★★★☆☆ Book Review: My BFF Is An Alien – Sabotage by Vivian Teo

Feisty schoolgirls return to battle mean classmates and the perils of social media. When the first book in Vivian Teo’s My BFF Is An Alien series ended, Bukit Timah Girls’ School student Abriana was left forlorn when best friend (and alien royalty) Octavia returned to her home planet, not knowing exactly when she’d be back to visit. As it turns out, it wouldn’t be too long, as … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: My BFF Is An Alien – Sabotage by Vivian Teo

★★★★☆ Book Review: The Marvellous Sugee Cake by Quek Hong Shin

Lush, colourful illustrations introduces younger readers to the iconic sugee cake and Eurasian culture.  If there’s one quintessentially Eurasian cuisine we will always say yes to, it’s sugee cake. Unique in its use of semolina and rich almond taste, a sugee cake is the perfect dessert to enjoy at the end of a meal, or as a snack for afternoon tea, sure to lift your … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: The Marvellous Sugee Cake by Quek Hong Shin

★★★★☆ Book Review: A Good True Thai by Sunisa Manning

Poignant debut delves into the Thai university protests of the 70s through the lens of tragedy and revolt.  The title of Thai author Sunisa Manning’s debut novel begs the question: what exactly makes someone a ‘good true Thai’? Similar to the most compelling political dissidents around the world, one might perhaps think of it as being critical, yet always done with the country’s best interests … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: A Good True Thai by Sunisa Manning

By The Book: Asian Festival of Children’s Content 2020 draws to a close; speakers stress the importance of reading

The first-ever digital version of the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) concluded last weekend with a strong message to parents and educators: Books and reading are vital for children during times of crisis. The annual festival drew more than 3,000 attendees to its various events held between 2nd to 4th October online. At its closing ceremony, the biennial Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award (HABA) … Continue reading By The Book: Asian Festival of Children’s Content 2020 draws to a close; speakers stress the importance of reading

By The Book: Anugerah Persuratan (Malay Literary Awards) 2020 opens calls for entries

The Malay Language Council, Singapore (MLCS) will hold its biennial Anugerah Persuratan (Malay Literary Award) in 2020. First organised in 1993, this is an ongoing effort to recognise outstanding local writers for their contributions to the Malay language literary writing and to encourage the publications of quality literary works. In an effort to create a vibrant literary scene, a greater range of quality reading materials … Continue reading By The Book: Anugerah Persuratan (Malay Literary Awards) 2020 opens calls for entries

By The Book: Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger launches autobiography ‘My Life in Red and White’

Arts has the power to transcend interests, and this October, sports and arts coincide with the launch of legendary football manager Arsène Wenger’s autobiography. Presented by The Arts House (TAH) and UK production company Fane, football fans can look forward to a live stream and get up close and personal with the longest-serving (and most successful) Arsenal manager. Arsène Wenger was born in Alsace in … Continue reading By The Book: Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger launches autobiography ‘My Life in Red and White’

By The Book: New Epigram Releases – October 2020

October is here, and local publishers Epigram have a brand new line-up of books to dive into. For the kids, there’s a smorgasbord of sequels from some of their most popular book series, including Sherlock Sam, and My BFF Is An Alien. Meanwhile, the final entry of the 2020 Epigram Books Fiction Prize shortlist is being released, along with a journal to help teens and … Continue reading By The Book: New Epigram Releases – October 2020

By The Book: Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award 2020 to go virtual; shortlist announced

Six children’s books have been shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award (HABA), a biennial literary award recognising the best children’s literature in English written by a Singaporean or permanent resident. The winner from this shortlist will be revealed at the award ceremony, which will be held online for the first time and will be live-streamed on the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC)’s … Continue reading By The Book: Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award 2020 to go virtual; shortlist announced

By The Book: Asian Festival of Children’s Content to tackle challenges faced by publishing industry in its first digital edition

The annual Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) will tackle the challenges as well as opportunities the publishing industry currently faces in a fully digital format. Over two days from 3rd to 4th October, more than 40 featured writers, publishers and speakers from Singapore and around the world will gather to discuss how the children’s books industry is responding and adapting to the global pandemic. … Continue reading By The Book: Asian Festival of Children’s Content to tackle challenges faced by publishing industry in its first digital edition

By The Book: Singapore Writers Festival 2020 – Intimacy (Preview)

If it’s one thing we’ve learnt during Singapore’s circuit breaker lockdown, it’s that there’s nothing more comforting to distract you from the terrors of the COVID-19 pandemic than curling up with a good book. And one book we did love reading during this time was acclaimed essayist and novelist Zadie Smith’s new writing Intimations, in which the beloved author details her thoughts and reflections on time … Continue reading By The Book: Singapore Writers Festival 2020 – Intimacy (Preview)