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101 Conversations in Simple Spanish: Short Natural Dialogues to Boost Your Confidence & Improve Your Spoken Spanish (101 Conversations - Spanish)
Real Spanish people don’t speak like your textbook… so it’s no wonder you feel unprepared when it’s your turn to speak!
Try the StoryLearning Method, and dive into a real-world, gripping drama between six characters that helps you learn authentic spoken Spanish in the process. Created by Olly Richards, internationally-renowned language teacher and author, this proven method of the immersive experience not only entertains, it gives you the skills to master realistic encounters in shops, cafés, and other, everyday scenarios!
In this story, two friends, Alicia and Nuria, arrive in Madrid for what they think will be a relaxing vacation exploring the city. Things, however, take an unexpected turn when they discover some very valuable paintings in one of Madrid’s antique markets . . .
Whether you’re learning the Spanish of Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, or even your local Spanish-speaking community, you’ll learn to speak naturally wherever you go.
Best of all, you’ll be able to handle new scenarios with both ease and confidence!
“I love Olly’s work - and you will too!” - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers
Here’s what you’ll
101 Spanish conversations with over 15,000 words of dialogue — an unparalleled resource that will immerse you in Spanish at a level you can easily understand and reproduce.Expressions that real people use on the street. You’ll sound more authentic when you speak and make Spanish-speaking friends more easily.Situational Spanish dialogues that help you thrive in typical daily circumstances, so meeting people and making everyday arrangements will become second nature.Conversations that are carefully written to be accessible for beginners (A2-B1 on the CEFR), so you can speak confidently, even with strangers.Each conversation is limited to around 15 lines of dialogue (150 words) to help you master the expressions more quickly, and keep you moving toward the finish line.Word lists with English definitions in every chapter, so you can skip the dictionary and focus on reading and enjoying the stories (eBook & paperback only)Unlock the simple genius of 101 Conversations in SImple Spanish that makes learning Spanish a breeze. You’ll improve your spoken Spanish, impress native speakers, and catapult your fluency to new heights!
Try the StoryLearning Method, and dive into a real-world, gripping drama between six characters that helps you learn authentic spoken Spanish in the process. Created by Olly Richards, internationally-renowned language teacher and author, this proven method of the immersive experience not only entertains, it gives you the skills to master realistic encounters in shops, cafés, and other, everyday scenarios!
In this story, two friends, Alicia and Nuria, arrive in Madrid for what they think will be a relaxing vacation exploring the city. Things, however, take an unexpected turn when they discover some very valuable paintings in one of Madrid’s antique markets . . .
Whether you’re learning the Spanish of Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, or even your local Spanish-speaking community, you’ll learn to speak naturally wherever you go.
Best of all, you’ll be able to handle new scenarios with both ease and confidence!
“I love Olly’s work - and you will too!” - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers
Here’s what you’ll
101 Spanish conversations with over 15,000 words of dialogue — an unparalleled resource that will immerse you in Spanish at a level you can easily understand and reproduce.Expressions that real people use on the street. You’ll sound more authentic when you speak and make Spanish-speaking friends more easily.Situational Spanish dialogues that help you thrive in typical daily circumstances, so meeting people and making everyday arrangements will become second nature.Conversations that are carefully written to be accessible for beginners (A2-B1 on the CEFR), so you can speak confidently, even with strangers.Each conversation is limited to around 15 lines of dialogue (150 words) to help you master the expressions more quickly, and keep you moving toward the finish line.Word lists with English definitions in every chapter, so you can skip the dictionary and focus on reading and enjoying the stories (eBook & paperback only)Unlock the simple genius of 101 Conversations in SImple Spanish that makes learning Spanish a breeze. You’ll improve your spoken Spanish, impress native speakers, and catapult your fluency to new heights!
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2019
842 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews
May 20, 2024
2.5 ⭐
A slightly less than adequate listening exercise for wannabe Spanish speakers.
