What's a good read?
I didn’t expect to be moved by something so chill as the Pinoy Big Brother Book Club.
I tune into PBB Celebrity Collab for the drama and the ever-juicy nomination nights. But somewhere between all the tasks, tears, and TikTok-worthy confessionals, I found myself staying for something completely different: a few housemates curled up in the garden or the living room, heads buried in books, occasionally chatting about quotes and life lessons like it was a Sunday morning tambay. No production cue. No camera panning in for dramatic effect. Just reading.
For someone like me, easily distracted and more likely to binge The White Lotus than reread old class readings—this unexpected subplot inside the PBB house gave me… feelings. The PBB Book Club, as fans online started calling it, might be my new comfort space.
The Accidental Bookworms
Let’s start with who’s who. Kira Balinger seems to be the heart of it, always seen with a copy of Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. That book is basically a hug in paperback form. It’s like talking to your wise, brutally honest ate who’s been through everything and still believes in kindness—watching Kira flip through those pages with that kalmado energy while chaos brews in other parts of the house. That’s the reset I didn’t know I needed.
@untoold_ Mika pinagusapan ng book club na hindi nagpapakatotoo at play safe #pbblive #pbb #pbbupdates #mika #pbbhighlights #pbbcollab #fyp #viral #trending #kira #az #josh #charlie ♬ original sound – unwritten_
Joining her are Josh Ford and Charlie Fleming (who, fun fact, also reads the Bible daily and borrowed The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*). AZ Martinez joins occasionally, and AC Bonifacio—before her eviction—was a proud founding member. AC even mentioned in a post-eviction interview that she missed their “book club,” calling it their safe space for deeper convos and real bonding.
I know some fans jokingly call it the “Backstabbing Club” (because let’s be real, the strategy doesn’t stop at the kitchen table), but to me, the Pinoy Big Brother Book Club is less about plotting and more about connecting.
Books That Broke the Noise
Let’s talk about the reading list. These aren’t your usual high school English lit picks. These books are messy, empowering, and beautifully human:
- Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed – I’ve already gushed about this, but let me say again: if you’re confused, heartbroken, or healing, this book holds your hand and says, “You’ll be okay. But also, own your choices.”
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – A power move of a book. It’s been spotted with Mika Salamanca, Esnyr Ranollo, and even Ralph de Leon. Some fans speculate that it’s being used for gameplay insights, but let’s not lie—it’s also just a compelling read on how people navigate influence, which is super relevant in the PBB house.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson – A borrowed favorite of Charlie’s. It’s like the anti-self-help self-help book. Direct, hilarious, and grounding. If anything, it’s the perfect counterbalance to all the intense social dynamics inside the house.
- The Bible – Say what you will, but Charlie reading this every day adds another layer to his character. Whether it’s faith, reflection, or routine, it’s a reminder that even in a reality show, people carry pieces of their grounding with them.
What I love most is that these titles weren’t handed to them by production. The PBB Book Club started organically. In a house built for spectacle, they chose stillness.
Why This Matters (To Me, At Least)
As someone who loves glamping but forgets to pack the flashlight, I know what it’s like to chase aesthetics without always digging deeper. The Pinoy Big Brother Book Club reminded me that introspection doesn’t need a perfect setup. Sometimes, it’s just finding a moment to pause—even if you’re stuck in a house full of cameras and competition.
More than that, it’s a gentle nudge for people like me: distracted, sometimes lazy, sometimes too “online” to finish a chapter. Watching these housemates read made me want to pick up Tiny Beautiful Things again. Not because it’s trending, but because I remembered how good it felt to be still. To learn. To connect.
And honestly? In a world where virality often trumps vulnerability, seeing celebrities read books—with no makeup, no ring lights, just vibes—is kinda revolutionary.
Book Club Goals
Scrolling through Reddit and X, I found I’m not the only one who feels this way. Threads titled “Are the readers a secret alliance?” exist beside posts that say, “Sana all may time magbasa.” The PBB Book Club isn’t just an in-house quirk—it’s become an aspirational space for fans, too. A place where quiet moments are sacred and where reading is cool again.
@rubyrinabluu protect them at all costs 🥹 #kira #charlie #kirabalinger #charliefleming #pbb #pbbcollab #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound – ✶
We don’t know how long the book club will last. Maybe another eviction will break it up. Maybe a task will pull them in other directions. But for now, I’m grateful for that pocket of calm inside the chaos.
And who knows? Maybe after this season ends, we’ll see a book club reunion on the outside. I’d show up—with my copy of The Subtle Art, a snack, and a cat in my lap.
The Pinoy Big Brother Book Club
