MANILA, PHILIPPINES — As we enter the second part of the year, Fully Booked is racking up its recommendations to help everybody out with their reading goals before the end of the year, highlighting titles across a variety of genres.
In the romance space, Kevin Kwan’s latest foray into the lives of the ridiculously rich makes way for an electrifying debut about two writers who share love, loss, and trauma (will they ever move past their wounds to start all over again?), and a sizzling romance that features a forbidden love amidst a charming idyllic paradise.
Meanwhile, in literary fiction, one can whet their appetite for crime with a book inspired by the notorious Konkatsu killer, a dive into the complex dynamics and racism in the art world through the voice of a feisty Latina artist, or an American-Iranian poet grappling through the loss of his mother whose plane was shot down over the Persian Gulf. Plus, a sprinkling of surprising gems in between.
Here are the Best Books of 2024 (so far) listed in the order of their release, with short reviews from the Fully Booked team and their Reading Allies:
When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times by Haenim Sunim
Genre: Self–Help
Date Published: January 23
“Haenim’s wisdom speaks to me profoundly, offering relatable, inspiring teachings. This book has become my constant companion, transporting me to a serene mental space where I find peace in Haenim’s experiences and words to live by. Whether I’m stressed at work or seeking peace in a coffee shop, this book never fails to uplift me. It’s a literary treasure that I highly recommend to anyone in need of comfort, clarity, or inspiration.” – Lommie Catabas, Reading Ally
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Genre: Literary Fiction
Date Published: January 23
“Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar has easily become one of my all-time favorites in its act of balancing dry humor and absolute devastation. In exploring Cyrus’ particular obsession with martyrdom and ascribing meaning to his life, Kaveh probes the tender wound of the human experience. The story doesn’t linger too long on despair, though, and is rather anchored by the recognition of the everyday beauty floating in between grief and joy, dreams and reality, and life and death. The book’s ending has especially changed me with the way it shifts in meaning depending on one’s present relationship with the world, like a mirror you cannot look away from.” – Rei Castillo, First Look Club
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Date Published: February 06
“Bride is one of my most anticipated books of 2024 and it was worth the hype. This vampire-werewolf romance is something I never expected to love. We all know vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies. I’ve always been a vampire girlie and I’m not a huge fan of werewolves. However, Ali Hazelwood exceeded my expectations and made it work. I miss the the hype of the paranormal romance, and it’s about time to resurrect it.” – Bea Masalunga, Reading Ally
Magnolia Parks: Into The Dark by Jessa Hastings
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Date Published: February 13
“This book precisely delves into chaotic and flawed human beings. I had a total love-hate relationship with the Magnolia Parks Universe because, at one point, I was really annoyed with the characters, especially how complex their relationships and family dynamics were. However, I was able to connect with them eventually. I came to realize that people like them exist in real life.”
“I recommend this book or series for those who want to challenge themselves by reading about a different theme.” – Hawie, Fully Booked
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Date Published: February 27
“How to End a Love Story is an emotional love story that revolves around the trauma experienced and shared by Grant and Helen during their senior year in high school. They were never close and hadn’t spoken to each other in years. Still, when Helen’s book is being adapted into a television show, and coincidentally with Grant as one of its screenwriters, they initially try to work with all the hostility in the air.”
“However, they could not deny their mutual attraction with all the tension and emotions; their work and trauma have brought them closer together and have made their already complicated relationship even more.”
“Despite having a slow start, I couldn’t help but feel invested in the characters. Their pain and sorrow were expressed so thoroughly and deeply that I sometimes had to pause a bit and process (and cry internally) I advise you to read the trigger warnings before starting this. The author, however, did a good job of handling the topics surrounding death, grief, loss, suicide, and panic attacks delicately.”
“The spice (so much spice!) was also a bonus that I enjoyed. If you’re a fan of Emily Henry’s, Kennedy Ryan’s, or Annabel Monoghan’s works, you’ll surely enjoy this gut-wrenching, beautiful romance!” – Carmela Agatha Enriquez, Reading Ally
Anita De Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
Genre: Literary Fiction
Date Published: March 05
Based on the life, art, and ultimate tragedy of Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta, Anita de Monte Laughs Last is literary wish-fulfillment done remarkably well. Xochitl imagines the just reckoning that eluded the real Ana for the fictional Anita — drawing parallels between Anita and Raquel, an art history student at Brown in the late 90s who is grappling with the same forces in both love and Art that Anita did more than a decade before her.
Raquel’s discovery of Anita’s forgotten art and brief life leads to their mutual empowerment, enabling them to grow into forgiveness, grace, and power. The parallelism is never overwrought and never sacrifices its characters’ journeys for the easy mic drop. Armed with deft magic realism and earnest character work, Xochitl asks contemporary readers important questions on the nature of artistic-romantic partnerships and the “progress” and authenticity of 21st-century diversity work. Just like the bold pink cover featuring Anita’s willful and impish smirk, so is Xochitl’s text: thunderous with a hint of humor, brimming with life and consequence.
Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki
Genre: Literary Fiction
Date Published: April 16
“I began reading Butter expecting a whydunit kind of crime story, but what ended up getting served on my figurative plate was an exploration of misogyny, the complex nature of relationships, and the importance of living for oneself. At times, I found the book an uncomfortable read; I felt like it forced me to confront my own thoughts and beliefs and made me stop and think about my own life. Soon after finishing the book, I found myself asking, have I forgotten how to fully enjoy the things I like and embrace my own life choices?”
