Read! Fest Goes to the Market, Mall and More

No.

Information on the Books and Authors

1

Wet Market to Table: A Modern Approach to Fruit and Vegetables by Pamelia Chia

Celtuce? Fingerroot? Tatsoi? If you've never heard of these produce, local chef Pamelia Chia is here to help. Wet markets promise charm and authenticity that supermarkets and online grocers cannot replicate. Local chef Pamelia Chia explores uncommonly used vegetables, fruits and herbs found in Singapore wet markets, using over 70 recipes to bring out their unique flavours and textures. Writing in a frank and easy-to-read manner, Pamelia shares stories from wet-market vendors, memories of grocery shopping with her mother and how each ingredient inspires her to push the boundaries of local cooking.

Pamelia Chia is the author of the bestselling cookbook Wet Market to Table, and the founder of Singapore Noodles, a newsletter with the mission of keeping Singapore’s food heritage alive.

2

Beneath The Rug by Solve n+1

Most are familiar with the idyllic version of Singapore – the pristine landmarks, international accolades, and the wonderful food, but that is not all there is to this city. Beneath the splendour of the Lion City, are the lived experiences of social workers and vulnerable communities that are often swept out of view and hidden under the proverbial rug.

You will hear from social workers, Special Education teachers, youth workers, counsellors, residential care workers, policymakers, a person with disability, and others in the social impact sector.

As you listen, you will realise that every story has a conflict, every conflict has a context, and every context reveals a conundrum. It is our sincere hope that as the stories in this book reveal what lies beneath the rug, it will also nudge all of us towards greater understanding, deeper reflection, and more meaningful engagement with our communities.

Solve n+1 is a community-based management consultancy firm. Lewin Low is a consultant with Solve n+1, and has been involved with social impact work for over 10 years, co-founding Living on Less in 2014. He partners with corporates, government ministries, non-profit organisations, and individuals seeking to co-create impact with communities including the less privileged, people with disabilities, and migrant workers. Cheng Tian Wei is the co-editor of Beneath the Rug and a political science major at the National University of Singapore. Tian Wei has worked with various communities including lower income families and youths. He has also done research on social welfare policies and is currently doing an ethnographic study on migrant workers.

3

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout

Lucy Barton is a writer, but her ex-husband, William Gerhardt, remains a hard man to read. William, she confesses, “has always been a mystery to me”. Another mystery is why the two have remained connected after all these years. They just are. So Lucy is both surprised and not surprised when William asks her to join him on a trip to investigate a recently uncovered family secret – one of those secrets rearrange everything we think we know about the people closest to us. What happens next is nothing less than another example of what Hilary Mantel has called Elizabeth Strout’s “perfect attunement to the human condition.” There are fears and insecurities, simple joys and acts of tenderness, and revelations about affairs and other spouses, parents and their children. On every page of this exquisite novel, we learn more about the quiet forces that hold us together — even after we have grown apart.

Elizabeth Strout has received national recognition in the US: her first novel, Amy and Isabelle, won the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and the Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize, and was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and for the Orange Prize in England; her second novel, Abide with Me, was a national bestseller and a Book Sense pick; her 2016 novel My Name is Lucy Barton, became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was longlisted for the 2016 Man Booker Prize; Anything is Possible won the Story Prize 2017/2018; and The Burgess Boys, a New York Times Bestseller, was named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post. The Burgess Boys had also been optioned by HBO and Robert Redford for a miniseries. Her latest novel, Oh William!, is a follow-up to My Name is Lucy Barton and a New York Times bestseller.

4

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

One day, Lori Gottlieb is a therapist who helps patients in her Los Angeles practice. The next, a crisis causes her world to come crashing down. Enter Wendell, the quirky but seasoned therapist in whose office she suddenly lands.

