Falling Apart by Design

by Alan Navarra

The journal of a Filipino urban worker at the crossroads of moving forward and giving up. Told through burst essays, fever dreams, complaints, headlines, and notes to self, it is a record of someone fighting for their soul while condemning it under their tired over-burdened, taxpaying primate breath. It is a visual log of a faceless man in the mob who rages for the spirit of humanity while crushing its pathetic nature under the weight of his headaches.

377 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2026

About the author

Nominee for 2007 Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award for "Girl Trouble" • Design Finalist in the 32nd National Book Awards for “Ang Panlimang Alas Ay Nakabaon Sa Iyong Dibdib”

Reviews

[C.L. Balagoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

aesthetically pleasing ang bawat pahina ng aklat na ito. sa usapin ng content, marami kang mababasa, sa madaling salita, hitik na hitik. para itong collage ng literary forms: opinion, memoir, vision, tales, poem, at marami pang iba. hindi mo puwedeng basta-basta sabihing, madali lang siya basahin, dahil doon ka nito huhulihin. nasa anyo ito ng isang day to day journal, may mga pagkakataon habang binabasa ko ito, mismo ako, natitigil dahil nagco-contemplate ako sa binasa ko. kahit di ko gustong i-connect ang nararamdaman ko, kusa akong nagkakaroon ng recollection. dahil siguro, si Afi, 'yung unggoy, 'yung danas niya, hindi nalalayo sa ibang naranasan ko.

suggestion: try ninyo ito basahin isang page kada araw.

kasi ako binasa ko siya, isang basa ko, isang buwan. pero pag sinasipag ako dalawang buwan ang tinatapos ko.

may this book find people who want to be seen, who are struggling, just want to be comforted.

[Emmzxiee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a powerful and creative book that I read this year! Full thoughts about this book will be provided soon.

[Nico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insane creativity with the designs per page and love the calendar format. This book is a collage of experiences not just by Afi but a collective sigh of pain and reflections throughout the year.