“Despite the story being far removed from my expectations, I enjoyed this book. If you’re looking for a slow-burn read served with a hefty dose of thought-provoking social commentary and peppered with luscious descriptions of food, this is the book to add to your reading list.” – Paula Abiog, Contributing Writer
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Date Published: April 23
“Emily Henry steps up her game in writing contemporary romance. Funny Story is a highly recommended book if you love the fake dating and forced proximity trope. Absolutely swoon-worthy.” – Beatrice Masalunga, Reading Ally
“Funny Story betrayed me. It promised a fun and quirky story, instead, it pulled at my heartstrings and made me tear up at 4 am. THAT’S NOT FAIR, EMILY! Tears aside, this might be my top romance read for the year. It made me want to check out more stories with fake dating because they are so damn cute. Also, this whole story rekindled my dream of becoming a librarian.” – Danica, First Look Club
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Genre: Romance
Date Published: May 07
“When it comes to books, isn’t escaping reality the best reason? In This Summer Will Be Different, romance writer ingenue Carley Fortune takes us to the most charming setting of all, Prince Edward Island, where our heroine, Lucy, unwittingly sleeps with her best friend’s brother. But the chemistry between Lucy and Felix is crackling, and their feelings are getting stronger and harder to ignore. This book somehow reminds me of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” hits! A binge-worthy novel that makes you swoon and feel all the feels.” – Jem Abutin, Fully Booked
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Genre: Romance
Date Published: May 14
“The Paradise Problem is one of my top reads this year. It has everything I love about the fake-dating-a-billionaire trope — the eccentric yet kindhearted female lead who’s struggling to make ends meet, the very serious, intelligent, and mysterious male lead who comes from a very rich and complicated family, the ruse taking place at a very extravagant wedding, and the family drama. (I think I just basically described a typical Filipino TV series.)”
“I loved the main characters, especially Anna, who’s so fun to read. I was laughing for most of the book because she really has no filter and just says what she’s thinking at the moment. She is truly a breath of fresh air for Liam, who initially seems uptight with his upbringing and background but is worn down by Anna. With all the drama his family has, especially with his father Ray (I seriously have not read any other character as manipulative and cruel as he is), Anna is what Liam needs, someone who genuinely cares about him and has always been honest and upfront with him. And even though the majority of the book takes place during such a short timeframe, Anna and Liam’s chemistry and banter are perfect and naturally paced. I swooned and laughed so much with their banter honestly. Despite having a predictable storyline, I loved and enjoyed every single moment in this book.” – Carmela Agatha Enriquez, Reading Ally
All Fours by Miranda July
Genre: Literary Fiction/Women’s Fiction
Date Published: May 14
“All Fours is undoubtedly one of the best books I’ve read this year. Miranda July took me on a wild, hilarious journey of one woman’s reckoning with desire, aging, and her body. I read this quickly and dizzyingly — its honesty felt radical and its prose was nothing short of magnetic. The novel calls upon women to untether themselves from the confines that prevent them from living with freedom and abandon. It reminded me that though taking leaps of faith may bring discomfort and devastation, it is only when we take those risks that we truly live.” – Erin Sajonas, First Look Club
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
Genre: Romance
Date Published: May 21
“Since the release of the Crazy Rich Asians novels, I’ve always been a Kevin Kwan fan. They’re tongue-in-cheek, snarky, and most of all, funny! I remember when the movie adaptation was announced, I was so happy. I felt Kevin Kwan’s novels and the movie introduced Asians to the world in a different, refreshing way! (and paved the way for more Asian novels to be published, don’t you think?) I read Lies and Weddings in two weeks with gusto. Every waking moment, every time I had a break, each time my baby was taking her nap, all I thought about was taking a peek and finding out how the romance would unfold between Earl Rufus Gresham and the girl-next-door Eden Tong. I had to know what would happen next, and fast! I think that’s a good mark of a great book — something you’re unable to put down. Kevin Kwan does it again — he was able to pull me into the glitzy lives of the uber-rich, made me laugh, cry, and oddly, sympathize with them too. And, as always, Kwan peppered the books with vibrant details about the travel destinations — from Hawaii, and Los Angeles, to England. Lies and Weddings is definitely a rollicking fun read, I’d recommend it to anyone who needs an escape, you won’t be disappointed.” – Alina, Fully Booked
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Date Published: May 21
“I immediately got interested when I read that this book is about an administrative officer who accidentally got access to the emails and direct messages of her colleagues. To enjoy a novel with that premise is not surprising, but I did not expect myself to cry reading this and feeling romantically excited over an HR guy (haha).”
“Reading Jolene’s story gave me a glimpse of how the minds of people with anxiety work — full of noise and the worst of assumptions about how things would turn out. Additionally, it also gave me an idea of how it helps them to be surrounded by kind, patient, and understanding people. It might be wrong to have access to private emails and direct messages of her colleagues, but I was rooting for Jolene all throughout the story and was so proud of her of what she became at the end of the story.” – Karla, Fully Booked
The Love of My After Life by Kirsty Greenwood
Genre: Romance
Release Date: July 02, 2024
The cute premise hooked me at first and the quirky characters kept me reading, but it’s the unique, heartwarming twist at the end that guaranteed me a great time. The Love of My After Life has the makings of a modern rom-com classic by keeping the swoony elements romance readers would keep wanting to go back to while offering a little something more to the genre. – Alekx, Fully Booked
Fully Booked will have its Mid-Year Sale from July 03 to 07 for Fully Booked Online, and July 11 to 15 in-store nationwide.
