Graphics from Canva.com
As the saying goes, “Books are a man’s best friend.” They are a great source of stress relief in this fast-paced society. So, if you are one to find solace within books or if you are simply looking for a good read, do check out these five books that your fellow student-teachers have recommended. If you have any books in mind to add on to this list, do share with us via our Instagram page (@nstcsg) or simply leave us a comment below. Happy reading!
1. Dream Storeys by Clara Chow
Genre(s): Fiction, Speculative, Fantasy
Image of Clara Chow from Sing Lit Station and book cover from Ethos Books
This fascinating book explores imaginary architecture set in Singapore through the stories of individuals. In so doing, we get a taste of not only the lives of Singaporeans and their relations to the buildings in which they live, grow up, and work, but also of the visions of the architects with whom Chow speaks, which form the basis for her stories. Unique in form and structure, at once heart-warming and poignant, this immersive book is a must-read for anyone who wishes to peek into the possibilities that lie ahead for our country.
Andres Joshua Liu Yihuai
Year 1 Bachelor of Arts (Education) NIE Student Teacher
Majoring in English Literature and English Language (Secondary Track)
2. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Genre(s): Novel, Inspirational Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
Image from Lotus Bookstore
It is an introspective story that enables one to look into the true motivations behind their own moral values in a humane and grounded perspective!
Wong Qian Hui
Year 1 Bachelor of Arts (Education) NIE Student Teacher
Majoring in Art and English Literature (Secondary Track)
3. All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace
Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy
Image from Goodreads.com
This is a fantasy book which gives off Pirates of the Caribbean and The Little Mermaid vibes! In this book, we follow a princess and a pirate on their adventure in the sea where they meet their enemies and conquer different quests to reach their goals in a mutually beneficial deal. This book is highly alluring and beautiful and is definitely worth reading!
Ma Xinyi Sarah
Year 1 Bachelor of Arts (Education) NIE Student Teacher
Majoring in History and English Language (Secondary Track)
4. She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick
Genre(s): Coming-of-Age, Adventure, Mystery
Image from Goodreads.com
The story follows a teenage girl who is blind and how she does things differently as compared to people who can see. She is a daughter of a famous writer, and one day she receives an email about her father (who is not supposed to be in town) and she worries if there is something wrong. The more she digs into her father’s literary work and research, the more she learns about her father (and his inspirations — Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud). It’s a thought-provoking novel hidden in a teen book. A bit slow-moving but definitely humorous and heartwarming.
Lim Yu Xin Keryn
Year 1 Bachelor of Arts (Education) NIE Student Teacher
Majoring in English Language and Social Studies (Primary Track)
5. Human Acts by Han Kang
Genre(s): Novel, Historical Fiction, Political Fiction
Image from Goodreads.com
This book, which is based on a real-life historical event, talks about a heartbreaking story of the consequences of human violence. It has so much to say about human suffering and the kinds of actions that humans are capable of. While reading, you can feel the raw emotions of the people around the boy in the story and understand how a single event can change so many lives.
Mary Anne Estrellas Fernandez
Year 1 Bachelor of Arts (Education) NIE Student Teacher
Majoring in Geography and English Language