Ready your playlist: 9 books to read by the poolside
MANILA, Philippines — While the younger members of your family are already back in school, you still have a week or so before entering college. You can have the pool to yourself, with the gently rippling clear blue water beckoning to you, but you’ve never really been one to enjoy a quiet swim on your own.
Being the bookworm that you are, you’d rather curl up on the lounge chair with a good book to read. So, why not pick one to keep you company from the gamut of thrillers, romances, and graphic novels available?
Fully Booked recommends these nine poolside reads.
1. "Duty Ka Ba?" by Tepai Pascual
When you’re in the mood for something light and fun that keeps you chortling while you’re chilling under the sun, "Duty Ka Ba?" should be your perfect companion.
This graphic novel by Tepai Pascual dives into the hectic and complex world of healthcare in the Philippines with wit and charm.
Packed with hilarious stand-alone comic quips, romance angles, and plenty of hugot, it’s an easy, entertaining read. So if you’ve still got a long vacation ahead, you can treat yourself to all three existing volumes (with more on the way!). You’re in for a good laugh, and, honestly, humor might just be the best thing to bring with you to fully enjoy your well-deserved break.
2. "Deep Cuts" by Holly Brickley
Do you believe in chance encounters that can change your life — for better or for worse? In "Deep Cuts," two people, obsessed with music, meet in a bar in the fall of 2000. Percy is a budding music critic; while Joe is turning out to be a promising young musician. When Percy offers her no-holds-barred opinion of Joe’s song, it sparks a decades-long creative partnership — and a messy “will-they-or-won’t-they” romance.
In this book debut, author Holly Brickley delivers an addictive narrative that whirls you into Joe and Percy’s shared passions, making you wish you loved something as fiercely as they love music. If you choose this book, don’t forget to bring your playlist and a Bluetooth speaker because "Deep" Cuts is best enjoyed while listening to the music hits of the 2000s. Full of nostalgia, love, and deep conversations about music, this is a keeper.
3. "The Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Barnes
A twisty, intriguing YA novel packed with puzzles, riddles, and secret passageways — what’s not to love about "The Inheritance Games"?
Jennifer Barnes’ bestselling book follows Avery, an ordinary teen reeling from the loss of her mother. Then life throws her a shocking curveball: A billionaire named Tobias Hawthorne leaves his entire fortune to her.
But there’s a catch: Avery must move into his sprawling, booby-trap and secret passages-filled mansion, where his bitter family, including the four Hawthorne grandsons, still live. Can Avery survive this high-stakes “scavenger hunt” among sinisterly motivated (and handsome) rivals — and avoid getting caught in a love triangle between the brothers?
Fair warning: The New York Times deemed this “impossible to put down,” so you might want to tell your travel companions you’ll be quite engrossed and preoccupied — at least until it’s time to eat!
4. "The God of the Woods" by Liz Moore
“The bed is empty.” This is the opening line of "The God of the Woods," a literary mystery set in 1975, when a 13-year-old girl, Barbara Van Laar, goes missing from summer camp.
Barbara isn’t just any teenager. She’s the daughter of the wealthy family that owns the camp and basically the whole town. A thrilling drama unfolds.
Published in 2024, "The God of the Woods" is an expansive, intricate, and page-turning novel, with each puzzle piece skillfully placed by Moore. Often compared to "The Secret History," it’s the kind of book that pulls you in and keeps you hooked — until your long weekend is over.
5. "The Compound" by Aisling Rawle
If two of your favorite things are reality TV and dystopian fiction, "The Compound" might just be your perfect poolside friend. And that cover? It practically screams vacation read — let me tell you why.
The world is in chaos: Political unrest and climate catastrophe have turned ordinary people into scavengers. The book’s protagonist, Lily — a beautiful twenty-something — joins a reality TV show set on a deserted island where one winner will receive anything he or she wishes to have (wealth, beauty, a lifetime of comfort). To win, she must outlast her housemates while competing in challenges for luxury rewards and basic necessities.
There’s also love and coupling in the mix, but Lily knows how to play her cards right. As the stakes rise, does Lily have what it takes to outlast everyone in this engrossing, disturbing read — often described as a cross between "Love Island" and "Lord of the Flies"?
6. "Hot Chocolate on Thursday" by Michiko Aoyama
Sometimes, the perfect pool read is a short book filled with cozy chapters that follow the staff and customers of a charming café in a quiet Tokyo neighborhood. Even if you’re under the sun beside a body of water, you can still almost picture that beautiful outdoor café across a bridge, tucked beneath seasonal cherry blossoms.
The novel begins with the waiter pondering about a woman who always drops by on Thursdays, orders hot chocolate, and writes letters in English. From there, readers meet other regulars who frequent the café. We get a glimpse of their lives — both joyful and bittersweet — and though their interactions are brief, there’s a quiet sense that even a small smile and a few kind words can brighten someone’s day.
This is a healing, feel-good read from the author of "What You Are Looking For Is in the Library."
In this heat, hot chocolate may be the last thing on your mind — but imagine it iced, or swap it for a refreshing drink as you take small, satisfying sips of this gentle, heartwarming book by Michiko Aoyama.
7. "Sudden Superstar" by Claire Betita De Guzman
Pack light with this breezy, riveting romantic novel.
The main character Arya Alvarez, a transplant from Manila, is making a fresh start in Singapore as a luxury travel manager for the elite. Her plans are upended, however, when she encounters a handsome stranger on a secluded island, snaps a few photos, and uploads them online. The man turns out to be David Nadibaidze, a famous, reclusive artist who disappeared from the public eye years ago. Overnight, Arya is swept into Internet fame, influencer parties, and intense social media backlash.
Claire Betita De Guzman’s prose never misses a beat, whisking readers across Greece, South Africa, Japan, and beyond. Even if you’re just lounging by the pool of an Airbnb with friends, this book will transport you to breathtaking places — and have you rooting for Arya to find the lasting happiness that she deserves.
8. "Make Me a Monster" by Kalynn Bayron
Allow yourself to be whisked off to — of all places — a mortuary.
In this YA novel, we follow Meka, a newly certified mortician’s assistant at the funeral home owned by her parents. She loves her job and her boyfriend, and everything seems peachy, until tragedy strikes. Suddenly, strange things start happening: Shadowy figures lurk, ravens circle their home, strangers follow her in the dark, and, worst of all, the dead are coming alive.
This Frankenstein-tinged horror romance is spooky, sparkly, and fascinating to read and experience, and even with the lights out in your Airbnb, you’ll keep reading and reading…
9. "Witch Hat Atelier" by Kamone Shirihama
This sweet, magic-filled manga has an Art Deco style that manga fans find irresistible, and, not to mention, a consistently engaging story.
The graphic novel’s protagonist, Coco, is an ordinary girl living in a place where dragons and spells are part of everyday life. Coco has always dreamt of casting spells, but in this world, becoming a witch is thought to be a gift you’re born with — not something you can learn.
Everything changes when she meets Qifrey, a mysterious traveling magician, and glimpses a kind of magic she’s never seen before. In a moment of curiosity, Coco attempts a spell of her own — with devastating consequences. Thrust into a hidden world of magic, she sets out on a spellbinding journey of adventure and growth in this binge-worthy manga series, often described as a cross between "Harry Potter" and "Studio Ghibli."
