What Does Reading Look Like for Gen Z in Singapore Right Now?

Reading is cool again. Or at least, that’s what it looks like. From the explosion of pop star-run book clubs (Laufey, Dua Lipa, Kaia Gerber and so on), to fashion brand Miu Miu's literary club, and BookTok's clout, the physical book seems to be undergoing a renaissance.

In Singapore, however, it seems things are divided. Despite its mainstream social media presence, a study by the National Institute of Education and Nanyang Technical University says that Singaporean youths are actually reading less, especially when they progress into secondary, and tertiary education. On top of declining readers, bookstores are also taking a hit with Kinokuniya Orchard's recent downsizing and local publishers' and bookstores' closures- a huge loss to avid readers like myself.

On the other hand, grassroots book clubs have been sprouting up in Singapore in recent months, as well as DIY communal reading spaces, such as Casual Poet Library last August. So what's the situation with reading in Singapore really? Eight Gen Z readers spill about their favourite books, reading icks, the importance of social media and how they think Gen Z reading habits measure up against other generations.

MADDY BRETECHE LO, 29, CONTENT CREATOR

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

“My favorite read of the year so far has to be 11/22/63 by Stephen King. It’s a brilliant blend of sci-fi and historical fiction, quite a departure from his usual horror fare. He completely transported me to 1950s America, and by the time I turned the last page, I felt thoroughly immersed and incredibly satisfied.”

Where do you get your recommendations from?

“Goodreads has been great because I get to see what my friends are currently reading and get inspiration there. I also browse the Goodreads Reader’s Choice awards and New York Times’ bestsellers list and pick highly rated books that catch my eye. I’m on BookTok as well and I do find some interesting reads there too, but more often than not they’re overhyped and not to my expectations.”

Has a book’s aesthetics ever stopped you from picking it up?

“Nope, a non-aesthetic book cover has never stopped me. Unfortunately, most dark romances have tragically hideous covers, but I’ll still pick them up regardless.”

Where do you usually get your books?

“I usually read on a Kindle, however I will sometimes buy Southeast Asian books I can’t find online from BookBar at Duxton. I also receive advanced reading copies from Definitely Books (which I’m so grateful for)!”

Are there any up-and-comers that are currently on your radar?

“If you love Asian fantasy and haven’t read Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice. It’s so freaking magical and the storyline’s fabulous.”

What’s your take on the “reading is back” narrative? Do you think it ever went away?

“It definitely left (or became less trendy) for a bit after the rise of social media. I stopped reading for almost a decade because of my lack of attention span, but now we’re back with a vengeance baby!”

VANESSA CHAN, 25, STUDENT

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

“My favourite books are what I consider female coming-of-age stories; novels that depict young women negotiating between an interior knowledge of their capacities and values against external constraints on possible futures. I particularly love E.M. Forster’s A Room With A View and Duong Thu Huong’s Paradise of the Blind. These are older novels, one from England and one from Vietnam in exile. Changing times and ending worlds have been lived through by young people many times over, who are tasked, again and again, to dream new dreams.”

Where do you get your recommendations from?

"Passively, Bookstagram does a lot of legwork in putting books on my radar, mainly through posts by readers I respect. Connecting with readers from around the world exposed me to literature I’d otherwise never come into contact with. One of my favourites is The Bridge of Beyond, a Guadeloupean novel I discovered through Kiki, a fellow Bookstagrammer.

The book community also runs challenges or themed weeks. I picked up a few titles from Read Palestine Week by Publishers for Palestine. We also get notices for new releases directly from publishers, especially local ones, through outreach or posts. Ethos Books was one of the first to reach out to the Singaporean Bookstagram community, bringing us together. There’s also a public update group on Telegram called @SingLitIsLit where I get my book-related news."

Has a book’s aesthetics ever stopped you from picking it up?

"A book's cover definitely has a role in shaping my tastes. It was Eka Kurniawan’s Beauty is a Wound's beautiful cover that compelled me to pick it up, leading to a sustained pursuit of Southeast Asian fiction."

