The Istana
Leong Ching
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2012
ISBN: 9789814351553

As a working palace, the Istana is tradition firmly rooted in the present. It has links with Singapore's colonial past, being first a nutmeg plantation owned by a British businessman, then office to the colonial government and then to Singapore's first President after independence.

Today, it houses the offices of the highest office holders in Singapore - the President and the Prime Minister. It is also a place where ordinary Singaporeans celebrate extraordinary achievements - scholarships, awards for teachers and nurses as well as community leaders, artists and musicians.

The grounds of the Istana reflect Singapore's vision of its future as a city in a garden, flowing from its old rain tress, orchids, spice shrubs and formal gardens. From its slight hill, the Istana looks out into the heart of Orchard Road, Singapore's prime shopping and city belt, a vital part of the country's heartbeat.

50 Greatest Moments in Singapore Football
S. Murali (ed.)
Singapore: Straits Times Press, 2012
ISBN: 9789814342254

From the glory days of the Malaysia Cup to the current Malaysian Super League featuring the Lions XII, The New Paper has covered it all. In fact, no newspaper has given as much coverage on Singapore's own domestic league, the S-League.

So when the Legion of Lions, helmed by Leong Kok Fann, Lau Kok Keng and Ian Mullane, was looking to produce a book on the greatest moments in Singapore Football history, they naturally came to The New Paper to bring it to life.

50 Greatest Moments in Singapore Football pays homage to the homegrown football warriors who have given Singapore much to be proud of over the years.

A slice of history plus more than 50 essays: The project team pored over SPH's newspapers from Singapore's pre-independence years to the present.

They took on board the views of football fans and the players themselves. After much debate, they came up with these 50 Greatest Moments. Every one of them is supported by photographs, headlines, news clippings – and a completely new essay that tells the story behind it all. Fresh interviews were conducted, and new facts emerged from the players, coaches and fans: the very moment a spectacular goal was scored, or one missed; the legendary coaches; even the referees.

Singapore Pioneer Poets: The Best of Robert Yeo
Robert Yeo
Singapore: Epigram Books, 2012
ISBN: 9789810718404

Robert Yeo is a poet, playwright, novelist and librettist. Regarded as a pioneer of Singapore literature, he was honoured with the prestigious South East Asian Writers Award in 2011 for literary excellence in the ASEAN region.

Featuring over 100 poems personally selected by Yeo, including some of his uncollected poems, this volume presents the best of his work and also includes one previously unpublished libretto, Kannagi.

This book is part of the Singapore Pioneer Poets Series. A showcase of the best works by local literary giants, the Singapore Pioneer Poets Series is a must-have collection for all Singapore literature fans, old and new.

Singapore Pioneer Poets: The Best of Kirpal Singh
Kirpal Singh
Singapore: Epigram Books, 2012
ISBN: 9789810718411

Kirpal Singh is a poet, literary and cultural critic. An internationally recognised scholar, he was the first Asian director for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and also the first Asian and non-American to be made a director on the American Creativity Association's board.

This collection, handpicked by Singh himself, features seminal works They Say and Creative Thinking as well as many others, and is essential reading for anyone interested in Singapore's literary heritage.

This book is part of the Singapore Pioneer Poets Series. A showcase of the best works by local literary giants, the Singapore Pioneer Poets Series is a must-have collection for all Singapore literature fans, old and new.

Singapore Pioneer Poets: The Best of Edwin Thumboo
Edwin Thumboo
Singapore: Epigram Books, 2012
ISBN: 9789810718398

Edwin Thumboo, Emeritus Professor and Professorial Fellow, National University of Singapore, has been involved in Singapore's literary developments since 1951. A recipient of the Cultural Medallion and numerous other awards for his poetry, Thumboo remains one of Singapore's most distinguished and widely acclaimed poets to this day.

Here, for the first time, is a definitive collection that gathers the best of Thumboo's work. Including his most prominent poem, Ulysses by the Merlion, this collection of over 150 poems personally selected by Thumboo celebrates the landmark contribution he has made to Singaporean literature.

This book is part of the Singapore Pioneer Poets Series. A showcase of the best works by local literary giants, the Singapore Pioneer Poets Series is a must-have collection for all Singapore literature fans, old and new.