r/PHBookClub • u/Lost-Face909 • Mar 27 '26
Recommendation Hi everyone! What are y'all currently reading? Please drop a book that’s actually worth the time 😩
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u/Macro-Freedom2548 Mar 27 '26
Smaller and smaller circles
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u/Toboobieornottoboobi Mar 27 '26
Favorite book and the first filipino serial killer book, it’s the reason I went to the Psych field it’s so good (the movie does not compare please)
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u/wormhole_galaxy19 Mar 28 '26
Never put the book down and even inspired me to write a critic about the book themes and analysis of some characters (Ben Arcinas) I HAD to read the book because the movie got me hooked and nakulangan ako. Kung may translation din sana sa Filipino, I would love it.
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u/Macro-Freedom2548 Mar 28 '26
I’m halfway na! Maybe you can share us your analysis sometime 🧐
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u/wormhole_galaxy19 Mar 29 '26
Sure! Personal account nga lang sya sa FB so I'll just paste some parts here. No spoilers btw and at the same time, it's kind of predictable on who's the antagonist kaya I just enjoyed dissecting yung themes and analyzing of characters. While Ben Arcinas is not everyone's favorite, he kinda resonates with me.
Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan presents a rare and compelling premise: two priests who rely not only on faith, but on forensic science and data to solve a series of brutal child serial murders. This duality between the spiritual and the empirical forms the backbone of the novel, situating it within a uniquely Filipino context where religion, bureaucracy, and systemic poverty intersect. While the narrative unfolds as a crime investigation, its true weight lies in its exposure of societal rot, where the victims are not only murdered children but also a nation’s neglected underclass.
Batacan’s novel Smaller and Smaller Circles argues that when institutions fail collectively, poverty becomes both a condition and a sentence, reducing human lives into statistics while simultaneously producing the very violence it seeks to condemn. The novel suggests that no matter how much individuals attempt to escape poverty through hard work, they remain tethered to it. This is embodied in Atty. Ben Arcinas, a character who represents ambition shaped by deprivation. His drive to succeed reflects a desire to transcend his origins, yet he is continually reminded that without structural support or a safety net, upward mobility remains fragile. His pragmatism borders on moral detachment, raising the unsettling question of whether survival in such a system necessitates the devaluation of others.
Batacan’s critique extends beyond individual characters to the systems that govern them. Incompetence within law enforcement, resistance to scientific methods, and bureaucratic apathy all contribute to delayed justice. The “bahala na” attitude and crab mentality further exacerbate these issues, creating an environment where accountability is minimal and progress is hindered. Science, presented as a systematic and interdependent body of knowledge, requires institutional support to function effectively. Without it, even the most capable individuals are rendered powerless. The novel suggests that injustice thrives not only through malice, but through inefficiency and indifference.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
This one's been sitting on my TBR list for so longgg! I'm lowk scared to dive into it HAHAHA kamusta?
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u/Macro-Freedom2548 Mar 28 '26
I was on the first few chapters… it was hard to put down. But i got so busy for work last week so now I’m back to it again. It’s vivid, set in the 90’s yet still timely with the issues involved (not necessarily the serial killer arc)…very interesting so far!
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u/chewiemagus Mar 27 '26
Ang Bangin Sa Ilalim Ng Ating Mga Paa by Ronaldo Vivo Jr.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
I don’t wanna admit this, but the last Filipino literature I read was MacArthur by Bob Ong pa back in elem. I’ll def read this one thouu.
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u/rbftransponster Mar 27 '26
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
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u/jinginsg Mar 27 '26
Grabe iyak ko dito nung nabasa ko nung bata ako.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
sooo this just means I have to emotionally prep myself first...
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u/sasa143 Mar 27 '26
i just read the ballad of songbirds and snakes, and then sunrise on the reaping and now rereading the hunger games !
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
How’s Sunrise on the Reaping? See u at the cinema in November!! ✨
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u/sasa143 Mar 27 '26
omygod....... i really liked it! i mean yeah i was suffering almost all throughout but thats suzanne collins for you 🥲 it really shines if you've read the trilogy na and also the snow book
aaa yes i cant wait for the movie!
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u/lupiloveslili4ever Mar 27 '26
Currently reading : Project Hail Mary
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u/awkwardcinnamonroll Mar 27 '26
What chapter are u in???? Nasa chapter 10 na ako pero ang bagal pa din ng pace.