With only 2 hours of listening material, it’s certainly not adequate to spend an audible credit or actual, hard-earned cash on. However, if you’ve got a Premium Spotify membership, you’ll find it as an included audiobook, in which case, it wouldn’t be a complete waste of your time, as a late beginner/early intermediate, to listen in while going about whatever else it is you go about during your day or night.
If you’re at all familiar with Olly Richards’ other educational language books/audio, I won’t need to tell you how embarrassingly poor the actual story is. It’s essentially a really bad mystery-crime-investigation short that houses the titular “101 conversations”. Really awful stuff which I’ve, strangely, seen others praising. Some folks just set the bar lower I guess.
Props to Victor Calet who voiced all the characters and tried to make them all as distinct as possible but gee-whiz buddy, the well was running dry by the end, wasn’t it! With each new voice it was getting more and more outlandish and caricaturistic. I can sympathise. When I’m reading Children’s books to my kiddo the, in my opinion expertly crafted, voices definitely begin to garner a few raised eyebrows from the 2 ladies of the house after the 6th or 7th talking animal.
You want to get as much Spanish into your ears as possible at the end of the day so I say go for it! Just try to spend as close to $0 on it as possible.
A slightly less than adequate listening exercise for wannabe Spanish speakers.
With only 2 hours of listening material, it’s certainly not adequate to spend an audible credit or actual, hard-earned cash on. However, if you’ve got a Premium Spotify membership, you’ll find it as an included audiobook, in which case, it wouldn’t be a complete waste of your time, as a late beginner/early intermediate, to listen in while going about whatever else it is you go about during your day or night.
If you’re at all familiar with Olly Richards’ other educational language books/audio, I won’t need to tell you how embarrassingly poor the actual story is. It’s essentially a really bad mystery-crime-investigation short that houses the titular “101 conversations”. Really awful stuff which I’ve, strangely, seen others praising. Some folks just set the bar lower I guess.
Props to Victor Calet who voiced all the characters and tried to make them all as distinct as possible but gee-whiz buddy, the well was running dry by the end, wasn’t it! With each new voice it was getting more and more outlandish and caricaturistic. I can sympathise. When I’m reading Children’s books to my kiddo the, in my opinion expertly crafted, voices definitely begin to garner a few raised eyebrows from the 2 ladies of the house after the 6th or 7th talking animal.
You want to get as much Spanish into your ears as possible at the end of the day so I say go for it! Just try to spend as close to $0 on it as possible.
August 18, 2019
Well worth reading
I loved this book. I learned a few new words and the story was really interesting. It would be great if there were others in this series. As a language teacher myself, I know that one of
the best ways to improve vocabulary and grammar is through reading. The important thing though is that you WANT to read something. Motivation is key and with this book I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I did look up some words which were not included in the vocabulary list but I certainly got the gist. I just have to know what the unfamiliar words are. It was good that many of the words and phrases were repeated. This helped them to “sink in.”
I loved this book. I learned a few new words and the story was really interesting. It would be great if there were others in this series. As a language teacher myself, I know that one of
the best ways to improve vocabulary and grammar is through reading. The important thing though is that you WANT to read something. Motivation is key and with this book I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I did look up some words which were not included in the vocabulary list but I certainly got the gist. I just have to know what the unfamiliar words are. It was good that many of the words and phrases were repeated. This helped them to “sink in.”
April 15, 2025
Imagina que llegas a tu primer día del trabajo en la ONU, *la* agencia internacional, para darte cuenta de que ¡¡¡eres la única persona en la división que no es hispanohablante nativa!!! Me parece que este es mi año para telenovelas y libros de español. Con esta historia, comienza mi opinión:
Este libro fue suficientemente entretenido. El misterio mantuvo mi interés. La historia fue básica y fácil de seguir, y repite un resumen al principio de cada capítulo. Creo que es perfecto para un aprendiz de nivel A2. Es difícil encontrar materiales de audio en este nivel: la mayoría de los podcasts y programas todavía son demasiado complicados para mí.
