How women are seen and portrayed are largely shaped by how men view them. The only way to see and understand women past stereotypes and traditional roles is by exposing ourselves to their perspective. Ask anyone — men and women alike — what their favorite books are, and most of them would be surprised to find that their list is mostly authored by one gender.
Whether you’re practicing social distancing or celebrating Women’s History Month, there’s no better time to expand your reading list to include more books written by women authors. Here’s a list of 22 must-read books as recommended by women, including myself:
1. Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
“Reading this will make women (and men) feel both hopeful and helpless at times. If you need convincing why feminism is still necessary in this day and age, look no further.” – Chay
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
“This coming of age book will make readers reflect how women’s self-identity is influenced and shaped by society, and more importantly, what it truly means to be a woman.” – Suzie
3. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
“In a world where you feel like you don’t quite fit in, this Japanese novel provides the reassurance that it’s okay to be different and to carve a path of your own that’s not bound by others’ expectations.” – Chay
4. Circe by Madeline Miller
“Yes, Circe, as in the daughter of Helios. The story is about making a place for yourself in a world that doesn’t understand you. A bold and feminist take on Greek mythology.” – Ali
5. Becoming by Michelle Obama
“This book is a testament that hardwork, determination, and drive never go out of style. Michelle Obama’s journey from the Southside of Chicago to the White House serves as an inspiration for readers to daringly dream and courageously break the status quo.” – Suzie
6. Dear Girls by Ali Wong
“Dear Girls is a series of candid, hilarious letters from Ali Wong to her two daughters about topics from working women to Asian culture to love. I pulled an all-nighter in a hotel room reading this entire book and cackling to myself.” – Bonnie
7. What Works: Gender Equality by Design by Iris Bohnet
“It took me months to get through this book because of the sheer amount of information and research Iris Bohnet presented. It’s a great resource for anyone who’s in a position to help rid of gender bias in organizations and communities.” – Chay
8. Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman
“Reading Kalman’s writing is like reading my own scattered thoughts. It’s a picture book of paintings with seemingly random existential questions.” – Chay
9. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
“This is a strikingly quirky collection of comics that dabbles into silly, borderline psychopathic, memories and tendencies Allie Brosh embodies. This book is relatable, hilarious, and shamelessly Allie Brosh that you have to read it.” – Leez
10. Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
“Insightful, articulate, and at times, funny — Jia Tolentino’s first book is as brilliant as everyone says it is. Pure Heroines, Always Be Optimizing, We Come from Old Virginia, and The Story of a Generation in Seven Scams are my favorite essays from the collection.” – Chay
11. Normal People by Sally Rooney
“It’s a simple story of right person, wrong timing. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful.” – Mik
12. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
“If you want to remind yourself what young love’s like, this is a good choice.” – Leslie
13. Severance by Ling Ma
“It’s about the life and routine of a millennial in New York, until it isn’t. It goes from her musings about growing up with Chinese immigrants as parents, to her office job, to all of a sudden surviving a pandemic outbreak that wiped most of the population. It’s a work of fiction that feels eerily similar to current events.” – Chay
14. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
“I cannot stress this enough. It’s one of those few books where I vividly remember how I felt when I finished it. You’ll know that feeling when you read it.” – Marian
15. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
“A friend recommended Tiny Beautiful Things at a time when I felt alone and badly needed to be surrounded by friends. It’s a comforting voice of reason and source of nuggets of wisdom about adulthood that would otherwise take you years and lots of tears to learn on your own.” – Chay
16. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
“The stunningly slow yet haunting slippery slope into a mental illness is portrayed in this novel through its protagonist. There is so much said in this book that isn’t explicitly said. It mirrors the author’s insufferable demons which makes this novel a fundamental read.” – Leez
17. The Door by Magda Szabó
“This is a story about two very different, complicated Hungarian women. It will leave you not knowing how to identify how you feel, and wanting to read it again as soon as you finish it.” – Chay
18. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
“Rosamund Pike’s Oscar-nominated portrayal of a cool girl should tap one’s curiosity into reading this book! The storytelling is suspenseful that you will have a difficult time putting it down.” – Suzie
19. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
“This is a coming-of-age slash murder mystery, written by an author who happens to be a zoologist too. I’m about 1/4 of the way through it so I’ve yet to see how the author will weave these two narratives together but the book is nothing quite like anything I’ve read before.” – Marian
20. His Majesty’s Dragon (Temeraire Series) by Naomi Novik
“The napoleonic era fought with dragons! Reading sci-fi fantasy broadens even the most practical of minds, and this strong story by an amazing female writer is a must.” – Geneva
21. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
“This novel is a heart-wrenching science fiction that references the Gospel of Matthew 10:29–31, which relates that not even a sparrow falls to the earth without God’s knowledge thereof. Although it has religious undertones that deep-dives into human suffering, it stays unbelievably profound in describing love, friendship, and grief.” – Leez
Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”
It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.
However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.
Specs at a glance
| Product | Xiaomi Pad 8 | Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| Display | 11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz) | 11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz) |
| Surface | Ultra-Glossy Glass | Optional Matte Nano-Texture |
| Storage/RAM | Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB | Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB |
| Rear Camera | 13MP | 50MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 32MP |
| Charging | 45W Turbo Charge | 67W HyperCharge |
| Pricing | Starts at PhP 20,999 | Starts at PhP 38,999 |
Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8
The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.
It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.
It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.
Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.
The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.
Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.
You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.
Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.
Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?
Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.
It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.
Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.
Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.
It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.
The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.
Apps
The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping
Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale
The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.
Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.
From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.
Lock in the baseline discounts
Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.
You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.
True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.
Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall
Filter for authentic value
Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.
Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.
To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.
If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.
UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall
Outsmart the noise with built-in tech
Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.
The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.
Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.
Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.
Computex 2026
Postcards from MSI’s 40th anniversary expo
A visual journey through four decades of hardware artistry at COMPUTEX 2026.
Stepping into MSI’s 40th year anniversary exhibition space felt less like exploring a traditional tech pavilion and more like embarking on a time-travel expedition.
From the nostalgic, raw engineering of 1986 legacy motherboards to the breathtaking, AI-driven flagships and starry-night inspired laptops of tomorrow, four decades of continuous craftsmanship were brought to life under the watchful eye of the iconic dragon motif.
This photo journal captures that vibrant atmosphere. It’s a visual walk through the heritage and the sheer hardware artistry that defined MSI’s historic celebration in Taiwan.
Photos by Vincenz Lee
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Nintendo officially announces Ocarina of Time remake
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