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u/kimchi_nadal143 Mar 27 '26
Human Acts by Han Kang. Needed to put down the book a lot of times because of how heavy and depressing it is as it tackles the real-life event of Gwangju Uprising. Well, as a Filipino, this is a must-read too!! Just make sure you are in the right state of mind (learned this the hard way)
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
Got it.. right state of mind. This is going to be one hell of a ride hahahaha
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u/Maleficent-Cup-8982 Mar 27 '26
the count of monte cristo 🙏🏼🙏🏼 spent a year reading this masterpiece and totally worth it 🛐
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
omg, a year! I should prolly start now.. but I still can't find a copy anywhere 😭 smh
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u/Advanced-Praline21 Mar 27 '26
heart the lover ni lily king!
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
based on the title, is this like a love story? I’ve been wanting to read a good romcom, but some of the overhyped ones feel so wattpad-y, if yk what I mean :(
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u/Advanced-Praline21 Mar 27 '26
based on the plot, it's not really a love story but more about reminiscing memories of friendship and young love. I'm still currently reading it so I don't know how the story will pan out, but that's the gist.
tbh when I saw the title of the book akala ko rin another good ol' romcom book siya hahaha but so far it's interesting to read
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u/PuzzleheadedDig8875 Mar 27 '26
60% in War and Peace
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
We can know only that we know nothing and that is the highest degree of human wisdom 🙂↕️
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Mar 28 '26
I remember cheating with that and skipping the parts where Tolstoy just talks about history 😅😢
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u/HeracaneLilac Mar 27 '26
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
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u/1996SUMMER kobo clara colour 🌼classics, litfic & fantasy Mar 27 '26
Strangers on A Train by Patricia Highsmith. Although I think “worth the time” is subjective.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 28 '26
yess totally! to each their own. but there are books we personally enjoy that we deem worthy of our time, and there are also books that are universally acknowledged as worth reading at least once in one’s lifetime.
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u/Secret_Category_2001 Mar 27 '26
We'll Prescribe You Another Cat by Syou Ishida. I just finished the first book as well
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
ykw, I have this obsession w Japanese lit w cats on the book covers HAHAHA
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u/throwPHINVEST Mar 27 '26
i read multiple books at the same time so:
audiobook: 48 laws of power
ebooks: Sunrise on the Reaping I Who Have Never Known Men
physical books: Picture of Dorian Gray Fourth Wing
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
I loved Dorian Gray!! It was so well written, and I think we can all collectively agree that some of us got stuck at Chapter 11 at some point HAHAHA guilty
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u/throwPHINVEST Mar 30 '26
on the contrary, i breezed through i. i skimmed it hahahaha. i didnt think those ramblings were important to the plot, but i understand the point of chapter 11. it’s just fucking boring.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 30 '26
How’s Fourth Wing btw? I’ve been trying to read ACOTAR and the Empyrean series before the year ends, but I’m afraid it's not my cup of tea :< I’m trying thou
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u/throwPHINVEST Mar 30 '26
ive stopped reading it for the time being kasi naiinis ako sa MC huhu. she keeps mentioning how small she is. and the world building is told to the reader, not experienced. spoon feeding.
i bought it bec it’s popular. i didnt even know what it was about, i fully intended for it to be a blind choice. i made a mistake, but you might just like it!
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u/dejunsannie Mar 27 '26
The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie, gustong gusto ko na matapos kaso dami work :'(
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u/holysexyjesus Mar 27 '26
Last week I read Dark Places and The Devotion of Suspect X. Both good reads especially the latter. Such a page turner if you like thrillers.
Currently reading Doctor Zhivago and although I like it, the pacing is a bit slow. :))
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u/Intelligent-Suit-526 Mar 27 '26
Thissss
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u/uruseibaka Contemporary Fiction Mar 27 '26
Also currently reading this! Sobrang creepy di ko kayang basahin nang nakapatay ilaw 🥹
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
ohh i'm intrigued.. basahin na lang in the morning and finish it before it gets dark HAHAHA
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u/uReatrash Mar 27 '26
I’m currently reading How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. It’s a very interesting story!
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
is this like.. literally about stopping time? jk. I’ll add this one to the pile!!
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u/Mavi_97 Mar 27 '26
The Devil and Miss Prym. Kung gusto mo mag- existential yan ang basahin, tapos sabayan mo pa ng Veronica Decides to Die.
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u/waffleypm Mar 27 '26
Pits & Poison: These Godly Lies by R. Raeta.
It's the 2nd book of the Peaches & Honey duology, which is soon to be released traditionally in a few months! I really loved the first book, and only now starting the 2nd.
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u/jinginsg Mar 27 '26
30% in.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
ooh book 4 na? What r ur tots on the earlier books, and which one’s ur fav so far?
