraordinary debut novel, Mientras todo arde offers a strikingly vivid depiction of how our society could react to climate change and the disasters it brings in the future. Jens Liljestrand creates an immersive story of mounting fear and frenzy that listeners will find difficult to pause. The plot is addicting, as the characters—vacationers stranded in the countryside as forests are burning—are complicated, sometimes unreliable, and connected to each other in surprising ways, giving the story a multi-POV structure. The performances by Marc Lobato and Ingrid Carreras drew me into the heart of the chaos. —P.R.

No listen has surprised me this year quite as much as Hijos de la fábula by Fernando Aramburu. The story revolves around friends Asier and Joseba, two high achievers who have just left their home in the Basque country of Spain on a journey. As they venture out to the South of France to join ETA, the Basque separatist organization, we are treated to their adventures and misadventures. In his performance, Pablo Ibáñez Durán provides a light and humorous tone, making this an enjoyable listen about taking chances and following your dreams. —P.R.

A brilliant exploration of trauma, healing, and overcoming shame, this story follows Luz, a woman who survives a family tragedy that steals her memory except for in moments when she has seizures. Listeners are treated to a perfect balance of past and present, as family secrets bring Luz and the women in her family together to manage and deal with their pain. With nods to the beautiful Puerto Rico, Las madres is a real treat that's narrated by the author herself. —P.R.