I Will Survive
Leow Yangfa (ed.)
Singapore: Math Paper Press, 2013
ISBN: 9789810725785

What is it like to be gay and experience bullying in school or National Service? How do you deal with being rejected by your family and religious group because of your sexual orientation? How are women's experiences different or similar to men's? What does one go through in an abusive same-sex relationship, or when one loses a partner to suicide? What does a transgender man or woman go through in Singapore? When you have been diagnosed with a life-long illness, how do you continue living?

This collection brings together real-life experiences of love, grace, faith, dignity and courage from 21 ordinary gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Singapore who have survived extraordinary circumstances.

Malaya's Early Music Scene: Musika: Arena Muzik Silam Di Malaya
Azlan Mohamed Said
Singapore: Azlan Mohamed Said, 2013
ISBN: 9789810737641

Many archival photographs are included in this insider's account of Malaya's music scene 1900-1965, a period of close Malaya/Singapore interchange. The first section overviews the history of Malay music, traditional songs and the early 20th century's Bangsawan opera, and gramophone and radio music. This music scene and Japanese policy 1942-45 and the 1945-65 developments in Radio Singapura, in cinema and entertainment hubs and at functions are then described. Inset photographs and biographical summaries are given for some 90 artistes and performers, and the role of musical groups noted. With bibliography, online database and index. Bilingual in Malay.

Living in a Garden: The Greening of Singapore
Timothy Auger
Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, 2013
ISBN: 9789814385244

In June 1963, Singapore's prime minister planted a tree to mark the beginning of a sustained campaign to enhance the city state's appearance. No one could have anticipated the transformation that followed. This is the story of that process. Now, 50 years later, highly urbanized Singapore enjoys a green network of nature reserves, large and small parks, tree-lined streets and community gardens that is the envy of other big cities.

Singapore has had to make tough decisions. Land is scarce. There are trade-offs between maintaining the island's rich, natural biodiversity and public demands for housing and infrastructure appropriate to the 21st century. Nevertheless, the National Parks Board, and its partners in the public, private and civic sectors, continue to strive to keep Singapore green.

Lavishly illustrated, the book shows how Singapore aims to be a 'City in a Garden', reminding us that the community must engage with the greening ‘mission;, if this great achievement is to continue.

Singapore Street Names: A Study of Toponymics
Victor R. Savage & Brenda S.A. Yeoh
Singapore: Marshall Cavendish, 2013
ISBN: 9789814408356

Place names tell us much about a country – its history, its landscape, its people, its aspirations, its self-image. The study of place names, 'toponymics', unlocks the myriad interlocking stories that are encoded in every street and landmark.

In Singapore, the coexistence of various races, cultures and languages, as well as its history of colonisation, immigration and nationalism, have given rise to a complex tapestry of place names. Alkaff Quay, Coleman Bridge, Ann Siang Hill, Bukit Merah – how did these places get their names? Nee Soon or Yishun? Serangoon Road or Tekka?

First published in 2003 as Toponymics, this updated and expanded edition of the book incorporates a wealth of new findings, from archival research and interviews, and sets out to answer these questions – and any question that might be asked about the origin, meaning or significance of place names in Singapore.