The Straits Times Weekly Bestsellers June 21
Fiction:
Singaporean writer Jemimah Wei's debut novel is titled The Original Daughter.
PHOTO: WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON
1. (1) The Passengers On The Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa; translated by Allison Markin Powell
2. (-) Strange Houses by Uketsu
3. (2) The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei
4. (-) Strange Pictures by Uketsu
5. (-) The Wizard's Bakery by Gu Byeong-mo ; translated by Jamie Chang
6. (-) Fearless by Lauren Roberts
7. (-) The Vegetarian by Han Kang; translated by Deborah Smith
8. (-) My Friends by Fredrik Backman
9. (5) The Convenience Store By The Sea by Sonoko Machida; translated by Bruno Navasky
10. (-) Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura; translated by Yuki Tejima
Non-fiction:
Elevate Your Assets Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong.
PHOTO: BOOK BAR
1. (1) Elevate Your Assets, Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong
2. (2) Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore by Walid Jumblatt Abdullah
3. (-) A Different Kind Of Power by Jacinda Ardern
4. (4) How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle by Ray Dalio
5. (-) Empire Of AI by Karen Hao
6. (-) The Psychology Of Money by Morgan Housel
7. (8) The Not To-Do List by Rolf Dobelli
8. (9) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
9. (5) Apple In China by Patrick McGee
10. (6) Atomic Habits by James Clear
Children's:
The Incredible Basket by Quek Hong Shin.
PHOTO: EPIGRAM BOOKSHOP
1. (1) National Geographic Kids Almanac 2026 by National Geographic Kids
2. (-) How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
3. (3) The World's Worst Superheroes by David Walliams
4. (-) Ten Minutes To Bed: Little Unicorn by Rhiannon Fielding
5. (-) The Incredible Basket by Quek Hong Shin
6. (8) Eye Spy Singapore by Pippa Chorley
7. (-) Bo Bo And Cha Cha's Big Day Out (Book 2) by Jason Erik Lundberg; illustrated by Patrick Yee
8. (-) Every School A Good School by Ng Ziqin
9. (-) Dragons In Chinatown (Chinese New Year In Singapore) by Valerie Pereira; illustrated by Kwee Eng Liau
10. (-) Sly The Fly by R.S. Robbie; illustrated by Debbie Yuen and Jessley Sim
This is The Straits Times' compilation of bestseller lists from Kinokuniya, Epigram, Wardah Books, Book Bar, Bookshop.sg and Afterimage bookstores.
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Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Straits Times
The Straits Times Weekly Bestsellers June 21
Fiction: Singaporean writer Jemimah Wei's debut novel is titled The Original Daughter. PHOTO: WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON 1. (1) The Passengers On The Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa; translated by Allison Markin Powell 2. (-) Strange Houses by Uketsu 3. (2) The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei 4. (-) Strange Pictures by Uketsu 5. (-) The Wizard's Bakery by Gu Byeong-mo ; translated by Jamie Chang 6. (-) Fearless by Lauren Roberts 7. (-) The Vegetarian by Han Kang; translated by Deborah Smith 8. (-) My Friends by Fredrik Backman 9. (5) The Convenience Store By The Sea by Sonoko Machida; translated by Bruno Navasky 10. (-) Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura; translated by Yuki Tejima Non-fiction: Elevate Your Assets Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong. PHOTO: BOOK BAR 1. (1) Elevate Your Assets, Elevate Your Wealth by Kelvin Fong 2. (2) Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore by Walid Jumblatt Abdullah 3. (-) A Different Kind Of Power by Jacinda Ardern 4. (4) How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle by Ray Dalio 5. (-) Empire Of AI by Karen Hao 6. (-) The Psychology Of Money by Morgan Housel 7. (8) The Not To-Do List by Rolf Dobelli 8. (9) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 9. (5) Apple In China by Patrick McGee 10. (6) Atomic Habits by James Clear Children's: The Incredible Basket by Quek Hong Shin. PHOTO: EPIGRAM BOOKSHOP 1. (1) National Geographic Kids Almanac 2026 by National Geographic Kids 2. (-) How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell 3. (3) The World's Worst Superheroes by David Walliams 4. (-) Ten Minutes To Bed: Little Unicorn by Rhiannon Fielding 5. (-) The Incredible Basket by Quek Hong Shin 6. (8) Eye Spy Singapore by Pippa Chorley 7. (-) Bo Bo And Cha Cha's Big Day Out (Book 2) by Jason Erik Lundberg; illustrated by Patrick Yee 8. (-) Every School A Good School by Ng Ziqin 9. (-) Dragons In Chinatown (Chinese New Year In Singapore) by Valerie Pereira; illustrated by Kwee Eng Liau 10. (-) Sly The Fly by R.S. Robbie; illustrated by Debbie Yuen and Jessley Sim This is The Straits Times' compilation of bestseller lists from Kinokuniya, Epigram, Wardah Books, Book Bar, and Afterimage bookstores. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
a day ago
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Singapore's Odette is No. 25 on World's 50 Best Restaurants list
