As literature returns to the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist, reading has never been cooler—or more accessible. And with SG Culture Pass credits now available to use on SingLit books, every Singaporean can now do so for free with an exciting, ever-growing library of local literature to dive into.
The quirks and anxieties of a young nation on the rise, as well as our storied history provides unending inspiration for thought-provoking narratives, which our local authors have harnessed with great finesse in their work. From historical fiction to modern crime thrillers, Singaporean authors have produced a wealth of compelling literature, often offering diverse and nuanced perspectives on how each of us experiences Singaporean society differently, and how our intersecting identities across nation, race and gender hold up in the wider world.
Whether you are a loyal follower of SingLit or taking the opportunity to explore it for the first time, here are some acclaimed titles from Singaporean authors worth checking out.
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catskull by Myle Yan Tay
A neo-noir thriller by local playwright Myle Yan Tay, catskull follows Ram, an overlooked junior college student who falls into vigilantism after an attempt to anonymously frighten his best friend’s abusive father goes awry. When he emerges unscathed, he becomes compelled to remedy the injustices of the legal system. What begins as a fight for justice soon spirals into a tangled web of violence, putting Ram’s identity and loved ones at risk.
Delayed Rays of a Star by Amanda Lee Koe
You may have heard of her latest book Sister Snake, but author Amanda Lee Koe’s debut novel Delayed Rays of a Star is also one worth picking up. A sprawling piece of speculative fiction that weaves through the lives of three iconic women in cinema—namely Marlene Dietrich, Anna May Wong, and Leni Riefenstahl—it explores themes of womanhood, ageing and orientalism in the age of cinema and rapid globalisation through each of their personal histories.
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How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee
Jing-Jing Lee’s How We Disappeared is a poignant and confronting work of historical fiction about the experiences of comfort women during the Japanese occupation of Singapore. Set between 1942 and 2000, it tells the story of Wang Di, a woman forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military in her teens and the lasting effects of the ordeal in her twilight years. Inspired by real-life accounts of the Japanese occupation, How We Disappeared shines a light on an often forgotten perspective from one of the darkest moments in our history.
Nine Yard Sarees by Prasanthi Ram
Penned by writer and academic Prasanthi Ram, Nine Yard Sarees is a collection of short stories that paints a multigenerational portrait of a fictional Tamil Brahmin family. The stories take place between the 1950s all the way to 2019 between India, Singapore, Australia and America, forming a complex narrative of identity, womanhood and family through the generations of migration and displacement.
Sugarbread by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Narrated by a 10-year-old girl Pin, Sugarbread follows the women and girls of a Sikh family in ‘90s Singapore. She begins to uncover secrets in her family’s history after her domineering grandmother moves in with her and her parents, upsetting the dynamic in their household. As the spool of mystery unravels, Pin questions intergenerational trauma, gender roles and the racial landscape of Singaporean society.
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Utama by Ng Yi-Sheng
Two-time Singapore Literature Prize winner Ng Yi-Sheng’s Utama is a fantasy historical novel that reimagines the rise and reign of Sang Nila Utama, and the mythological creatures he encounters on his voyages. Recounted from the forgotten perspectives of warriors, queens and exiles who shaped his journey, the novel is a magical retelling of Singapore’s birth.
We Do Not Make Love Here by Nisha Mehraj
The runner-up of the 2022 Epigram Books Fiction Prize, Nisha Mehraj’s We Do Not Make Love Here follows the family of Chandru, a man who enters an arranged marriage to realise his ambitions. His wife, Meera, leads a double life to escape the unhappiness of their union. Meanwhile, their only son Siddarth’s own romance with their neighbour Malli. A heartfelt exploration of the four characters’ dynamics, the novel reflects on the delicate balance of relationships, and how love can devolve over time and circumstance.
When They Burned The Butterfly by Wen-Yi Lee
This sapphic fantasy novel dives into the underworld of ‘70s Singapore, following lonely schoolgirl Adeline as she finds love and community in a girl gang that worships a fierce fire goddess. As she spirals further into their violent world, she learns of her own blood connection and duty to the goddess, which she must now fulfill amid territorial clashes with rival gangs and the changing landscape of postcolonial Singapore.
To check your SG Culture Pass Credits, visit the official website and log in with Singpass. To purchase SingLit titles with your credits, visit any participating bookstore, select your eligible titles and enter the value of credits you would like to use. This will generate a QR code for the store to scan, and your credits will be deducted accordingly—essentially, the same way you would use your CDC vouchers.