SPOT.ph rounded up a fresh list of titles that would make great couch companions during these rainy, stay-at-home days:
1. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
What it's about: Protagonist Robert Langdon is back in a compelling thriller that will have the Harvard-educated symbologist following a trail of mysterious clues involving a ciphered pictogram in an important talisman, the Hebrew Key of Solomon.
Why we can't wait to read it: Brown kept us riveted with his past novels, Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code, and we're excited to play detective along with the professor to solve a new thought-provoking puzzle. The novel, with an initial print run of 5 to 6.5 million copies, is the largest first printing for Random House, and a pretty strong indication that The Lost Symbol is expected to be as entertaining as the previous books.
Where to get it: Starting September 15, Tuesday, The Lost Symbol will be available at National Book Store, Fully Booked (price unavailable) and Powerbooks (hardcover edition at P1,499).
Pre-order at National Bookstore and get 20% off the P975 standard retail price and pay only P780.
Reserve a copy at Powerbooks until September 14 and get a Powerbooks cash coupon worth P100. Reservation fee is P500.
2. Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman By Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, and Stephen R. Bissette
What it's about: For the first time, Neil Gaiman and the many worlds he has created are being revealed to readers in Prince of Stories. His stories and characters are featured in detail, allowing fans to discover hidden layers in favorite Gaiman works.
Why we can't wait to read it: Known for his dark and imaginative storytelling, Neil Gaiman entranced us again and again with his novels, short stories, graphic novels and screenplays. Now we have the chance to read the stories behind the stories. Filled with interviews and previously unpublished writings and photos, it's a must-buy for Gaiman fans.
Where to get it: National Bookstore (sale price is P839.25 until September 20) and Fully Booked (price unavailable).
3. Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
What it's about: In this true story, Albom shares his experiences with two men of faith: a dying 82-year-old rabbi who asks him to deliver his eulogy and a pastor who preaches to an impoverished congregation. As the two leaders struggle, Albom learns to rekindle his own faith and discovers the striking similarities between the two beliefs beneath their obvious differences.
Why we can't wait to read it: Mitch Albom's first non-fiction novel, Tuesdays with Morrie, tugged at our heartstrings and we're waiting to see if Have A Little Faith, another story of a journey with a dying man, is one more memoir that will have us reaching for the tissue box.
Where to get it: At Powerbooks (P949), National Bookstore (Hard Cover edition  at P795) and Fully Booked (price unavailable) this September.
4. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
What it's about: This haunting and moving novel centers around a pair of twin teenagers and another set of twins, their mother and aunt. Julia and Valentina Poole move into their aunt's London flat when she dies, unaware that they have landed in the middle of a tangle of fraying lives, including the ghost of their aunt, who can't seem to leave her flat.
Why we can't wait to read it: After her original and wildly successful first novel The Time Traveler's Wife, we're itching for another one of Audrey Niffenegger's strange mysteries. If this sophomore novel is half as innovative as Time Traveler's Wife, we're pretty sure it will keep us hooked.
Where to get it: Coming September 2009 at Powerbooks (P899), National Bookstore (Trade Paperback at P649) and Fully Booked (price unavailable).
5. What the Dog Saw And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
What it's about: Malcolm Gladwell is one of the most sought-after journalists in America, and What the Dog Saw is a compilation of his best and most compelling pieces from The New Yorker. Tackling all subjects, from the crucial (homelessness) to the mundane (hair dye), Gladwell writes in a way that can show his readers new and extraordinary ways of looking at the world.
Why we can't wait to read it: Why are there so many different kinds of mustard, but only one kind of ketchup? Why is homelessness easier to solve than manage? There is no question too absurd to explore in Gladwell's anthology, and we're eager to see where the search for answers will lead us.
Available at: Coming October 2009 at Powerbooks (P749), National Bookstore (Mass Market Paperback edition at P335) and Fully Booked (price unavailable).
6. The Time, The Place: 365 Days of Awesome Travel Experiences Around the World
What it's about: The ultimate guide to your next travel escape, it's much more than just a list of events and festivals. From culture hubs to sporting events, to certified party places and food fairs, this book shows you how to see the sights and go beyond the touristy spots.
Why we can't wait to read it: Because we can never have enough inspiring ideas or vacation options to make our travel fantasies real, and this book sounds like a fun guide to help us step out of our comfort zones.
Where to get it: Coming September 2009 at National Bookstore (P915).
7. Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire: Business Sense & Sensibility by Mireille Guiliano
What it's about: Using stories, helpful hints and real-life anecdotes, Guiliano draws on her personal experiences in the business world to dispense practical advice for readers who want to balance work and relationships, and even offers tips for turning oneself into a winning brand.
Why we can't wait to read it: In Guiliano's buzzy best-seller French Women Don't Get Fat, she taught us to eat for pleasure with her distinct Frenchwoman's philosophy and style. This time, she shares her secrets on how to feel good, ace that job interview and get ahead in the corporate world. How can we not be curious?
Where to get it: Coming September 2009 at National Bookstore (P895).
8. Marvel Encyclopedia by Daniel Wallace, Tom Brevoort, Andrew J. Darling, Tom DeFalco, Peter Sanderson, Michael Teitelbaum
What it's about: Filled with everything you've always wanted to know about Marvel's greatest heroes and villains, this encyclopedia comes complete with illustrations, biographies and statistics every fan should know.
Why we can't wait to read it: Even if we're not the biggest comic-book fan, it might come in handy to know when Wolverine made his first appearance or how much The Hulk really weighs.
Where to get it: Coming this 2009 at Fully Booked (P2,099) and at National Bookstore (Hard Cover edition at P1,499 will be out on October).
9. Moonwalk by Michael Jackson
What it's about: Jackson's one and only autobiography, it chronicles his humble beginnings in the Midwest, his early days with the Jackson 5, the details of his songwriting process, and even lets us in on his personal relationships.
Why we can't wait to read it: Beyond the controversies and the questions, MJ left a legacy of music that influenced an entire generation. In this 2009 re-issue, rare photographs and an exclusive drawing done by the Prince of Pop himself are included in the book.
Where to get it: Coming this 2009 at Fully Booked (price unavailable) and National Bookstore ((Trade Paperback edition at P849).
10. Ford County by John Grisham
What it's about: In Grisham's new book, he returns to Ford County, Mississippi, the setting of his first book, A Time to Kill. This new collection of short stories looks set to affirm Grisham's position on the best-selling author list.
Why we can't wait to read it: John Grisham's previous legal thrillers, The Appeal and The Partner had us glued to the pages from start to finish.
Where to get it: Coming this 2009 at Powerbooks (Hardcover edition at P1,099) and National Bookstore (Hard Cover edition at P899).
Main image by Yoni Velasco.
