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New Books Releasing In February 2025

It’s the month of love, and what we love the most is books! Diving into new stories always brings us joy and this month the joy is doubled with exciting genres like short stories, graphic novels, autobiographies and psychology. We can’t wait for you to read them. 

Here are the books releasing this month: 

The Glory in Us All
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Written by Dr. Cassandra Aasmundsen-Fry, a Clinical Psychologist, this book explains through the stories of her clients how the knowledge and life we have buried are responsible for making us feel stuck in our relationships, careers and search for fulfilment. It talks about unearthing and embracing the difficult parts to reconnect with ourselves and with hope. 

A Fiery Flesh and Other Stories
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Written by Ismim Putera, this book features short stories that expose the flimsy nature of the human heart and the frailty of the human body in various ways. They’re gruesome, and surreal and will truly keep you hooked with every page.  

Enlightened Leadership
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Written by Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan’s esteemed Prime Minister and TED Talks sensation, this book will help you discover the transformative power of wisdom, courage, and compassion. It offers invaluable insights into leadership that combine ancient wisdom and modern best practices, blending timeless guidance from the past with today’s principles for effective governance. 

Be Real
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Written in poetic form by Felix Cheong and illustrated by Arif Rafhan, this book puts a finger on the zeitgeist of our times. Here is a graphic novel that talks about how we know what’s real in an age defined by curation; and how we even recognize ourselves when we reveal our ‘true’ selves.  

Seeking Home
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Written by Amanda Oon, this book tells us a story of family, race, identity, and self-discovery. But, above all, it is a cultural portrait of Singapore and Malaysia’s rich heritage and history. It’s an autobiography that will take you from London to Singapore and talk about the food, culture, and people that shape the identities of these two countries.  

Happy Reading!

New Books Releasing In January 2025

Happy New Year!  

We’re welcoming 2025 with a variety of new reads that are eager to find a spot in your TBR. From fantasy and self-help to short stories, memoirs and more – we have an interesting selection of books for you to delve into.  

Here are the books releasing this month: 

Seeds of Conquest||

Here is the third and final book in award-winner author Mica De Leon’s Seedmage Cycle series. The vengeful gods of Kayumalon are at war. The king is indisposed. Invaders have breached the northern borders. Kayumalon is ripe for the taking. Meet Kalem, Yin, Dakila and JinWun among others as you go on their final journey.  

The Anti-Procrastinator||

Unlike most productivity books, The Anti-Procrastinator is not a prescriptive roadmap to being more efficient in life. Instead, it will guide you to create your own manual to get things done through the power of self-awareness. By aligning your why with your values, your mission, and your action plan, you will minimize resistance and maximize results. 

The Secret Lives of OFWs||

From mananangals to aswangs, engkantos to mambabarangs, oryols to andudunongs, and even the great Bakunawa – The Secret Lives of OFWs follows eight different stories of Filipino migrant workers who happen to be supernaturals. Forced to embark on their own migratory sojourns to seek a better life and provide for their loved ones, these stories delve into the struggles faced by OFWs and their families, and how even feared creatures of Philippine folklore are not spared from the hardships of the diaspora. 

Juveniles & Other Stories||

Juveniles and Other Stories is a collection of seven short fictions translation in English from Thai under the theme of ‘youth’- a tattered, confusing period of trials-and-errors, and the last taste of refreshing bliss before the vast blue sky we see yonder would turn into a suffocating ceiling once we learn of our limits. While the stories are meant for adults, most of the protagonists are young children.  

Awakening The Advocate||

This book is a captivating sequel to Matthew S. Friedman’s previous memoir, ‘Where Were You: A Profile of Modern Slavery’. As you read his powerful stories, you’ll be reminded of the immense suffering in the world, but you’ll also be uplifted by the sheer strength and determination of those who fight against it. It will ignite your passion, challenge you, and encourage you to take action toward bringing about meaningful change. 

We’re sure you found your next read already! Follow us on Instagram to know more about these these books.  

 

Happy Reading, pals! 

 

 

New Books Releasing In December 2024

As we countdown to the end of 2024, there’s still time to hit your reading goals—and what better way to do it than with some exciting new releases! Whether you’re looking to complete your year-end reading challenge or get a head start on your 2025 goals, we’ve got five fresh and thought-provoking books to add to your list this month.