Lo escuché en audio y me ayudó mucho. Pude notar la diferencia entre cuando comencé el libro hace dos semanas y ahora. (Podría ser la inmersión intensiva también, pero bueno.) Probablemente voy a escuchar el próximo libro porque está gratis en Spotify.
Este libro fue suficientemente entretenido. El misterio mantuvo mi interés. La historia fue básica y fácil de seguir, y repite un resumen al principio de cada capítulo. Creo que es perfecto para un aprendiz de nivel A2. Es difícil encontrar materiales de audio en este nivel: la mayoría de los podcasts y programas todavía son demasiado complicados para mí.
Lo escuché en audio y me ayudó mucho. Pude notar la diferencia entre cuando comencé el libro hace dos semanas y ahora. (Podría ser la inmersión intensiva también, pero bueno.) Probablemente voy a escuchar el próximo libro porque está gratis en Spotify.
February 6, 2023
Olly Richards, con otro estupendo libro, ¡como siempre! 👏🏻
August 31, 2021
What a really great idea. This book was an interesting story but also gave the reader dialog that will help the reader expand their vocabulary. I will definitely purchase more of these books. It is a great feeling of accomplishment having completed a book like this.
January 23, 2023
My First Spanish Chapter Book!
Short chapters, each with helpful vocabulary tips, made it possible for this novice in Spanish to read and comprehend the engaging story. The author sets each chapter up with a brief snippet (in Spanish) to guide understanding. The vocabulary is not so advanced that it's frustrating, and not so basic that it feels juvenile. The characters and plot are realistic and interesting. I recommend this mystery to people trying to gain momentum in their learning of Spanish. It was a fun challenge!
Short chapters, each with helpful vocabulary tips, made it possible for this novice in Spanish to read and comprehend the engaging story. The author sets each chapter up with a brief snippet (in Spanish) to guide understanding. The vocabulary is not so advanced that it's frustrating, and not so basic that it feels juvenile. The characters and plot are realistic and interesting. I recommend this mystery to people trying to gain momentum in their learning of Spanish. It was a fun challenge!
July 24, 2025
Tanto drama con estas malditas pinturas
September 3, 2025
papo chatooooo mas dá pro gasto
November 21, 2024
Delightful listen while driving. Very intro level Spanish for anyone looking to jump in.
January 18, 2022
This was the first book I've read that's in Spanish. I felt doing this was an important part of the learning process.
I first became aware of Olly Richards due to his videos on YouTube. When I found out he's got books, I thought I had to give them a go.
I wasn't disappointed with this one at all. It's more than 101 conversations. It's a whole story that was clearly carefully crafted for people at a certain stage of learning.
Each chapter/conversation also comes with a vocabulary list to help you understand.
If you're learning Spanish and are around the beginner or intermediate level, I recommend this book.
I first became aware of Olly Richards due to his videos on YouTube. When I found out he's got books, I thought I had to give them a go.
I wasn't disappointed with this one at all. It's more than 101 conversations. It's a whole story that was clearly carefully crafted for people at a certain stage of learning.
Each chapter/conversation also comes with a vocabulary list to help you understand.
If you're learning Spanish and are around the beginner or intermediate level, I recommend this book.
June 30, 2020
A good story, and effective improvement
The approach employed by this book was surprisingly effective in improving my Spanish. The story chapters are really brief, about a page and a half each. Just long enough to move the story along, but short enough to avoid grinding.
The vocabulary section after each chapter is very helpful, especially for idiomatic phrases.
Finally, through reading this book, I was able to experience thinking in Spanish rather than translating to English in my head.
Highly recommended.
The approach employed by this book was surprisingly effective in improving my Spanish. The story chapters are really brief, about a page and a half each. Just long enough to move the story along, but short enough to avoid grinding.
The vocabulary section after each chapter is very helpful, especially for idiomatic phrases.
Finally, through reading this book, I was able to experience thinking in Spanish rather than translating to English in my head.
Highly recommended.
