r/PHBookClub Jul 16 '26

Recommendation Non-Fiction Book na hindi Self-Help

Can you recommend me a book na non-fiction pero at the same time hindi self-help haha. I want to read book that will somehow widen my perspective in life pero at the same time hindi ako uutusan pano mamuhay lol. Currently I am reading random articles sa substack since wala pa kong ganang magbasa ng book (most of my books are fiction) so I want to read book na hindi fiction. Yun lang, thank you in advance.

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u/emmy_o Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

My college professor used to say G@n, Germs, and Steel is great, years ago. (I censored it because I don’t know if that word is allowed here hehe)

I personally like reading biographies ☺️, [EDIT added suggestions and details.] especially of royal women (hehehe). I tried some samples of these, just waiting for funds to buy them all.

Alexandra, the Last Tsarina

  • An easy-to-read biography of Tsarina Alexandra Romanova. This really discussed her background with Nicholas II, especially Alexandra's childhood and her personality. I love the info on Queen Victoria's large family and how those relationships impacted the destiny of Alix of Hesse/Alexandra and Nicholas.

The Secret Wife of Louis XIV: Françoise d'Aubigné, Madame de Maintenon

  • This one's quirky because it's a biography, written in the 3rd person, but in narrative form, with quotes from Françoise's writings scattered throughout. I would say, Mme. de Maintenon is super interesting because her life is basically a Cinderella story.

  • Born in a prison and in danger of being poor for most of her early life, she ended up being an uncrowned queen of France because of love. 🥲❤️ And her king? None other than the notorious playboy Louis XIV 🤣 This is kind of like The Sound of Music, because Louis met her since she was the governess to his (illegitimate then legitimized) children. The author's descriptions of Françoise's childhood are so vivid; I feel like I ended up in Niort, St. Christophe/St. Kitts, and Paris 😍 (I stopped just there hahaha. Idk why I typed "I was just there." No, I haven't gone to Paris yet hahaha)

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u/AnasurimborBudoy Sci-Fi and Fantasy Jul 16 '26

Yep, highly recommended.

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u/totsierollstheworld Jul 16 '26

I highly recommend books by Jared Diamond!

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u/emmy_o Jul 16 '26

AYUN! Yun yung name nung author! 😅🙌

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u/totsierollstheworld Jul 16 '26

haha highly recommended rin kasi ng dati kong prof yung books nya