Present ideas for the bookworm in your life as recommended by movers and shakers in the Asean publishing industry
The Little Book Of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well by Meik Wiking
Recommended by Jidanun Leuangpiansamut, SEA Write Award winner 2017
What it's about: A non-fiction book about happiness and "hygge", the Danish word roughly meaning comfort, warmth and togetherness.
"It's a very beautiful book. The printing, the pictures and the layout are superb, perfect as a gift. It's also very accessible to all readers. It talks about how to live a happy life without having to be luxurious. It's something urban people need right now."
The Hare With Amber Eyes
Recommended by Narisa Chakrabongse, editor and publisher, River Books
What they're about: History, family, humanity.
"Both books are non-fiction and rather heavy in content and weight, but are really wonderful. The Nazi genocide underlies each book, but both are much more than that, as the authors have a personal involvement and weave into the narrative their search for their family history. Having spent a lot of my life doing something similar, they definitely struck a chord with me. I loved The Hare With The Amber Eyes and found it very moving. It is sad but life affirming too, and I have given this book to several people. East West Street is a very profound book which I read as part of my role as a judge on the Christopher G. Moore prize for books on human rights. As the title suggests, it is a harder read than The Hare, but I could not put it down and learnt such a great deal. Serious but great books would be my gifts."
Are We Human? Notes On An Archaeology Of Design by Beatriz Colomina & Mark Wigley
Recommended by Prabda Yoon, writer and publisher
What's it about: A non-fiction book with lots of illustrations, about people and design.
"A thought-provoking and entertaining book that also has the look and feel of a miniaturised coffee table book. The content suggests, convincingly, that design is evident in all things human, and to think of life in terms of design is not only rewarding but crucial."
Town Boy by Lat
Recommended by Amir Muhammad, writer and publisher, Malaysia
What's it about: An autobiographical graphic novel.
"The protagonist Mat is a teenager who has moved from his village to the Malaysian town of Ipoh in the 1960s. We see him being affected by imported rock music, inter-ethnic friendships, his facility and interest in art, the teachers who made an impression, and of course budding love. Flipping through it now would give me an ache for a time when people seemed less bitter and twisted about things."
Bones Around My Neck: The Life And Exile Of A Prince Provocateur by Tamara Loos
Recommended by Kong Rithdee, Life editor
What's it about: A historical non-fiction book about the tumultuous life of Prince Prisdang, Siam's first ambassador to Europe in the 19th century.
"A great gift for anyone with any interest in history. Light-footed and well-researched, Bones Around My Neck tells the life story of Prince Prisdang, his picaresque adventure [and misadventure] in the second half of the 19th century when Siam had Western colonial powers breathing down its neck like ravenous dragons. The book's detailing of historical politicking, domestic and international, will strike you as relevant, too, since the mechanism and essence of power hasn't changed that much, or at all, after 150 years."