Here are the must-read books hitting the shelves this month:


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Step into the world of Fatimah Busu through this captivating collection of ten short stories. Spanning several decades—from the 1960s to the 1990s—this anthology blends social realism, magic realism, dreamscapes, and mythology. Fatimah’s evocative storytelling explores the complexities of women’s lives and the societies they navigate, offering a rich tapestry of themes for readers to explore. A must-read for fans of literary fiction with a unique cultural twist!

 

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In her debut novel, Suzanne Scott Tomita introduces a powerful narrative about class division, childhood friendships, and the eroding bonds that shape our lives. Until Even the Angels delves into the deep emotional landscapes of its characters, exploring how past relationships shape present realities. When successful London real estate agent, Isabelle Goh, is left close to death in an attempted assassination, Detective Ayesha Nur begins a case that not only brings her face to face with her own demons. What happened a half-century ago in post-colonial Singapore?

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In an era of constant change, Jerome Mangadap introduces a revolutionary framework for leadership with B.E.S.T. Marking. This book is more than just a guide—it’s a call to action for leaders to face the challenges of today’s world and come out on top. Packed with fresh insights and actionable tools, this book is essential for anyone looking to lead organizations toward success in a rapidly evolving landscape.

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Friska Wirya—a multiple award-winning author—dives deep into case studies from across Asia, offering a roadmap for how to adapt change management strategies to different cultural contexts. The Future Fit Asian Organization explores real-world challenges and provides insights on how to harmonize leadership practices with the diverse cultures of Asia. This book is perfect for business leaders and managers seeking to enhance their organizational strategies across the region.

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In the age of digital transformation, Phanish Puranam’s Re-Humanize presents a compelling vision for balancing organizational goals with human-centric values. This book explores how companies can embrace technology while fostering community, connection, and purpose. A must-read for leaders looking to build organizations that are both goal-driven and people-first.

 

Which book will you dive into first?

With so many exciting new releases, there’s no shortage of inspiration for your next great read. Whether you’re closing out the year or gearing up for 2025, these books will spark your imagination and broaden your horizons.

Stay tuned to our Instagram page for updates on release dates and more exciting book recommendations!

Happy reading, pals!

New Reads for November

As 2024 wraps up, it’s the perfect moment to grab some fresh reads and crush those reading goals. This month, we’ve got an awesome lineup that spans genres and vibes—perfect for cozy nights in or whenever you need a good escape.

Whether you’re looking for self-help that actually gets you, thrilling mysteries that keep you guessing, or stories that spark deep thoughts about the world, we’ve got you covered.

Here are the books releasing this month:

 

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Written and designed by Puty Puar, Self-Improved Me offers a toolkit that doesn’t promise a one-size-fits-all method. It’s about the discovery process itself. With bite-sized writings and illustrations, it aims to help get us to know ourselves better and appreciate our unique way of progressing in life.

 

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Written by an award-winning writer Suzanne Kamata, River of Dolls and Other Stories is a collection of short stories, many of which riff on traditional Japanese folk tales and lore and explore the lives of individuals caught between desire and duty, as well as the conflicting expectations of different cultures.

 

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Written by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Saving the Planet is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the intersections between politics and climate change, as well as for an authentic voice at the frontlines of climate action in the Global South. 

 

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Written by Kantarin Leelahuta, One Night Stand is a thrilling mystery featuring three famous girls who have it all – the looks, the fame, and the boys. The lives of these inseparable friends change as one of them dies, but, who killed her and why?  

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Written by Larry Nyanti, A Rei of Sunshine is a coming-of-age tale that weaves together the threads of two former lovers separated by circumstance over many years. However, when their paths meets again, things only get more complicated with a twist of supernatural elements.  

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Written by Edmund Terence Gomez, Misgovernance unveils covert and deeply disturbing political-economic trends in Malaysia, necessitating an urgent re-think of the meaning of ‘corruption’. Three major paradoxes emerge from this book’s insights into the inner workings of Malaysia’s monstrously vast GLC ecosystem. 

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Written by Earl Valencia and Dan Gonzales, Startup Mindset unveils the secrets of the Silicon Valley ecosystem and guides readers on the mindsets that differentiate the leaders who were trained from the industrial economy of the past from those who have grown and transcended into a digital-first world. 

 

Found a book that instantly spoke to you? Keep an eye out on our Social Media pages to know when they come out.  

Happy reading!  

 

 

 

Books that will haunt your dreams if you skip reading them!

Gather ’round the flickering candlelight as we dive into tales of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. From haunted houses to mischievous spirits, each story invites you to explore the eerie and the extraordinary. So, don your favorite costume, grab a warm mug of cider, and prepare to be spellbound—these pages are alive with the spirit of Halloween!

 

🎃🎃🎃

Ascension||

First, you need to give it something precious to you. Then, a shelter, a doorway… Something lives in a rotting house in the town of Santa Clara. Emilia returns to her hometown to attend her friend’s wake. But she finds her way back to Santa Clara, to her circle of friends who rekindle memories of a bizarre ritual left unfinished.

Little Lovely Lily||

Dark romance of your dreams is here. This is not a ghost story. This is a love story. The ghost lore has it, Heartbreaker spellbinds girls into becoming his eternal lovers in afterworld. But, he falls for Lily, like it’s breathing for him. Will their love triumph in blurring the boundary of reality and fantasy? Or will the grip of logic force them to part?

The Hantu House||

Real estate agent Eric Foo is tricked into spending a night in a haunted house he’s trying to sell. Will he become the next victim in the sinister narrative of the haunted house? He discovers an eerie ability—he can sense ghosts. Finding himself drawn into a murder mystery and a web of supernatural intrigue, Eric races against time to uncover the truth behind a series of untimely deaths.

Horror,He Wrote||

A murder mystery meets horror fantasy, this compelling tale of love and redemption will send a chill down your spine with every twist and turn. A writer gets the help of a ghostwriter to write his book, only in his case and actual ghost who has a story to tell the world.

The Power Above Us All||

A novel of ordinary decent criminals and extraordinarily brutal cops weaving together and colliding inside the giant slum of ‘Dreamland’, within the megalopolis of Metro Manila, Philippines. A crime thriller with ordinary decent criminals and extraordinarily brutal cops weaving together and colliding inside the giant slum of this, ‘Dreamland’. 

A Stitch in Time||

Clare is alone in her school’s tunnel walkway when a famous teenage stage actor strides into sight – and promptly disappears! Caught in an avalanche of supernatural incidents, she soon discovers that the actor, Gavin Lai, has become invisible. A magical tale of mystery and self-discovery, set in the 90s where ghosts of the past intertwine with the present. But, only Clare can see this handsome ghost!

Infinite Lives Infinite Deaths||

A collection of stories that straddle genres such as horror, magic realism, metafiction, and science fiction, while stitching together elements from world mythology and folklore, Philippine history and society, and the Chinese-Filipino experience in a nightmarish version of Manila.

Mouths to Speak Voices to Sing||

A collection of unpredictable stories of various genres–fantasy, sci-fi, horror, crime, and the supernatural, alternating between the everyday and the extraordinary. Singing Chinese antiquities. Ghosts that only one young man could sense. A house with a sentient A.I. that becomes a part of the family. A cricket that acts as a tragic voice of reason. A man born and bred for neural mass surveillance.

Diary of a Rich The Ghost of Mount Hantu||

Once you enter Mount Hantu, you may never leave … A summer camp at Mount Hantu turns
deadly when a vengeful ghost from a warring past haunts the campers. Before long, terrifying things begin to unravel. From a brush with death to the disappearance of a fellow camper, Mount Hantu seems more forbidding than ever. Robin must unravel the dark secret before it’s too late.

🎃🎃🎃

Found anything interesting? Get your copies today and keep a tab on our Instagram page for more spooky vibes this Halloween.

New Books releasing in October 2024 🍁

It’s the perfect time to fall in love with books all over again, as October ushers in a season of cozy evenings and colourful leaves. From fascinating non-fiction books to a very unique fictional story – you will be inspired, motivated and moved all at once when you look at this list. So grab your pumpkin spice latte and settle in—October’s literary harvest is here to delight.

