MANILA, PHILIPPINES — It’s the Fully Booked Mid-Year Sale, which is a happy and exciting time to snag all those books you’ve been dreaming of. But suddenly, in the middle of the bookshop, faced with endless rows of shelves and a growing number of customers, intense feelings of panic and overwhelm bubble up inside. With so many great reads, deciding which ones should make it to the book haul can be tricky.
Have no fear! Fully Booked has compiled and curated an index of the bestselling and most wanted books across all genres from its physical stores and Fully Booked Online this year.
This guide can help you sift through the stacks more efficiently during the Mid-Year Sale, so you’ll have more time doing more of what you love — reading and enjoying your book haul!
Exciting 2024 Releases
Indulge in the thrill of getting newly released titles hot and fresh from our shelves. Whether you’re in the mood for some humorous fiction, a self-help book that will inspire you to live your best life, or a collection of eye-opening essays — there’s a perfect read waiting for you.
1. I Want to Die But I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee
Get your chopsticks ready. Baek Shee, author of the international South Korean therapy memoir, is back with a sequel as she continues her conversations with her therapist, delving deeper into her inner conflicts.
2. Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
Packed with insights and habits gleaned from a varied cast of storied thinkers, Slow Productivity will teach you how to escape overload and mindless busyness and pursue meaningful accomplishment instead.
3. Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Good Material follows Andy, a 30-something-year-old down-on-his-luck comedian in crisis, who sets out to find out why his long-term girlfriend suddenly dumped him. Wildly funny and achingly relatable, this book was written by Dolly Alderton, the Bridget Jones of the millennial generation.
4. The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell
If you want to understand how information overload can lead to irrationality and overthinking in this digital age, this is the book to pick up. In eleven essays, Amanda Montell combines wit, smarts, and self-deprecating charm to make sense of this world — from the “stans” of celebrities to mental health gurus selling “vibes,” to the allure of commercialized nostalgia, and more.
5. Houses That Sugar Built by Gina Consing McAdam and Siobhan Doran
Houses That Sugar Built is a coffee table book that explores and celebrates the architectural legacy found in the ancestral houses of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Pampanga — the three main sugar-producing provinces of the Philippines. With over 200 pages of interiors, this beautifully curated book will take readers on a visual, historical, and cultural journey.
6. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
A quirky coming-of-age story about a young single mom desperate to afford rent and feed her newborn baby starts an OnlyFans account and becomes a runaway success. Witty and full of laughs, this uplifting tale will make you fall in love with and root for Margo as she wrests money and power from a world that has little interest in giving it to her.
ICYMI: Last Year’s Must-Haves
2023 was a stellar year for the literary world, bringing us exceptional books that have stirred our imagination. Add one of these must-haves to your collection.
7. Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
If dark humor and wit are your cup of tea, then you should pick up this book. It’s about an academy that trains murderers to “delete” people whose demise would supposedly improve the world. Written in the style of an educational manual, it promises a wickedly entertaining read, full of twists, puns, and hilarious quips.
8. Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
This Victorian science fiction romance follows Bella Baxter, a curious creature with a dark past, as she embarks on her adventure of self-discovery. Collecting accolades over the past year — being named one of the best books and winning four awards at the Oscars — the movie tie-in version of this book is a must-have for your shelf.
9. Emily Wilde’s Encylopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett
A romantasy involving fairies? Sign us up! Emily Wilde, a genius scholar and the foremost expert on fairies, moves to the magical village of Hrafsnvik, resolute in uncovering the secrets of the most mysterious group of fairies and finishing her book. She certainly had no plans of entertaining feelings for the annoyingly dashing Wendell Bambleby, her academic rival. Yet, the further she gets closer to solving the mystery, she finds herself on the trail of unlocking another: the mystery of her own heart.
Heartwarming and Soul-Healing Reads
There are days when all we need is to snuggle up with a blanket, a cup of coffee or tea in one hand, and an uplifting book in the other. Discover these books that feel like warm hugs, cheering us up and reminding us that the world is brimming with beauty.
10. I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Suppose you need a book to make you laugh and cry. In that case, this workplace dramedy about introverted admin assistant Jolene, who inadvertently gains access to all her colleagues’ emails and messages is a great recommendation. At first, she uses this intel to save her job, but as Jolene is drawn further into her coworker’s private worlds and secrets, her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble.
11. She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai
Indulge in your love for all things furry and feline with She and Her Cat, a collection of four interrelated, stream-of-conscious short stories following women and their cats in their quests for love and connection, penned by renowned anime director Makoto Shinkai.
12. How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino
How Do You Live? follows fifteen-year-old Copper as he navigates life following his father’s death. While corresponding with a beloved uncle who made a promise to his father to help guide him, Copper faces the timeless challenges of growing up. This book is perfect for fans of philosophical fiction like The Little Prince and The Alchemist.
13. Get Out Of My Head by Meredith Arthur
Calm your stress and manage your anxious thoughts with this beautifully illustrated guide for overthinkers filled with easy exercises, bite-sized takeaways, and soothing visuals.
14. Languishing: How to Feel Alive in a World That Wears Us Down by Corey Keyes
In this refreshingly honest memoir and self-help book, Corey Keyes, the sociologist who coined the term languishing, shares decades of research to help people determine signs of languishing, the feeling of being aimless or joyless, and ultimately forge a path to flourishing and a happier, healthier future.
Bestsellers You May Not Have Picked Up Yet
Here’s your chance to pick up enduring novels that continue to be in high demand. These books have propelled their authors onto international bestseller lists and are sure to claim a top spot on your shelf.
15. The Seven-Year Slip by Ashley Poston
In the mood for romance? This story about two soulmates who turn out to be living in separate timelines will sweep you off your feet.
16. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Secret History by Donna Tartt is the perfect choice for those interested in dark academia, blending elements of thriller, coming-of-age campus novel, and Greek tragedy, all written in brilliantly poignant prose. The New York Times described the book as “a powerful, enthralling, and ferociously well-paced entertainment.”
17. Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
Breasts and Eggs is a strange and ruthlessly honest exploration of the anxieties of contemporary working-class womanhood in Japan. It is told through three female characters: Natsuko, a writer in her 30s grappling with her worth and identity; her sister Makiko, an aging hostess who decided to have breast enhancement surgery; and her daughter, who suddenly stopped speaking, weighed down by her mother’s obsessions and the changes brought by puberty.
Manga and Game-Related Titles
Epic quests, twisty turns, and voyages into fantastic worlds. For both manga fans and those who have yet to pick up a graphic novel or game-related book, now’s the time to dive into this incredible scene.
18. Stitches by Junji Ito and Hirokatsu Kihara
Amust-read for fans of the strange and spooky, this graphic novel stitches together ten stories, each recounting a true-to-life unsolved mystery. Immerse yourself in the eerie world of manga as you explore these haunting tales.
19. One Piece: Pirate Recipes by Sanji
Fans of One Piece will delight in this book filled with sumptuous food. Ever wondered where Monkey D. Luffy gets boundless energy? As a pirate, he needs to be well-fed with piping-hot meals. Get your fill of One Piece fandom, along with cooking tips that will take your culinary skills to the next level.
20. Genshin Impact Official Artbook Volume 1
For Genshin Impact fans, this is a beautiful memento to add to your collection. Volume 1 of the free-to-play open-world adventure RPG art book features gorgeous artwork and storylines from up to version 1.6 of the game, character portraits, original costume designs, and commemorative illustrations.
Get up to 20% discount on D-coded items during the Mid-Year Sale from July 3 to 7 for Fully Booked Online, and July 11 to 15 for in-store nationwide.