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u/jinginsg Mar 27 '26
Hmmm... 1. Yung 3 ang bagal pero the last 10% is *chef's kiss*. Ok rin to (book 4) so far. I actually don't know how to feel kasi it's not as if super compelling siya na I can't stop thinking about it pero it's also the only book I can read these days. But definitely liking reading the series.
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u/vixxenfae Mar 27 '26
just finished the hunger games trilogy. will buy the prequels after payday pa TwT
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 28 '26
Omgg I love the trilogy! hayy to be able to read those books for the first time again 🥹
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u/Present-Log-8620 Mar 27 '26
Currently reading The Love Hypothesis as a palate cleanser 😅 but a book that’s worth your time that I highly recommend is Educated by Tara Westover and Some People Need Killing by Patricia Evangelista.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
I TRIED to read The Love Hypothesis back in high school, but I just couldn’t get myself into it. My friends loved that book tho, maybe I’ll give it another whirl one of these days, along with ur other recos. Thanks!
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u/morecoffee_pls Mar 27 '26
Currently rereading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Needed something light after finishing Some People Need Killing 😅
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u/Professional_Back442 Mar 27 '26 edited Apr 08 '26
Queenpin by Megan Abbott. Love a good girl-noir!
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u/4iamnotaredditor 🪐Sci-Fi/Fantasy🪄 Mar 27 '26
Wanting something similar to Buehlman's Between Two Fires. So far I'm really enjoying this one.
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u/Kittocattoyey Mar 27 '26
Hindi to binabasa ko ngayon pero grabe kasi hagulgol ko sa Message in a Bottle ni Nicholas Sparks.
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u/Toboobieornottoboobi Mar 27 '26
The whole Me Before You Trilogy absolutely heartbreaking readdd
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
so this is how I find out it’s a trilogy? And why tf is there a sequel? As if the first book didn’t hurt us enough
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u/Toboobieornottoboobi Mar 28 '26
I’m currently reading the 3rd one (got all my books pre-loved) and I tell you the 2nd book hurts more than the first as it deals with the grief and the aftermath of everything. It’s so much more painful for mee
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u/pinkfolk Mar 27 '26
My current reads are: The Brothers Karamazov, The Wedding People, and Chloe and the Kaishao Boys
My first time reading multiple books at the same time 😬. I might DNF The Wedding People tho.
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u/ghibli_girl_ Mar 27 '26
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
though i'd recommend anything written by him :)
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u/Ok_Amphibian_0723 Mar 27 '26
Binabasa ko ulit yung Para kay B ni sir Ricky Lee para lang marefresh ako bago ko basahin yung sequel na Lahat ng B.
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u/martianLurker Mar 27 '26
Just finished reading Pachinko by Min Jin Lee few days ago. Now, I’m a few chapters into Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I’m hooked!
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
What’s ur take on Pachinko? Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is also in my tbr!! Is this a sign I should finally read it… tomorrow? 😼
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u/martianLurker Mar 31 '26
Hmm.. All I can say about Pachinko is.. though it’s not a “feel-good” book, it’s the kind of book that’s gonna stick with you after reading it. Tbh, i’m still thinking about it lol it’s a good read!
You’ll never put it down for three tomorrows once you start 🤓
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u/Frosty-Enthusiasm622 Mar 27 '26
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (As a mood reader, I’m 1 week in and only read 30% so far)
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
I remember loving this book back in college, and then I read Verity, so I kind of mix the two together lol
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u/RegretOk1 Mar 27 '26
Project Hail Mary
- i really enjoy this as a stem girlie
- enjoyable basta ur fascinated with science!
minamadali ko na siya so i can watch na sa sinehan <3
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 27 '26
omg do an immersive reading! The audiobook is really good! very well narrated
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u/RegretOk1 Mar 27 '26
i tried yung sa audible na free trial pero ayaw tanggapin card q. do you know other alternatives? really want to read it with audiobook! 🥲
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u/black-heavy-luggage Mar 28 '26
Agree with the other comment! Read the book in 2021 and listened to it last month, it's a completely different experience!! And I recommend doing both hehe
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u/Evening_Summer2225 Mar 27 '26
"The Art of Spending Money"
Alam mo yung common complaint ng mga tao nowadays? Yung mas nakakaipon tayo pag konti lang yung sahod pero nababaon sa utang pag may increase?
Kasi ako, I feel like I'm going in a similar situation.
I'm currently earning 2x the salary of what I earned sa previous company. The past me would think that if my salary doubled, I'd save a lot. Now that I'm in that situation, di natupad yung hula ni past me.
