★★★☆☆ 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

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

Singapore Writers Festival returns in November 2021

The 2020 Singapore Writers Festival drew to a close just last November in its first ever digital edition, but it’s already gearing up for its 2021 edition this year. The 2020 edition saw an extraordinary 20-day line-up of over 160 programmes by more than 200 authors and presenters from Singapore and beyond. Organised by the National Arts Council (NAC), the festival brought together homegrown and … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival returns in November 2021

By The Book: New Epigram Releases – January 2021

Start off the new year with some brand new books from local publishers Epigram, perfect for getting a head start on new year’s vows to read more, and expand your knowledge and appreciation of local literature. From Epigram Fiction Prize longlister Teo Xue Shen comes his second book, Children of the Ark; an illustrated book about making your own way in life with J.H. Low’s Lemonade Sky; and … Continue reading By The Book: New Epigram Releases – January 2021

By The Book: 2021 Epigram Books UK to cease publishing in January

Epigram Books UK is set to stop publishing from January 2021. “Our business in Singapore has suffered to such an extent that we are unable to support our UK arm any longer. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped and supported us through the years,” said Edmund Wee, publisher of Epigram Books. Epigram Books UK was registered on 25th … Continue reading By The Book: 2021 Epigram Books UK to cease publishing in January

By The Book: 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize Award Ceremony open to public

The Epigram Books Fiction Prize Award is upon us again, and before you know it, the local publisher will be crowning the 2021 recipient at the ceremony on 16th January. But unlike other years, with COVID-19 having ravaged live events, the ceremony will instead be taking place online, and open to public for the very first time! Members of the public can choose to catch … Continue reading By The Book: 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize Award Ceremony open to public

★★★☆☆ Book Review: GE2020 – Fair or Foul? by Bertha Henson

A useful compendium for all that went down in GE2020. The 2020 Singapore General Elections were an unprecedented one – who would ever have expected to vote during a pandemic? But as much as the results essentially maintained the status quo, there was still plenty of drama that emerged in the weeks leading up to it, and if you’d like to relive that chapter of … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: GE2020 – Fair or Foul? by Bertha Henson

★★★☆☆ Book Review: Robert Yeo at Eighty – A Celebration (edited by Dr Ismail S. Talib)

A celebration of a literary pioneer in one book.  Birthday parties are all about making the birthday boy feel good about himself. After all, it’s his special day. And in much the same vein, Robert Yeo at Eighty is exactly that, as it collects praise, tributes, memories, and even fan fiction inspired by his work into a single volume. Over the course of the book, … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: Robert Yeo at Eighty – A Celebration (edited by Dr Ismail S. Talib)

By The Book: An Interview with Ashley Chan and Gerrie Lim, co-authors of Scarlet Harlot – My Double Life

Ashley Chan seems to have it all figured out. University student by day, she’s somehow managed to find a night job that she’s good at pays the bills, and she enjoys, to a degree. The only ‘problem’? She’s an escort, and can’t tell anyone about it, lest they end up ruining her career and future in ultra-sensitive and conservative Singapore. That secret identity has led … Continue reading By The Book: An Interview with Ashley Chan and Gerrie Lim, co-authors of Scarlet Harlot – My Double Life

★★★★☆ Book Review: Scarlet Harlot – My Double Life by Ashley Chan and Gerrie Lim

Revealing the life of a Singaporean sex worker in this tell-all memoir.  It’s 2020, and high time we acknowledge that sex work is, well, work. And with an entire industry founded upon it, it’s perhaps surprising that we have yet to really hear about the life of someone who’s built their entire career on it, not least because of how popular culture and our conservative … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: Scarlet Harlot – My Double Life by Ashley Chan and Gerrie Lim