                                                                                              🍁🍁🍁

 

How We Came To Be||

Written by Andrea Dee, How We Came To Be is a very different story about relationships. It follows two people in college who accidentally meet again after being sort-of-strangers in high school and fall into an unlikely yet shockingly easy friendship. The story explores themes of aromantic-asexuality and takes you on a journey of their bond.  

Rewrite The Rules||

Written by Ritu G Mehrish and Rajita Saxena, Rewrite the Rules is a book that empowers Asian women leaders to challenge the status quo and redefine success on their own terms. It is a call to action that invites you to embrace your power, break free from limiting beliefs, and forge your own path to success. The book also features diverse experiences of over 200 women leaders across Asia, and focuses on the five core areas essential for thriving as a female leader. 

The Female Digital Revolution||

Written by Nimisha Tailor, The Female Digital Revolution provides a unique insight into the changing role of women in the digital economy which is growing at an unprecedented rate. Through a collection of powerful real-life stories and research, the book brings to life current and future digital changes that are reshaping the role of women. 

The Balikbayan Artist||

Written by Eileen R. Tabios, The Balikbayan Artist is inspired by and dedicated to Venancio C. Igarta (1912–2000), the real-life leading artist of the Manong Generation. It will take readers from the early twentieth century to the present day when Vance Igorta’s art is being discovered anew. This is the captivating story of Vance, a farm-laborer-turned-artist who returned to the Philippines as a balikbayan after nearly fifty years in the United States. 

Fearless||

Written by Sylvia Yu Friedman as a memoir, Fearless is an anthology of experiences drawn from philanthropy, journalism, and cross-cultural workplaces which offers a wellspring of hope and insights on identity, overcoming heartbreak and toxic environments, finding love, and conquering self-doubt. It’s Sylvia’s letter to her younger self, a rallying call to laugh unabashedly and harness the power of love.     

🍁🍁🍁

 

Did you instantly connect to these stories? Stay tuned on our Instagram page to know when they come out. Happy fall reading!  

 

 

 

New Books Releasing In September 2024

September has rolled in like a fresh breeze, bringing with it a feast of new releases that will have your TBR pile doing a happy dance. Think of it as a literary buffet where there’s something scrumptious for everyone—from heart-fluttering romances to mind-bending YA fantasy, non-fiction reads and beyond. This month’s book drop is sure to spice up your reading.

Here’s what’s hitting the shelves this September:

 

Little Lovely Lily

Little Lovely Lily||

Written by Ahmad Rizaq, Little Lovely Lily is NOT your average love story. Lily, who has moved to the Netherlands is going through all the teenage angst. Amid the classroom cruelty and shattered teenage dreams, affairs with a supernatural twist add to Lily’s troubles as a local legend featuring an attractive ghost, known as the Heartbreaker, plagues the town. Lily ends up being haunted by the ghost, who alternates between terrorizing her and defending her against her enemies, forging a romantic, paranormal bond. 

 

Cheese Donuts Are Most Definitely Not Subpar 

Cheese Donuts Are Most Definitely Not Subpar||

Melly Sutjitro’s romance book is with a classic enemies-to-lovers trope that you will adore. 23-year-old Ellie volunteers to sit in as an acting chairperson of the PTA in place of her sister where she meets Dion, a condescending yet attractive PTA co-captain who criticizes everything she does, including her choice of donut. Between meetings and rehearsals, stolen kisses and an orchestrated PTA coup, they begin to realize that maybe they don’t despise each other’s guts.

 

The Global Citizen  

The Global Citizen||

The Global Citizen by international investor and philanthropist Patrick Tsang is a timely and relevant exploration of the cultural nuances that define the increasingly interconnected business world of the 21st century. By combining his unique perspective as a global citizen with personal experiences and lessons learned, Tsang offers readers valuable insights into the cross-cultural environment that governs feelings, beliefs, and actions in a globalised era. 

 

The Siege Within 

The Siege Within||

Written by Malaysian journalist Leslie Lopez, The Siege Within is his first book that delves into the writer’s own archives of previously unpublished material to go back in time and show exactly how it was possible for a Malaysian prime minister to envisage his treacherous crime, and then to execute the dastardly deed. It is the untold story behind the political crime that continues to make world headlines, and why a nation so full of promise has been brought to its knees. 

