Books from Singapore Publishers

Where are all the birds? Why am I in this world? Where are my spectacles?Discover the life of Dr Goh Keng Swee in this fun and unique narrative of successive questions. How did this quiet, shy and curious boy become the man who would spearhead mammoth national projects and impact the lives of all Singaporeans?

Lee Kuan The Critical Years (1971–78) is a facsimile edition of Alex Josey’s second masterful account of Singapore’s formidable prime minister, first published in 1980 and simply titled Lee Kuan Yew Vol 2. In this volume, Josey tells the continuing story of Singapore’s remarkable development from the beginning of 1971 to the end of 1978. Read about Lee’s fears, hopes, triumphs and failures, his analytical judgements, his look into the future, his valuations and beliefs, his unswerving faith in the ability of the average Singaporean to understand what his prime minister is talking about, and his supreme confidence that Singapore will survive as an independent, if inter-dependent, sovereign state, and be successful.

If you've ever wondered about the power of choice and the rawness of youth, "The Right Mistakes" offers a dive into a life that many can't imagine. The book isn't just a string of misadventures; it's a reflection on causality, consequences, and the desperate search for belonging and transformation. Joshua's story is gripping because it's real and unflinchingly honest, inviting you to ponder the delicate balance between circumstance and personal responsibility.

If you're looking for a light-hearted break that's steeped in Singaporean culture, "Mee Siam Mai Hum" might just tickle your fancy. It's a humorous snapshot of political slips and it could remind you that even politicians are prone to the occasional foot-in-mouth moment. Its blend of wit and local flavor offers a quirky insight into the world of Singaporean politics.

The urban legend goes that Morgan Chua’s first political cartoon of Lee Kuan Yew in the Singapore Herald led to the newspaper’s closure in 1971. Undeterred by this, Lee’s near mythic status became fodder for Morgan’s creative imagination and incisive pen as he continued his satirical sketches of the prime minister in the Far Eastern Economic Review.For the first time, over 100 of Morgan’s LKY cartoons—along with new ones—have been collected, covering Lee’s pioneering years up to the present day. In LKY: Political Cartoons, the fearless Morgan meets the fearsome Harry.Praise:“I really like the bulge Morgan gives [LKY] around his eyebrows, beneath which his eyes are sometimes two slits, sometimes small buttons and rarely open. I’ve never read a biography of someone in the form of political cartoons, but this one works pretty well...There is a delightful section where [LKY] meets foreign leaders.”—V Sudarshan, The New Indian Express“If you have always wondered what the epic, unexpurgated life of Singapore's founding prime minister would look like as comic strips, this book by [Morgan] Chua is for you.”—Corrie Tan and Nabilah Said, The Sunday Times“A very interesting collection.”—TJS George, author of Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore“For those who don't know, Morgan Chua is one our country's rare political cartoonist—hilariously biting when at the top of his game...how often do we get to see LKY satirised in comics? Only Morgan is crazy enough to do it.”—Justin Zhuang, author of Independence: The History Of Graphic Design in Singapore Since The 1960sAbout the Creator:Morgan Chua is a Singapore-born cartoonist who started drawing for the Singapore Herald in 1970. When the paper was closed down by the government in 1971, Chua moved to Hong Kong and joined The Asian for nine months.He then joined the prestigious Far Eastern Economic Review, where he started as an editorial artist and over 24 years rose to creative director. At the Review, he was known for his incisive single-panel political cartoons and for arresting and provocative magazine cover choices. He has also drawn cartoons for Hong Kong’s Next Magazine and Apple Daily. Chua has published Tiananmen (1989, 2014), My Singapore (2000, 2008), Divercity Singapore: A Cartoon History of Immigration (2010), In Memory of Madam Kwa Geok Choo 1920-2010 (2011) and illustrated former Singapore President S R Nathan’s 50 Stories from My Life (2013). Most recently, Chua released LKY: Political Cartoons (2014).

If you've ever felt lost or without support, Liyana Dhamirah's "Homeless" could resonate deeply with you. It's a powerful memoir of resilience that sheds light on the often-hidden struggles within a prosperous society. Her story of overcoming adversity to become a successful entrepreneur might just inspire you to believe in the potential for change in your own life.

Two Singaporeans, Tony Tan Poh Chuan and Tay Chow Lyang who were studying at the University of New South Wales in Sydney were brutally murdered in their apartment in 2003. They had been stabbed and beaten to death. Their housemate and fellow Singaporean Ram Tiwary was arrested for their murders. Although he told the court he was asleep in his room at the time, he was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 2006. The case went through a retrial in 2009 but the verdict was the same. In 2012 the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal overturned the earlier conviction and he was released after spending 8 years in jail.Ram Tiwary returned to Singapore in 2012 following his release. Although a free man, the memories as well as the experience of the 99 months of incarceration still continue to haunt him today. This is Ram Tiwary's story of the events on the day of the murders, the two trials, life in prison and the appeal process until his acquittal.

