Books

If I ever wrote a book, I wish it’d be something like Babel – about the power of language, complexity of translation, and ordinary people finding the courage to resist oppression and build a better future. Babel will always have a special place in my heart.

— Li Lin

This book was a timely reminder of our place. Nature flourished before the Anthropocene and will continue without us. Humans are simply co-habitants of this home. There is much humility to hold onto: with so much yet to understand, we should protect and learn from nature before it is too late.

— Yan Hsien

One of the most impressive art books on local historical architecture I’ve come across. At NLB we often talk about making “knowledge come alive” and this book did precisely that. I may be biased, but the chapter on the old red-bricked National Library is the most fascinating.

— Li Lin

A poignant reminder that there are more similarities than differences among us. We are interconnected to the atomic level (if only the world remembered that!). The sequel, Pale Blue Dot, equally reminds us how minuscule humans are, and how silly our fighting is when we serendipitously share this tiny planet.

— Yan Hsien

I was initially worried this would read like lecture notes, but it turned out to be super beginner-friendly and intriguing! It covers relatable topics from the monkeys and otters around us, to our leisure trips to Jewel. This was one of my first forays into sustainability, and especially impactful.

— Li Lin

TLDR: Two secondary 3 girls switch schools for a term. This is the kind of book where you can somewhat guess the final ending/moral of the story. But it’s the plot development that shines – fun, lighthearted, and relatable for anyone who has grown up in Singapore’s education system.

— Li Lin

Everyone’s reality differs. How we see ourselves and how others see us seldom align, yet they form our full reality at any given time. What does it mean to find and accept ourselves in each instance of reality, and for others to afford us the same?

— Yan Hsien

I have such a talented friend!! Saying goodbye is tough, especially to a home where one belonged. Home is not just the physical; it is the community, the conversations, the scents, the tastes, and everything in between. Packed full of love, this collection tugs at your heart, but leaves it full.

— Yan Hsien

This book features many heart-tugging themes, and among those that resonated were adult friendships and graceful ageing (I loved the mention of the symptoms that can come with menopause, which we may not be aware of in terms of their very real, daily effects).

— Yan Hsien

The storyline is secondary; Koh Hong Teng’s comic style – especially his technique with layouts/paneling – is utterly brilliant. I was awestruck so many times throughout these pages. This continues to be a piece I’m deeply inspired by on how powerful visual storytelling can be when executed well.

— Li Lin

I was hesitant to include this book; grief is rarely a wedding theme. But, a full life with Lin includes everything life brings, and there will certainly be shared grief to navigate. Come what may, we will never be alone. This precious book makes difficult times a little more comforting.

— Yan Hsien

I’d like to think I’m an efficient person who gets shit done at work, and also have life admin in order. I thank this book for that (finally, a self-help book that’s actually helpful!). p.s. @NLB colleagues: this book explains my colourful Outlook calendar and ERMS filing addiction.

— Li Lin

When someone hurts you, must you hurt them back? This was a very enlightening read on how we can respond to hurt. Repairing relationships should not hinge on labelling who is good/evil or who wins/loses. We all need to be on the same side for this world to be better.

— Li Lin

I have such a talented friend!! This collection of soul-moving poems simply makes you feel. A journey through womanhood and the seasons of life, these timeless accounts will surely be passed down from mother to daughter, friend to friend.

— Yan Hsien

I read this back in 2022 but still think about it fondly today. Every character’s story explores a different kind of vulnerability that’s real and relatable – either something we have felt before, or would feel at some point in our lives. A real heartwarmer.

— Li Lin

Have always been a fan of crafts, and woodworking became a growing interest after Lin brought us to make a wooden stool for my birthday. I dabbled further when making the wooden bookstand. I enjoyed this book as it goes beyond tools to celebrate the spirit of this timeless craft.

— Yan Hsien

This one is not your typical “plastics are bad, stop using it” sustainability message. Told from the perspective of an innocent jellyfish falling in love with a plastic bag, it depicts our complex love-hate relationship with plastic, and acknowledges that letting go of plastics is not easy at all.

— Li Lin

This book covers various narratives we have grown familiar with (from third world to first, sg is a small, vulnerable nation etc.). Reading it prompted reflection on how such narratives restrict our imagination of a better society. May this invite you to keep questioning and stay open-minded!

— Li Lin

I think we have all wondered, at some point, what life actually is, and if we are just in a dream or simulation heh

But what is undeniable is that everything we feel right now is real to us. Maybe that is enough, and all that makes our version of life worth living.

— Yan Hsien

The deforestation model in Singapore: chop down, then replace. But the replacement is never one for one. We build homes, yet homes are destroyed. What is lost can never be 100% recovered. This model sadly continues, and now, it reaches the trees of Maju Forest.

— Yan Hsien

What about your sense of smell? This is a student project (of such fab quality!) on how preserving our built heritage goes beyond conserving physical facades. Our intangible experiences and memories matter, including those remembered by your nose!

— Li Lin

Recommended by a dear friend, this beautiful collection celebrates the joy in the everyday and the seemingly ordinary, and the longing that never leaves our hearts. A reflection of the love of Lin, and of dear friends here at the Pod Party.

— Yan Hsien

A combination of two of my loves — making and re-making things. Have always wondered why so much is discarded, particularly in Singapore. It’s not the consumers alone; if more items are designed thoughtfully with good materials, they can be refinished, refurbished, and handed down.

— Yan Hsien

Science of the Secondary explores daily things we rarely think twice about (which I love!). This issue is about how humans handle and read books. It’ll make you conscious about random weird things you probably never noticed before, like where your eyes linger and how your thumbs move.

— Li Lin

I devoured this series as a kid, and this is the very first of the series, published in 1924. I love the wonder it evoked then and still does today — that a boxcar and good company are all you need for a precious adventure. Children’s books are truly timeless.

— Yan Hsien

Your very own festival experience in your pocket! Absolutely adore the concept, colours and visuals and, above all, the vibrancy of our local creative community. Looking forward to the Teochew volume next!

— Yan Hsien

Lin introduced this book to me, and I fell in love with her world of sociology. The stories and the richness of every life. And how they intertwine with the place and community one calls home. Home is not just four walls. It is often the invisible threads that make life complete.

— Yan Hsien

I devoured this in an hour. It’s crazily impressive how much action can be packed into 100+ pages, and the art was also absolutely gorgeous. Keep an eye out for Difference Engine (the publisher), they do fantastic work featuring Southeast Asian creators and narratives.

— Li Lin

This utterly engulfed me, I felt so many different things reading it. A masterful presentation of how Sam and Sadie’s virtual and real lives intertwined. Playing and making games was their language: to make sense of their emotions, connect with each other, and express their aspirations for a better world.

— Li Lin

这本书好治愈……它跟着空空和宝音二人慢慢地摸索生活，慢慢地弄清自己的思路和人生的重要事项。我也十分陶醉于独木舟的写法—她把日常生活中的平凡和朴素都写得很生动，让我轻易地想象人物对话的场景以及他们背后的思想和情绪。在27岁刚踏入社会几年阅读这本书再适合不过。迷茫的日子总会有, 寻找安慰的日子也总会有。这本书我收藏着，相信会有重温的那一天。

— Li Lin