#BuySingLit is a movement to celebrate stories from Singapore. Literature written by Singaporean authors is not necessarily always about Singapore or set in Singapore, the same way how books by ethnic Indian residents are often premised in any land imaginable.
I have a special place in my heart for SingLit because the best SingLit authors always manage to write in a way that chimes with my soul. Whether it is the perspective borne out of going through the same Singaporean education system, or growing up in the same crowded island, most times there is something unique about the Singaporean psyche that comes through the writing.
So I am happy to support the BuySingLit movement, which is driven by our homegrown book publishers, retailers and literary non-profits, to encourage more Singaporeans to read Singapore’s literature. I realised that I wrote some 22 blog posts in the past few years on SingLit!
Although I purchase some books through online bookstores, I also do try to make purchases from local brick-and-mortar bookshops, because I love spending time in bookshops, and the best way to help them continue to exist is to make purchases!
One of the books I enjoyed immensely recently is “What gives us our names” by Alvin Pang.
Although sliver thin, it was substantive in literary weight. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it for its simplicity, its honesty and its resonance with one’s soul. Beautifully allegorical without being preachy, it was a book on holding values with startling clarity.
Other SingLit that I enjoyed last year included The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, and a large variety of English and Chinese children’s books, including those by our favourite authors Melanie Lee and Don Bosco.
In fact, just a couple of weeks ago, 8 year old K took out her set of Sherlock Hong books by Don to read again. She was toting them around the whole weekend, even to her grandparents’ home.
Don has contributed to Whispering Wallpaper, which is part of #BuySingLit’s event (24-26 Feb 2017). It is a huge illustrated panel with listening cups, and kids can pick one up and listen to pre-recorded audio by Singaporean authors.
So if you pick up the cup with the Sherlock Hong illustration, you will hear a fun original song written and recorded by Don himself, as he’s also a talented musician who plays in a band. : )
There are many events going on from 24-26 Feb to profile and celebrate SingLit – here are just a few of them. Check out buysinglit.sg to find out more!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
The good folks at BuySingLit are giving away $30 official BuySingLit vouchers to two loyal readers of the LilBlueBottle blog!
To enter, complete all the steps below:
- “Like” LilBlueBottle’s Facebook Page and BuySingLit’s Facebook Page
- Leave a comment on this Facebook post with:
a) your email address; and
b) your favourite aspect of the Sherlock Hong series.
(It is not required, but we’d appreciate it if you’d share this post on Facebook or Twitter!)
The giveaway ends on 2359 hrs on 22 Feb 2017, and the winners will be contacted via email. The usual terms and conditions apply. 🙂
Here are more details on how you can use the vouchers if you win:
[Update: The winners are Carol Lim and Angelina Ye – congrats!]
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