Content
Check out our playlists and learning packages for recommended books, collection of short videos, selected podcasts and articles exploring topics around reading.
Playlist: Reading in a Digital Age
So many books, so little time. How has the reading brain evolved with the advent of the digital age? These resources will give you short explainers on how our reading has changed with our devices, and how to cultivate the reading habit in a distracted age.
BOOKSTORES: How to Read More Books in the Golden Age of Content
This video has Max Joseph interview influential writers, avid readers and bookstore owners on how to make time for reading today, including how to read faster! The icing on the cake is following his haunts for the dreamiest and most surreal bookstores.
Source: Max Joseph (2019, April 23). BOOKSTORES: How to Read More Books in the Golden Age of Content. Retrieved 2021, December 9.
Rewiring Our Brains: Nicholas Carr
Pulitzer Prize finalist, Nicholas Carr, explains how our usage of the internet has literally re-wired our brains, affecting how we read, write, learn and understand.
Source: Wheeler Centre (2015, Jan 23). Rewiring Our Brains: Nicholas Carr. Retrieved 2021, December 9.
Neuroscience of Reading | Maryanne Wolf
The quality of our thinking is influenced by the quality of our reading. In this video, Maryanne Wolf explains how reading affects the plasticity of our brain, and thereby how we think and understand.
Falling Walls Foundation (2019, Nov 14). Neuroscience of Reading | Maryanne Wolf. Retrieved 2021, December 9.
TLDR: Short Reads
Get back into reading with these short reads. Or pull these out to tide you over that commute or long wait. From short stories, comics to poetry, we’ve got you covered.Websites
1. Quarterly Literary Review Singapore: Short Stories
Quarterly Literary Review Singapore (QLRS) is a respected online literary journal, with a mission to promote and stimulate good writing in Singapore. Glean into short stories by local writers here, or explore other literary forms such as poetry, essays and criticism.
Retrieved 2021, 9 December2. SOFTBLOW
SOFTBLOW is a Singapore-based literary journal which houses contemporary poetry from all over the world.
Retrieved 2021, 9 December3. Hourly Comic Day by Lucy Knisley
Lucy Knisley is an award-winning comic artist, known for her candid writing and works. Check out this link for comics in small doses.
Retrieved 2021, 9 DecembereBooks
1. Someone Like You
Roald Dahl (2009), Penguin Books Ltd.
This is Roald Dahl’s first collection of twisted short stories for adults. Borrow the eBook here.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).2. Hell-Heaven
Jhumpa Lahiri (2015), Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
A beautiful story that revolves around a family, after a decision to take in a stranger. Borrow the eBook here.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).3. Men Without Women
Haruki Murakami (2017), Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
A collection of short stories about men who have found themselves without important women in their lives. Borrow the eBook here.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).Audiobooks
1. Fortunately, The Milk
Neil Gaiman (2013), HarperCollins.
A quirky story on time travel and breakfast cereal. Borrow the eBook here.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).2. Home Remedies
Xuan Juliana Wang (2019), Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group.
Nominated for a few literary awards, this is a hit debut by a young writer that captures the new experiences of Chinese immigrants around the world.
Nominated for a few literary awards, this is a hit debut by a young writer that captures the new experiences of Chinese immigrants around the world. Borrow the eBook here.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).3. Me Talk Pretty One Day
David Sedaris (2000), Hachette Audio.
A collection of humorous and hilarious short stories Sedaris-style, after his move to France.
A collection of humorous and hilarious short stories Sedaris-style, after his move to France. Borrow the eBook here.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).Playlist: Stories for Adults
Relive the pleasure of being told stories, even as adults. Tune in to these podcasts to discover a myriad of life experiences from over the world, and our own shores. Stories range from the poignant, humorous, bizarre to downright frightening.
1. The Moth
The Moth Podcast hosts an archive of stories from a world of experiences. Told by storytellers from all walks of life ranging from the everyday person to personalities, the stories are a reminder of how our humanly longings and fears are essentially similar.
Retrieved 2021, 9 December2. The New Yorker: The Writer’s Voice
Besides publishing original fiction by different writers, the New Yorker also invites them to tell their stories as how they intended it to be heard. Listen to the writers, which includes the likes of Margaret Atwood and Jhumpa Lahiri.
Retrieved 2021, 9 December3. Ghost Maps: True Southeast Asian Horror Stories
Based in Singapore, Ghost Maps collects stories to do with the supernatural, based on real life experiences. Be prepared to be spooked.
Retrieved 2021, 9 DecemberPlaylist: Introduction to Literature
Literature examines human communication and facilitates critical thinking. Check out this playlist to kickstart your journey in discovering literature.
