As Singapore turns 60 on 9 August 2025, a milestone moment that invites not just fireworks and flags, but also a deeper reflection on what makes this island so remarkable—a place of constant reinvention and quiet resilience. It’s easy to think of the gleaming skylines and the Marina Bay Sands or its spotless streets of Orchard, but Singapore has much to offer beyond that.
And so, to celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday, let this curated reading list offer a literary journey through Singapore’s past, present, and possible futures. From memoirs that shed light on the forgotten histories of the Lion City to fiction that captures life in HDB estates and heartland beauty parlours to supernatural sightings, these 15 books hold up a mirror to a city always in motion.
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Swimming Lessons by Malcolm Seah
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Set in Singapore, reality begins to blur in this haunting debut book where grief, mythology, and coming-of-age intersect in unexpected ways. At its heart is young Michelle, caught in the stillness of her sister’s coma and the strange occurrences that begin to unfold around her. Expect Asian family dynamics being unravelled in the dazzling and vibrant backdrop of the Lion city.
In Places We Find Ourselves by Patrick Sagaram
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Featuring quiet struggles of urban life in Singapore, this thoughtful and intuitive collection of stories captures have characters searching for solace, meaning, and a place to belong. Ranging from a marriage slowly coming undone to a mother carrying unspoken regret, and a divorcee learning to open her heart again, the author gently reveals the hidden cracks in everyday lives with his lyrical and poetic depth.
Sweet Braised Duck by Chew Ngee Tan
Inspired by the real-life story of the author’s father, this fiction book shares the remarkable journey of a young boy Kuang, a Teochew immigrant who grew up in the midst of hardship, abuse, and sacrifice after migrating to Singapore. Turning to his love for food into one of Singapore’s most beloved braised duck stalls in the hawker centres—this story of resilience, family, and community is both inspiring and insightful.
No Wonder, Women by Carissa Foo
Fierce and feisty collection of stories that explore womanhood in all its tangled beauty—motherhood, friendship, grief, joy, and more. This Singaporean writer has beautifully captured moments both big and small, from the ache of distance to the warmth of shared silence.
Changi: A Mystery by Scott Anthony
The main character in the story finds himself in trouble when his carefully arranged life in Singapore begins to slip after a sudden death in the family. Set in the dark and monotonous setting of the Changi prison camp, this gripping psychological mystery has more to offer than you’d first expect.
Complete Notes from Singapore by Neil Humphreys
Best described as part travelogue, part memoir, but entirely in all its length, a love letter to Singapore, this omnibus brings together Neil Humphreys’ best works. With candid wit and humour, he traces his journey from a curious British expat to a local Singaporean at heart, capturing the quirks of daily life… think hawker centre rituals to MRT manners.
Showers of Luck by Nadia Ayesha
Set against the backdrop of colonial Singapore, in this historical romance, we meet Lily, a devoted nyonya, and Khalid, her Muslim neighbour, as they fall in love. Battling across a divide of prejudice, superstition, and obligation, the book is inspired by true events, and is a rich and bittersweet tale of holding onto love in a world determined to keep it apart.
Seeking Home by Amanda Oon
Writer and journalist, Amanda Oon follows the threads of her Malaysian-Singaporean heritage as she moves from London to Singapore in this heartfelt memoir. Through some quiet moments with family, memories of food, and stories passed down through generations, she reflects on how identity is not a destination, but a journey shaped by the places we come from and the ones we choose.
Little Hero’s Wish by Emily Lim-Leh
In 1950s Singapore, we follow Ying Xiong, a boy grappling with meaning and identity amid poverty and abandonment. Filled with moral lessons and insightful anecdotes from real life events, Xiong finds himself Torn between two mentors, a kind-hearted policeman and a hardened officer. Only much later, he slowly comes to fully understand that true heroism is often not measured by power, but by the kindness we have, and the choices made when no one is watching.
The Gumption of Mr. Toilet by Jack Sim
Tracing Mr Toilet aka Jack Sim’s extraordinary journey from struggling student in Singapore to global sanitation champion, the book blends his personal and very real life story with bold advocacy. Both inspiring and unexpectedly funny, this memoir sheds life on this Singaporean’s contribution to society and the world, and is a reminder to think big, stay brave, and never be ashamed of what truly matters.
Little Drops by Theresa Devasahayam
Drawn from real-life accounts, this sharp collection of writings brings to life the experiences of adoptees growing up in mid-century Singapore. From separation and resilience to love and heartbreak, it traces a path through Kampung life, wartime memories, and the complexities of identity and belonging.
Take Back Control of Your Money by Dawn Cher
From the popular Singaporean finance influencer Dawn Cher, and the creator of the Budget Babe blog, comes a no nonsense and relatable guide to making money and making it work for oneself. Sprinkled with clear, practical tips, its financial literacy made simple, stylish, and genuinely empowering.
Eggs for Dinner by Guy Wachs
A globe-trotting memoir of culinary grit and the love for food, this is the journey of Guy Wachs—from an Israeli dishwasher to the founder of Singapore’s beloved Wild Honey restaurant. He takes this opportunity to share stories of love, failure, reinvention, and the fight to keep going through the COVID-19 era, all served with generous helpings of flavour and heart.
The Singapore Strain by Raju Chellam
In this wildly inventive book, we see a world where a strange COVID-19 mutation in Singapore transforms people into radical eco-activists known as Dynaborgs. As the story dives deep into biotech, rising paranoia, and the blurry boundary between evolution and control, the author gently asks: Is this the next step for humanity, or something far more dangerous?
Merdeka Generation Groovers and Other Stories by Josephine Chia
A warm, witty, and honest light on the Merdeka Generation, the men and women who helped shape Singapore from its post-war beginnings, this book will tug at your nostalgia. The author is able to captures what it means to grow older while holding on to memories of music, family, and migration from the 60s and 70s. A must-read.