Neil Humphreys - Return to a Sexy Island

First read Neil Humphreys's work when I bought Complete Notes from Singapore omnibus and Be My Baby: On the Road to Fatherhood at different warehouse sales some years ago. Like Anthony Bourdain's written work, I tend to stick to the non-fiction; it's just how it is.

Then I read recently that he's back in Singapore and has released a new book in the Notes series called Return to a Sexy Island, where he travels to places in Singapore that didn't exist 5 years ago when he left for Australia. I saw on Facebook that he was having book signings the weekend I was going to be there, but didn't think I could make any of them until my friend wanted to go to Marina Square and it was sheer coincidence that I saw him as we walked past the Times Bookstore at the tail end of his signing session. I thought, "might as well". Got a book and poster signed (wasn't taking any chances as I have not seen the book in KL), but not after using my Malaysian Times Bookstore membership card to get the 10% book discount. I'm not that sloppy.

I might've come across as curt because it was almost 3 p.m. and I haven't had lunch nor my afternoon dose of caffeine. Oh well. At least I didn't say I bought his other books at a discount, unless Google Alerts picks this blog post up, then all I can say is... Hello, and I'm sorry I didn't pay full price?

What did I think of this? It's hilarious, and I mean snort-out-loud funny. I book-darted some of the places to earmark for future visits to the little red dot. I know the demographic of his books are mostly Singaporean and might know what he's talking about, but I kinda wish that he included pictures of some of places he's been - it doesn't have to be a picture book, but just so that I don't have to keep going to Google Images or take him at his word.

I wouldn't waste money on the Fifty Shades trilogy.

PS. If anyone wants to read his previous books, let me know - it's time they found a new home.