By The Book: An Interview with Sonny Liew, creator of The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye

It’s been five years since The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye was first published, and since then, has gone on to win a slew of awards, ranging from the 2016 Singapore Literature Prize for English Fiction, to three Eisner Awards in 2017 for Best Writer/Artist, Best Publication Design, and Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia. But for graphic novelist Sonny Liew, life hasn’t changed … Continue reading By The Book: An Interview with Sonny Liew, creator of The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye

★★★★★ Book Review: The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye (5th Anniversary Edition) by Sonny Liew

A genre-breaking graphic novel presenting the history of Singapore with charm, accessibility and power. I first picked up a copy of The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye when I learnt about its Eisner nominations back in 2017. While I’d previously read creator Sonny Liew’s shorter work in anthologies such as Kazu Kibushi’s Flight or Liquid City (edited by Sonny), a full-length graphic novel from the cartoonist was unexpected, to … Continue reading ★★★★★ Book Review: The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye (5th Anniversary Edition) by Sonny Liew

Review: Singapore Writers Festival 2020 – Intimacy

There’s never been a literary festival quite like the 2020 Singapore Writers Festival (SWF), thanks to the ongoing pandemic. With travel restrictions preventing international stars flying in and social distancing measures in place across venues, it didn’t make sense to hold live events. Still, with all the efforts that went into planning the festival, it didn’t make sense to cancel it. Which is precisely why … Continue reading Review: Singapore Writers Festival 2020 – Intimacy

★★★★☆ Book Review: Daniel Boey’s Furry Tales by Leia

Your actual kids and furkids will love listening to these furry tales by local canine celebrity Leia.  ‘Godfather of Singapore Fashion’ and rescue dog advocate Daniel Boey is already the author of multiple books, with titles ranging from fashion tomes to personal memoirs, to an anthology of stories about rescue dogs. Now, he’s ready to take the world of children’s books by storm, as he … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: Daniel Boey’s Furry Tales by Leia

By The Book: 12 writers longlisted for 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize

The Epigram Books Fiction Prize, one of the region’s most renowned literary prizes, is back, and has now longlisted 12 authors vying for the 2021 prize, following Malaysian author Joshua Kam’s win in 2020 for his debut novel How The Man In Green Saved Pahang, And Possibly The World. Hailing from Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand, due to the pandemic, the event next … Continue reading By The Book: 12 writers longlisted for 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize

By The Book: Singapore Writers Festival 2020 reveals more international authors, including Margaret Atwood and Naomi Klein

The 23rd Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) will see 10 international headliners in its upcoming digital edition, a record-breaking number in festival history. Organised by the National Arts Council (NAC), the multilingual literary festival brings together writers, thinkers and audiences from Singapore and around the world to explore the theme of ‘Intimacy’ through words and stories in this time of distancing. This edition embodies the festival’s … Continue reading By The Book: Singapore Writers Festival 2020 reveals more international authors, including Margaret Atwood and Naomi Klein

★★★☆☆ Book Review: The Fisherman King by Kathrina Mohd Daud

Bringing Bruneian folklore, mythology and royal drama to the forefront. Of all the Southeast Asian countries out there, perhaps the one whose folktales least enters the shared consciousness of pop culture is Brunei’s. With Kathrina Mohd Daud’s The Fisherman King, readers get more than a taster of the country’s lore, with mythical creatures, ancient rituals, and royal blood thrown into the mix. Framed as a story … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: The Fisherman King by Kathrina Mohd Daud

★★★★☆ Book Review: A Fickle and Restless Weapon by Jason Erik Lundberg

Well-crafted fantasy version of Singapore brings the satire and drama in full force. Singapore is a country that’s often touted as so modern, it belongs in a science fiction film. Heck, even HBO’s Westworld filmed here on location for its third season. So it’s little wonder that with a little imagination, our island home serves as the perfect base for a refreshingly original science fiction story, … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: A Fickle and Restless Weapon by Jason Erik Lundberg

★★★☆☆ 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