CONTRARY to popular belief, literature isn’t dying. As per a survey conducted by Fast Company, 61% of both Gen Zs and millennials had read either a print book, e-book, or audiobook in the past 12 months. Of those asked, 57% considered themselves to be readers.
Yes, there have been reports in the Philippines that readership has been on a steady decline, as seen in a readership survey from the National Book Development Board stating that readership has dropped from 80 to 42% from 2017 to 2023.
However, many Filipinos still spend their time indulging in books, enjoying the different places that the pages they read take them to.
The question now, though, is this: what are Gen Zs reading nowadays? Have their tastes changed compared to past generations?
To answer this, republicasia interviewed four Gen Zs to figure out what books they hold in the highest of regards.
- Geronimo Stilton Classic Tales: Little Women by Thea Stilton
The highlight of many a child’s life used to be collecting as many Geronimo or Thea Stilton books as possible. One such book in that collection that 21-year-old Hannah recommends is the Geronimo Stilton retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”
Here, the March sisters are the March mice, made up of sweet, demure Meg, adventurous Jo, shy Beth, and young Amy. They later on meet Laurie, their next-door neighbor, with whom they have many fun adventures.
“Kaya favorite book ko siya kasi same [siya] sa story ni Little Women, and yung character doon ni Jo, compassionate siya sa dream niya [na] maging writer ng libro, and ginawa niya yung best niya para matupad niya yun,” shared Hannah.
If you’re looking for a much lighter version of Louisa May Alcott’s work with your favorite March women as mouse-ified versions of themselves, or if you simply want to take a trip down memory lane, this book is the one for you.
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
In 2012, Madeline Miller won the Orange Prize for Fiction thanks to her book, “The Song of Achilles.”
Set in Greece during the Age of Heroes, Miller’s novel looks at the story of the young prince Patroclus, who has been exiled and forced to live with King Peleus and his son, Achilles. Despite their differences, a friendship soon starts to bloom between Achilles and Patroclus… and perhaps even more.
22-year-old Rei describes this book as a retelling of the mythology of these two characters, as Miller’s novel explores their friendship more romantically.
“[It’s] full of queer angst, so I think queer people who like reading angst will enjoy this book,” he shared.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Doing some soul-searching? 21-year-old Rianna Mae Santiago recommends Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist.”
“[It’s] about finding yourself, finding your personal legend,” she explained.
“Since I’m adulting, maganda siya for people na naga-adulting ngayon na hindi alam kung ano ang personal legend nila, so it’s a way for them to find what they want in life, and it’s good for realizations.”
The Alchemist is a tale of self-discovery which talks about a young shepherd boy named Santiago, who travels across South America in hopes of finding treasure. The riches he finds, however, are unlike anything he’d ever dreamed of.
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
In this coming-of-age murder mystery written by Delia Owens, a local celebrity named Chase Andrews turns up dead in North Carolina, and immediately people start to suspect “strange” Kya Clark, as she is deemed different from everyone else.
More than this, however, the book explores Kya’s life, starting all the way from her childhood. Owens discusses the impacts of Kya growing up isolated in the marshes when she was young, posing the question of just how big of an impact being alone can have on a person.
“Isa ‘to sa mga pinakana-hook ako na book last year, kasi aside sa plot, sobrang ganda ng pagkakasulat, and navi-visualize mo talaga yung nangyayari,” shared 23-year-old Ayessa.
- Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
This Joseph Conrad novella discusses the journey of Charles Marlow as he travels on a steamboat through the Congo Free State in Africa. Set during the late 19th-century colonial era, Conrad’s novel explores the exploitation going on in Africa during that time, discussing issues such as abuse, colonialism, racism, and the darkness that can be found within one’s soul.
While Rianna originally only read this as a requirement for a class, she found the experience of reading it to be extremely insightful. Be warned, though: it’s very much a product of its time.
“Mayroong mixed reviews about it – may pagka-biased [daw,] so it was a good read for me since I was able to reflect kung paano nga ba tingnan yung history,” Rianna shared.
“If, kung biased siya, do you need to read it the way the author read it, or do you need to look for more perspective about it?”