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

Posted on August 31, 2024 by simransingh

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?

Read an exclusive excerpt from Shattered Hopes

Posted on August 13, 2024 by simransingh

Shattered Hopes focuses on PH1.0’s rocky 22-months in power to tell the story of how a fledgling Government filled with so much promise and hope, was racked by internal power struggles and politicking even in its very first weeks in power, amid policy paralysis, racial politicking and the ultimate unwillingness of veteran Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to hand over power to his twice-anointed successor, Anwar Ibrahim.

Read an excerpt an below.

*****

The young cabinet minister knew the much-touted multiracial and reform-minded government of second-time Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was on the verge of imploding, and he was hoping to convince the powers that be to stop it, to cease fire. At least for the moment. But he knew it would not last.

On that Sunday, 23 February 2020, the then recently discovered Covid-19 viral threat—it had yet to become the global pandemic that we now know—was seeing Chinese cities in lockdown and thousands of deaths globally. But Malaysians were more focused on the political drama and intrigue playing out in the corridors of power in Putrajaya and Petaling Jaya. This had people enthralled by various rumours of power grabs and new political alliances.

These strong rumours were boosted by reports claiming the formation of a new Mahathir-led political coalition—wait, wasn’t he leading the current coalition government?—that would exclude the Chinese-led Democratic Action Party (DAP) and former Deputy Premier and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). And parliamentarians, including the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) lawmakers, had supposedly signed statutory declarations (SDs) in support of Mahathir serving as prime minister until the next general election, instead of passing the baton to Anwar mid-term as had been agreed.

This would mean the end of the PH1.0 Government and, with it, the dreams and hopes for reform, equality, and justice in the country.

*****

This book is an explosive expose written by Romen Bose. It’s a first-hand account of Malaysia unraveling into a scandalous tale of power grabs, broken promises, and political chaos. Get your copy to read this gripping book now.

8 Singaporean Authors We’re Reading This Singapore National Day

Posted on August 9, 2024 by simransingh

It’s Singapore’s 59^th 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 Granta, The Cincinnati Review, Manoa, The Brooklyn Rail, QLRS, World 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?

Ever wondered why the cat is not in the Chinese Zodiac? Read this excerpt from The Fraught Lives of Nathan Kwan and Lapsang Souchong to find out.

Posted on August 8, 2024August 8, 2024 by simransingh

This International Cat Day, we are delving deep into the story behind why a cat is not part of the Chinese Zodiac. Luckily, author Tutu Dutta tells us why in her new book The Fraught Lives of Nathan Kwan and Lapsang Souchong.

Read the excerpt below to find out.

*****

Mr Kwan looked up from his handphone and interrupted their discussion again. He said, ‘Did you know that of all the domesticated animals, the cat is not included in the Chinese Zodiac? All the other common animals, even the rat, the tiger, and the snake are in!’

‘Not forgetting the mythical dragon,’ added Jin.

‘Yes, I always wondered about that,’ said Nathan thoughtfully. ‘Maybe, they didn’t like cats in China,’ he added.

Mr Kwan explained to him, ‘One of the stories of the Chinese Zodiac is that Rat tricked Cat—’

Junie interrupted her father, ‘Yes, we know, Dad!’ She recited from memory, ‘Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor invited all the animals in the world to a race. He wanted to name the years after the first twelve animals to win the race.’

‘All the animals listened very carefully to what the Jade Emperor was saying, except for Cat, who decided to take a nap while the Emperor was talking.

‘Rat told Cat that the race would only start in the afternoon. So, Cat slept while Rat slipped out at dawn. All the animals were racing furiously. Clever Rat knew that he could not win the race, so he jumped on the back of Ox. Close to the end of the race, Rat jumped off Ox and crossed the finishing line first!’

‘So, the first year of the Chinese Zodiac is the Year of the Rat!’ Jin capped the story.

His father added, ‘It seems you all can remember everything I ever said! Anyway, in the other version of the story, Rat also tricked Cat and told him that the banquet by the Buddha was the day after tomorrow so Cat missed the banquet.’

Jin stroked his chin and said, ‘Rat used strategy to win the Zodiac Race. But you can’t always use strategy to win a race in real life. You really got to practise your ass off.’

Did you know this fascinating story? If you liked what you read, get a copy of The Fraught Lives of Nathan Kwan and Lapsang Souchong online or at bookstores near you.

New Books Releasing This August

Posted on August 1, 2024 by simransingh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Found something you love already? Get your copies now.