What’s a book that you still can’t get out of your head?

“Right now, I am preoccupied by Orbital by Samantha Harvey. It’s a small book about space and the marvel of humanity’s place in it. Writers who can render our immensity of feeling toward the largess of existence are very powerful. It is as close as I can get to getting some distance from the human world as it is right now, to see our comings and goings with some distance and serenity.”

Are you part of any book clubs?

“Shameless plug, but I run the Literasea Book Club with fellow Bookstagrammers across Southeast Asia, it's an online club that celebrates Southeast Asian literature. We’re currently doing a deep dive on petroculture (the ways in which oil and fossil fuels shape modern life, not just economically or technologically, but also culturally, socially, and psychologically) in Southeast Asia, reading The Weaverbirds by Y.B. Mangunwijaya, Tash Aw’s We the Survivors, and short stories from various countries (including a local piece titled The Mall, by Clara Chow!). Our reading syllabus can be found in our Instagram bio!”

Do you think that Gen Z reads differently compared other generations?

“The biggest difference would be the impact of SingLit (Singapore Literature). Compared to other generations, I’d say that there’s a difference in the number of SingLit titles on our shelves. I was in secondary school around the time of its renaissance- both of my sisters read SingLit in their schools, too.”

SARAH ZAFIRAH, 22, STUDENT

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

“As a Literature major, I keep getting asked this question. The book I keep coming back to is On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. It’s a divisive book – some of my friends say they really didn’t like it, others say it changed their life – regardless, it’s the book that singlehandedly got me back into reading (for pleasure) at 17, so it’s important to me in that way.”

What about a book that you feel is overrated?

“This is probably a controversial opinion, but my hot book take is that I didn’t like If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. I don’t understand why it was so hot on BookTok at some point. As someone who has performed Shakespeare before (and is involved in theatre), I thought it was very contrived.”

Where do you get your recommendations from?

“Previously from social media. Nowadays I just ask my friends because they know what’s good! Or, I just go to the bookstore, walk around, and pick up whatever looks interesting to me.”

Do you judge a book by its cover?

“I’m definitely influenced by a book’s cover design. I just like books that are well-designed! I’m trying to collect Penguin Clothbound Classics. Currently, I have Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, Persuasion by Jane Austen, and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. My dream copy is the bright orange Orlando by Virginia Woolf. The collection just makes my bookshelf feel very atas, I love it. It’s not a crime if a book isn’t well-designed though. That said, I’ll only pick it up if it has good reviews or something else to offer me. I feel like it’s even more of a crime if the book cover is visually appealing but gives me nothing (I’m looking at you This Is How You Lose The Time War...).”

Are there any up-and-comers that are currently on your radar?

“Singapore author Myle Yan Tay! I know him through the local theatre scene, but he’s a quadruple threat. I’m consistently impressed by his range- read anything he writes or stages! Other than that, I’d just generally encourage people to get more into the local arts scene. There’s a lot of writers there who dabble in both writing for page and the stage, or doing visual art, music, comics, other things."

What’s your take on the “reading is back” narrative? Do you think it ever went away?

“I think social media has definitely made reading more popular. In my opinion, part of it is about being able to show people (especially in this age of misinformation) that you’re in touch with reality, that you’re willing to learn, and that you’re 'cultured.' I can’t deny that this narrative helped me get back into reading. However, it’s about what happens after that popularity dies down–whether reading continues to be a part of your practice as an individual, or not.

Personally, social media definitely helped me when I was getting back into reading. It was like a compass that helped guide me into possible directions. But it can feel kind of competitive at times; to show how intellectual or well-read you are. I don’t need social media to prove to other people that I read. Reading doesn’t necessarily make you a better person. Now, I feel like I trust my taste more. I know what I like, while still being willing to try new things from time to time.”

YZ, 25, STUDENT

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

“Gun to my head, my favourite book is A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang, a historical fantasy.” 

Where do you get your recommendations from?

“I have a list of favourite authors whom I keep up with and religiously track their releases. Before the start of every year, Word Wander Lust also post about our anticipated reads for the new year ahead. For these books, we rely on Goodreads to track upcoming releases and see if we might like them.”