An introduction to the discipline of Literature
Literature facilitates critical thinking, and human communication. Check out this video to glean into key ideas and prominent thinkers that influenced the discipline of literature.
Source: Macat (2016, April 14). An introduction to the discipline of Literature. Retrieved 2021, December 9.
How to Read Literature like a Professor
This video explains how memory, symbols and pattern distinguish a professional reader from the rest.
Source: Profound Understanding (2019, June 21). How to Read Literature like a Professor. Retrieved 2021, December 9.
Literary Devices: How to Use Literary Elements to Improve Writing
Learn about the various literary devices.
Source: Self Publishing School (2019, Oct 1). Literary Devices: How to Use Literary Elements to Improve Writing. Retrieved 2021, December 27.
Get To Know: Singapore Literature
In this package, Singapore Literature, or Sing Lit, refers to books written by Singaporean or Singapore-based writers, in the four national languages namely English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Genres include fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and plays.
The body of Sing Lit covers an extensive breadth of topics – culture, race, work, food, family, place, identities – stemming from experiences and reflections of life in Singapore. Sing Lit is one avenue for us to discover, ponder and even question aspects of a Singaporean life. Poet, Ng Yi Sheng described it best when he said, “Literature encourages us to empathise with the complexities of history and its subjectivities rather than coming to easy straightforward conclusions.” 1.
The Sing Lit scene in Singapore is lively, experimental and growing; seen through the active ecosystem of writers, publishers, literary organisations, bookstores, literary prizes and movements. Most recently, the Sing Lit scene has seen the rebrand of industry-led movement #BuySinglit to Sing Lit: Read Our World, to spotlight the full ecosystem of Sing Lit including ‘creators, authors and readers’ 2 throughout the year. As the industry is galvanizing to bring our stories to the forefront, would you heed this call to know our world with Sing Lit?
In this resource package, glean into Sing Lit must-reads and get a headstart to Sing Lit works.
Did you know...
Must Reads
There are numerous Sing Lit works deemed as must-reads across the different genres. This list for English books comprise a small selection. For more titles beyond this list, check out the links below.
1. A History of Amnesia
Alfian Sa’at (2020). Ethos Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
2. Ministry of Moral Panic
Amanda Lee Koe (2013). Epigram Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
3. Sugarbread
Balli Kaur Jaswal (2018). Epigram Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
4. Let Me Tell You Something About That Night
Cyril Wong (2020). Ethos Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
5. Me Migrant
Md Mukul Hossine (2020). Ethos Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
6. The Goddess in the Living Room
Latha (2014). Epigram Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
7. State of Emergency
Jeremy Tiang (2018). Epigram Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
8. Confrontation
Mohamed Latiff Mohamed (2018). Epigram Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
9. Nimita’s Place
Akshita Nanda (2019). Epigram Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
10. The Gatekeeper
Nuraliah Norasid (2018). Epigram Books.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).
For more recommendations, check out:
Resources
This article from Wild Rice’s Op-ed Competition writes about how reading Sing Lit touches a unique chord that possibly only Singaporeans can relate to.
Rice Media. (2021, July). A Case for Sing Lit. Rice Media. https://www.ricemedia.co/a-case-for-singlit/
Retrieved 20 December 2021.
This interview with Pooja Nansi, festival director of Singapore Writers Festival since 2019, gives a good take on the current Sing Lit scene.
Neo, Josiah. (2019, Aug 29). The Singapore Spotlight: Pooja Nansi on our blossoming literary scene. Lifestyle Asia Singapore. https://www.lifestyleasia.com/sg/culture/the-arts/pooja-nansi-singlit/
Retrieved 20 December 2021.
An interview with several Sing Lit writers to discuss what makes Singapore Literature.Bowers, Beatrice. (2020, Feb 21). Must we define Singapore’s literary voice for it to be recognised? Local authors pitch in. Lifestyle Asia Singapore. https://www.lifestyleasia.com/sg/culture/the-arts/what-is-sing-lit-singaporean-authors-define/
Retrieved 20 December 2021.
A podcast series by The Arts House, Wilson Goh and Amanda Lee reinterprets selected Singapore poems into songs.
The Arts House. (2021, March 25 Day). Songbirds. Lit Spins. The Arts House. https://open.spotify.com/episode/22qMVnHwCMzft8YMDkqsq0
Retrieved 20 December 2021.
Programmes on Singapore Literature
Literary programmes featuring Sing Lit are always happening in the library. Browse through go.gov.sg/nlblitarts to find the right one for you!
