A summer list of books and bags, curated by certified bookworm Katya F. Licahuco.
Formerly, I was known as the “book girl.” I ran a small online bookstore during the pandemic, published two books about Filipina feminism, and kept pace with every buzzy new release—meticulously curating each photo and review on my Bookstagram called @book__ish. These days, I read with less urgency and more intention. I gravitate toward stories that evolve with me, revealing different meanings at different stages of life. I approach bags the same way. Even as I now build my own line, Simonita, I’m drawn to pieces that feel instinctive and lasting: designed to be worn, lived with, and returned to, rather than rotated when trends shift out.
This list is a reflection of that mindset: book and bag pairings, chosen for their staying power, personalities, and the assurance that comes with knowing what you’ll reach for long after the summer ends.
READ ALSO: 7 Online Independent Bookstores To Check Out
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell + Hipissa Medium Multi by Ancient Greek Sandals
People’s fascination with cults is, in many ways, cultish in itself. Montell offers a sharp, accessible look at how language fuels belief—from fringe groups to modern marketing schemes— revealing how our human need for community makes us all susceptible to influence. It left me wanting more, so I’m glad Montell has her podcast, Sounds Like A Cult, which I listen to religiously.
Big Deal: An Anthology of Filipino Women’s Stories and Art by Katya Lichauco and Yanna Garcia + Andrea Bag by Ova Bazar
I may be biased with this one. Big Deal was created to spark conversations among families, friends, genders, and generations. Centering Filipina voices through written narratives and art, it remains deeply relevant today, with more volumes to come. We hope to create an archive that Filipino women can call their own.
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson + Orangerie Bag by La Veste Vesta
A light, charming work of magical realism. Nothing to See Here may not be my usual genre, but it’s the kind of book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Easy, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt, it’s the perfect beach read to finish in a single, sun-soaked sitting.
The Idiot by Elif Batuman + Paloma Terrycloth Carryall in Sundown Pink by Simonita
Strange, meandering, and quietly hilarious. The Idiot captures the awkward inferiority of youth with deadpan precision palpable through every page. Once you surrender to its rhythm about a hundred pages in, you’re in for a ride that will reward your patience.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy + Terry Tote Beach Bag by Sun of a Beach
A modern classic that requires your full attention. Lush and formally inventive, The God of Small Things proves that the smallest moments often carry the greatest emotional weight and profound silence.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell + Abaca Talunay Toiletry Bag in Fuchsia Multi by Seek the Uniq
A tender reimagining of Shakespeare’s world through grief and memory, this was an easy pick for me after years of required reading of his works. Rich in atmosphere and emotion, Hamnet feels both timeless and newly resonant.
Goodbye, again: essays, reflections, & illustrations by Jonny Sun + Raffia XL Cabas Tote by Vanessa Bruno
A comforting collection best read slowly and intentionally. It’s the perfect read for those struggling to sit down and finish a whole novel. Thoughtful and gentle, Goodbye, again is the kind of book you return to when you need the language for feelings you can’t quite name.
Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong + Samara Multicolored Abaca Beach Bag by Katha Pilipinas
Goodbye, Vitamin is a wry, millennial take on the epistolary novel, which is a format I’ve loved since reading Life on the Refrigerator Door as a kid. Khong chronicles love and memory, and while its premise is ultimately bittersweet, she treats it with such tenderness and care.
Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In by Phuc Tran + Bali Big Orange Cashmere Bag by Dragon Diffusion
I love Sigh, Gone for its unconventionality in blending subjects like literature, punk rock, and identity. It explores how we draw meaning from stories and use them to reconcile the contradictions that shape who we become. It’s witty, it’s deeply personal, it’s self-aware, and it’s one of my favorite memoirs.
Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay + Arcoíris in Tuscan Sun by Marricola
I’m a big fan of anything Roxane Gay writes; I’ve read all her books. Not That Bad is powerful and necessary. It confronts how society minimizes harm and normalizes silence. Unflinching in its curation of stories, this book shaped the conversations that inspired our anthology Big Deal.
This article was originally published in our March 2026 issue.
Bag photos courtesy of the brands’ official websites
Book covers courtesy of Harper Wave, Bookshelf PH, Ecco Press, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House, Tinder PRess, Harper Perennial, Henry Holt and Company, and Flatiron Books
