Read! Fest 2024

Discover new reads and perspectives from 70 special programmes, showcases, and workshops with Singapore and international authors in surprising places

The National Library Board’s (NLB) signature Read! Fest is back for its eighth edition! From 23 June to 31 July 2023, there will be a myriad of events for all to take part in, including an immersive and interactive pop-up showcase at Funan Mall, a charity book drive, author talks and many other programmes online, in libraries, a wet market, and a void deck of a housing block in Ang Mo Kio. To kickstart Read! Fest 2023, Minister for Communications and Information, Mrs Josephine Teo, toured the interactive pop-up showcase today.

Read Fest 2023 NLB Minister for Communications and Information, Mrs Josephine Teo, speaking to Mother Tongue Language (MTL) author and programme partners of Read! Fest 2023. The featured artworks are visual interpretations by Singaporean artists inspired by the 12 featured titles of Read! Fest 2023. (Photo Credit: National Library Board)

Among the highlights of Read! Fest 2023 are 12 Singapore and international books that explore the theme of “Flourish”, and how one may thrive as an individual, in relationships, and as members of society. Some of the books – which include titles in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil – are Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, a memoir of a therapist’s own mental health journey; Wet Market to Table by Pamelia Chia, a title on uncommonly used vegetables, fruits and herbs found in Singapore wet markets and recipes on how to use them; Kerusi Rantai Celung Keramat (The Chair. A Chain. A Holy Cage: A Collection of Short Stories Post-2000) by author Wan Jumaiah Mohd Jubri, on the importance of history, power, and cultural heritage; 疫言2030 (Covidivination 2030) by Dr Ng King Kang, a micro-fiction work that predicts what life would be like if the pandemic raged on till 2030; and அறம்:உண்மம மனிதர்களின் கமதகள் (Morality: Stories of Real People) by Jeyamohan, a collection of short stories on 21st century virtues and real life heroes.

NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “NLB is happy to bring back more physical programming in unexpected places with Read! Fest this year. Since 2014, each edition has offered opportunities for everyone to discover new reads and perspectives through the power of the written word. As we emerge from the pandemic, we want to take this opportunity to explore how we can find new ways to thrive and flourish as individuals and together as a community. Read! Fest contributes to our LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) goals of building a vibrant Learning Marketplace and being an Equaliser by empowering more to read, learn, and discover.”

Read Fest 2023 At the What’s Your Story Station, you can reflect on a quote about emotions from Lori Gottlieb’s Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, and what makes you happy. (Photo Credit: National Library Board)

Highlights of Read! Fest 2023 are:

1. Pop-up Showcase at Funan Mall (23 June to 9 July 2023)

The showcase invites members of the public to discover ways to flourish by engaging in activities to contemplate happiness and their relationships with others. Visitors can discover what flourishing means to them by assembling their own unique scrapbook composed of various collectibles, including specially designed illustrated postcards and bookmarks containing insights drawn from the 12 featured titles. They can also listen to excerpts of the texts, and even get involved in a participatory dramatic performance inspired by the Read! Fest theme.

2. 70 programmes featuring Singapore and International writers

Read! Fest will also feature talks and workshops with Singapore and international writers including Felix Cheong, Verena Tay, Pamelia Chia, Elizabeth Strout (2009 Pulitzer Prize winner in fiction), and Lori Gottlieb (2019 New York Times non-fiction bestseller). There will also be 70 special programmes that further explore the featured titles with experiential learning, such as learning trails in a HDB void deck and the Chinatown Complex wet market. In addition, there are workshops on flash fiction writing and upcycling embroidery, and a panel discussion on how writers turn grief into art. These programmes will be held online, in libraries, and surprising places like MUJI at Plaza Singapura and a void deck in Ang Mo Kio. NLB has also worked with social enterprises like Skillseed and Solve n+1 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the social impact sector, and how an individual can contribute to the community.

3. Read for Books & Big Book Giveaway

The popular Read for Books charity initiative will kick off on 1 July and will run for a month. Gather friends, family and colleagues to read together for a good cause. For every 10 people who read for 15 minutes, one book will be donated to selected beneficiaries. There is also the Big Book Giveaway (15 and 16 July), where pre-loved books can be picked up at four libraries.

The full line-up of programmes for Read! Fest 2023, and registration for them can be done here.

It’s the weekend and are you looking for things / activities to do? Check out our weekly roundup of Things To Do This Weekend In Singapore.