For many young readers looking for a way into literature, picking up a Wattpad novel or following BookTok recommendations is more than acceptable—it may even be the best starting point.

This was the message of two-time Palanca Award winner and Filipino author Mica De Leon in a recent interview with DZRH Digital, marking World Book Day on April 23, where she underscored the evolving ways readers discover books in the digital age.

De Leon said Filipino readers—especially younger ones—should feel free to explore both traditional and digital-first fiction platforms.

“I think Wattpad books and pop fiction books are okay to pick up,” she said, adding that enjoyment should come first before readers eventually expand their literary tastes.

De Leon, who also works with Summit Books, noted that many talented writers publish directly on Wattpad without formal creative writing training, yet produce highly imaginative and engaging stories.

_{In Photo: Summit Books team via Pop Fiction / Facebook}

“Ang daming magaling na authors who publish sa Wattpad,” she said, adding that these writers are often not constrained by formal writing rules, which allows for more creative freedom.

_{In Photo: Wattpad authors and readers via Pop Fiction / Facebook}

Beyond digital platforms, De Leon recommended several Filipino authors she believes more readers should discover.

She cited Eliza Victoria and Ian Rosales Casocot as standout writers in contemporary Philippine literature, praising their prose and emotional depth.

She highlighted Victoria’s “A Bottle of Storm Clouds” as an early introduction to local literature, while describing Casocot’s short stories as “heartfelt” and deeply reflective of lived experience. She also expressed anticipation for Casocot’s upcoming work, The Last Days of Magic.

For younger audiences, De Leon pointed to a range of accessible local titles and authors spanning genres.

She mentioned Mae Coyiuto, author of ‘Chloe and the Kaishao Boys’, as one of the writers gaining attention among young readers, as well as Bea Bustamante, whose work ‘She Who Devours’ she described as appealing to readers who enjoy academic and fantasy-inspired settings similar to Harry Potter.

She also recommended Samantha Sotto’s ‘Watermoon’ and F.H. Batacan’s ‘Accidents Happen’ as additional entry points into contemporary Philippine fiction.

BookTok as a driver of local reading culture

De Leon also pointed to the growing influence of social media in shaping reading habits, particularly platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

“Sobrang galing kasi yung ‘BookTok’, I think the thing that's driving yung Philippine literature now and Philippine publishing scene now is mga [book] influencers of TikTok and Instagram,” she said, noting that Filipino BookTokers and Bookstagrammers actively help surface local titles and authors to wider audiences.

_{In Photo: @theengineerisreading, @katonthejellicoe, Mica de Leon via Akdang Pinoy / Facebook}

"If you want a recommendation ng mga Filipino literature, you go to the ‘BookTokers’ and the ‘Bookstagrammers’ na Filipinos kasi talagang sila, they actively look for Filipino written books."

Events such as the Philippine Book Festival and initiatives like reader’s choice awards, she said, also help new readers navigate genres and discover authors based on structured lists and community recommendations.

For De Leon, the key message remains simple: there is no single correct entry point into reading.

Whether through Wattpad, social media recommendations, or award-winning literary fiction, what matters most is starting with books that readers enjoy.