Cheers to Fictional Friends on International Friendship Day

Posted on July 30, 2024 by simransingh

While your friends in real life might not be out there saving the world, fighting evil, scamming tourists or solving mysteries- rest assured that your fictional friends will always take you on an unforgettable adventure. This International Friendship Day, we are celebrating fictional friendships that you will cherish forever.

Julian Kee and his friends from the Prophecy of the Underworld series

We met the gang in Book 1 – Prophecy of the Underworld where Julian led his friends into the Underworld to retrieve a magical rock that can save their world. This fast-paced adventure is full of exciting twists and turns.

In Book 2 – The Library of No Return, Julian and his friends Mia and Ryan return for yet another hilarious and adventure-filled jaunt to the Underworld where their help is required to deal with a crisis.

In Book 3 – The Twin Blades of Doom, the gang is set to save the Underworld a third time. The fun, laughter and adventure continue in the third and final book of the series Julain tries to make a plan that can resolve the problems of the Underworld once and for all.

Maya, Chong and Rohan from Frappes for Three

A story of an unlikely trio whose paths cross at university where they become good friends. Maya wants to become a writer, Chong is a stylish fashionista who wants to make her mark on the fashion world and Rohan comes from a middle-class family and the pressure of making something of himself. While each has their own dreams and aspirations, they also have to deal with family expectations. What helps most in such situations? Having close friends! This is a story of love, loss and self-discovery where no matter what happens, these friends are always going to be there for each other.

Nathan, Junie and Sachin from The Fraught Lives of Nathan Kwan and Lapsang Souchong

Cousins Nathan and Junie along with their friend Sachin are labeled as bookish nerds by the popular kids in their school. However, when a new student Aida, who is glamourous and fashionable befriends them, their popularity also goes up. Sounds like a sweet high school drama, doesn’t it? But when Nathan’s beloved cat goes missing the gang reunites in search of it and discovers that their quaint neighborhood is hiding dark secrets. The story merges the charm of old-school mystery, adventure and folklore; with complex Millennial characters.

Carmen, Hai and Marina from Hue City

Carmen, a twenty-five-year-old college dropout; Marina, a wealthy Singaporean yearning for a new life and love along with Hai, a receptionist, tout and part-time pimp together make up the notorious Ativan Gang. They are scammers who befriend tourists so they can drug them and rob them. Now, for some friends group activities involve going to the movies, having dinner or having picnics together but for Carmen, Hai and Marina it’s all about achieving their goals one way or another.

Keix, Zej, Pod and Vin from The Night of Legends and The Light of Stars

Friends are always meant to have your back and get you out of bad situations and these books are all about that.

In The Night of Legends Keix is rescued from an underground prison by her friends Zej and Pod and is determined to rescue her best friend Vin. Her captor is the very organisation that she had joined as a trainee soldier as a teenager. Keix, who is dealing with memory loss recovers thanks to the care given to her friends and sets off on a journey to figure out what exactly is going down in this organisation.

In The Light of Stars, the friends are back together to defend each other and take revenge for all the misdoings from the past. We love a story of friends coming together to save and protect each other.

Did you find any friendship story that tugged at your heartstrings? Get your copies now.

Fall in love and feel the thrill with our rainy-day recommendations

Posted on July 17, 2024July 17, 2024 by simransingh

There’s lightning in the sky, the wind is blowing, and rain drops fog up your windows. What do you do next? Make a warm beverage and pick up a book of course, because there is no better way to spend a rainy day other than reading! And, we know exactly what you need to read.

Experience the romance of rain and thrill of thunder with these books.

Romance of Rain

Love on the Second Read

A tenacious romance book editor meets a nerdy sci-fi and fantasy book editor and they’re made to work together on a manuscript. With meddling besties and the drama of ex-lovers, this book is an absolute treat for book lovers who want a dreamy romance in the publishing world.

Rebels, Traitors, Peacemakers

Stories that will bring all the warmth on a cold rainy day! Read how love tries to conquer all in a series of true stories about Indian-Chinese relationships spread across the world. Learn about their struggles, conflicts, triumphs and connections. Disclaimer: keep tissues handy.

Finding Us Again

A story about high school lovers who got separated but the boy leaves messages for the girl behind photos in hotels. Sounds romantic, doesn’t it? But true love is never that simple. With new partners by their side and a series of serendipitous events, things can go either way for the protagonists.

Thrill of Thunder

Horror, He Wrote

Love, betrayal, murder, redemption – sounds like the perfect recipe for a thriller, doesn’t it? With this read, you get more. With spine chilling twists and turns involving the lives of a ghost who returns to tell her story, a failing writer, a murdered twin and more, this book is one you won’t be able to put down.