 

Elven and The Puzzle Box  

Elven and The Puzzle Box||

Written by Gwen Lee, Elven and The Puzzle Box is a story of an orphan girl who rises above discrimination to find love. Elven has eleven fingers, no parents, and a skin tone that hints at murky origins. One day, she receives a wooden Puzzle Box belonging to her late mother, and an intriguing letter promising her love, only if she solves the puzzle. This starts her long journey of ups and downs and big reveals.

 

Steady Sarah 

Steady Sarah||

Written by Justine Camacho-Tajonera, Steady Sarah is a moving story of self-discovery and self-realization. Sarah is responsible, mature, organized, and has her life all planned out until one day when everything turns upside down: her longtime boyfriend breaks up with her and she loses her job. This leads to her packing up her bags and going on an adventure to see the seven waterfalls all by herself.

Found something you love already? Keep an eye on our Instagram page to know when they come out.  

 

 

 

9 Authors We’re Reading This Malaysia’s National Day

It’s been over 6 decades since Malaysia gained independence and that calls for a celebration. Here’s a spotlight on 9 authors who have written books that have been celebrated by readers all over. 

 

Deborah Wong 

Deborah Wong is a Rhysling Award and Pushcart Prize nominated Malaysian poet. She holds a LLB (Hons) from University of London and the Associateship of the Malaysian Insurance Institute (AMII). A devoted fan-fiction writer, she finally answered the call to be a storyteller, by attending the summer intensive creative writing programme at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Her new book Me In Your Melody released recently and is a must-read for music lovers.  

 

Lee Su Ann 

Lee Su Ann started weaving stories since she was in high school, usually found scribbling in the shade of a tree under the watchful eyes of her school’s majestic clock tower. The clock tower of St George’s Girls’ School in Penang would later be the inspiration and setting for her second novel, A Stitch in Time. She published her first short story when she was 16. After graduating with a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences and a Diploma in Comprehensive Writing, she has since then been a test-tube baby scientist, a medical writer and an amateur actress /scriptwriter in her church’s own stage production. 

 

Leslie Lopez 

Leslie Lopez, a Malaysian citizen, has reported extensively on political and economic affairs in the region since the mid-1980s. He has worked for local Malaysian newspapers along with working in Indonesia and Singapore. He has won multiple awards and has covered notable news items. His new book The Siege Within is set to come out soon and will surely be of interest to many Malaysians.  

 

Romen Bose 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An international correspondent with over 22 years of reporting experience in the region, Romen Bose worked as a Political Communications Consultant for former Malaysian Premier Najib Razak for six years and was a close confidante to decision makers in the upper echelon of the country’s political elite. Before setting up his own consultancy, Romen was head of Asian social media at IHS Markit and worked as a senior foreign correspondent with French news agency AFP based in Kuala Lumpur. Having extensive knowledge on the subject he has written two books with us – Shattered Hopes and Final Reckoning.  

 

Heidi Shamsuddin 

Heidi Shamsuddin was born in Malaysia, and after being all around the world during her childhood and college days she returned home and began to write fiction. Heidi has recently embarked on a project to collect and adapt the folklore, fairy tales, fables, myths, epics, legends, wonder and magic tales from all around the Nusantara region, with the aim of spreading and disseminating these traditional tales. Her two books Nusantara – A Sea of Tales and Zara and the Twelve Realms of Kayangan are must-reads for fantasy folktale readers.  

 

Ong Chin Huat 

Ong Chin Huat is a freelance writer, fashion stylist and TV Host and has contributed to The Star, Life Inspired, Luxurious Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Design Anthology, Elle and Conde Nast Traveller among others. This is year, he published his book Harmony Heights, which became a favourite of readers throughout. It is set in a condominium located in a forgotten part of town resides a microcosm of bourgeois Malaysian society. 

 

Malachi Edwin Vethamani

An internationally recognised author, Malachi Edwin Vethamani is a fictionist, poet, editor, critic, bibliographer and academic. He has received awards, got one of his stories adapted for theatre and has edited five anthologies of Malaysian Literature in English. His book of short stories Have I Got Something To Tell You will leave you wanting more.  

