The Pagsubook gang goes deep into Blindsight by Peter Watts—a dense, unsettling sci-fi novel that asks a big question: do you actually need consciousness to be intelligent? We break down the book’s wild ideas about aliens, evolution, and what it means to be human, plus share what confused us, what stuck with us, and why this book still messes with readers’ heads.

Come for the space horror, stay for the existential dread.

⚠️ Spoilers included.

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The Pagsubook gangs goes deep with Bretman Rock’s You’re That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself—aka parang chikahan with your funniest ate who’s loud, real, and somehow also drops life advice when you least expect it.

Bretman shares stories about growing up Filipino in Hawaii, becoming that internet icon, and learning how to stay true to yourself kahit may bashers, expectations, at kung sino-sino pang may opinion. We talk about confidence, pagiging makapal ang mukha (in a good way), self-love, and why being “that bitch” is really just knowing your worth and not letting anyone dim your shine.

Expect “ay ang sakit naman,” “relate ako diyan,” and moments na akala mo joke lang pero biglang may hugot. If you need a reminder to mind your own business, love yourself harder, and live your best buhay, this episode is for you. Periodt.

This episode kicks off a new format for our Pagsubook podcast! One of us, Ava, picked a longtime favorite to reread—The High King by Lloyd Alexander—while the rest of the group is coming to it fresh. That mix leads to some fun (and honest) conversations as we talk through Taran’s journey, favorite scenes, big themes, and how the ending lands for first-time readers versus someone who’s loved this book for years. Expect relaxed discussion, different perspectives, and plenty of appreciation for a classic fantasy that still holds up. Pull up a chair and read along with us.

Cozy fantasy. Magical realism. Ghibli vibes. Water Moon is all of these. Can a few hundred pages weave an engaging (and sensible) plot to engage the Pagsubook gang?

We’ll unpack what works (and what doesn't) and ultimately consider: What kind of reader will sail into the world of Water Moon and come away spellbound?

Atul Gawande's Being Mortal. An apt book for the (our) age?

It’s honest, it’s moving, and it forces you to think about stuff most of us try to avoid. So in this episode, we’re going to unpack some of the big ideas, talk about what stood out, and maybe rethink the way we approach some of life’s hardest conversations.

A heavy episode but insightful episode with a special guest.

Feeling stressed? Distracted? Scrolling too much? Turns out, a guy (or a number of guys) named Patanjali had some thoughts on all that—thousands of years ago. In this episode, we explore The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with the help of Sri Swami Satchidananda’s surprisingly modern commentary. Think of it as ancient advice for dealing with your very 21st-century brain.

Is it useful or is it too esoteric? Listen to our our take on a somewhat unconventional pick for a book club.

We talk Heart-Shaped Box, the chilling debut novel from Joe Hill — a name you might recognize not just for his writing, but also as the son of Stephen King.

Hill steps out of his father’s shadow with a story that’s all his own: a retired rock star, a ghost bought online, and a slow unraveling of guilt, trauma, and the cost of not looking back.

Does Heart-Shaped Box mark the arrival of a major new voice in the genre? The Pagsubook crew tells all at the press of a button.

We’re talking about Neil Gaiman — a major voice in fantasy literature and pop culture — and the recent controversy that’s sparked debate among fans and critics alike.

We also look at the bigger questions it raises about authors, their work, and their role in public discourse.

The Pagsubook crew tackles Orbital by Samantha Harvey—a "plotless" novel that takes place over the course of a single day aboard an international space station. But while the setting is miles above Earth, the story is rooted in observation, stillness, and the quiet complexity of being human.

Harvey invites us to consider the world from a distance—not just physically, but emotionally and philosophically. Through the eyes of six astronauts, Orbital becomes a meditation on time, fragility, and connection, told in language that feels both expansive and precise.

Is it really a compelling read? Yes? No? Our take at the press of the button.

Stephen King but sans horror. It's a crime thriller. It's that one last job for a hitman trying to retire — but nothing’s that simple. King swaps horror for high-stakes drama, giving us a reluctant killer with some sort of moral compass.

We have veterans and first timers to the King-verse on the Pagsubook gang so it should be a interesting review.