The hunt for a Chinese book (or why Singaporeans are book smart but not passionate)

I'm insanely jealous of Taipei because they have 24-hour bookstores. The last time I visited, I took a red-eye flight and headed straight to an Eslite to gorge on books. Even though I had my luggage with me, I still bought five books.

I'm starving in Singapore because there isn't a Chinese language version of Books Actually. I used to think that Bras Basah Complex, known colloquially as "City of Books 书城" and historically the home of Chinese bookstores would remain a haven.

But over the years the bookstores started stocking stationery and of course, assessment books, 10-year series, past-year examination papers aimed at helping students score at standardised tests.

The mothership of the stationery plus test books extravaganza is Popular Bookstore 大众书局. But since it has four floors at Bras Basah, I thought I had a chance at buying the rather popular novel Decoded 解密 by Mai Jia 麦家. 

Arguably readers have moved online. Me too - most of my reading is done on my Kindle app. But the question I feel for Singapore is that we don't even read, physical books or e-books. Let alone Chinese books. Chinese is probably regarded as a school subject best left behind after Secondary School or Junior College. Unless of course, that job opportunity requires you to brush it up.

I'm not the first to say this: that's why we Singaporeans are good at passing tests but terrible at things that require creativity and passion. In the end I had to contort myself through all the barriers Amazon China set up to get the book on my Kindle. Then I realised I have a new problem - no one to discuss the book with.

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This was written in 10 minutes. I'm trying to write consistently, and it seems like the way to do that is to convince myself it doesn't take much time.

The A to Z of supporting the homegrown Singapore scene

We're all proud of Changi Airport, Chilli Crab and the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool. But it is actually the emerging, fragile or small-scale stuff that needs your support. Go on and help these homegrown Singaporean projects take off or keep going. These people inspire me!

  • a.muse - wine inspired teas. Wine and tea are two complex drinks that reward endless exploration, and now even better: 2-in-1.
  • Basheer - graphic books. My informal design education was from this store (and Page One). Being housed in atmospheric Bras Basah Complex helps.
  • Books Actually - local books, community and cats. A bookstore that has been tirelessly championing local writers, organising endless events and showcasing their cute cats.
  • Save Bukit Brown Cemetery - preserving our history, culture and nature. While politicians ask why some Singaporeans don't feel a sense of belonging, this group is telling us what we need to do.
  • Bertha Harian (Breakfast Network) - If you prefer your news to provoke thoughts instead of thinking on your behalf.
  • Candlenut Kitchen - Peranakan food, made from scratch. This restaurant has closed once, help prevent it from closing again.
  • Creamier Ice Cream. For a non-farming country, Singapore has really delicious ice-cream. I could eat their seasalt-gula melaka everyday.
  • Culturepush - highlighting Singapore creatives. Casts the spotlight on emerging art, culture and design in Singapore.
  • Design Society - building a design community. In design or curious about it? Join their regularly run sessions.
  • Edible Gardens - grow your own food in the city. Pushing the idea that we urbanites should have access to fresh, self-grown greens.
  • Epigram Books - well-designed, thought-provoking Singapore titles. Each book is a work of art, and there is a lovely emphasis on comics too!
  • The Fingersmith Letterpress - a quirky letterpress printing company. Great illustrations and sense of humour.
  • A Good Citizen Obeys - Satirical artworks about Singapore. Sharing emotional and funny stories about the education and political systems in Singapore.
  • Gryphon Tea Company - gourmet teas that bring you on a journey. Beautiful packaging, great taste. My go-to for an afternoon pick-up and gifts from Singapore.
  • Haystakt - Crowdpriced creative goods. A platform that connects makers and supporters.
  • Humans of Singapore - capturing stories of people in SIngapore. And reminding us that we're not so different after all.
  • I Remember SG - A collection of memories. Where hoarders go exhibit their old stuff and non-hoarders go aww and woah.
  • Independent Archive & Resource Center. A space that pushes the boundaries of art and culture in Singapore (and the limits of being a fire hazard).
  • Jane's Walk - free, locally led walking tours. Reminding you that cities should be built for people and pedestrians, not cars.
  • Jungle Beer - Singapore beer you'd love. Tiger is not quite Singapore beer.
  • KOT Selections - Wine drinkers who happen to sell wine.
  • Kult -.
  • Lee Xin Li - 
  • Little Drom Store - 
  • Lowercase at LASALLE - 
  • Mothership - 
  • Naked Glory - assembled watches. Just love the old watches given new lives. 
  • Organisation of Illustrators Council
  • Peatix - discover emerging events. From theatre, music, parties, art to music, head here to find things to do! (Disclaimer: I'm part of Peatix).
  • Pekoe & Imp - tea tasting reinvented. Re-growing a tea culture in a country that used to have a tea culture.
  • Pink Noize -
  • Rediscover.sg - 
  • Roadside Stall - 
  • Sonny Liew - comic artist / illustrator. My favourite. He is a genius.
  • Stand Up for SG - 
  • Taru Woodworks - 
  • Tom's Palette - 
  • Ujong - 
  • Uncle Ahn T - 
  • Urban Sketchers Singapore - 
  • Uyii bags -
  • Viddsee - Asian short films. A platform for short films from Asia, away from the distractions of Youtube.
  • WahBanana - comedy Youtubers. Damn funny!
  • Yao Yu - Typesetting.sg

