Shi Min Xie Memorising ‘good phrases’ isn’t really the way to teach kids how to write
I get slightly exasperated when students’ parents ask me if there is a list of phrases that their child can memorise to get ready for their composition examinations. I don’t…
In many Asian stories, the women are either ghosts or wives
I just finished reading a comic book that was written by an Asian writer and I was sorely disappointed by its content. I don’t want to name names or even…
Halloween favourite: Paranorman
I must confess that I don’t like horror movies very much. Often, I cannot fall asleep after watching one and I can conjure up the ghost’s/demon’s/devil’s/serial killer’s image in my…
Inadvertently ignorant things people say to writers
I thought for a long while about doing this entry, even though my blog is supposed to be a force for good and also mostly for me to review books…
Books I Like: Eight Days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones
Nowadays, I can find awesome books and secondhand book sales, which is why I . bought Eight Days of Luke for only a dollar. It costs a dollar! Amazing! Of…
On speaking up
I find it hard to speak up about issues because this blog was never intended to be political. However, I guess it’s part of how I have started to engage…
JK Rowling should stop retconning her universe
I’m very late to the party, but to be honest, I don’t really like anything related to Harry Potter. I think Harry Potter is, as a series, overrated. #sorrynotsorry. By…
There is no such thing as a meritocracy
There is no such thing as a meritocracy in Singapore. It is the same everywhere in the world — cities and countries are made up of ruling elites who serve…
Movies to Watch: Big Fish and Begonia
I watched this movie over Chinese New Year and watched it again with some friends. Created lovingly and probably solely for the stunning visuals, this movie is a slow-paced trip…
For anyone who has ever felt a little bit different
For anyone who has ever felt a little bit different– You don’t think of yourself as different because you’re you. You may be a little taller or shorter or fatter…