November slipped past me so quickly that I didn’t even get the chance to post anything for National Reading Month. One morning, I found myself staring at my empty draft folder thinking, “Well… that’s another deadline I missed.” Still, a late post feels better than skipping it entirely—especially when it’s about something that has shaped me since I was a kid.

My love for reading started with Funny Komiks. I used to rent them from this old, worn-down house in our neighborhood in Tondo. The place looked like it had survived one storm too many, and the wooden floorboards complained with every step. But inside, a small table held neat stacks of komiks that felt like tiny treasures. I’d hand over a few centavos I saved from leftover allowance, then walk home clutching those rented copies as if they were brand-new books. That simple routine became one of the brightest parts of my week.

So even if November has come and gone, I still want to honor it properly. This post is my way of celebrating the books I keep returning to, the ones that feel just as warm every time I read them.

1. Love Story

I first read Love Story in high school, right after finishing P.S. I Love You, the very first Sweet Dreams book I ever owned. At the time, I thought I already understood what a touching love story looked like. Then Oliver and Jenny showed up and changed the way I saw things. It felt honest, steady, and surprisingly grounded for a teenager who thought she already knew everything about romance.

P.S. I Love You Sweet Dreams #001

One line in that book stayed with me for years: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” I didn’t fully grasp it at the time, but it echoed in my mind more times than I can count. Looking back, that story opened my eyes to the quieter side of love—simple gestures, small decisions, and two people choosing each other every day. It also sparked a quiet longing in me, a hope that someday I’d have a love story that felt just as sincere. And eventually, life handed me one. Not right away, but in the exact season it was meant to arrive.

Years later, when I was in my late twenties, I finally watched the movie. Seeing everything unfold on screen brought a different kind of softness. The pauses, the looks, the lines I used to skim through—suddenly they carried a little more weight. It felt like revisiting a memory with better understanding.

If you haven’t read Love Story yet, I suggest picking it up. It’s short, heartfelt, and it lingers long after the last page. And I have a feeling you’ll enjoy it just as much as I did.

2. Tuesdays with Morrie

I’ve honestly lost track of how many times I’ve reread Tuesdays with Morrie. Every time I pick it up, it feels like I’m sitting in a quiet room, listening to someone who somehow knows exactly what to say. And yes—I’ve shed what feels like liters of tears over this book. Liters. I’m not even exaggerating. It gets me every single time. Lol.

What makes this story stand out is the way Morrie speaks. His words aren’t dramatic or heavy—they’re steady, clear, and surprisingly gentle. He shares lessons in a way that feels like he’s talking directly to you, and somehow the thoughts stick around even when you’re already doing something else. Every time I reach the last page, I catch myself slowing down a bit, thinking about the people who helped shape who I’ve become.

One person always comes to mind: Mr. San Jose, my favorite teacher in elementary school. He was the kind of adult who made every child feel seen. Gentle, patient, and full of quiet wisdom. He explained things in a way that made the classroom feel less like a place to impress and more like a place to grow. There was a gentle warmth about him, the kind that made you feel safe without saying much. Being around him felt steady and comforting, like you belonged in that space simply because he welcomed you as you were.

If you’re looking for a book that brings comfort, reflection, and a bit of gentle reality, this one is worth picking up. Just keep tissues nearby. Trust me on that.

3. Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park has a soft, nostalgic pull in the story that brings me back to how intense everything felt when I was younger. How one shared song or a few quiet minutes beside someone could feel like the highlight of an entire week. Nothing loud, nothing exaggerated. Just two people finding comfort in each other in the most unexpected way. Of course, I just imagined that. Lol

What stayed with me the most is how the book showed that being ordinary doesn’t mean you’re not special. Eleanor and Park aren’t perfect, they’re not the usual “storybook” pair, and maybe that’s exactly why their friendship stands out. It grows slowly, almost shyly, and yet it’s the kind of connection anyone would want for themselves—steady, accepting, and built on the small things that end up meaning the most.

Their conversations, their awkward pauses, their tiny shared moments… everything feels real. And the way their bond forms in such a simple setting makes it even more meaningful. It reminded me that some of the best relationships just appear and quietly change something in you.

And yes—I’m still waiting for the mini-movie from Netflix. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages, and I know I’ll be watching it the moment it drops.

If you’re in the mood for something heartfelt and easy to slip into, I truly suggest reading Eleanor & Park. It’s a story you can finish in one sitting, but the feeling it leaves behind has a way of showing up again when you least expect it.

Final Thoughts

Looking back at all these stories, I realize how much they’ve shaped the way I see love, friendship, and the small moments that make life feel a little lighter. Each one gave me something I didn’t know I needed at the time, and somehow they still bring comfort whenever things get too loud. Since National Reading Month has already passed, I’m happy I still got to honor it in my own way—by revisiting the books that stayed with me through the years. Now I’m curious: what’s the next story you’re planning to dive into?