In celebration of World Book Day, Mariam Teh, Datin Shalini Ganendra, Yvette Kang and Angela Karto share their favourite books of then and now.
World Book Day, an annual celebration of literature, is organised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading.
Reading is a habit that many of our society ladies feel strongly about and it is something that they want to impart to their children. To many of them, reading is the foundation necessary to develop their children's language skills and imagination.
So, in celebration of World Book Day, we ask four ladies of striking beauty and brains including Mariam Teh, Datin Shalini Ganendra, Yvette Kang and Angela Karto to share with us their favourite books.
Growing up, what was your favourite book to read?
I have always liked Cinderella as a little girl, ever since my mum and aunt read it to me. I was fascinated with the whole idea of her as this beautiful, sweet and kind girl that was bullied but found her prince charming in the end.
What are the books in your current reading list?
I'm reading a lot about Empress Wu since i started watching the Chinese production named 'Empress of China'. I also plan to read 'Gone Girl' because I really enjoyed the movie and there's only so much that you can include in a 2-hour film.
How important is it to instil reading habits to your children?
It is very important because it's the best way to learn new words and also improve their English – both spoken and written.
Growing up, what was your favourite book to read?
The Dr. Seuss series was an absolute favourite. It has a clever rhyme, which is deceptively nonsensical, but layered on so many truths. I even read the full series with my children now. 'See The Lorax' is perfect for a lesson on greening!
What are the books in your current reading list?
Current favourite is generally an article from New York Times on Arts & Culture. I also have to finish a few books including 'Forward Book of Poetry', 'The Warren Buffet Way' and Obama’s 'The Audacity of Hope'.
How important is it to instil reading habits to your children?
It is vital. Reading opens up the world through increased comprehension, understanding of language and knowledge.
Angela Karto
Growing up, what was your favourite book to read?
I love all Enid Blyton books. My all-time favourite is 'The Magic Faraway Tree'. When reading them, I always feel like I'm in a world of my own. The tatler_tatler_stories always take me to a different time and place.
What are the books in your current reading list?
'The Contented Little Baby With Toddler' by Gina Ford is my pick now. Having delivered my third baby boy recently, I'm still finding the balance and best routine for my kids. The book provides some really solid advice on that.
How important is it to instil reading habits to your children?
It's on my top three list for a child's development. It makes a very good bonding session with my boys. It's also great for their imagination and for them to use the new words they learnt from the books.
Growing up, what was your favourite book to read?
As a child, I had a voracious appetite for books and I would recall sitting in a favourite corner of my room just immersed in my reading. My favourites include Enid Blyton's Mallory Towers and St Claire's series. I also love the Famous Five and the Secret Seven series.
What are the books in your current reading list?
When I do have the opportunity to, I would indulge in reading biographies and auto-biographies. I now have my eye on the new biography 'The Residence : Inside the Private World of the White House', which is a compelling account of life in the White House told through the eyes of the service staff of the White House.
How important is it to instil reading habits to your children?
I think it is absolutely crucial and critical for children to read from young. I try to instil and cultivate the same love for reading in my children that I had but these days, with the abundance of other distractions (namely the iPad), it is an ongoing challenge!
(Product photos by respective publishers)
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