Category: By The Book

Arts, Books, By The Book, literature, Review

★★★★☆ Book Review: Ace Agent Spycat and the Mayonnaise Mayhem by Darren Lim

Crime-fighting cats return to save the world’s landmarks from thieving racoons. When we read the first book in Darren Lim’s Ace Agent Spycat Series, we were charmed by our flawed but likeable heroes, as they saved the world from freezing over using their wits, cool gadgets, and the power of teamwork. Now, Spycat and Rockcat are back for a brand new adventure, as thieving racoon … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: Ace Agent Spycat and the Mayonnaise Mayhem by Darren Lim

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Arts, Books, By The Book, literature, Review

★★★☆☆ Book Review: First Person Singular by Haruki Murakami

Quintessential Haruki Murakami reflecting on the little absurdities that make up our world.  I first discovered Haruki Murakami as a teenager, diving into his works from The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle to 1Q84. Often, it was the ones that had a distinct, surreal touch that struck me, creating the idea that beyond what our usual senses could detect, there lay an entire layer of alternate reality, dangerous and dream-like. … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: First Person Singular by Haruki Murakami

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Arts, Books, By The Book, literature, Review, Singapore

★★★☆☆ Book Review: The Good Guys by Darren Chen

Thrilling mystery of a superhero novel, with potential for this first-time author. While many of us have cheered hardest at scenes of superpowered human beings locked in mortal combat, pitting super strength against elemental might, it has always been the stories of heroes wrestling with their inner demons that have stuck with us the longest. There’s good reason why Alan Moore’s gritty, noir-inspired Watchmen has been … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: The Good Guys by Darren Chen

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Arts, Books, By The Book, literature, Review, Singapore

★★★★☆ Book Review: Children of the Ark by Teo Xue Shen

Asian-inspired teen sci-fi fantasy has Xue Shen finding his voice and in his element. In 2017, author Teo Xue Shen burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel 18 Walls, appearing on the longlist for the 2017 Epigram Books Fiction Prize and making him the youngest author to have been nominated for the prize. It was clear however, that the writing at the point … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: Children of the Ark by Teo Xue Shen

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Arts, Books, By The Book, literature, Review, Singapore

★★★★☆ Book Review: Mr Tino (Volume 2) by Russell Molina and Mikey Marchan

A dramatic conclusion to a bold take on the superhero genre. Like any good comic series, volume 1 of Russell Molina’s Mr Tino left us on a cliffhanger, a shock death that leaves our titular hero devastated by loss. So of course, we were ready to dive right into volume 2, where we’d hurtle towards the end of Mr Tino’s series, and see if he finally … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: Mr Tino (Volume 2) by Russell Molina and Mikey Marchan

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Arts, Books, By The Book, Interview, literature, Singapore

By The Book: An Interview with The Good Guys author Darren Chen

The Good Guys cover image, and author Darren Chen (Photo Credit: Facebook) With the rise of superhero flicks, the growing recognition of hobbies like toy collection, and fandoms sprouting up from every corner, it seems that one day, the geeks will inherit the earth. And here in sunny Singapore, the literary scene is about to welcome one such author to its ranks, as third year … Continue reading By The Book: An Interview with The Good Guys author Darren Chen

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Books, By The Book, literature, Singapore

By The Book: Submissions for 2022 Epigram Books Fiction Prize now open

The call for submissions for the 2022 edition is now open. The EBFP is open to any citizen or permanent resident in the following Southeast Asian countries—Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Those submitting manuscripts must ensure that they are at least 40,000 words long and in the English language. New and original translations of non-English works can … Continue reading By The Book: Submissions for 2022 Epigram Books Fiction Prize now open

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Arts, Books, By The Book, Kids, literature, Review, Singapore

★★★★☆ Book Review: Lemonade Sky by J.H. Low

Gorgeous illustrations with a whimsical story to remind readers of all ages of the power of imagination. It’s been a while since I last read a children’s book whose illustrations gripped me from the moment I laid eyes on them, but J.H. Low has achieved just that with his new book Lemonade Sky. Loosely speaking, Lemonade Sky follows a boy and his faithful friends as he sets out … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: Lemonade Sky by J.H. Low

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Arts, Books, By The Book, Kids, literature, Review, Singapore

★★★☆☆ Book Review: Suka-Suka the Cement Truck by Ng Swee San and Han Qingping

A colourful lesson on being responsible and picking up after yourself.  The sheer number of cars is probably one of the biggest contributors towards global warming and climate change today. But perhaps that’s precisely why they make for the best characters to explain the importance of being responsible for one’s actions, and being conscientious towards others. That’s the big lesson that Suka-Suka the Cement Truck … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: Suka-Suka the Cement Truck by Ng Swee San and Han Qingping

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Books, By The Book, literature, Singapore

By The Book: Meihan Boey and Sebastian Sim jointly win 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize

In the first ever virtual awards ceremony for the 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize, Singaporean authors Meihan Boey and Sebastian Sim have been declared joint winners of the prize, the first time ever in the history of the Prize. This historic win marks Meihan’s first with her story, The Formidable Miss Cassidy; while this is the second time Sebastian has been selected for the Prize, this time … Continue reading By The Book: Meihan Boey and Sebastian Sim jointly win 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize

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