New books by Filipino authors to add to one’s list

Hearing about new releases always fills bookworms with joy. It’s like being told Christmas has come early, or that a treasure trove of sparkling gems awaits us.

But what about when the book is by a Filipino author? You feel a mix of kilig and Pinoy pride—because it means another Filipino writer has made their mark. And in the case of some of the established authors on this list, it means they have a new book for us to celebrate.

If you’re looking for new (or new-ish books) by Filipino authors to discover, look no further. From cozy fantasies and transgressive fiction to women’s fiction, a graphic novel, a short story collection, a generational queer saga, a historical novel, and National Book Award winners, this list has something for every kind of reader.

‘Hue City’ by Claire Betita De Guzman

Fresh from whisking us away to a contemporary romance novel with “Sudden Superstar” early last year, De Guzman takes an unexpected turn with a gritty, dark, and mesmerizing story. In “Hue City,” the lives of three unlikely characters—a scammer, a part-time pimp, and a wealthy Singaporean writer—collide, each one flawed, ambitious, and hurtling down a treacherous, sometimes heartbreaking path of reinvention. “Hue City” pulls readers in to reflect on our choices, the cities we inhabit, and what we might find within.

‘Daybreaker by Tori Tadiar

“Daybreaker,” written and illustrated by Tori Tadiar, is the first book in the Ilustra Series. This middle-grade graphic novel follows Mika Mirasol, a boarding school high school student who has always believed Filipino gods and goddesses to be mere old wives’ tales—until a moth speaks to her in the voice of her deceased Lola. Mika then acquires a burst of power and inadvertently casts a spell on two classmates, setting her on a quest into the islands of the Philippines to unlock its hidden myths. “Daybreaker” will be released in June 2025 and is now available for pre-order at Fully Booked.

“The Power Above Us All” by Ronaldo Vivo Jr.

This is the gripping first installment in the Dreamland Series by award-winning author Ronald Vivo Jr., translated into English by Karl De Mesa. In Book 1, readers are swept inside the giant slum of “Dreamland,” where Dodong, a low-life criminal, lives a cushy life with his best friend. His life takes a violent turn when his girlfriend, Che, turns up dead, and Dodong is framed for her murder. With the clock ticking, Dodong rushes to clear his name, and the further he goes into the rabbit hole, the more he unearths audacious twists and terrifying truths that may change him and Dreamland forever.

“My Lola’s Love Letters” by Ines Bautista-Yao

College junior Nat Torres feels like her life isn’t going anywhere. Who would when she allows an ex to keep breaking her heart (a never-ending cycle for Nat) and the school where she works part-time reassigns her because she wasn’t living up to her potential? But one day, when clearing out her Lola’s dusty basement, Nat discovers stacks of letters that belong to her Lola Natividad (the one she’s named after). In the letters, her grandmother is a young woman in love. As Nat reads letter after letter, she may just find the strong and brave woman hiding inside her. Published by Ateneo Press in March of last year, this warm and hopeful book is perfect for YA readers.

“Cat’s People” by Tanya Guerrero

We all need hugs and cats in our lives (and one more thing, this book!). “Cat’s People” tells the tale of Cat, a loving and clever yet cautious black street cat with a troubled past. Living under the hedges in Brooklyn, New York, Cat values her independence but feels inexplicably drawn to five lonely humans who visit her regularly: a reclusive bestselling author, a cherished neighborhood mailman, a grieving widower, a checkout girl from Georgia, and the colorful “Rainbow Lady.” When Cat falls seriously ill, these strangers come together, forming unlikely friendships that change their lives. Charming and sweet, this story will surely warm your heart and lift your spirits. To be released in April 2025, “Cat’s People” is available for pre-order at Fully Booked.

“Accidents Happen” by FH Batacan

Nine years after FH Batacan and Soho Press released an expanded edition of “Smaller and Smaller Circles,” the author returns with “Accidents Happen,” a highly anticipated collection of mystery and crime short stories. From the master of Filipino crime fiction, readers can expect nothing less than gripping narratives and masterful storytelling.

“Steady Sarah” by Justine Camacho-Tajonera

A book about self-discovery? Absolutely, yes! When “Steady Sarah” suffers a double whammy (gets dumped by a guy she thought she’d marry, then fired from her job), Sarah surprises her family, friends, and even herself when she sets out on a quest to visit seven waterfalls from Luzon to Mindanao. If you’ve ever felt lost or fantasized about leaving everything behind and staging an “Eat, Pray, Love” trip, this travelogue fictional book is the one to pick up and dive into.

“A Monsoon Rising” by Thea Guanzon

Romantasy fans will be thrilled to learn that Thea Guanzon’s newest installment in the Hurricane Wars series was released in December last year. Alaric and Talasyn are forced into an alliance and marriage, and political schemers abound, secretly plotting to overthrow Alaric’s reign. Meanwhile, a magical event called Moonless Dark looms on the horizon, threatening to devour their world, and only Talasyn and Alaric can stop it.

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