You know how disclaimers say any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental? A part of me thinks these stories can easily be reality. Here's a list of local authors who moved away from the tired narrative of our successful nation, to write about the every day citizen who makes up a part of our collective society.

1. Amanda Lee Koe: Ministry of Moral Panic

Is it fiction, or is she just voicing out the stories in our head? Amanda Lee Koe writes about the every day Singapore we see yet fail to see; the spinster who finds love in foreign arms, the wistful dreams of a young girl as she meets the King of Caldecott Hill and the feeble hopes of domestic workers. There is no nostalgia in Lee's words, just possible truths.

2. Cyril Wong: Ten Things My Father Never Taught Me

In a similar form, Cyril Wong's book carries the voice of home through the eyes and hearts of different protagonists. The Singaporean reader understands the ten things Wong speaks of; the building blocks of what (un) makes an Asian family, with our own spin of values of love and respect.

3. Troy Chin: The Resident Tourist (Part 6)

The sixth book of Troy Chin's was a long time coming for fans familiar with his dry wit and observation skills. This edition looks at NS, from years past, cookhouse food, recruit tales and the tight, inexplicable bond of men. His voice is heard through the clean outlines of each scene. Though this book isn't as compelling as the previous ones, surely Part 7 can bring more to the GS table.

4. Cheryl Julia Lee: We Were Always Eating Expired Things

The average Singaporean waxes lyrical about food, and with that theme, Cheryl Julia Lee's collection of words takes you on a journey through the eyes of nostalgia, from the familiarity of childhood to the growing discontent of a Westernised society.

5. Justin Ker: The Space Between the Raindrops

Justin Ker's pieces sketch a quick background, just enough to guide the reader, before filing in the blanks that they may not have seen coming. Though positioned as 'short' stories, each chapter packs so much into the few pages.

Read our review of the top ten local non-fiction books here:

10 local non-fiction books of 2014 that will interest every well-informed S’porean

Top image from Flickr.

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.