Velvet's Reading Biography

I must thank my mother for introducing me to the world of books. Since primary school, she would bring me to the library at Jurong East twice a week to read or do my homework. Till now, I can still remember how the old library at Jurong East looks like before its renovation.

Anyway, I was encouraged by my mother to read both English and Chinese books. My Chinese wasn't so good then, so even though I dreaded reading Chinese books, I had to choose at least one book to bring home to read from each visit to the library. I loved reading Enid Blyton's The Faraway Tree most out of all her other books. In upper primary, I started reading Christopher Pike's books due to my brother's recommendations. I found it a little difficult to understand but nonetheless read it still. Other books I enjoyed include Goosebumps by R. L. Stine, Animorph, and some comic books that talk about values like Love and Filial Piety, or ancient Chinese history. I also started reading Harry Potter in Upper Primary and continued into Secondary school.

In Secondary School, I did not read much anymore because school life got busier. My best friend was rich, so every time she bought a new book, I would ask to borrow it when she was done. I read Vampirates- a children's book, but it was enjoyable. I started reading a mixture of different books and some Chinese comics (loved Absolute Boyfriend), but I found that I love fantasy books best. I also started reading magazines like Teens, Teenage and Seventeen and subsequently learnt to dress better from there. I tried reading LOTR after watching the movies, but found it too difficult. The language seemed different, more complicated. I re-read books I enjoyed in primary school, and found I could understand Christopher Pike books better now, and R. L. Stine books were too easy, conversely. I guess Harry Potter accompanied me, and I learnt to appreciate re-reading my books. I also hated Shoppaholic though I had to continue reading the other series, because my two best friends loved them and I don't want to be left out.

In JC, I was introduced to Twilight by the same best friend. Yes, everyone slams it as trash, and I didn't think of it as worth much literary values in terms of techniques then, and not now either, but I enjoy reading Twilight because the protagonist is true to herself- I like the way she is such a selfish character, and the simple fact that sometimes, you can feel conflicted by two loves. A romantic at heart, I also learnt from Bella that you can find your true love someday, and when you do, the feeling is entirely different with the one you love as compared to others you have dated. You are willing to do a lot more and go a lot further for the one you love. Also, nobody slammed Twilight in JC. People started slamming it down in University. I also started reading Marian Keyes books (Is Anybody Out There is the first book I bought with my own money because I enjoyed it so much from reading it at the library) and I love the fact that the issues the characters in her books face are home and society-based problems. She is also a very funny writer, and perhaps she can be considered the first writer whom I love who isn't a fantasy writer.

In the U, I guess my reading habits are more varied as I have a little more money to spend- and finally, I can buy new books to read, eg. The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Diablo series from the game Diablo. Previously, I only read whatever was available at the library, and so, they are all old books. I learn to appreciate writers like Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, etc more because I really enjoy studying these books during Literature modules. Recently, I read Shoppaholic again and though I still hate the main character, I have come to appreciate the books more because there really is some literary value in them- like the way there are several subplots around a main plot in each book, which makes it an interesting read. I also know better what I feel can be improved with more books I read. I also can understand the LOTR books better now as I'm more familiar with the language, and there is so much to delve into. In NIE, I was also exposed to more local Literature, allowing me to expand my knowledge of local Lit. Apart from Alfian Sa'at, a local author whose works I enjoy too is Wena Poon. They are easy to read, yet packed with issues and literary devices to uncover. Lions in the Winter is the first local book I borrowed from the library to read up on. From Gloria Ladsons Billing's article, I do learn from and agree with her that there is a need for culturally relevant pedagogy, and to adopt it for my future classes, I have to first be more exposed to local literature. This way, I can examine local issues and themes to do with Singapore and having a Singaporean identity. As a classmate of mine had brought up yesterday, he questions if Singapore does have a "national identity" or is it more of a "corporate identity" since most of us are fixated with the idea of success, economic growth and money. This could be further examined, first by knowing more about Singapore literature.

Books have influenced me to be a more sensitive person, learn a lot more worldly knowledge and in turn also inspire me to write just like these amazing authors. To me, every book is an adventure that I can enjoy and learn from. I am convinced magical things can happen in this world, from my love of fantasy books. From local Literature, I learn more about the origins of my roots and the issues concerning my fellow countrymen. There is simply so much to learn from books, so long as we pick one up anytime.