LIST: The best summer reads, according to book lovers
Ahh, summer. The hottest season of the year calls for a light book you can read by the beach or on the plane.
Whether you’re up for some romance or fantasy, there’s always a book you can get lost in. For some, it could be set during the season to keep the vibe alive. For others, however, it could simply be an entertaining book that could fill the long days. While there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to good summer novels, you would know it’s one when you see it.
If you’re on the hunt for recommendations as you do some summer reading, look no further as PhilSTAR L!fe gathered some suggested titles from book lovers in the country. Here are some of their favorites.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
If you’re following Nikki Gil-Albert on Instagram, you wouldn’t be surprised why she was one of the bookworms we asked for a recommendation. She would post her current reads on her page from time to time and give each one a score. In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, she recommended Tom Lake by Ann Patchett—a 2023 novel about three daughters who find out about their mother’s romance with a famous star during the spring of 2020.
“This book feels a lot like a lazy Sunday afternoon spent in your Lola’s house listening to your titas talk about their colorful past,” Nikki said, calling it the “perfect summer chill read.”
“It is by no means ‘exciting,’ but I couldn’t put it down.”
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
When she’s not busy with Save Philippine Seas as its executive director and “chief mermaid,” Anna Oposa enjoys getting lost in a good book. For the summer, she recommended Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. “It’s a book about chemistry in science, but it’s also about ambition, being a woman in STEM, and chemistry in romance,” she said.
“It’s an easy read but a profound one. I read it in two sittings by the beach,” she continued. “I loved it so much that I gave friends copies for Christmas.”
This book has also been turned into a TV adaptation by Apple TV. Anna said it turned out quite well, too.
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
Simone Sales—Palanca award winner and founder of Book Bestie Philippines—referred to Frances Cha’s If I Had Your Face as one of her favorite summer reads.
“To describe it in a very simplistic way that in no way gives it justice: It’s about girlhood and its nuances in modern Korea,” she began.
“It’s about the ache of wanting and of loneliness, underpinned with the very real fears woman have to deal with daily,” she said, “but it’s also about women recognizing beauty and strength in other women, about celebrating friendship and victory, and about chilling on the steps of your apartment building with your girl group talking about babies and K-pop and chicken wings.”
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Book blogger Bea Masalunga said Beach Read by Emily Henry is an unexpected favorite “as it weaves through the beauty and ugliness of life.”
The 2020 contemporary romance novel follows the story of two novelists who used to be rivals in their college years. “Both of them try to overcome their writer’s block during the summer by shifting genres,” Masalunga explained. “We can find solace in it despite its imperfections. It’s romantically beautiful.”
XOXO by Axie Oh
Masalunga gave another book recommendation for the season: Axie Oh’s XOXO.
“XOXO is like watching those cute, lighthearted K-dramas I stay tuned in every night. It’s a meet-cute romance between two musicians who have different genres,” she said.
Asked whether it gave her butterflies, she said, “Absolutely.”
Marikit and the Ocean of Stars by Caris Avendaño Cruz
Emmanuel Peren of online book club Talk Bookish to Me talked to L!fe about the favorite summer reads of their members. Among them is Caris Avendaño Cruz’s Marikit and the Ocean of Stars, which is a middle-grade novel about the wonders of the ocean, the stars, and Philippine folklore as well as mythological creatures, gods, and goddesses.
“This novel could warm your heart just like the heat of the sun as it makes you value the meaning of friendship,” he said.
Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto
Peren also referred to Mae Coyiuto’s Chloe and the Kaishao Boys as a crowd favorite among their members. “This book, which gives off a contemporary romance vibe, is an easy read perfect for when you’re on vacation,” he continued.
Set during the summer, this young adult rom-com is about a Chinese Filipina girl in Manila who gets set up on a series of dates by her father, hoping to convince her to stay near their family as she goes to college.
“This read could put your brain on vacation mode and make you have that kilig factor at the same time,” said Peren.
