I’m rubbish at writing fiction, unlike my university pals Olduvai and Mel. I find myself better at writing in the first person narrative; memoir style. This is where I find my voice, so my writing tends to be more fact than fiction. I would like to write a book one day – even better if it were interesting enough to be adapted for the big screen. But what of the premise? That I still need to give much thought to.

These days I also tend to read more fact than fiction. I enjoy reading memoirs as I like to learn about how people have lived their lives. I also like reading about actual events that have happened to people and learning how events have shaped them and history. Some of the non-fiction books I’ve read recently are:

• Dead Wake by Erik Larson, about the sinking of the Lusitania by a German submarine during World War I.
• Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis by Robert M. Edsel, which tells of how the Monuments Men save Italy’s cultural treasures – mostly paintings and sculptures –  from being looted by the Nazis during World War II.
• Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari, a book written by this comedian on the trials and tribulations of modern romance
• The Big Short by Michael Lewis, the book about the subprime crisis which has been adapted for the big screen
• Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, on how leaders should act to get the best out of their people
• Gratitude by Oliver Sacks, four reflective essays on a life well lived by the late British neurologist and author

The only fiction book I’ve read recently is After You by Jojo Moyes, a sequel to her bestseller Me Before You. The former pales in comparison to the latter so I’d suggest just reading the latter, a book I enjoyed. Me Before You is the story of how a small town English girl becomes carer to a quadriplegic and how their relationship evolves. The book explores themes such as a human’s will to live and die, euthanasia, love and family ties. I cried while reading the book, and really, I seldom cry over a book. Incidentally it was Mel who introduced the book to me. The book has been adapted for the big screen and will be released this June! Can’t wait!

Currently reading: From Third World to First – The Singapore Story: 1965 – 2000 by Lee Kuan Yew