At the end of 2024, I sat down to review the books I had read that year. Normally, I read around 100 books annually, but this time? Just 43. Most of them fell into the same two categories: non-fiction about motherhood and business. Important topics, sure, but where was the fiction that once swept me into new worlds? The stories that let me dream, escape, and learn in ways that non-fiction never could?
What’s more, nearly all the books I had read were written by American authors. As someone who has lived in Singapore for years and considers it home, this realization felt awkard (and so embarrassing!). That is when I decided: 2025 would be my year of discovering Singaporean fiction. It is time to uncover the narratives that truly capture the essence of this vibrant place I call home.
Three Simple Rules to Guide Me on This Journey:
- Focus on Singapore
Fiction will be my lens to explore this place I call home, whether through real or imagined stories. - Singaporean Writers
I will be reading voices that reflect Singapore’s diversity and rich multicultural heritage. - Novels
I am prioritizing novels, but open to other forms of storytelling if the first two rules lead me there.
This project is about rediscovering my love of fiction while diving deeper into the stories of my home. I want to learn more about what makes Singapore… Singapore. I can’t wait to begin!
You can find my reading list here. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, I would love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected].