The 21st Century Philippine Literature Reader: Prose Narratives (Volume 1) is an anthology of prose literature that deals with themes and issues on the environment, changing social norms, economic struggles, civil wars, shifting political powers, and technological revolution. It features the works of Jenny Ortuoste, Anna Margarita V. Camua, Chuckberry J. Pascual, Jolly M. Lugod, Edgar Samar, Charlson Ong, Rogelio L. Ordonez, Bebang Siy, and Tilde Acuña from the National Capital Region; Rosalina A. Mendigo, Clarito Garcia de Francia, and Richard H. Kinnud from the Cordillera Administrative Region; Joel B. Manuel, Aileen R. Rambaud, and Ariel Sotelo Tabág from Northern Luzon; Rowena P. Festin, Joey Alcones Tabula, and Julieta C. Mallari from Central Luzon; Jay Salvador P. Salvosa III, Ma. Cienna Jaucian (translator), and Emmanuel T. Barrameda from Southern Luzon; Elijohn Barrios, Jan Phillip Bayona, and Ella Deduro from Western Visayas;  Januar Yap, Jeff del Rosario, and John Danté from Central Visayas; Daryll Delgado, Aivee Badulid, and Jeremy Evardone from Eastern Visayas; and Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, John Bengan (translator), and Reil Benedict Obinque from Mindanao.