July 8, 2021
Another enjoyable read from Olly
Much like his previous books, I enjoyed reading this one too. It was funny, well-paced, and had a lot of interesting words. I have to admit, some of them were a little confusing. I’m still curious as to how often they’re actually used.
I didn’t understand everything they said, but enough to follow the story. I thought it had a good ending. It was cool to see the hatted man’s name: Adam.
If you’re looking for a short, easy read in Spanish, this’s for you. Check it out.
Much like his previous books, I enjoyed reading this one too. It was funny, well-paced, and had a lot of interesting words. I have to admit, some of them were a little confusing. I’m still curious as to how often they’re actually used.
I didn’t understand everything they said, but enough to follow the story. I thought it had a good ending. It was cool to see the hatted man’s name: Adam.
If you’re looking for a short, easy read in Spanish, this’s for you. Check it out.
February 25, 2022
Este es la primera libro leí en español. Al principio, no esperaba mucho porque no estoy aprendiendo español de España (estoy aprendiendo español de Colombia/México). En realidad, realmente me gusta mucho y el libro es un muy bueno recurso. Mi favorita parte del libro es el hecho de que puedo entenderlo en el nivel estoy en. Lo recomendaría totalmente a un amigo. Lo siento por la mala gramática, espero que esto sea de ayuda.
July 5, 2019
Great fun reading this book!
The format and fast pace story kept me interested in reading this novella. I really enjoyed the story and the characters as I was practicing my reading in Spanish. My only regret is that there is not another volume. I would love to read about the continuing adventures of Nuria y Alicia!
The format and fast pace story kept me interested in reading this novella. I really enjoyed the story and the characters as I was practicing my reading in Spanish. My only regret is that there is not another volume. I would love to read about the continuing adventures of Nuria y Alicia!
January 7, 2023
Rip off
July 16, 2025
Not sure how much this book has helped me, since I am doing other things to improve my spanish?
It was easy then not so easy, then boring (more to do with comprehension than plot), then towards the end everything started slipping into place at a faster pace. I found a lot to be desired from the overall plot, there was little if any character development and at some point near the end I found out that a character was a woman. I don't know if I totally missed it initially but I was shocked when I found out.
I am not gonna bash these shortcomings because the story isn't exactly the focus of the book. The comprehension of the themes, descriptions and rhythms of the language is the point. For that it was good, I try not to use hyperboles, so that's high enough praise from me.
On the point of comprehension, I was fine with the short chapters and the few vocabulary of words or phrases immediately following each but what annoyed the reader in me, was the character prompts. The prose was almost free of extraneous writing (descriptions, thoughts, etc.), mostly dialogue. Each characters' speech was first labelled by name, in bold with a colon and then written out. It was like a script, whether or not this helped with comprehension, I can't tell you but it surely helped to kick me out of the story and jar my cadence, as I read the entire book aloud, to practice my intonations and fluidity.
I will say this is 3.5 Stars.
It was easy then not so easy, then boring (more to do with comprehension than plot), then towards the end everything started slipping into place at a faster pace. I found a lot to be desired from the overall plot, there was little if any character development and at some point near the end I found out that a character was a woman. I don't know if I totally missed it initially but I was shocked when I found out.
I am not gonna bash these shortcomings because the story isn't exactly the focus of the book. The comprehension of the themes, descriptions and rhythms of the language is the point. For that it was good, I try not to use hyperboles, so that's high enough praise from me.
On the point of comprehension, I was fine with the short chapters and the few vocabulary of words or phrases immediately following each but what annoyed the reader in me, was the character prompts. The prose was almost free of extraneous writing (descriptions, thoughts, etc.), mostly dialogue. Each characters' speech was first labelled by name, in bold with a colon and then written out. It was like a script, whether or not this helped with comprehension, I can't tell you but it surely helped to kick me out of the story and jar my cadence, as I read the entire book aloud, to practice my intonations and fluidity.
I will say this is 3.5 Stars.
