MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Summer has dawned in the Philippines in startling temperatures, pushing people to the cool comfort of malls, consuming ice-cold drinks, and longing for refreshing dips in the pool or the serene blue ocean.
Environments like this call for escapism, brought on by gripping mysteries, swoon-worthy romances and immersive memoirs from Fully Booked‘s list of recommendations. These summer reads are perfect for lazy days that transport you away from the heat, and into an entirely new world.
Scorching pageturners:
I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Sutanto
When it comes to the perfect summer read, there’s nothing like a tasty and gripping thriller. So, gripping that you might have to consume several rounds of cocktails while reading.
Here’s the juicy story: Jane is an unhappy and broke mid-list writer who’s stuck in a marriage and a house she disdains. Her glory days far behind, Jane’s biggest regret was having a row with her friend and former MA Creative Writing classmate Thalia who had vanished without a trace. Now, 10 years later, Thalia is back – in a big and bold way. Jane’s jaw drops as she sees her friend’s name splashed on the New York Times bestseller list with a book entitled A Most Pleasant Death. Jane packs her bags to attend her friend’s book event, and the craziness begins.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
At this time of year, the summer heat can be unforgiving and unbearable. So why not blast into space for a cool interstellar adventure? The story starts when promising molecular biologist-turned-high school teacher Ryland Grace wakes up in a spaceship with amnesia. He has no idea who he is or where he’s headed. To make matters worse, his two crewmates are dead. With the clock ticking, Grace faces the daunting task of piecing together his memories to discover who he is and also save humanity. Grab this book before the release of its film adaptation slated for 2026.
Cozy Summer Reads:
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Book after book, the acclaimed contemporary romance author Emily Henry has captivated readers with her beautifully written, high-energy novels. Really, any one of her five successful rom-coms would have made a great summer read, but Beach Read, by its cheeky title, was an obvious shoo-in. Beach Read is about a disillusioned romance author and a literary fiction writer who agrees to swap genres for the summer to combat writer’s block. If it sounds like a straightforward romance novel, it’s not. There’s grief, loss, familial betrayal, and also cults thrown in.
The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston
This summer, get pampered with another cozy romance but make it magic-sprinkled. Inspired by the song by the band Motion City Soundtrack – “It’s not a matter of time, but a matter of timing,” author Ashley Poston weaves a bittersweet tale about Clementine, an overworked book publicist, who meets a stranger in her late aunt’s apartment, a guy with a Southern drawl, kind eyes, and a taste for lemon pies. In short, he’s perfect! But here’s the rub: the man exists in the past, seven years ago to be exact.
ASAP by Axie Oh
What’s missing from the cozy cabana or charming hammock you’re lounging in? This book — the much-anticipated companion novel to the bestselling XOXO — ASAP focuses on fan favorites Sori, the wealthy daughter of a K-pop company owner, and Nathaniel, her ex-boyfriend and famous K-pop star, in a swoon-worthy second-chance love story.
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
Nothing beats actually going to Japan but in the hopes of capturing the culture, the sights and the food, this title transports readers to one of Filipinos’ favorite destinations. Spanning 10 years and all 47 prefectures, YouTube sensation Chris Broad unravels extraordinary Japan in this insightful and hilarious memoir.
Summer learning from the page:
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
If you’re interested in gaining a new skill or improving yourself, this book is for you. Bestselling author Cal Newport teaches the art of focused or deep work as super power in our increasingly competitive 21st century economy. This is a book you can safely read without distractions during your summer break. It doesn’t get more meta than that, does it?
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
In Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew Perry invites readers on an extraordinary journey through the highs and lows of his life, from childhood dreams to Hollywood fame, addiction, and ultimately, recovery. Here, Perry bares it all – the good, the ugly, and everything in between. For fans of the show, Perry’s firsthand narrative offers an intimate connection, like confiding in a trusted friend.
LITERARY IMMERSIONS:
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Summer reading doesn’t have to be all fast-paced thrillers and saccharine romances. After all, everyone needs a different genre to dive into every now and then, much more when you’re out and about and exploring on vacation. To the casual eye, this book, known for its minimalist plot about a young woman who decides to hibernate for a year to sleep away her depression and wake up a new person, sounds far from being a page-turner. Yet, laced with sarcasm, full of self-awareness, and written impeccably, Ottessa’s masterpiece is a shockingly mesmerizing read you’ll have a hard time putting down.
We’ve got you covered if you need to stock your summer with the best books. Browse Fully Booked’s Summer Collection here, and enjoy free shipping for a minimum purchase of PHP 799.