 

Jin Young Lim

 

Jin Young Lim is a PhD student at the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies at UC Santa Barbara. He is the co-founder of Spawo Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to nurturing holistic education, sustainability, health and wellness, and culture in the Himalayas. He has led multiple mindfulness-based expeditions to the Himalayas and has been engaging in various contemplative practices throughout his life. His new book The Dao of Flow is a spiritual guide that can change your life.  

 

 

Tutu Datta  

Tutu Dutta lives in Kuala Lumpur; she was born in India but grew up in Malaysia. She started writing children’s books when she lived in far flung cities as the spouse of a diplomat, including: Singapore, Lagos, New York, Havana and Zagreb. She has published two books with us – The Blood Prince of Langkasuka and her newest release The Fraught Lives of Nathan Kwan and Lapsang Souchong. 

 

Have you read all these local authors yet?  

 

 

8 Singaporean Authors We’re Reading This Singapore National Day

It’s Singapore’s 59th birthday and this calls for a big celebration. Here’s a spotlight on 8 Singaporean authors who have written books that have been celebrated by readers all over. 

 

Emily Lim-Leh

Emily Lim-Leh lost her voice to a rare voice affliction Spasmodic Dysphonia in 1998. In her journey to recover her lost voice, she found a God-given voice in writing when she was a winner in the Singapore Book Council’s Publishing Initiative in 2007 for her debut picture book. Emily has authored over forty children’s picture books. She is the first person outside North America to win three IPPY Awards in children’s books, and the first in Southeast Asia to win the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. Emily was named Mediacorp’s Singapore Woman Award Honoree for inspiring readers through her books. Little Hero is Emily’s first adventure in writing a children’s chapter book and is inspired by her family’s stories.

 

Jack Sim

 Widely known as Mr Toilet, Jack Sim broke the global taboo around toilets and sanitation. He founded the World Toilet Organization (WTO), a global non-profit working towards a world with clean, safe toilets and sanitation for everyone, everywhere, at all times. Born in a slum in Singapore in 1957, he learned entrepreneurship and gumption from his uneducated mother who started a series of small businesses. He was also inspired by the gumption of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and grew up watching the amazing transformation of his country from third-world to first. His book The Gumption of Mr. Toilet is set to release end of August 2024 and will take you on his inspiring journey.

 

Uma Rudd Chia

Uma Rudd Chia is Executive Creative Director and Cofounder of KVUR, a boutique advertising agency specialising in beauty, fashion and innovation brands. She is a highly awarded creative and a sought-after global keynote speaker specialising on the topics of technology, innovation, women empowerment and creativity. Her book, The Spotted Zebra contains her life learnings from being different through a turn of events and life-changing encounters, and how she learned to embrace and accept her differences and become all that she is-wife, mother, keynote speaker, author, cofounder of Singapore’s coolest women run advertising agency and a notorious rule breaker.

 

H.Y. Poon

H Y Poon is a civil servant living in Singapore. In a few decades of service, he has held various appointments with government agencies working in an eclectic mix of areas such as manpower policy formulation, finance, investment promotion, enterprise development, and biodiversity conservation. Her book, A Mother’s Burden is a truly captivating story of a mentally disabled boy who is found dead in a small town and all signs point to his mother, a poor and ailing widow, as the one who caused his death. The story goes on with an investigator who digs deep to find the truth against the odds and, in the process, discovers his own worth in a hierarchical society.

 

Grace Chia 

Grace Chia is the author of over ten books of prose and poetry. She has been nominated for the Mslexia Novel Competition and Epigram Books Fiction Prize longlists and shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize (Poetry) and Singapore Book Awards, the latter for her Penguin Random House SEA novel, The Arches of Gerrard Street. Her other book with us How To Hunger is a fascinating collection of short stories that talk about how humans are hungry for love, lust and loyalty.

 

Danielle Lim

Danielle Lim is an award-winning author whose latest novel, All Our Brave, Earthly Scars, was published in 2022. Her short story collection, And Softly Go the Crossings, won the Book of the Year as well as Best Literary Work in the Singapore Book Awards 2021. Another novel was shortlisted for Best Literary Work in the Singapore Book Awards 2019. Her memoir won the Singapore Literature Prize 2016 (non-fiction) and has been translated into Chinese and Tamil, and published in Taiwan and India. The Publishers Weekly (US) listed Danielle as one of Singapore’s top writers in 2016.