Odette's team with its French chef Julien Royer (centre). The French fine-dining restaurant has been ranked No. 25 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. PHOTO: THE WORLD'S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS Singapore's Odette is No. 25 on World's 50 Best Restaurants list SINGAPORE – French fine-dining restaurant Odette at the National Gallery Singapore has slipped a notch to No. 25 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. It remains Singapore's only restaurant on the prestigious list of gastronomic talent, announced at a ceremony in Piedmont's Turin city in northern Italy on June 19. The three-Michelin-starred establishment, ranked No. 24 in 2024, has been on the top 50 list since 2018. Odette's chef Julien Royer, 42, who attended the ceremony, said in a statement: 'This year marks 10 years of Odette, and it is an honour to once again be recognised among some of the finest restaurants around the world. 'I'm incredibly proud of my team – many of whom have been on this journey with us since the very beginning. Their dedication and consistency have been key in shaping Odette into what it is today.' The statement added that, regardless of the placing, Odette's entire team is immensely proud of what it has accomplished over the years to represent Singapore on the world culinary stage. Two other Singapore establishments made it to the list of top 100 restaurants, which was announced on June 5. Chef Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends, ranked No. 93 in 2025. PHOTO: ST FILE Modern barbecue restaurant Burnt Ends in Dempsey dropped to No. 93 (from No. 68 in 2024), while modern Singaporean Restaurant Labyrinth at Esplanade Mall slid to No. 97 (from No. 92 in 2024). Chef Han Liguang helms Restaurant Labyrinth, ranked No. 97 in 2025. PHOTO: ST FILE Contemporary Korean restaurant Meta in Mohamed Sultan Road, ranked No. 95 in 2024, did not make the cut. Topping the list was Lima's Maido restaurant (from No. 5 in 2024), which also held on to its Best Restaurant in South America title that was awarded in 2024. Lima's Maido restaurant takes top spot, helmed by Peruvian chef-owner Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura (centre). PHOTO: THE WORLD'S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS Run by Peruvian chef-owner Mitsuharu 'Micha' Tsumura, the restaurant is named after the Japanese greeting 'Maido' that is used to welcome diners. Maido, which was established in 2009, specialises in Nikkei cuisine – blending meticulous Japanese techniques with vibrant Peruvian ingredients for an innovative dining experience. Spain's Asador Etxebarri and Diverxo – at No. 2 and No. 4 respectively – maintained their rankings from 2024. Inching their way into the top five are Mexico City's Quintonil at No. 3 (from No. 7 in 2024) and Copenhagen's Alchemist at No. 5 (from No. 8 in 2024). Barcelona's Disfrutar, which was the top restaurant in 2024, joins the Best of the Best hall of fame of establishments that attained No. 1 in previous years. These include Lima's Central, New York's Eleven Madison Park and Copenhagen's Geranium and Noma. Bangkok's restaurants had a strong showing, with two new entries cracking into the top 50. Nusara came in at No. 35 (from No. 74 in 2024) and Potong, at No. 13 (from No. 57 in 2024), also received the Highest New Entry and The World's Best Female Chef accolades for its chef Pichaya 'Pam' Soontornyanakij. The Thai capital's other restaurants all climbed the ranks, with Gaggan at No. 6 (from No. 9 in 2024) retaining its Best Restaurant in Asia title. Sorn placed at No. 17 (from No. 38 in 2024), Suhring at No. 22 (from No. 23 in 2024) and Le Du at No. 30 (from No. 40 in 2024). In Japan, the rankings for its restaurants fluctuated. Tokyo's Sezanne climbed to No. 7 (from No. 15 in 2024), while Florilege slid to No. 36 (from No. 21 in 2024). Den is now part of the 51-to-100 restaurants list at No. 53 (from No. 32 in 2024). Re-entries into the World's 50 Best list include Tokyo's Narisawa at No. 21 (from No. 56 in 2024) and Osaka's La Cime at No. 44 (from No. 66 in 2024). The award recipients at The World's 50 Best Restaurants ceremony in Turin. PHOTO: THE WORLD'S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS Several Asian restaurants also fared well, including Hong Kong's Wing at No. 11 (from No. 20 in 2024) and The Chairman at No. 19 (from No. 26 in 2024); and Seoul's Mingles at No. 29 (from No. 44 in 2024). Other chef awards went to Maxime Frederic from Plenitude at the Cheval Blanc Paris Hotel in Paris (No. 14), who was named The World's Best Pastry Chef; and chef-owner Albert Adria of Barcelona's Enigma (No. 34), who won the peer-voted Chefs' Choice Award. The annual list is produced by British media company William Reed. It is based on voting by a panel of 1,120 international restaurant industry experts from 28 regions around the world. Eunice Quek is STFood online editor at The Straits Times. She covers all things trending in the food and beverage scene. Check out ST's Food Guide for the latest foodie recommendations in Singapore.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
With his directorial debut, content creator Mayiduo aims to kick-start ‘Singapore movies 2.0'
