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Spanish Readng and Listening Practice - SimSums

Learn about interesting topics at the same time you practice Spanish. These Simplified Summaries (SimSums) of popular non-fiction books have been written to be easily understandable for language learners while still retaining the key points. They can act as a bridge between the intermediate and advanced levels of Spanish.

Each Simplified Summary listed below for Spanish Reading and Listening Practice has in-language text and an MP3 narration of the summary.


Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake

An In-language Simplified Summary based on the book by Frank Abagnale and Stan Redding

Written and narrated in Mexican Spanish.

Catch Me If You Can (1980) gives you the opportunity to hear about Frank Abagnale’s life as a conman. His cons included posing as a pilot, lawyer, and professor. The story would go on to become an award-winning film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Read and listen.


Fluent In 3 Months – How Anyone at Any Age Can Learn to Speak Any Language from Anywhere in the World

An In-language Simplified Summary based on the book by Benny Lewis

Written and narrated in Mexican Spanish.

Fluent In 3 Months (2014) was written by Benny Lewis, a polyglot who runs the most popular language learning blog on the internet. He gives actionable strategies to learn to speak a new language quicker than most would think possible. Read and listen.


Long Walk to Freedom

An In-language Simplified Summary based on the book by Nelson Mandela

Written and narrated in Mexican Spanish

Long Walk To Freedom (1994) is one of the most powerful autobiographies of all-time. Mandela tells his story, from his beginnings in the South African countryside, his time at school and becoming a lawyer, to his work as an anti-apartheid freedom fighter, his 27-year prison sentence, and finally his eventual release. Read and listen.


Open: An Autobiography

An In-language Simplified Summary based on the book by Andre Agassi

Written and narrated in Mexican Spanish

Open (2009) is the eye-opening autobiography of Andre Agassi, one of the best American tennis players of all time. It’s a revealing look into his tumultuous life. You’ll learn how Agassi strived for balance and a self-understanding while living in the public spotlight. Read and listen.


Steve Jobs

An In-language Simplified Summary based on the book by Walter Isaacson

Written and narrated in Venezuelan Spanish

This biography of Steve Jobs takes an inside look into the life of Apple’s eccentric founder. You’ll learn about how his experiences with LSD and meditation helped shape his innovations and how his life ended early from cancer. Read and listen.


The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

An In-language Simplified Summary based on the book by Stephen Covey

Written and narrated in Venezuelan Spanish

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People (1989) is among the most popular self-help books. It’ll teach you the principles needed to become an effective person. These habits will help you to become more successful in both your personal and professional life. Read and listen.


The Power of Habit

An In-language Simplified Summary based on the book by Charles Duhigg

Written and narrated in Mexican Spanish

The Power of Habit (2012) explains the importance that habits play in every aspect of our daily lives. It uses research and anecdotes to help people learn how they can change their habits and improve their lives. Read and listen.


And see our guide about how to learn Spanish, with tons of tips, insights, and recommendations.