January 26, 2025
You need to have some background in Spanish (like a couple of years of middle school Spanish and, more recently, 150 days of Duolingo) to have enough vocabulary and grammar to make sense of the story. But if you've got even that much Spanish behind you, you feel a good sense of accomplishment -- even though you probably won't know every word -- as you work your way through the short conversations which are all part of the same "who dunnit" story about an art theft.
The characters have similar conversations with different people (Hello, nice to meet you, my name is, would you like a ___, how do I get to ___, etc.) which reinforce the various ways to say common greetings and questions. Then they keep working on the mystery as they interview different people. I really liked the style of writing. Some vocabulary is introduced with each conversation.
The characters have similar conversations with different people (Hello, nice to meet you, my name is, would you like a ___, how do I get to ___, etc.) which reinforce the various ways to say common greetings and questions. Then they keep working on the mystery as they interview different people. I really liked the style of writing. Some vocabulary is introduced with each conversation.
April 10, 2024
I really thought the last book I read by Olly Richards was pretty dreadful, this one was considerably more engaging. But what a dumb and misleading title! It's really a little novella with the story told mostly through dialog. If you spend your days chasing art thieves, maybe you could call the dialog "natural". The mystery was pretty transparent and why Nuria and Alicia are trusted to take the lead on the detecting is anybody's guess. The ending was ridiculous. None of the good things that happen could possibly occur in a week.
Anyway retitle it "Art Thief! A story told in dialog at level B1 (or what ever it is).
I can't wait till my Spanish is good enough to read real books.
Anyway retitle it "Art Thief! A story told in dialog at level B1 (or what ever it is).
I can't wait till my Spanish is good enough to read real books.
October 31, 2024
My first Spanish book. I had just finished a A1 course (but I am a native French speaker so it helps a lot). Read it all following with the book and audiobook. Read it 3 times in 2 weeks:
1- x1 speed
2- x1,25 speed
3- x1,5 speed (closer to real life speed I think).
4- audio only at x1,25
The concept is really good, with dialogues making up a story. The story is okay but feels very juvenile level. I was able to follow the story in the first read and figure out details in the subsequent reads.
Would recommend.
Both ebook and audiobook were available for free at my local online library.
1- x1 speed
2- x1,25 speed
3- x1,5 speed (closer to real life speed I think).
4- audio only at x1,25
The concept is really good, with dialogues making up a story. The story is okay but feels very juvenile level. I was able to follow the story in the first read and figure out details in the subsequent reads.
Would recommend.
Both ebook and audiobook were available for free at my local online library.
September 4, 2019
Very good learning aid
I really like the way this book is written. Each Spanish conversation is short which helps me focus in and absorb the new words and how they are used in real speaking context. The level I would call advanced beginner/low intermediate was perfect for me. This book is definitely worth the money.
I really like the way this book is written. Each Spanish conversation is short which helps me focus in and absorb the new words and how they are used in real speaking context. The level I would call advanced beginner/low intermediate was perfect for me. This book is definitely worth the money.
October 4, 2020
A fast good read
This fast moving adventure is hard to put down. What comes next? And yet it is in Spanish and I am a beginner in Spanish. I didn't get every word. I don't get every word in English. But I consistently got the meaning and feeling of the story. And I learned a whole lot of Spanish without studying.
This fast moving adventure is hard to put down. What comes next? And yet it is in Spanish and I am a beginner in Spanish. I didn't get every word. I don't get every word in English. But I consistently got the meaning and feeling of the story. And I learned a whole lot of Spanish without studying.
October 12, 2023
Good Spanish practice. Terrible story.
100% predictable and formulaic. Requires the reader to accede to cultural values and norms of the meritocracy of the wealthy. Which makes the action predictable enough to follow for a second language learner. Set up well in bites with new vocabulary defined in each segment.
100% predictable and formulaic. Requires the reader to accede to cultural values and norms of the meritocracy of the wealthy. Which makes the action predictable enough to follow for a second language learner. Set up well in bites with new vocabulary defined in each segment.
