“阅阅一室 The Reading Room” is a 26 min bi-weekly light hearted Mandarin podcast. Produced and presented by Chang Cheng Yao and Tan Li Yi , this may be the perfect fix for book lovers who like to delve beyond the book and enjoy anecdotes of life. Each episode typically starts off with the sharing of highlights from a book, followed by thoughts and life experiences of the presenters. Some episodes also feature interviews with authors and publishers. For the past three years, the podcast has featured books from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysian and Singaporean authors. The podcast hopes to reach out to more Chinese book lovers and also provide a platform to introduce books by local authors and publishers.

Transcript for the 5mins audio:

It’s a book that's definitely worth reading, offering a rare experience for those who have the opportunity to visit ten Islamic countries, including conservative ones like Afghanistan and Jordan.

The book follows the author's journey from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, where he delves into the areas where sex workers exist. He may interact with English-speaking sex workers or hire a local translator to observe and understand their daily lives. He immerses himself in the local culture, living and working alongside the people, to explore what he can do in such an environment.

Each chapter of the book is not lengthy, as the author lives with a sex worker and records their life and stories, mostly through his observations. It's intriguing because it helps readers understand different countries' attitudes towards the sex industry and provides insights into the stories behind these sex workers.

The book challenges common stereotypes surrounding sex workers, as some engage in this profession voluntarily due to various reasons. Not everyone is forced into it. The author shares one story from Pakistan, where he lived with two young brothers who earned a living by collecting recyclable trash. The older brother, only 14, turned to sex work when business was slow to earn some income for the family.

Timecode:02:49 Sample 2
Full episode: https://www.awedio.sg/podcast-ep/86ec6595-6f12-4dc5-8471-b00500f1297b/ Tagline: From reading, two reading enthusiasts who are secretly discussing in an enclosed room.

The author's desire to have their child read their first picture book is inspiring and motivated them to start their creative journey.

After a couple of years of exploration and learning, the author began submitting their work, and their first book received recognition with the "信义幼儿文学奖" (Xinyi Children's Literature Award) as a commendation. Despite the success, the author didn't rush into becoming a full-time creator and gave themselves about ten years to transition into it.

In the context of Singapore, some children's books may touch on sensitive topics, and the author wonders about presenting such issues through storytelling. They express concern that focusing solely on addressing these issues might lead to rigid and purpose-driven picture books. Instead, they believe picture books should inspire readers, leaving room for different perspectives and interpretations.

Indeed, picture books are not meant to provide definitive answers; they are more about sparking thoughts and discussions. Different readers, including children and adults, might have varying levels of understanding and viewpoints. The goal should be to plant a seed of reflection in readers' hearts, encouraging them to ponder the subject matter from different angles.

Overall, the author believes in the power of picture books to provoke thought and understanding without necessarily giving a specific solution or answer to sensitive topics. The richness of interpretation and the potential for continued reflection make picture books valuable tools for readers of all ages.

“阅阅一室 The Reading Room” is a 26 min bi-weekly light hearted Mandarin podcast. Produced and presented by Chang Cheng Yao and Tan Li Yi , this may be the perfect fix for book lovers who like to delve beyond the book and enjoy anecdotes of life. Each episode typically starts off with the sharing of highlights from a book, followed by thoughts and life experiences of the presenters. Some episodes also feature interviews with authors and publishers. For the past three years, the podcast has featured books from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysian and Singaporean authors. The podcast hopes to reach out to more Chinese book lovers and also provide a platform to introduce books by local authors and publishers.
Transcript for the 5mins audio:
It’s a book that's definitely worth reading, offering a rare experience for those who have the opportunity to visit ten Islamic countries, including conservative ones like Afghanistan and Jordan.
The book follows the author's journey from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, where he delves into the areas where sex workers exist. He may interact with English-speaking sex workers or hire a local translator to observe and understand their daily lives. He immerses himself in the local culture, living and working alongside the people, to explore what he can do in such an environment.
Each chapter of the book is not lengthy, as the author lives with a sex worker and records their life and stories, mostly through his observations. It's intriguing because it helps readers understand different countries' attitudes towards the sex industry and provides insights into the stories behind these sex workers.
The book challenges common stereotypes surrounding sex workers, as some engage in this profession voluntarily due to various reasons. Not everyone is forced into it. The author shares one story from Pakistan, where he lived with two young brothers who earned a living by collecting recyclable trash. The older brother, only 14, turned to sex work when business was slow to earn some income for the family.
Timecode:02:49 Sample 2 Full episode: https://www.awedio.sg/podcast-ep/86ec6595-6f12-4dc5-8471-b00500f1297b/ Tagline: From reading, two reading enthusiasts who are secretly discussing in an enclosed room.
The author's desire to have their child read their first picture book is inspiring and motivated them to start their creative journey.
After a couple of years of exploration and learning, the author began submitting their work, and their first book received recognition with the "信义幼儿文学奖" (Xinyi Children's Literature Award) as a commendation. Despite the success, the author didn't rush into becoming a full-time creator and gave themselves about ten years to transition into it.
In the context of Singapore, some children's books may touch on sensitive topics, and the author wonders about presenting such issues through storytelling. They express concern that focusing solely on addressing these issues might lead to rigid and purpose-driven picture books. Instead, they believe picture books should inspire readers, leaving room for different perspectives and interpretations.
Indeed, picture books are not meant to provide definitive answers; they are more about sparking thoughts and discussions. Different readers, including children and adults, might have varying levels of understanding and viewpoints. The goal should be to plant a seed of reflection in readers' hearts, encouraging them to ponder the subject matter from different angles.
Overall, the author believes in the power of picture books to provoke thought and understanding without necessarily giving a specific solution or answer to sensitive topics. The richness of interpretation and the potential for continued reflection make picture books valuable tools for readers of all ages.

Radioinfo is a site for broadcast professionals. Featuring latest Australian and international Radio industry news and comments on FTA and online broadcasting, as well as an employment section for jobs in radio. http://www.radioinfo.com.au

Advertisement