Written and photographed by local Singapore girl, Karen J Fernandez, ‘Singapore. My ABC of My Favourite Things’ is a personal and eclectic collection of quintessentially Singaporean favourites. As someone who was born and raised here but who also worked abroad for several years, Karen brings a distinctive perspective of a Singaporean growing up in the city, yet rediscovering home with fresh eyes upon her return. Her vivid memories of old favourites, like sharing an ‘ice kacang’ with classmates after school in the canteen by the old National Library (now long gone) are matched by an appreciation that while the meteoric progress from Third World to First inevitably brought a change in the way of life she grew up with, it also resulted in many modern comforts and cutting-edge architecture worthy of an increasingly sophisticated city.
Description
Written and photographed by local Singapore girl, Karen J Fernandez, ‘Singapore. My ABC of My Favourite Things’ is a personal and eclectic collection of quintessentially Singaporean favourites. As someone who was born and raised here but who also worked abroad for several years, Karen brings a distinctive perspective of a Singaporean growing up in the city, yet rediscovering home with fresh eyes upon her return. Her vivid memories of old favourites, like sharing an ‘ice kacang’ with classmates after school in the canteen by the old National Library (now long gone) are matched by an appreciation that while the meteoric progress from Third World to First inevitably brought a change in the way of life she grew up with, it also resulted in many modern comforts and cutting-edge architecture worthy of an increasingly sophisticated city.
Uniquely, Karen both wrote the book and took all the photographs in it herself. You will be be charmed by her highly personable style of writing, which has an immediacy and warmth akin to chatting with an old friend. Months spent moseying about with her trusty camera produced the beautiful full-colour photographs which pay homage to things immediately identifiable in the city, such as the food and spices, old shophouses, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) halls, modern sophisticated architecture, the greenness of the gardens and parks, and the dramatic monsoons that predictably pelt down every December.
This engaging collection is for everyone who calls, or who once called however briefly, Singapore home. It is a superb keepsake for your own coffee table or as thoughtful farewell gift for a friend leaving Singapore. For those yet to visit, this book is an enjoyable introduction to this exuberant and eclectic city by someone who knows and loves it well!
ISBN: 9789811834578
Cover Type: Paperback
Page Count: 74
Year Published: 2022
Size: 25.4cm x 25.4cm (10inch x 10inch)