What books are your favourite celebs reading?

Local actress Rebecca Lim loves this eye-opening read by Robin Hanson and Kevin Simler. “The Elephant In The Brain” seeks to answer one question — what makes people tick? If you’re interested to understand our “hidden motives in everyday life”, add this book to your reading list.

Multi-hyphenate Jeanette Aw has some serious literary cred. In 2015, she debuted her first book — “Sol’s World: Somebody to Love” — about an insecure girl’s journey of self-discovery. She’s also constantly updating her Instagram followers on her current reads. One book she picked up is “Subconscious” — the book examines what extent our conscious intentions and strategies are in control of our decisions, feelings and actions.

Celebrity mum Jamie Yeo revealed that this book “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” by authors Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles helped her at a time when she was looking for new challenges. “Something that excited, inspired, was needed, and was relevant. At different stages in life we all need that jolt, that time to appraise and assess. Reading short sections before bed and asking my subconscious to help as I slept was revelatory. I wake up excited and with ideas… and yes, purpose,” she wrote via Instagram.

She also recommended Haruki Murakami’s “South of the Border – West of the Sun” and Nick Littlehale’s “Sleep”.

The local actress and author of “Larger Than Life” — a collection of heartwarming tales of some of the inspiring people she met while hosting the travelogue Find Me A Singaporean — isn’t just a great writer, she’s an impressive reader too. Belinda proudly shared a snap of her deeply immersed in the “life-changing book” on her Instagram.

“Boundaries has taught me the importance of when to say yes and how to say no to take control of my life. All of us can overcommit, become doormats, or find ourselves in codependent and dysfunctional relationships. If you want to learn how to have healthier relationships, read this book and start setting healthy boundaries #mustread #selflove,” she wrote.

Ever the devoted reader, the “A Quest to Heal” star often shares her personal picks on her Instagram page. Currently, she’s into “Living Long, Living Good” by longevity expert and Japanese physician Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara. In this book, the latter who worked as a doctor until a few months before his demise at 105 years old, sheds light on his favourite question — what makes people live longer? Together with this book recommendation, Ya Hui reminded her Instagram followers to “live well in this difficult period”.

(Also read: 7 inspiring celeb quotes from Star Awards 2021)

Local actress Joanne Peh recently shared a book that she has been reading since taking on her new role in the crime series “Mind Jumper”. “Since I began playing my new role in #mindjumper, I learnt to look hard at what is there, rather than what I THINK is there — to read faces, observe details and unlearn the shortcuts my brain has learnt to take over the years. With this exercise, I also began to wonder about many things because the brain now seem to want to find new patterns,” she wrote. “Growing up, I was never curious about space or the universe. I hardly looked up, or notice stars much less know that some of those twinkling lights are planets. But now I find myself asking questions I never thought of before. Then I found this book, which contains gorgeous pictures and a well curated showcase of creative minds,” she added.

“Universe Exploring the Astronomical World” is a groundbreaking survey that celebrates astronomy through 300 captivating images.

You would think that between her work on Crouching Tiger Hidden Ghost, three businesses in Langkawi (six homestays, a spa and a cafe), and multiple other projects the actress is involved with, Jesseca Liu wouldn’t be able to find the time to read — but you’d be wrong. She frequently shares her impressive book collection and current leading list on social media. In a 2020 Asiaone interview, Jesseca’s husband and fellow entertainer Jeremy Chan candidly admitted, “a lot of people say women like to buy shoes and clothes, but my wife doesn’t. My wife likes to buy books.”

Jesseca’s reading “A Bite of Life” by Taiwanese author Zhang Guo Li. This page-turner features a Taiwanese uncle’s tips on living a happy and fulfilled life.

(Read also “Here Is How Jeremy Chan Consoles Wife Jesseca Liu When She Is Upset“)

A favourite read of local actress Cynthia Koh, she shared a photo of the enlightening book together with a short clip where she reflected on the importance of “hold(ing) your truth in everything you do in 2021 so you will harness only the greatest freedom in your life.”

“The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down” is a collection of inspiring Buddhist wisdom penned by Haemin Sunim “Twitter Monk”. Perfect for those who seek to become more mindful amid the humdrum and bustle of modern life. There are different sections in the book that run the gamut from relationships to spirituality. If you’re in the mood for some introspection, you’ll find this book extremely helpful.

Lilac singer IU was seen reading “No Longer Human” when she appeared on JBTC’s Hyori Homestay. Beloved by K-pop idol IU, “No Longer Human” is the second best-selling novel in Japanese history. In this Osamu Dazai classic, we meet Oba Yozo, an alienated young man who lives a life of unrelenting tragedy.

(Here are “8 Beauty Looks We Love From IU’s Celebrity Music Video“)

K-pop idol superstar and newly minted author Jessica Jung shared Tom Harrow’s “Wine in the Sky Questionnaire” on Instagram. The book is a guide to savouring, serving, and transporting wine on your travels. The former lead singer of Girls’ Generation recently released her young adult novel “shine”. The book follows Korean-American teen Rachel who moves to Seoul to debut as an idol.

“So many books, so little time,” she writes of this photo.

South Korean rapper RM or Rap Monster is a well-known bookworm and has always been generous in sharing his picks with his fans. One book that is loved by the leader of BTS is Haruki Murakami’s 2002 novel “Kafka on the Shore”. Its 2005 English translation was ranked among “The 10 Best Books of 2005” from The New York Times and received the World Fantasy Award for 2006. The book’s main protagonist is a teenage boy, Kafka Tamura, who leaves home either to escape a disturbing oedipal curse or to look for his long-lost mother and sister. Besides raving about the book, RM has also made references to the Murakami classic in the hit song Butterfly, with lyrics such as “I don’t know if this is reality or a dream / My kafka on the shore / Don’t go to those woods over there”.

Taiwanese actress Ann Hsu has been immersing herself in Markus Zusak’s 2018 novel “Bridge of Clay”, a book that centres around five brothers as they come to grips with the disappearance of their father.

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