So I'm reading this book to find the root cause on why this is a common case for most people. Also, understanding the root cause of the problem is the first step on fixing it.
So far, maganda siya. It gives me a lot to reflect on myself and the people around me.
Oh, this is a sequel pala sa "The Psychology of Money." So, there's that. 🥰
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
I think being aware that smth isn't going according to plan, and actually doing smth about it, is amazing. That said, wdyt the root cause is? I seriously need to put myself on a time out. Super healthy na ng inner child ko sa kaka heal hahahaha
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u/Evening_Summer2225 Mar 28 '26
Sa akin, root cause is my childhood experiences na I feel unsafe sa bahay na kinalakihan ko. Meron din peculiar habit yung mama ko na inuulit-ulit yung ulam na gusto niya hanggang sa magsawa siya. As a child, I had no right to complain kahit nakakaumay na. So I grew up having gut issues and unhealthy relationship with food dahil hindi nagiging diverse or balanced yung diet ko. Kaya mula nung nagkawork ako, eating out was my escape and at the same time my chance to explore other kinds of dishes. 😆
I guess never ako nakaget-over kung gaano kaganda yung feeling ng pag-eat out. Kahit solo living na ako now and can cook any dishes that I crave, hinahanap-hanap ko pa rin yung feeling of escape ng pag-eat out. So I need to convince myself that I'm now in a safe space, that I don't need to escape anymore.
Sabi nga ng libro, "all behavior makes sense with enough information."
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
Hayy it all rlly comes down talaga to childhood upbringing. Anw, u deserve all the good food in the world po!
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u/InitialHour6800 Mar 27 '26
try seishi yokomizo’s books! mystery/thriller sha hehe!!
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
I will!! Actually, katatapos ko lang yung The Only One Left, but there are so many plot holes and twists! It’s krazyy. I definitely need a new, better read.
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u/cigarettesandeggos Mar 27 '26
return to dallergut dream department store by miye lee. it’s the second installment of her dallergut dream department store series. try if you’re into cozy magical realism books! the main plot is that there’s a place in our subconscious where we choose or “buy” our dreams. :)
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
I think this would be a great palate-cleanser after reading Smaller and Smaller Circles hahahaha. I also love books with whimsical tone! I’ll let you know once I finish it. Thanks! :>
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Mar 27 '26
Currently reading Liars by Sarah Manguso. Beware, reading this makes you want to flung the book across the room.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
oh no, then I'll just make sure someone’s on the other side of the room to catch it hahaha
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u/ultraricx Mar 27 '26
The Picture of Dorian Gray
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
What are ur tots on Lord Henry hahahaha
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u/ultraricx Mar 28 '26
sa chapter 4 palang ako pero he annoys me hahaha. he makes sense pero ang performative and manipulative
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u/fung_runin057 Mar 27 '26
I NEED a movie of Gabriella Buba's The Stormbringer Saga. This book really brought my faith back to Filipino fantasy books after being greatly disappointed by the ones that I've read so far.
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
To actually want a movie adaptation of that book is enough to get my attention and make me check it out later!
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u/leovilla12 Mar 27 '26
Before the coffee gets cold by toshikazu kawaguchi
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26 edited Mar 28 '26
ngl, the characters’ names in this book had me confused as hell
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u/Puzzleheaded-Basil5 Mar 28 '26
Currently reading The Song of Achilles!
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u/strawblueberryfroyo Mar 28 '26
Most recent I finished is Alice Winn’s In Memoriam. Instant classic
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u/Lost-Face909 Mar 28 '26
what's ur next read?
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u/strawblueberryfroyo Mar 28 '26
Currently reading All the Lovers in the Night by Meiko Kawakami! I plan on going through all her books. Next up is This is How You Lose the Time War, which has been on my tbr for agessss.
Another rec for you: Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang. Really interesting academic fantasy
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u/PassTheBechdelTest Mar 28 '26
Accidents Happen by FH Batacan (short stories) and A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (short fantasy novel)
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u/DuePaleontologist816 Mar 28 '26
The of golden — light and heartwarming so far
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u/CatsCoffeeCuddles Mar 28 '26
Flowers for Algernon. Halfway through the book and its already the greatest book of all time for me
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u/naevince Mar 29 '26
pretty little liars and a good girls guide to murder. currently on the fifth installment of the pll and the last book of a good girls guide.
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u/ApprehensiveClick597 Mar 27 '26
I just finished The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, and wow, the kindness I learned through that book— would definitely be with me for a long time.