 

O Thiam Chin 

O Thiam Chin is the author of three novels and six collections of short fiction. His debut novel won the inaugural Epigram Books Fiction Prize in 2015. His work has appeared in GrantaThe Cincinnati ReviewManoaThe Brooklyn RailQLRSWorld Literature Today and elsewhere. He has published two books with Penguin Random House SEA, We Are Not Alone Here and The Dogs are extremely captivating stories that relay the workings and complexities of humans in heart-tugging ways.

 

Nadia Ayesha

Nadia Ayesha is an MA Creative Writing student at LASALLE College of the Arts. From her years of working in the non-profit sector, she learnt the value and meaning in every individual’s life story and was inspired to return to writing, her first love as a child. Her book Showers of Luck is inspired by a true story set in pre-war Singapore and talks about a couple who navigates societal judgment and challenges familial expectations in a brave attempt to start a new life together.

 

How many of these local authors have you read before? 

New Books Releasing This August

The month of August brings to you a variety of stories ranging from grief, loss, self-discovery and fantasy to romance, horror mystery, memoirs and more. It’s an absolute treat for readers looking to add new books to their TBR and especially for those who love reading different genres of books.  

Here are the books releasing this month: 

 

Worship The Body

Worship The Body||

Written by the two-time Philippine National Book Award winner Alvin Yapan, this book explores human relationships and sexualities. Told from different but interlocking points of view, the story becomes a song complete with recurring refrains and a coda, intimating that there are silences to the body that are essential to our understanding of happiness. 

 

The Summer of Letting Go  

The Summer of Letting Go||

Written by Catherine Dellosa, this story is about loss, grief and self-discovery in a heartwarming way. When eighteen-year-old Kali’s uncle dies in a car accident, her world stops. She begins to see the ghost of her uncle at a tea shop where she gets a job to stay close to him and is faced with the cute but aloof owner. Things start to go array when the landlord of the tea shop condemns its demolition.  

 

Veins of Power  

Veins of Power||

Award-winning writer Mica De Leon is back with Book 2 in her Seed Mage Cycle series. Just as in Book 1, Winds of War, you can expect treacherous twists and turns in this Filipino fantasy. The returned gods of Kayumalon are the new currencies of power. In Kayumalon, seed mages are a coin a dozen, but the god vessels are infinite. It would take more than a legend, more than a good king, more than a mage, to navigate the Kayumalon court. 

 

Me In Your Melody  

Me In Your Melody||

Deborah Wong tells us a story about a heartbroken and unemployed FMC who struggles to contend with her past and rebuild her present, she learns that to get a grip is to find courage and strength in spite of the adversities; by replacing attitude with self-respect—from coping with the bad faith of a long-time friend to a near-death experience, she realises the importance of family and unconditional love. 

 

Ascension  

Ascension||

Written by Philippine National Book Award winner Eliza Victoria here is a horror mystery about a group of friends who reunite after years at a wake. Told in two timelines with the present and flashbacks from the friends’ youth, this story delves into themes of spirit possession, betrayal, secrets, bizarre rituals and mass hysteria that takes place in a small town.  

 

The Gumption of Mr. Toilet  

The Gumption of Mr Toilet||

Written by Jack Sim, who is widely known as Mr. Toilet and who broke the global taboo around toilets and sanitation, this life-changing inspirational book that you will benefit from abundantly while reading it. The story talks about how Jack Sim who was born poor and failed academically, became a successful serial entrepreneur and an ultra-successful serial social entrepreneur, changing the world by mobilising global movements. He also eventually became a professor with an Honorary Doctorate Degree. 

 

And For the Record  

And For The Record||

Here is a page-turning memoir of the Filipino writer-musician Yugel Losorata. He has extracted salient points from his many years making music, being in a band, writing news and features, and keeping up with the euphoria and struggles of being a writer-musician in the Philippines. He unabashedly shares his story and pop culture through his eyes, especially how his life mirrors that of a dreamer facing difficulties and surviving the whole shebang with dignity intact and without regrets. 

 

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