Has a book’s aesthetics ever stopped you from picking it up?

“I’m definitely what people would call a cover buyer- I will always be judging a book by its cover. A big part of Bookstagram is about aesthetics, so it really helps if a good book is accompanied by an equally stunning cover. Yes, yes, don’t judge a book by its cover, but I can't help it! While I'm not picky with typography or page layout, sometimes I flip through books to see if it has certain elements that I look out for. Maps? Yes, I will be purchasing. Illustrations? Yes, please. Multiple point-of-views? Oh god, no thank you!”

Are there any up-and-comers that are currently on your radar?

“This is a great question. I have two local authors in mind: Amber Chen and Sher Lee. Chen has published the first of her trilogy, Of Jade and Dragons. It is a beautifully written young adult, historical fantasy. Its second installment will also be published soon on June 5. Lee is the author of wonderful queer literature. Her debut novel, Fake Dates and Mooncakes, is a cosy rom-com, while her second book, Legend of the White Snake, is a fantastic queer retelling of a famous Chinese fantasy.”

Where do you usually buy your books?

“I always try to get them from local bookstores if I can! I've been based in the UK for the past few months and book shopping here is like heaven on Earth. In Singapore, the prices of books in physical stores are astronomical, so I try to get them secondhand or at reduced prices if possible. If there are books that I really want, I try to get them from small bookstores like The Book Bar which we often frequent for book-related events!”

Do you think that Gen Z reads differently compared to other generations?

"I think my generation (Gen Z) tends to go for tropes more than genres. I think many of us are in it for certain tropes like forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and fake dating, just to name a few. I also think we are more open to diverse stories and, in fact, demand better and more rigorous regimentation. Importantly, we are not afraid to let our voices and reviews be heard, and I think this changes the way we consume books."

CHARLOTTE REMES, 23, STUDENT

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

“I’m really biased towards Irish literature (specifically short stories) because it's the genre that basically changed my brain chemistry. Its contemporary works present such a unique perspective towards life and the way people could see and respond to things while not giving readers the full satisfaction of what was going on in their brains. I love it.

Some of my favourites are the short stories by Kevin Barry, Mike McCormack, and Cathy Sweeney. Being Various, the anthology put together by Lucy Caldwell, is also pretty fantastic. I even had the pleasure of speaking to her recently while presenting at an online conference last year, and it was surreal to get her perspective on her collection.” 

Where do you buy your books?

“I’m old school, I don’t think anything can replace the satisfaction of reading a physical book. But as a way to save money, I definitely try to find its eBook version first, or borrow copies from my friends, and then invest in a physical copy later on if I really love it. Thrifting books is also something I’m slowly getting into!”

What’s a book that you still can’t get out of your head?

“Solar Bones, by Mike McCormack. It was such a tedious read at the start. It literally has 200 or so pages of stream-of-consciousness writing with no full stops – but the way he literally collapses time and reviews his life through all these different channels as an engineer, a father, a son… I’m still trying to wrap my head around the brilliance of it."

Are there any up-and-comers that are currently on your radar?

“I definitely think people should pay attention to (Irish author) Adrian Duncan; he’s fairly under the radar, but I read his novel Sabbatical in Leipzig and it’s a stunning portrait of grief and life from the perspective of an architect (of all things)."

What’s your take on the “reading is back” narrative? Do you think it ever went away?

“I think technology, especially social media, definitely brought reading back as a trend. I don’t think it ever really went away as a whole, although it appears to. I’m an optimist when I say that people always find their way back to stories at some point or another.”

Do you think that Gen Z reads differently compared to other generations?

“Oh, definitely. I think there’s a lot of nit-picking and criticism out there which is probably what deters people from reading at all or prevents them from exploring other genres. There's an all-or-nothing mentality that discourages people from exploring new genres that doesn't really work for me nowadays. You can totally start reading a book, leave it for a while, read something else, and then come back to it. You can also absolutely have smutty fiction and Virginia Woolf on your shelf.”