The Showgirl and The Minister

Enter Sydney in 1966, where a former Chief Minister is missing, and a young stripper gets involved in his disappearance. Read how the private detective untangles this mystery while fighting his own demons in this story inspired by the real-life disappearance of Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock.

The American Boyfriend

The idea of travelling across the world to meet your long-distance boyfriend sounds perfect until it involves a mysterious murder and tragic robbery. Especially when you are a single mother with a toddler. When things go dark, it’s tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel and you will find it hard to put this book down.

Found something you can’t wait to start reading?

It’s time to cozy up with these perfect rainy-day reads.

Hot Reads To Cool Down With This Summer

Posted on May 24, 2024July 16, 2024 by garima

Summer is here, which means long sunny days and sultry hot nights. It’s the time of the year to explore, discover and reinvent yourself. One simple way to do all those things without moving much is through books! You explore new worlds, discover new ideologies and reinvent yourself by getting inspired by the characters you meet.

What we have for you here is a list of new books that will put you in a good mood this summer!

Little Hero

Enter the world of post-war Singapore in 1945. The protagonist, Ying Xiong is a seven-year-old boy has to navigate his childhood alone after certain mishaps, but he does so with strength and vigour, making him the Little Hero we come to love and support by the end of the book. Merely 98 pages long, this book can be devoured in no time and perfect for a hot summer’s day. While the story is mostly fiction, it is also inspired by the real-life events of the author’s family.

Harmony Heights

Heat things up this summer with this spicy, saucy and fun read. Harmony Heights as a summer read will not disappoint you. It will take you straight to a bourgeois Malaysian society filled with secrets and drama. If you love getting and spilling the tea, then this book is perfect for you. Take it on vacation, or read it at home, it is suitable for any place and any time.

Death and the Maiden

Imagine a ghost falling for the messenger of Death. Sounds like a story that will keep you hooked, doesn’t it? Death and the Maiden is Stella’s journey hung in the afterlife in which they live in an abandoned tower in the middle of the capital, have the same routine daily and keeps wondering why the Reaper hasn’t sent their soul away yet. Of course there are secrets, and you’ll spend your summer days and nights finding out what they are.

Deplorable Conversations with Cats and Other Distractions

A story about a talking cat? Yes please! This is the story of Lucky Lee and his dead sister Pearl’s cat Coconut, who starts talking to him. The conversations are not as simple as you might assume. Coconut goes from questioning Lucky’s food and fashion choices to asking about Pearl’s death and hogging his TV. Go on a journey of loss, grief, self-doubt and healing with the extremely well-defined characters of Deplorable Conversations with Cats and Other Distractions.

Have I Got Something To Tell You

Have I Got Something To Tell You is a collection of stories that explore the intersections and conflicts in family lives and sexuality that are typical in contemporary Asian societies, yet also universal. The stories are set from post-independent Malaysia to the early decades of the 21st century, the Covid-19 pandemic years which adds a wide variety to them.

Zarra and the Twelve Realms of Kayangan

A classic reimagined fairytale meets Malaysian folklore in this gripping middle-grade book. It’s a magical world of an evil aunt, a fairy godmother and a parallel universe with life-changing secrets where the FMC, Zarra has a mission to accomplish. The book will truly transport you into its fascinating world with every page, making a great literary escape for the summer.

Horror, He Wrote

A ghost writer who’s a real ghost of a woman scorned, a struggling writer out of inspiration, a tale of vengeance – are just some ways to describe the incredibly intriguing characters of this story. This is a page-turning novel where murder mystery meets horror and all you’ll want is to lock yourself in your room and read it from cover to cover. The twists and turns brought about by the actions of the characters will send chills down your spine.

Yangon Days

Travel to a different world with a book this summer. Yangon, previously known as Rangoon and the formal capital of Myanmar is one of the major commercial cities in Southeast Asia. This extremely engaging book consists of twenty-six stories that revolve around ordinary locals. Th daily and family lives filled with happiness and follies and simple humanity will tug at your heart strings.

The Dao of Flow

The hottest season calls hydration and while The Dao of Flow is a book that talks about the ancient wisdom of water, it’s not as simple as you think. This book will pull you into the author’s physical, spiritual and intellectual journey through the years. The themes of ancient philosophy and mindfulness along with the Doaist principles of living life will truly help you reinvent yourself this summer.

Have you found one or more books to add to your summer tbr yet?

Get your copies online or at a bookstore near you.

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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.

Read an exclusive excerpt from Shattered Hopes

8 Singaporean Authors We’re Reading This Singapore National Day

New Books Releasing This August