Whether you’re looking for a book to inspire you, challenge your perspective, or simply entertain you, this list has got you covered. From timeless classics to contemporary bestsellers, each book will provide you with a unique and enriching reading experience.
If you’re checking this article out, surely you’re an avid reader. The list of books you’ll find includes a diverse range of genres, from fiction to non-fiction, covering a variety of topics and themes. Who knows? Maybe it’s time to discover new titles and expand your literary horizons.
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupèry
I first read The Little Prince when I was 8 years old, and it’s been on my bookshelf ever since.
When I was younger, I loved the illustrations and took the story mostly at face value. As I’ve gotten older though, I’ve started to take it more as a parable—it tells me a different thing every time I read it, so I never get tired of getting lost in its pages. —Shari Quimbo, Editor-in-Chief
Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
Though I was first introduced to Chuck Palahniuk through the cult classic Fight Club, I found myself much more fascinated by his subsequent release Survivor. The satirical novel starts with Tender Branson, the titular survivor of the Creedish Church, narrating into a flight recorder after having hijacked an airliner and deplaned all its passengers.
Tender takes us through the events that led him to this, involving cults, fame, and a mysterious serial killer. This is one book I like to go back to every now and then, and I find it hilarious, compelling, and at times nauseating every time I read it. —Bernice Quimbo, Editorial Assistant
Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami
Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is the first Murakami book that I’ve read (although, Norwegian Wood has been on my list for the longest time), and reading it was like being in a trance.
Haruki Murakami is known for his out-of-this-world stories, and this was definitely way past what we know in our version of reality. What was so interesting to me is that he made a futuristic reality with two parallel universes from one human’s consciousness. You can’t help but wonder if one day we’ll be able to manipulate our brains in such a way that we can separate our core consciousness from the rest of our personalities. —Janna Yuvallos, Editoral Assistant
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Old but gold, timeless and relevant. To the more financially savvy, you might find Robert Kiyosaki’s lessons a bit more shallow and apparent. But to those with little to no exposure, they can be profound.
Looking at the book, one might expect to find some mathematical equations and a lot more technicalities. Surprisingly, its narrative is full of sagacious anecdotes revolving around contradicting lessons Kiyosaki received from his “rich dad” (his friend’s businessman father, labeled as the no-degree-but-wealthy type) and his “poor dad” (his educated but financially unperceptive biological father).
Although some might not agree with all his philosophies, Robert Kiyosaki makes some basic financial suggestions in an easily understandable and (sometimes) inspirational way. Most notably, Kiyosaki motivates his readers to be “financially literate”, even with his habit of downplaying the value of academic and traditional learning.
He says: “What is missing from their education is not how to make money, but how to manage money.” While some of his teachings might not be as agreeable, they do make you rethink some of your financial decisions. With that said, Rich Dad Poor Dad could still be worth the read. —Bianca Lim, Editorial Assistant
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
The Red Tent is based on the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob from the Bible. She is mentioned only briefly in the Bible, but here her story is fleshed out.
A woman’s life during this period of history is hard and scary, back when women had very little agency over their lives. The “red tent” is a place where women could have their own power, with no men to intrude on their privacy.
Don’t let the fact that this story was based on the Bible deter you. This book sets out to give you a female perspective on a very well-known tale that has been setting aside women for centuries.
I liked the emphasis on the moving, complicated facets of female relationships—love, resentment, solidarity—and enjoyed reading the story behind the story we know. —Geraldine Sy, Art Director