As Gottlieb explores the inner chambers of her patients' lives — a self-absorbed Hollywood producer, a young newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness, a senior citizen threatening to end her life on her birthday if nothing gets better, and a twenty-something who cannot stop getting romantically involved with the wrong men — she finds that the questions they are struggling with are the very ones she is now bringing to Wendell. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is revolutionary in its candor, offering a deeply personal yet universal tour of our hearts and minds and providing the rarest of gifts: a boldly revealing portrait of what it means to be human, and a disarmingly funny and illuminating account of our own mysterious lives and our power to transform them.

Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb is a masterful guide for helping us rewrite the narratives that keep us stuck. Her TED talk was one of the Top 10 Most Watched of the Year, her book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone has sold over a million copies (and is currently being adapted for television), and she is the author of The Atlantic’s weekly Dear Therapist column. Compassionate and charismatic, Gottlieb shows us that vulnerability isn’t a weakness, but a superpower for cultivating our healthiest, happiest, and most productive lives.

5

We Need to Hang Out by Billy Baker

At the age of forty, having settled into his busy career and active family life, Billy Baker discovers that he has lost something crucial along the way: his friends. Other priorities always seemed to come first, until all his close friendships became distant memories. When he takes an assignment to write an article about the modern loneliness epidemic, he realises just how common it is to be a middle-aged loner: almost fifty million Americans over the age of forty-five, especially men, suffer from chronic loneliness, which the surgeon general has declared one of the nation’s “greatest pathologies,” worse than smoking, obesity, or heart disease in increasing a person’s risk for premature death. Determined to defy these odds, Baker vows to salvage his lost friendships and blaze a path for men (and women) everywhere to improve their relationships old and new.

Billy Baker is a staff writer for The Boston Globe, where he writes narrative features and humorous columns. A native of South Boston, he is a graduate of Boston Latin School, Tulane University, and the Columbia Journalism School. He has received the Deborah Howell Award for Writing Excellence from the American Society of News Editors, and was a member of the Globe team that was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings.

6

The Most Important Comic Book on Earth by various contributors

The Most Important Comic Book on Earth is a global collaboration for planetary change, bringing together a diverse team of 300 leading environmentalists, artists, authors, actors, filmmakers, musicians, and more to present over 120 stories to save the world.

Whether they are inspirational tales from celebrity names such as Cara Delevingne and Andy Serkis, hilarious webcomics from War and Peas and Ricky Gervais, artworks by leading illustrators David Mack and Tula Lotay, calls to action from activists George Monbiot and Jane Goodall, or powerful stories by Brian Azzarello and Amy Chu, each of the comics in this anthology will support projects and organisations fighting to save the planet and Rewrite Extinction.

7

Pendoa Yang Ikhlas (The Sincere Supplicant) by Azizi Haji Abdullah

A collection of 16 short stories by the late literary giant Azizi Haji Abdullah (recipient of the S.E.A. Write Award 1988), revolving around the themes of love, survival and the daily struggles of the marginalised. Stories include a father and son love-hate relationship, the hardships of life of the elderly, and the hubris of the elites against those who are either illiterate, poor or disabled.

Azizi Haji Abdullah, a prolific author of short stories and novels, was born on 4 April 1942 in Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah. Azizi started writing in the 1960s. Besides novels, he also wrote scripts for radio and TV drama, literary essays and had been a columnist on several local newspapers and magazines. Despite this, his prominence was in the genre of short stories and novels. His short stories which had won prizes of literary works included Bapa (Father), Kipas Angin (Fan) and Wau Kepala Burung (Birdhead Kite). He was the recipient of the S.E.A. Write Award (1988) representing Malaysia. He died on 21 August 2011 at Penang Hospital, leaving his wife and two daughters.

8

Kerusi Celung Rantai Keramat (The Chair. A Chain. A Holy Cage) by Wan Jumaiah Mohd Jubri

A collection of 18 short stories by local author Wan Jumaiah Mohd Jubri (recipient of the Golden Point Award 2015), that delve into issues of history, power, cultural heritage, and the various social issues related to those themes. Stories include a new interpretation of the tale of Hang Nadim, the boy in the local legend of the attack of the swordfish.