KESS, 24, WORKS IN EDUCATION

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

“This has got to be the toughest question of all! I genuinely have so many favourites across different genres. Some books became favourites simply because I read them at the right time in my life. But if I had to choose just one, it would be Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It’s also the book I always recommend to others! Surprisingly, it’s a sci-fi novel, and I don’t usually read sci-fi (my favourite genre is romance!). But I’m trying to read more from the genre because Project Hail Mary was such a hit for me. I won’t go into too much detail, because I truly believe it’s best to go into it blind. Just know that it’s incredibly engaging, with brilliant characterisation that really pulls you in.”

Where do you get your recommendations from?

“I usually turn to my favourite BookTubers like Jack Edwards, The Book Leo, and Noelle Gallagher (though she’s stopped posting). If I’m looking for something genre-specific, I just type it into the YouTube search bar and watch whatever looks promising. I also get a lot of recommendations through our Bookstagram feed or from mutuals and friends. Our Bookstagram mutuals always have great taste, so I often end up adding books to my to-be-read pile after seeing their positive reviews! I also consume a lot of media, so if a film or show features a book, I usually get curious and want to check it out too.”

How much would you say has social media influenced the way you pick your books?

“Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Goodreads have definitely influenced what I choose to read next, especially since I’m always browsing (not so much BookTok—my algorithm’s a little off!). Usually when I come across a positive review or even just a synopsis that sounds like something I’d enjoy, I’ll pick the book up. I try not to let negative ratings sway me too much because I’ve read highly rated books that I didn’t enjoy at all. I don’t think ratings are always a reliable measure—everyone’s entitled to their own opinions, and a book that doesn’t leave an impression on someone else might end up being my perfect cup of tea!”

Are there any up-and-comers that are currently on your radar?

“I’d have to say Chinese-Australian writer Ann Liang and American romance novelist Kennedy Ryan. Even though neither of them is exactly new to the book scene, I think their works are still pretty underrated. I thoroughly enjoy Ann Liang’s books—she has such a magical way with words and she doesn't just write young adult, she also delves into historical fiction and retellings. Kennedy Ryan’s romances also really hit the spot! Before I Let Go, is so unforgettable. She dives into real and important topics that many people can relate to, all while setting the bar ridiculously high for love interests!”

Where do you usually get your books?

“I used to get them from Book Depository before its closure, but now I head to Kinokuniya, or local bookstores like The Book Bar. For second-hand options I go to Books Beyond Borders, Thryft and Carousell. The price of books in Singapore are pretty high, so I do borrow books from the trusty library or Libby (an app where readers can borrow e-books from libraries) at times! We’re also grateful to be part of the mailing list for both Pansing and Times Distribution, so our visits to bookstores have slightly reduced because they often gift us awesome titles to review!”

JOLIN TOH, 21, STUDENT

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

“What an impossible question! I’m pretty easy-to-please so I love almost everything I’ve read, but something that has stuck with me over the years and re-read regularly is The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. It’s a fantasy trilogy about a human girl trying to survive in the magical and cruel Faerie world. One reason I love re-reading it is because Holly Black is an immensely talented writer, and every time I read this series, I find new easter eggs that I didn't pick up on before, and it always impresses. It’s also a great introduction to the fantasy genre (as someone who loves fantasy) as it’s not too complicated or far-fetched.”

Where do you get your recommendations from?

“I get most of my recommendations from Goodreads. I love the function that immediately shows a book's reviews and ratings by people I follow whenever I open its profile. That said, I try not to let a book's Goodreads rating affect my perception of it because I think it’s unfair. Ratings also vary between genres and how critically readers review a book. For example, romance has a lot of factors like personal enjoyment, plot execution, or writing, which varies in importance depending on each reviewer.

I also rely on Bookstagram reels, because a lot of them re-enact a certain scene in a book and the feeling from that quote alone can really convince me to pick the book up on a whim. I'm also heavily influenced by book reviews on Bookstagram, especially ones sent to me by my friends."

Has a book’s aesthetics ever stopped you from picking it up?