Q, X, Z - If I were playing Scrabble, I'd have failed terribly. Help, anyone?

Seven great things happening in Singapore this week (you may not have heard of)

1. Temporary herb and vegetable garden on a rooftop in People's Park Complex, Chinatown
People's Park Complex (aka 珍珠坊) holds a special place in Singapore's history for its groundbreaking architecture. Today it is more known for being an ageing mall that attracts new migrants and older locals. I'm glad Edible Gardens planted their NÓNG pop-up on the 6th floor rooftop there, also bringing farming back to groups that may have grown up with fresh vegetables outside their doors (but abandoned them after moving to urban spaces).

On Thursday 27th February (630pm), the wonderful people of Green Drinks Singapore are hosting "The future of food farming in Singapore" there. 

2. Temporary wine bar by a group of friends who almost takes themselves too seriously
KOT Selections is a group of friends who import wine, and they really mean it when they say "we only import and sell wines we ourselves would drink." If you read the "Philosophy" section of their website, you can tell they are almost too geeky. But that's what I like about them, and it is also why you might want to check out this weekend's "Fantastic Friday + Super Saturday" wine bar. Two nights only. And walking distance from NÓNG!

3. A series of events that invites locals to share meals with migrants
Adrianna says 'why' better herself (Why I'm Hosting Culture Kitchen), so I'm going to focus on the 'what'. The upcoming event on Saturday invites you to learn more about Singapore's Burmese community (Burmese lunch, film screening and tour around Peninsula Plaza). Unfortunately it is sold out. But Peninsula Plaza is there every day!

4. Night cycling safety initiative, with this year's focus being foreign workers
Instead of cursing drivers (or cyclists, depending on your ride), a "motley crew" got together to promote safe night cycling safety. I recently interviewed Su Pei (admin / marketing officer) and was really enlightened by her thoughts on how a healthy relationship between drivers and cyclists should look like. I still suck at cycling though.

See and Be Seen takes place on 8th March, but registrations close this Friday. And if you're picking up your event pack on this Sunday before lunch, see you there!

5. Deeply moving Singapore comic book wins International Manga award
I almost cried reading this comic Ten Sticks and One Rice. Very happy that this amazing comic won some amazing award. They're having a book signing session on Sunday at Kinokuniya.

6. Pork, pork, pork, pork, pork, pork, pork
Seven courses of pork dishes. As Artichoke's chef Bjorn asks, "are you lardcore enough?" Even if you're not into pork, you've got to admit that Rock Out With Your Pork Out (Tue - Wed, 4th - 5th March) is pretty intense, and funny.

7. Where books get reborn
I was a book hoarder before I got my Kindle / iPad mini. Still, I have too many books I've never read again. Hmm, which reminds me, where's my book on the Robert Mondavi wine family? But anyway, there's this great book swap that takes place over beer. I was really amazed I managed to pick up books I wanted, and people really wanted my old books. Economagics!  Their St. Patrick's Day version takes place on Saturday 8th March.

I'm not giving away my "Ten Sticks and One Rice" though, even if I've already read it four times.

(Image credits: Edible Gardens, KOT Selections, Culture Kitchen, See and Be Seen, Epigram Books, Artichoke)

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This is a personal post, and in case you don't know, I'm part of Peatix (event registration and online ticketing) and here's our list of Singapore events.

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Personal plug: I'll be speaking on Product Management at 12noon on 7th March Friday (Paypal Singapore, Millenia Tower).