May 4, 2025
surprisingly, the content of this book is far superior to its packaging and marketing. yes, it consists of 101 conversations in simple spanish, but these aren't discrete interactions. they're all part of a larger story about two besties who are on vacation in madrid when they stumble into a mystery. this could have been called los dos ladrones de arte and it'd be so much more eye-catching!
i was pleased to find that the mystery itself is engaging, with many funny moments (which are all the more satisfying when you find you can pick up on the humor en español). the twists are predictable and many of the events are unbelievable, but i found it fun to make outlandish predictions. it's also just the right length imo.
una de mis herramientas de estudio me ha puesto en B1, pero el libro es A2-B1 y es bastante difícil para mí ahora mismo. creo que realmente estoy A2 para escuchar. sin embargo, me parece que es beneficioso leer un nivel un poco desafiante.
también no me gusta el uso de vosotros! yikes, castilian!
la introducción de olly richards explica la distinción entre de aprendizaje intensivo y aprendizaje extensivo. mucho de mi estudio de español es intensivo, por lo que me parece extra beneficioso escuchar un libro y intentar de comprenderlo intuitivamente. es difícil no investigar todas las palabras, pero comprender todas las ideas generales es gratificante.
excellent study tool, and an intriguing whodunnit to boot. i must find more midlength audiobooks at this level.
i was pleased to find that the mystery itself is engaging, with many funny moments (which are all the more satisfying when you find you can pick up on the humor en español). the twists are predictable and many of the events are unbelievable, but i found it fun to make outlandish predictions. it's also just the right length imo.
una de mis herramientas de estudio me ha puesto en B1, pero el libro es A2-B1 y es bastante difícil para mí ahora mismo. creo que realmente estoy A2 para escuchar. sin embargo, me parece que es beneficioso leer un nivel un poco desafiante.
también no me gusta el uso de vosotros! yikes, castilian!
la introducción de olly richards explica la distinción entre de aprendizaje intensivo y aprendizaje extensivo. mucho de mi estudio de español es intensivo, por lo que me parece extra beneficioso escuchar un libro y intentar de comprenderlo intuitivamente. es difícil no investigar todas las palabras, pero comprender todas las ideas generales es gratificante.
excellent study tool, and an intriguing whodunnit to boot. i must find more midlength audiobooks at this level.
October 23, 2019
Jednoduchých textů pro trénování cizích jazyků je stále nedostatek. Tahle kniha je super. Krátké kapitoly. Žádné popisy, prakticky jen dialogy. Celé to navíc tvoří smysluplný příběh. Je to taková kniha na zkoušku. Víc takových.
February 20, 2020
Great practice
This book is great to read and help with Spanish practice and grammatical sentence structure. I love the vocab after each section and that the stories carry on throughout.
This book is great to read and help with Spanish practice and grammatical sentence structure. I love the vocab after each section and that the stories carry on throughout.
March 20, 2020
Fun way to learn
Excellent way to learn phrases and enjoy a story at the same time. By reading out loud I reinforce the words. Thank you and know you are helping people around the world
Excellent way to learn phrases and enjoy a story at the same time. By reading out loud I reinforce the words. Thank you and know you are helping people around the world
May 29, 2025
Keeps your attention and helps you learn
It isn't the best story ever written, but it's enjoyable enough to hold your interest and attention. A very good way to learn Spanish by Using spanish.
The audio book is qood too. I'd also recommend reading it aloud to yourself.
It isn't the best story ever written, but it's enjoyable enough to hold your interest and attention. A very good way to learn Spanish by Using spanish.
The audio book is qood too. I'd also recommend reading it aloud to yourself.
September 15, 2019
A great way to learn new vocabulary!
November 1, 2019
Fun read
This was an enjoyable able and easy read as I am learning Spanish. I like the helpful vocabulary words at the end of each section.
This was an enjoyable able and easy read as I am learning Spanish. I like the helpful vocabulary words at the end of each section.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews