(SPOT.ph) Ever find yourself stuck at home, bored, while all your friends are off exploring the world? Sometimes, all you need is a cup of coffee and good book to go on a quick (or an extended) getaway! Whether you want to be whisked away in a romantic novel or immersed in a whole different universe, there's a book that will definitely take you to a different place even just for a while...like these ones that we can't seem to put down!
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (P699)
Monsieur Perdu knows exactly what kind of book every reader needs, and through some sort of instinct is able to heal their hardened souls from his bookstore in a barge on the Seine. While he can fix everyone else's problems, he can't get over his own heartbreak. An old letter is all he has which eventually takes him on a journey to the south of France with an Italian chef. It's the type of story you'll want to read while you're still waiting for that ticket to Europe. — Loren Evangelista-Agaloos, managing editor
Available at Fully Booked
The Course of Love by Alain de Botton (P1,144)
Philosopher Alain de Botton weaves the complex and intricate story of a long-term relationship through the eyes of one couple: Rabih and Kristen. The result is a touching, intimate, and at times, frighteningly genuine look at modern relationships. — Aimee Dacanay, staff writer
Available at Fully Booked
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (P660)
Life isn't always rainbows and butterflies—we all know that by now. There's love, loss, violence, abuse, and other bitter moments in life but Milk and Honey shows through a collection of poetry and prose that despite it all, you can still find sweetness in those painful experiences. — Jamie Sanchez, editorial assistant
Available at Fully Booked
The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (P660)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt—yes,thatJGL—compiles a collection of poetic stories in this beautifully illustrated trilogy. Each submitted story is just a few lines each, but it will tug at your heartstrings just the same. — Aimee Dacanany, staff writer
Available at Fully Booked
Step Aside, Pops by Kate Beaton (P1,790)
Even if you’re not familiar with New Yorker cartoonist Kate Beaton’s art, you’d be hard-pressed to put down this page-turner. Step Aside, Pops is the second book compilation of Beaton’s hip and hilarious comic strips that portray historical figures, well-known leaders, and iconic heroes in the most ridiculous—but totally relatable—situations. —Joanna Manalastas, editor-in-chief
Available at Fully Booked
The Book of Human Emotions by Tiffany Smith (P1,049)
According to recent research, there are only six basic emotions. We know, it’s difficult to believe, but this book is a thoughtful and clever read that will take you on an around-the-world journey through time, immersing you in different cultures of human experiences where you’ll find out fascinating facts on feelings and maybe even learn something new about yourself along the way. — Kyla Paler, editorial assistant
Available at National Book Store
Bucky F*cking Dent by David Duchovny (P865)
Ted Fullilove has never had an easy relationship with his Red Sox-obsessed father, Marty—that is, until he learns that Marty is dying of lung cancer. Ted ends up moving back into his childhood home, rediscovering his purpose, and reconnecting with his history in this diverting novel that, beneath the sports references and witty comebacks, hides a heartfelt, emotional story about confronting your past—and moving on from it. — Joanna Manalastas, editor-in-chief
Available at National Book Store
Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid (P440)
Dave and Julia are best friends who refuse to be sucked into the system of high school cliches—so much so that they wrote their own Never List, which is a list of things the promise to never do. But hey, sometimes rules have to be broken, and as for Dave, he's already broken rule number eight: Never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It's either that or rule number 10: Never date your best friend. But Julia decided they should do everything on their Never List because, what the heck? In the end, they both realize that by skipping cliches, they've been missing out on high school...and even the chance for love. — Jamie Sanchez, editorial assistant
Available at Fully Booked
Araw/Gabi: Mga Aporismo ng Pakautal at Pagkaulol/Mga Aporismo ng Pagtanga at Pagtunganga by Rolando B. Tolentino (P500)
Rolando B. Tolentino, professor at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, often uses the 140-word platform of Twitter for musings on Filipino culture, forgotten history, national issues, and, of course, love. His latest tweet is: "Sa una't huli, kelangang may dangal umibig. Pag wala't di na ramdam ito, move on na please." This and more can be found in his two-volume book Araw/Gabi as aphorisms or statements expressing general truths, principles, or observations. If you often find yourself clicking like on his social media accounts, then you'll definitely be a fan of this book. — Christa I. De La Cruz, staff writer
Available at UP Press, National Book Store, Powerbooks, and Fully Booked
Lahat Tayo May Period (At Iba Pang Punctuation Marks) by Rod Marmol (P250)
Lahat Tayo May Period is an easy read, something that you can browse while stuck in traffic (which is, always). You'll also have to fight laughing out loud unless you want to be looked at by your fellow jeepney passengers. It compares various punctuation marks to the different situations we often in experience in life—from happy and sad endings (as portrayed by a period), to changes (as portrayed by a comma), to "rurok ng emosyon" (as portrayed by an exclamation point). It is a whole lot of hugot, which is something everyone can relate to. — Christa I. De La Cruz, staff writer
Available at National Book Store, Powerbooks, and Fully Booked