“I’m so happy you asked about this because I am very much influenced by a book’s typography. I think all fonts are agreeable with me, but I highly favour small font sizes because I think it’s so pretty! I also love chapter titles or chapter artwork - even having a simple design is great.”

Are there any up-and-comers that are currently on your radar?

“There’s a Singaporean translator named Shanna Tan who translates works from Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin to English, and I think her works are so beautiful and I hold endless admiration for her ability to work in her non-native languages. I’ve read all her translations so far but my favourite is Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, which is a really sweet Korean healing fiction novel about the lives of a bookstore’s regulars.”

Any favourite SingLit books or authors?

“So many! Among many others, I love We Do Not Make Love Here by Nisha Mehraj, which examines difficult Singaporean family dynamics and missed opportunities in life and love. I also love The Punkhawala and the Prostitute, which shined light on untold perspectives of historical 1800s Singapore. For non-fiction, I absolutely adore Making Kin, which is a collection of ecofeminist essays that dissects our landscape and focuses on all the beauty offered by the outdoors.

All of the above books focus heavily on Singapore, but there are some that I love that are more subtle, like Darker by Four by June CL Tan, a fantasy book inspired by Haw Par Villa. It always makes me so happy to see Singaporean authors break out to the mainstream international stage with their books, and I will always be proud of them for representing the power of the local arts and literary scene.”

What’s your take on the “reading is back” narrative? Do you think it ever went away?

“I don’t think so. In my experience (and many others, actually) reading is something that you have to actively make time for, just like any other hobby. It’s a matter of choice and a combination of fate and chancing upon the right recommendations or friends who can motivate you to pick it up. Though technically, reading is 'back' because of how popular BookTok and Bookstagram has become. It's also made it easier to find personalised recommendations that may convince others to become addicted to reading, like me.”

BREN, 24, WORKS IN PROGRAMMES AND COMMUNICATIONS

Let’s start with the basics, what’s your favourite book?

"This is a tough question because I have so many favourite books. But if I had to pick one, it would be The Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. It’s the first book in a sci-fi trilogy and I find it so magical and entertaining that I think new readers to the genre will enjoy it too."

Has a book’s aesthetics ever stopped you from picking it up?

"I sometimes buy books if its hardcover edition is pretty, especially if it has gorgeous edges and art work! But this is mainly for books that I already love, so pretty much just the special editions. In terms of social media aesthetics, if I have to be honest, I do like green academia books (a type of aesthetic that focuses on biology and earth sciences), like Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries, and the occasional dark academia if I'm in the mood for fantasy!"

Are there any up-and-comers that are currently on your radar?

"For international authors, the first person who comes to mind is Indian author and lawyer Vaishnavi Patel. She's an up-and-coming author who has already published two novels – Kaikeyi and Goddess of the River. Both books are related to Hindu mythology, which is aligned with my passion, and also very dear to me. She's a spectacular author who has a magical way with words. She actually has an upcoming book titled Ten Incantations of Rebellion that is coming out very soon in June, and I'm beyond excited! As for local authors, there's June CL Tan who is a critically acclaimed writer who has published some of the best young adult fantasy novels! My favourite of hers is Darker by Four."

Any favourite SingLit books or authors?

"The first author who comes to mind is Ovidia Yu. My current favourite series of hers is the Crown Colony series, set from the 1930s onwards. I've been raving about this series on Instagram for a while now simply because I adore her writing style and her special ability to bring inter-war Singapore to life. I'm currently reading The Mimosa Tree Mystery (fourth book in the series) and I'm having so much fun. I also like Wesley Lee Aroozoo, Joyce Chua, and Kayce Teo (aka Leslie W.) who each have such amazing books, ranging from fantasy to historical fiction that I completely adore."

What’s your take on the “reading is back” narrative? Do you think it ever went away?

"Personally, I think that reading has always been around, even during times when it may seem like reading is sparse and uncommon. It’s just a matter of when you get your spark or motivation back. However I have noticed more and more people reading in public lately (be it on public transport or cafes and libraries), and it is really wonderful to see!"