References
- Chua, Ivy, Ismail, Rafiq. (2020, June 30). Stories About Us: Literary Culture in Singapore. Constellations. Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://www.constellations.sg/2020/06/30/stories-about-us-literary-culture-in-singapore.
- Tze Yi, Goh. (2021, Dec 13). #BuySingLit movement rebrands to get S'poreans to Read Our World The Straits Times. Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://www.straitstimes.com/life/buysinglit-movement-rebrands-to-get-sporeans-to-read-our-world.
- NLB OverdriveThe Short Stories and Radio Plays of S. Rajaratnam.Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/3300320.
- Ogihara-Shuck, Eriko. (2015, Jan 1) On the Trail of Francis P. Ng: Author of F.M.S.R. Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-10/issue-4/jan-march-2015/on-the-trail.
- Lovett, Jamie. (2017, November 9) Here Are Your 2017 Eisner Awards Winners. Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://comicbook.com/comics/news/eisner-awards-winners-2017/.
- Ho, Olivia. (2017, May 3) Singaporean graphic novelist Sonny Liew tops nominations for Eisner comic awards. Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/singaporean-graphic-novelist-sonny-liew-tops-nominations-for-eisner-comic-awards.
- Heng, Rachel. Suicide Club. Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://www.rachelhengqp.com/suicide-club.
- Tee, Karen. (2016, September 2018) Singapore Literature is Having Its Moment in the International Spotlight. Retrieved 2021, December 20 from https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/lifestyle/singapore-literature-is-having-its-moment-in-the-international-spotlight/.
Learning Package: Storytelling
Humans are biologically wired for stories. Research has shown that the exchange of stories ignites understanding between sharer and listener, and is one of the means which develops empathy between us. There is however, an art to storytelling! Explore this learning package to find out more.
Videos
How stories shape our minds | The science of storytelling | BBC Ideas
This video shows the power of stories, and how our brains are wired for it.
Source: BBC Ideas (2019, July 23). How stories shape our minds | The science of storytelling | BBC Ideas. Retrieved 2021, December 23.
The Art of Storytelling: The Mechanics of a Great Story
“The essence of a great story is its ability not only to make you care, but also to make you forget." Check out this engaging video for succinct tips and examples on crafting such stories.
Source: The Quintessential Mind (2020, Oct 1). The Art of Storytelling: The Mechanics of a Great Story. Retrieved 2021, December 23.
This is your brain on communication | Uri Hasson
Neuroscientist, Uri Hasson, shows how our brain synchronizes when we listen to the same stories.
TED (2016, June 4). This is your brain on communication | Uri Hasson. Retrieved 2021, December 9.
Websites
1. Chinese Street Storytellers
This article with archival pictures shows a slice of Singapore’s street storytelling tradition.
2. The Lost Art of Storytelling
Another interesting article which gives us a snippet of the oral storytelling tradition in India.
3. A History of Storytelling through Pictures
An article by the British Museum, this article complete with visuals shows how history was told through artefacts around the world.
eBooks
Into The Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them
John Yorke (2013), Penguin Books Ltd.
John Yorke, the creator of BBC’s Writers’ Academy, writes about the foundational structures of all stories.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling
Matthew Dicks (2018), New World.
A five-time The Moth Grand Slam winner, the author shares techniques on enthralling your audience with stories.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).The Enchanted Hour:The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction
Meghan Cox Gurdon (2019), Harper.
Based on neuroscience and behavioural research, the author writes on the cognitive power of reading aloud, and listening to stories not only for children, but also adults.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryID is required to access the eBook).Playlist: Writing Stories
Check out this playlist for tips on writing.
How to Show, Not Tell: The Complete Writing Guide
This video contains tips for stronger writing through the tool of "showing", and not "telling".
Source: Diane Callahan (2020, Oct 3). How to Show, Not Tell: The Complete Writing Guide. Retrieved 2021, December 27.
My Top 12 Writing Tips! | Advice That Changed How I Write
Check out this video for practical tips to improve your writing.
Source: ShaelinWrites (2021, Apr 24). My Top 12 Writing Tips! | Advice That Changed How I Write. Retrieved 2021, December 27.
How To Write A Book In A Weekend: Serve Humanity By Writing A Book | Chandler Bolt | TEDxYoungstown
Chandler Bolt, founder and CEO of Self-Publishing School shares a system for writers in crafting their book.
TEDx Talks (2019, Nov 14). How To Write A Book In A Weekend: Serve Humanity By Writing A Book | Chandler Bolt | TEDxYoungstown. Retrieved 2019, October 25.