Let me tell you about one of my average dreams. I call them "average" because they're not big, life-altering aspirations like owning a business, buying a fancy house, migrating to another country or being a shareholder in a huge company.
My average dream is to have a kitchen with a beautiful, glass-protected shelf dedicated to food. It would be similar to a Japanese one, where all the tools, pots and pans hang from the walls, so I know where everything is. Maybe the onions, garlic, and ginger would hang from the ceiling, and the fridge would have so many compartments I'd never have to dig around for anything.
Image credit: Choptravels
No glass-protected bookshelf here...but you get the idea.
But let's go back to that glass-protected cookbook shelf. If I had it, these are some of the titles I’d have on display.
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The Way of Kueh: Savouring & Saving Singapore’s Heritage Desserts
Christopher Tan
A cookbook on intricate kueh recipes felt like a risk to publish. Would anyone actually try these? Or would they just buy the book to learn about kuehs?
It turns out, you did both! It's been amazing to see so many of you eager to learn how these traditional delights are made, so you can share that knowledge with the people you love. We'd love to hear about your experience—if you've attempted any of the recipes, please reply to this email and tell me all about it.
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| Find out how to make kueh |
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Lala-land: Singapore's Seafood Heritage
Anthony D. Medrano
Winning the Singapore Book Awards 2025 for The Juliet David Best Food Book, Lala-land: Singapore's Seafood Heritage is an exploration of Singapore's seafood traditions. The book features recipes while also examining the socio-economic and ecological impacts of seafood.
Some recipes I'm excited to attempt from the book:
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| Lala to another land |
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Fiction with food themes
Sometimes, food is more than just food. It’s a backdrop for a story, a memory, or a symbol for something closer to the heart. We have a few books that explore this idea. And yeesss I could be reading this (from my glass shelf) while stewing something in the kitchen!
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Nimita's Place
Akshita Nanda
This novel follows two women named Nimita, living in two different countries and times. One is a scientist in contemporary Singapore, and the other is her grandmother in 1940s India. The dual narrative uses food as a way to connect their lives.
Some of our readers, whom we meet at events, told us that they particularly enjoy the humour-filled conversations and the vivid sense of place the author creates.
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| Dive into a compelling story |
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Kopi, Puffs and Dreams
Pallavi Gopinath Aney
This is a light and easy read about two young men who immigrate to Singapore in the early twentieth century and build a life selling curry puffs and coffee.
A dark secret threatens to destroy their dreams, but the compelling characters and stories make this a truly engaging look into the lives of early Indian immigrants in Singapore.
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| Get lost in a tale of friendship and dreams |
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Sugarbread
Balli Kaur Jaswal
Finalist for the 2015 Epigram Books Fiction Prize.
Why must Pin not become like her mother, and what secret is her grandmother hiding? The novel masterfully weaves a young girl's search for the truth through the clues in her mother's cooking. As Pin navigates the challenges of fitting in at an elite school and deals with an eccentric grandmother, she must also confront family secrets that could change everything she knows. This is a powerful and moving story about identity, family, and finding your own way.
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| Warning: you'll be hungry reading this |
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What I'm reading lately
the shorter reads
no. 101: maybe they just are
This article explores the history and cultural significance of soon kueh, a beloved Singaporean dumpling, and the joy of making it at home.
A Guide to Making Fried Shallots
Author Pamelia Chia shares her expert tips for creating perfectly crispy and fragrant fried shallots, a key ingredient in many dishes.
The Literary Divide: Singapore's Gendered Reading Landscape
Do more women read than men? This piece examines the fascinating topic of gendered reading habits in Singapore, exploring why certain genres and authors are preferred by different genders.
How to increase your surface area for luck
On putting yourself out there and not waiting around for the “perfect moment” to do things.
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📦 A quick note on shipping
We have a small announcement to share. Due to rising costs, we've had to make a difficult decision. From 1 October 2025 onwards, the minimum order for free shipping will be $60.
We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support, which allows us to keep doing what we love. 💖
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Our GIF for the week...this is brutal but brilliant:
Warmly,
Chloe
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