Wan Jumaiah Mohd Jubri, who was born on 7 July 1961 at the Telecom quarters, Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore, has produced more than 50 short stories and several poems. Most of her works were published in Berita Minggu (Singapore) and had also been published in Berita Minggu Malaysia newspaper, Dewan Budaya magazine and Dewan Sastera. She has also written articles for Berita Harian / Minggu as a part-time writer. She is currently working as a Senior Library Assistant at the Information Resource Centre, SPH Media Limited.

9

疫言2030 : 极短幻想微型小说 (Covidivination: 2030) by吴庆康 (Dr Ng King Kang)

Covidivination 2030 is Dr Ng King Kang’s first foray into the micro-fiction genre and a timely reminder that precious stones are made under pressure. In the doldrums of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prominent media personality found solace and strength by picturing what life would be like if the pandemic raged on till 2030. Deprived of travel, we may have to resort to “cloud travel” to experience exotic locations through the cloud-stored memories of others. The banning of physical interactions forces all dating activities online, so how can we be sure that we are not wooing bots?

Dr Ng King Kang is a writer, lyricist and has been in the media industry for more than 30 years. He has penned hundreds of Chinese songs. He has written songs for famous singers, such as Jacky Cheung. Dr Ng has published 22 books on topics ranging from life to travel. His works are written in plain, simple language, depicting everyday life. His writings are praised by Hong Kong literary giant Ni Kuang. Dr Ng experiments with works by different media, he held a photography exhibition in 2015, and held a multi-media exhibition at the Chinese Cultural Centre in 2022. In 2023, there will also be a special exhibition that combines words and drawings.

10

午夜降临前抵达 (A Central European Odyssey) by 刘子超 | Liu Zichao

A Central European Odyssey is a tonic for the weary. Join renowned Chinese travel writer, Liu Zichao, on his voyage of self-discovery: two journeys across the region, one in the heat of summer, the other in the dead of winter. Liu regales readers with his learned accounts of the past, and vivid descriptions of the architecture, landscape, food and encounters with the locals, traversing borders and time. To the author, travelling is an opportunity for a complete make-over. For the reader, the book is an outlet to escape from the burdens of everyday life and to rediscover one’s zest for life.

Liu Zichao, graduated from the Department of Chinese Studies at Peking University. He wrote a few travel literature works. One of his works won the True Story Award in 2019. He was awarded the Single-street Bookstore Literary Awards Year in 2021.

11

அறம்:உண்மை மனிதர்களின் கதைகள் (Morality: Stories of Real People) by Jeyamohan

Author Jeyamohan introduces us to 21^st century virtues through his short story compilation, also known as Stories of the True in its English translation. The story of Dr V Krishnamoorthy in the Elephant Doctor is being read by students as part of their school syllabus. We could have come across these noble persons mentioned in this story without even realising their greatness.

Like Kannagi who burned Madurai, in the Chettiar's household, Aachi carries out a dharmic strike to make sure a creator receives something which is rightfully his. A boy who grew up influenced by Marshall Nesamani. The hidden respect behind the marginalised community sitting on chairs. Hundred chairs makes us think that hundred more chairs are needed for society to accept them normally.

Khetel Saqib is like a mother who threatens and forces you to eat good food. The story does not end with the poor boy repaying the angel who fed him when he was starving. Even when in the past he could not pay for his food and now when he has started earning a lot and can pay for the food he eats, he could not meet Khetel Saqib’s eyes. He could only see the hands which fed him. At that moment, he realises that he can never ever repay the food debt in this lifetime.

Each of the stories featured in this book are stories of real people. Rather than finding out who they are, let us recognise those true heroes who are living amongst us. They are humanity’s only hope.

B. Jeyamohan is one of the most influential contemporary, Tamil and Malayalam writer and literary critic from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He entered the world of Tamil literature in the 1990s. Jeyamohan has impacted the Tamil literary landscape as it emerged from the post-modern phase. His best-known and critically acclaimed work is Vishnupuram, a deeply layered fantasy set as a quest through various schools of Indian philosophy and mythology. His other well-known novels include Rubber, Pin Thodarum Nizhalin Kural (Voice of the following Shadow), Kanyakumari, Kaadu (Forest), Pani Manithan (Snow Man), Eazhaam Ulagam (Seventh World), and Kotravai (Goddess of Desert Land). His writing is heavily influenced by the works of humanitarian thinkers Leo Tolstoy and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Drawing on the strength of his life experiences and extensive travel around India, Jeyamohan is able to re-examine and interpret the essence of India's rich literary and classical traditions. He has also written scripts for Malayalam and Tamil movies, including the recent blockbuster, Ponniyin Selvan (Son of Kaveri).

For Jeyamohan’s detailed bio visit https://www.jeyamohan.in/about/

12

 ரௌத்திரம் பழகு (Be Angry with Injustice) by Ms K Sumathi

ரௌத்திரம் பழகு (Be Angry with Injustice) by Ms K Sumathi is a compilation of articles exploring social issues having a legal solution and legal issues which are prevalent in families in this society. Some articles are based on real life incidents. It cautions the fragile and gullible women who fall prey to men on account of their ignorance or despondency. The articles are not just women-centric but cover a larger spectrum from narcotics to suicide. Some of the essays are based on legal cases or court room dramas. It is a robust attempt to alert the public of the issues that are happening to others and may befall us and our neighbours too unless we are vigilant. The book inspires us to be proactive and stand against injustice.

Ms K Sumathi is a lawyer by profession. She practises civil and criminal cases such as matrimonial offences, crime against women, gender justice issues, offences relating to dowry, offences relating to dowry death, sexual crimes, domestic and workplace harassment.

Kal Mandapam (Stone Hall), her first novel won the best book award, Ilakkiya Sinthanai (Literary Thoughts) in 2001. The novel is based on the life of men who eke out their livelihood by carrying dead bodies and performing the last rites and ceremonies for their departed souls. Her short story, Amma was one of the best stories in the year 2015 and was part of the Ilakkiya Sinthanai’s (Literary Thoughts) 2015 collection.

She is also the recipient of over 400 prizes in inter-collegiate debates, orations, writing and other literary contests, both in English and Tamil.

Date & Time

Programme Description

23 June – 9 July 2023

Read! Fest 2023 Pop-up at Funan Mall

Visitors can rediscover the joy of reading as Read! Fest blossoms in Funan Mall. The range of activities are based on the 12 curated books, designed to bring people together and generate conversations. They can listen to story excerpts, write a postcard to connect with themselves or an old friend. The pop-up also offers a limited 1-for-1 coffee redemption.

Visitors can discover what flourishing means to them by assembling their own unique scrapbook composed of various collectibles, including 12 specially designed postcard illustrations and bookmarks. There is a 20-minute drama performance inspired by themes in the Read! Fest titles that visitors can look forward to on weekends.

The pop-up is targeted at young working adults, with unique collaterals to collect, and topics of interest to reignite their reading passion.

24 June 2023, 10am – 11am

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Conversation with Lori Gottlieb

Named a TIME Magazine Must Read Book of the year, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a funny, authentic, and heartfelt memoir of a therapist’s journey with her own therapist, and the parallels of their relationship with those she has with her clients. Now for the first time in Singapore, join moderator Michelle Martin as she invites Lori Gottlieb to reflect on her bestselling book and what it means to be human.

More info on how to register here.

25 June 2023, 10am – 11am

Between the Lines with Elizabeth Strout and Melanie Oliveiro

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout unveils behind-the-scenes secrets on her creative process in her latest novels, Oh William! and Lucy by the Sea.

Join Elizabeth Strout and Melanie Oliveiro, producer of Channel News Asia’s Page Turners as they discuss writerly craft and the tension between honouring readers’ expectations and delivering narrative surprises.

Elizabeth Strout will read from her latest novel, Lucy by The Sea, which returns to the beloved characters of Lucy Barton and her ex-husband, William Gerhardt.

More info on how to register here.

1 – 31 July

Read For Books
Venue: Online and in-person

Read for Books is a charity drive to raise awareness and share the gift of reading with the less privileged. For every 10 people who read for 15 minutes, one book will be donated to selected beneficiaries.

The three beneficiaries for 2023 are NLB’s community initiatives – WondeRead, kidsREAD and Ready to READ@NLB, Starter Kit & Programmes for Babies and Toddlers.

More info on how to participate and register here.

1 July 2023, 10am - 1pm

Positive Psychology Day

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) will be organising and hosting the programmes below on their campus. Dip your toes into the emerging field of Positive Psychology at the SUSS Positive Psychology Day! Join us for an introductory talk on Positive Psychology by Dr Vincent Oh, psychologists’ insights on the book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, and quick tips on wellness by the students of SUSS.

1. The Choice of Happiness – Insights from the Science of Positive Psychology
   What is positive psychology and how can it help us to live better lives? To what extent is happiness a choice? While tackling these questions, this talk provides the audience with an introductory overview of the burgeoning field of positive psychology and its implications in our daily lives.

   About the speaker:
   Dr Vincent Oh is a lecturer and social psychologist at SUSS. He specialises in quantitative research and teaching in the area of emotions and well-being. He has published extensively in these topics and his research has also been featured in various media outlets, including The Atlantic, CNBC, and Psychology Today.

2. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: Insights from Psychologists
   Get an insiders’ peek into the world of psychotherapy in this lively discussion on the book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. Featuring practising psychologists, this panel examines the book and reveals insights about mental wellness from an expert perspective. Audience members will also get the opportunity to ask the panel questions about the field of psychology.

   About the Panellists
   Dr Emily Ortega heads the psychology undergraduate programme at SUSS. Emily’s main area of research is in psychophysiology and performance. An experienced sport psychologist, Emily has worked with some of Singapore’s best athletes, helping them to achieve their sporting aspirations to consistently perform.

   Dr Tsao I Ting is a clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director of Redwood Psychology, a private mental health practice that works with individuals and organisations to bring psychological science to all. She has served in both the public and private settings as a clinician, researcher and implementer of psychological programmes for more than 15 years.

   Padma Jairam has diverse experience in the legal, education and psychology fields. She is currently the sole proprietor of her own mental health practice, working with individuals, couples and families on their healing journeys. She was previously working at the Institute of Mental Health (Singapore) in forensics and has been an educator in the public and tertiary sectors.

3. Quick Tips on Wellness - Positive Psychology Interventions
   What are some simple shifts we can make in our daily lives to improve our well-being? A series of short 90-second videos created by SUSS students will be showcased to introduce specific positive psychology interventions. Each video describes how a specific intervention can improve well-being and be applied in everyday life. Stay tuned for a student sharing and Q&A at the end of the showcase.

More info on how to register here.

8 & 9 July 2023, 2pm – 4pm

Upcycling Through Sashiko Embroidery by MUJI
Venue: MUJI, Plaza Singapura

Breathe new life into old clothing and fabric through Sashiko embroidery. Sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery technique, involves stitching together small pieces of fabric to create beautiful and intricate designs.

Join Cheryl, the textile artist behind Beadbadwolf, as she guides you through Sashiko embroidery techniques, and transform your old or worn-out garments into unique and stylish pieces that are eco-friendly and fashionable. All materials are provided.

More info on how to register here.

8 July 2023, 2pm – 3pm

My Neighbourhood, My Story by Skillseed
Venue: Block 463 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10

Meet Janet, a long-time resident of Ang Mo Kio, cat advocate, and Personal Mobility Aid user since 2017. She also serves as a community guide who leads learning trails within the Ang Mo Kio neighbourhood. Get to know her story and find out more about her passion and journey in advocating for cats and wheelchair-friendly routes in her neighbourhood.

More info on how to register here.

15 & 16 July 2023, 11am – 6pm

Big Book Giveaway

The Big Book Giveaway is a community event where pre-loved books can be taken home for free to spread the joy of reading. In 2023, this event will be held at four libraries: Jurong Regional Library, Toa Payoh Public Library, Tampines Regional Library and Woodlands Regional Library.

More info on how to participate here.