From a frightening and gripping memoir, to a heartwarming story that makes us believe in the power of books, and more, check out what our resident bookworms picked for their best reads this 2023.
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A novel within a novel–the story is presented as a memoir of Dr. McCandless as he tells the story of how Dr. Godwin Baxter revived a dead woman and designed her as his perfect companion. And so, we follow the woman's (Bella Baxter) evolution from when she has a child's mind to being an adult woman witnessing life and its inequalities.
An entertaining and hilarious read, I think this is one of the books that gave me a very memorable reading journey because of its unique characters, story structure, and social commentaries.
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Patricia Evangelista applies her acerbic observational skills and writing talent to flesh out this dark and recent chapter in Philippine history.
In the end, even if this were a difficult and harrowing read, I felt I owed it to the victims to keep reading, commit this to memory, read their names, recite their names loudly, never to forget. If there’s one important book to read this 2023, this is it.
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Before We Say Goodbyeby Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a beautifully written story that mixes fantasy and real feelings.The characters, who meet in a special café, explore love and regret in a way that makes you think about your own life. It's a touching book that makes you appreciate the moments you have now.
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This was the second book I read this year, and I love it as much as I lovedFunny You Should Ask.
I feel the book's strength lies in how it sheds light on the world of musical theatre, which somehow reminded me ofHigh School MusicalandCamp Rock.This one is definitely for those who love musical shows!