Growing up as a child, I remember spending most of my childhood (pre-primary years) in the library on weekends. My mum is an avid reader and she believes in instilling the love of reading in us. She would sign us for all the various workshops/programmes offered in the library. Before I could read a book on my own, I would often get my mom to read to me (before bedtime or when I was bored). My favourite was books on folktales. As far as I could remember, my first books (those I could read on my own) were the Ladybird Classics (Thumbelina etc) as well as the Enid Blyton series.
During my primary school days, I began to read works by Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, BFG, James and the Giant Peach etc) because we had to do weekly book reviews for class. These activities got me hooked on reading, unlike some of my peers who were totally put off by the use of reading as an assignment. I also began to read the Bookworm Club series (and I was a member too) as well as the YG series. I remember my favourite book was Matilda because I was captivated by Maltida—her powers—and also because my class had to do a drama performance on Matilda. Growing up with an elder brother also means I had to read the books of his choice so I was exposed to a lot of R.L. Stine and True Singapore Ghost Stories. It explains my obsession with the horror genre: ghosts, vampires, and the supernatural. I was also caught in the whole Sweet Valley High: Senior Year craze and bought almost every single title in that series (which I still have in my possession now). I would say I devoted most of my free time to reading (since I was a librarian as well, I was surrounded by books daily).
Unfortunately, I did not and could not spend as much time as I would like on reading in secondary school. But it was in this period where I got exposed to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and till today, they remain one of my favourite series of all time. I also borrowed my brother’s collection for my reading pleasure (whenever I had free time to read): Dan Brown’s works, Life of Pi, Sophie’s World, and Stephen King’s works. I was very captivated by Sophie’s World and the philosophical discourses.
I would say I was only introduced to the world of Literature in JC. I decided to take the plunge to do Literature instead of Science because I figured I might as well do something I would enjoy doing—that is reading. But I never knew what I was in for. I must confess, it was at the juncture that I was exposed to the works of Shakespeare. King Lear immediately enthralled me and it remains my favourite Shakespearean play. I also love Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and it remains the only Sci-Fi book I would ever read the second time. I also learnt more about stylistic devices and literary terms and I was glad to be exposed to dramas and poetry since majority of my reading journey consists of prose only.
Majoring Literature at NTU built my repertoire of books, and expanded the variety of genres/authors I knew. I absolutely adore Jeanette Winterson’s The Stone Gods and Written on the Body, Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the time of Cholera, and Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities and If on a winter’s night a traveler. I love the rich imagery and their ability to make language sound so beautiful. I also discovered my interest (and passion I would say) for feminism and twentieth century continental philosophy such as theories proposed by Jacques Lacan and Helene Cixous. It was also in university where my love for Literature doubled. I like the flexibility and the endless possibilities that Literature allows an individual to take. Creative Writing modules also expanded my technical knowledge of literary terms and devices. It made me more aware of its application and helps me appreciate every author and every work even though I may not like the writing style.
If I could start my life again, I would take the same route. Somehow I believe, not taking Literature at O levels enables me to appreciate Literature more (I have this feeling that if I’d taken Literature at O levels, it would kill whatever love I have for reading). C.S. Lewis once said, “we read to know we are not alone”. I guess reading provides an alternate avenue for us to be in solitude yet in the company of readers/writers before and after us and I believe that is something only Literature can offer.
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