After being away from her home country of Indonesia for almost a decade, Tita Larasati returns to Bandung, with her Dutch husband and two young kids in tow.As the family adjusts to life in Bandung, Tita also rediscovers her hometown from a fresh perspective.Comprising little vignettes of her daily musings and adventures—with food, public transport and the unwanted house lizard—this charming graphic diary captures the author's humour and refreshing outlook on life.

If you're eager to delve into the heart of Singapore's literature, 'Interlogue' is a treasure. Kirpal Singh masterfully navigates through Singaporean authors and their works, giving you fresh perspectives and keen analyses. This read will engage your intellect and broaden your understanding of a vibrant literary culture.

These are the unpublished stories about the stories that you may have read in Singapore newspapers over the years. Above all, they are Singapore media stories as experienced first-hand by a veteran journalist who had to be persuaded to become Editor of a leading newspaper. PN Balji was an active participant in mainstream journalism, having spent nearly 40 years working in five newsrooms. He was part of a hardy generation of newspaper editors who wrestled with editorial issues and made tough decisions, sometimes against the will of authority. He also had a ringside view of his colleagues' tussles and confrontations with the government. In Reluctant Editor, Balji weaves a compelling narrative, with anecdotes, of an alternative story of how some editors of his generation managed to hold the ground in challenging times. He brings back the drama, mostly played behind the scenes, and attempts to answer the question: What made the editors of the 1970s, 80s and 90s act the way they did? It was a life lived dangerously; some lost their jobs, some had to leave the country and some decided to give in and lived to fight another day.

The maestro of political plays is back and his latest offering in a decade, Fear of Writing, is a groundbreaking commentary with its finger on the political pulse of Singapore today, first staged by Theatreworks in 2011 to critical acclaim.In Fear of Writing, a playwright struggles with writer’s block, a director and producer bemoan their failure to get a government license to stage their play, and a father writes to his daughter overseas. Seemingly disparate elements are woven together, while the line between art, performance and reality begin to blur dramatically as the play reaches its chilling conclusion.Fear of Writing is a play that will haunt you while compelling you to decide where you stand on the issues of control and censorship.“[A]n important summation work at Tan's mid-point career. More than any other work in the Singapore canon, it questions the point and purpose of making theatre in Singapore.” —Helmi Yusof, "The finest plays in 50 years", The Business Times“Fear of Writing is an urgent and courageous piece of work.” —Adeline Chia, The Straits Times“A scathing indictment. It analyses the very act of writing itself and its limits.” —Mayo Martin, TODAY“One of the most intelligent and scathing dramas ever written about the machinery of Singapore politics and the individual capacity to be a force for change. Tan has produced the gravest and most compelling work of his 20-year playwriting career.” —Clarissa Oon, The Straits Times

If you're drawn to stories of resilience and activism, M. Ravi's "Kampong Boy" is a compelling read. His journey is not just about legal battles but a personal narrative intertwined with the cultural fabric of Singapore. The book sheds light on the convictions of a man who dares to challenge the status quo, inspiring anyone interested in the pursuit of justice and human rights.

If you're into memoirs that blend personal storytelling with a sense of place, "17A Keong Saik Road" should be your next read. Charmaine Leung offers a rare glimpse into the lives that once animated one of Singapore's notorious areas, humanizing a past often left untold. It's a touching exploration of family, resilience, and the evolution of a neighborhood through the eyes of those who experienced its many shades.

This is the true story of a boy with a simple dream—to become a man. But he fell and became a dropout of school, friends, life, himself. But with the helping hand of a teacher, he turned his life around, found friends and love, and fulfilled his dream. This is the story of how that boy went from dropout to millionaire Princeton PhD. Expelled from four junior colleges (he was labelled ‘subnormal’ and not academically inclined), Kaiwen Leong sat for the A level examinations as a private candidate while experimenting with Internet websites to try his hand at entrepreneurship. He studied hard and did well enough to be admitted to Boston University in the US where he graduated with two bachelors and two masters degrees in economics and mathematics in four years. And then he went on to obtain postgraduate degrees at Princeton University. He is a member of America’s most prestigious academic societies and has published research papers on economics, mathematics and physics. Today he lectures at Nanyang Techonological University and is an economist at Spring Singapore. Find out how Dr Leong picked up his life.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich and vibrant history of comics in Singapore. Through stunning artwork and an engaging narrative, it showcases the life of pioneering artist Chan Hock Chye, providing a unique and intimate glimpse into the changing political and economic landscape of the country. Winner of multiple prestigious awards, this groundbreaking work is a testament to the deep passion and talent of both the subject and the author. Get ready to be captivated by this captivating biography.