Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Reading Guide · 2026

Best Books in Singapore

Singapore's contribution to world literature reflects a tradition of serious engagement with language, story, and ideas. From classic texts that have shaped generations of readers to contemporary voices finding new international audiences, the country's literary scene is one of the most productive outside the major European traditions.

Why Read Singapore Literature?

To read the great books of Singapore is to enter a conversation that has been going on for generations — between writers and their society, between the country and the world, between the past and the present. The works ranked here represent the best of that conversation as recognised by international critical consensus.

The Top 10 Books from Singapore

Ranked by aggregate editorial consensus score

#1
Cover of Ponti
literary-fiction

Ponti

Sharlene Teo· 2018
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score37/100
#2
Cover of If We Dream Too Long
literary-fiction

If We Dream Too Long

Goh Poh Seng· 1972
Editorial Score30/100
#3
Cover of The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye
graphic-novel

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye

Sonny Liew· 2015
Editorial Score30/100
#4
Cover of Aunty Lee's Delights
mystery-thriller

Aunty Lee's Delights

Ovidia Yu· 2013
Editorial Score30/100
#5
Cover of Ministry of Moral Panic
short-stories

Ministry of Moral Panic

Amanda Lee Koe· 2013
Editorial Score30/100
Designed to Feel
Bestseller by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feel
Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
“The most eye-opening book on emotions I’ve ever read.”
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

This guide to books from Singapore is updated as new editorial data becomes available — prize announcements, critical re-evaluations, and newly translated works all feed into the rankings. The aggregate scores reflect consensus across dozens of independent sources, meaning that no single prize or critic dominates the list.

Start with the highest-scored titles for a reliable introduction to Singapore's literary tradition, then use the category filters to explore specific genres or periods that interest you most.

Singapore Literature — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the absolute best books from Singapore?

The highest-ranked books from Singapore are Ponti by Sharlene Teo, If We Dream Too Long by Goh Poh Seng, The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew. These titles have the strongest editorial consensus scores across major international prizes.

Where should I start reading Singapore literature?

Begin with the top-scored titles in our list — books that score above 70 on our editorial scale are broadly acclaimed and accessible to newcomers. Ponti is an excellent starting point.

Which Singapore authors have won the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Singapore has a distinguished Nobel Prize tradition. Our rankings prominently feature these laureates alongside other internationally recognised authors from the country.

Are there any classic books from Singapore I should know?

Singapore's literary canon includes essential classics that have shaped world literature. Look for titles in our Classic Literature category for foundational reads from this country.

How current is this list of books from Singapore?

Our rankings are updated regularly based on new editorial mentions, prize announcements, and critical re-evaluations. The list was last reviewed in 2026.

What genres are most prominent in Singapore literature?

Singapore's literary tradition spans multiple genres. Our rankings reflect the full breadth of the country's output, from literary fiction and poetry to history and memoir.

Browse All Singapore Books →