6 Books by Filipinos/Fil-Ams to Read in 2023

by Christine Liwag Dixon

A new year is here and with it is a new chance to hit those reading goals. Whether you’re a dedicated bookworm or someone who is just trying to fit a few books into a busy schedule, you owe it to yourself to read some books by Filipino authors. From recent releases to some of 2023’s most anticipated Pinoy reads, these are the titles from the Philippines and the diaspora that should be on your radar. 

Six Books by Filipinos/ Filipino-Americans to Read in 2023

1. Adrift by Tanya Guerrero 

   This upper middle-grade story focuses on a pair of biracial Filipino cousins. When one of them is lost at sea, the other refuses to give up hope that she’ll make her way home.

2. Chasing Pacquiao by Rod Pulido

   Expected publication: May 2, 2023

   FilAm movie buffs will recognize Rod Pulido’s name from his 2001 film The Flip Side. His debut novel, Chasing Pacquiao, is a tender coming-of-age story about a queer Filipino American teenager who confronts bullying and homophobia.

3. The Class of '77: How My Classmates Changed China by Jaime A. FlorCruz

   Jaime FlorCruz, a student leader from the Philippines, was visiting China when Ferdinand Marcos declared a state of emergency in his home country. Unable to return home without risking arrest, he enrolled in Peking University’s Class of ‘77. This compelling memoir tells his fascinating story. 

4. Tablay by Katrina F. Olan

   
   Science fiction lovers will enjoy Katrina F. Olan’s Tablay, which is set in a futuristic Philippines where tech is king. It’s only available as an e-book from Amazon in the U.S. but there are options to purchase physical copies in the Philippines.

5. This Is Not a Personal Statement by Tracy Badua

   Expected publication: January 17, 2023

   This YA novel will resonate with anyone who has felt the burden of parental expectations. Its protagonist is crushed when she doesn’t get into her dream college, but she decides to attend anyway. 

6. When the Hibiscus Falls by M. Evelina Galang

   Expected publication: June 13, 2023
   

   This collection of 17 short stories from M. Evelina Galang puts Filipino and Filipino American womanhood front and center, exploring the ties that bind across generations. 

About the Author:

Christine Liwag Dixon is a multiracial Filipino American writer and musician based in the greater NYC area. She is the Content Director of Samahan, an online multimedia platform dedicated to connecting Filipinos across the globe through the power of technology and social media.