Singaporean content creator Mayiduo at a meet-the-media session at Golden Village Suntec City for a media event on June 18. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE – Creating content is a faster way of making money than putting out a movie, according to local content creator, influencer and entrepreneur Kelvin Tan. Still, that has not stopped the online personality, better known by his moniker Mayiduo, from making his directorial debut with Follow Aunty La, which opens in Singapore cinemas on June 27. He also acts in the new comedy, alongside other home-grown content creators such as Charlene Huang and Xixi Lim. The script was written by local screenwriter Link Sng, but its storyline originated from Tan and Sng . Tan hopes his project can encourage a new breed of creatives to inject fresh energy into the scene and 'kick-start Singapore movies 2.0 '. 'Anyone involved in film – be it as an actor, a producer or a director – needs to have passion. There is the bigger picture than just that small role (each plays),' he added. ' And I definitely have plans for another film .' At a press event at Golden Village Suntec City on June 18, he told The Straits Times that his media company Double Up Media hopes to contribute to the next generation of local comedy film-makers. Double Up Media, which he established with Huang in 2019, co-produced Follow Aunty La with local media entertainment and content company mm2 Entertainment. Double Up Media aspires to follow in the footsteps of production house J Team Productions, helmed by veteran Singaporean film-maker and actor Jack Neo. Neo is behind local films such as Money No Enough (1998), I Not Stupid (2002) and Ah Boys To Men (2012), and parlayed these titles into franchises. Double Up Media currently focuses on Chinese-language social media content creation, video production and talent management. In 2022, a representative from mm2 Entertainment noticed Tan – who founded interior design studio SG Interior KJ in 2020 – creating content on social media and asked him what his end goal was. Tan, who turns 33 on July 1, said: 'I replied that hopefully, I can do my own movie one day.' He eventually met Mr Melvin Ang, founder of mm2 Entertainment, and the pair decided to team up on the $1.3 million Follow Aunty La. Mayiduo says his end goal in creating content on social media was to direct his own movie. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The movie focuses on a fishball seller (Huang) who seeks revenge after a social media influencer (Regina Lim) steals her husband and business. To embark on this mission, Huang's character endeavours to become an influencer herself. Singaporean film Follow Aunty La stars (from left, facing camera) Xixi Lim, Mayiduo and Charlene Huang. PHOTO: DOUBLE UP MEDIA The character was inspired by 39-year-old Huang, who began posting on Instagram in 2020 under the handle @aizaiaisteady, and has amassed more than 22,000 followers on the platform. She is married with a seven-year-old son. Tan said: 'When Charlene started, a lot of people commented on her looks and figure. There was a lot of hate, but she eventually found her own success.' Singaporean actress Charlene Huang during a meet-the-media session at Golden Village Suntec City on June 18. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Xixi Lim , who plays the best friend of Huang's character, said being able to portray on-screen pals was 'very fun' because the pair are friends in real life. Both local actresses co-starred in Neo's film Ah Girls Go Army (2022) as female recruits . Singaporean actress Xixi Lim during a meet-the-media session at Golden Village Suntec City on June 18. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Lim, 37, said: 'There is a lot of heart in Follow Aunty La, because both our characters have an emotional side. It is very different from our previous film together.' According to Tan, there are elements of Stephen Chow's slapstick humour in his maiden effort, as Tan loved watching the Hong Kong actor-director's hits, such as the action comedy Kung Fu Hustle (2004), as a child. Singaporean film Follow Aunty La stars (from left) Mayiduo, Charlene Huang and Xixi Lim. PHOTO: DOUBLE UP MEDIA Tan himself plays a supporting role as a bad-tempered director of photography who decides to help Huang's character become a successful influencer. In Follow Aunty La, Mayiduo plays a supporting character, a bad-tempered director of photography who decides to help Huang's character become a successful influencer. PHOTO: DOUBLE UP MEDIA His preference would have been just a cameo, but during the fund-raising process, investors asked him to take on a proper role. Tan acknowledged: 'Directing a movie is already a lot of work, and acting in it made it even tougher. But I told the sponsors that as long as they put in the money, I would do it.' And what of his next film? Tan, who is married to content creator Angie Teo, 32, and has a four-year-old son and a five-month-old daughter , said: 'It might have action or fantasy elements. But comedy is something I am going to stick to.' And on how to continue being a successful influencer, he said: 'Don't force yourself to become another person. It won't work. Just be yourself, do what you like, and things will work out for you.' Follow Aunty La opens in Singapore cinemas on June 27. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
