In this post we meet Szewei, a book fairy in Singapore!
As part of our fifth birthday celebrations, we are celebrating some incredible fairies around the world! Here is our mini interview with Szewei in Singapore – please scroll down for the Chinese translation.
Meet Szewei, a book fairy in Singapore!
How did you hear of the book fairies?
I decided to set up free book exchange library ( Clementi Ridges Library) at my lift landing in early March 2021. A book lover myself, I just wish to share the joy of reading with others. One day not long after a book fairy left some books at my library.
When did you get involved as a book fairy yourself?
After I found the books left by The Book Fairies Singapore, I quickly connected with them. Much inspired by the book fairies and the idea of leaving books at public places for anyone to pick up I decided to join in the fun by levelling up from a bookworm to a book fairy.
What’s the best thing about being a book fairy?
My parents were not well to do when I was young and could not afford many books. But I was so fortunate my aunt, (she is the first book fairy in my life) who worked in a printing factory, always brought me all sorts of books to read ( most are rejected books due to slight printing or packaging errors). I was a voracious reader and could not wait for her to visit us so I could read more books. I was indeed very fortunate and grateful to be introduced to the magic of books. It is my dream to share the magic and joy of reading with others just like what my aunt did for me.
What is your favourite book fairy activity so far?
The Book Fairy Treasure Hunt. We hid 5 books in the neighbourhood for the kids. I got them to dress up as pirates and solve 5 riddles for clues to the book locations. It was such a blast!
Do you have any tips or advice for anyone wanting to be a book fairy?
My message to people who wish to start book fairying, don’t wait. Just start. Plan your booklist and order some stickers now.
Which book do you recommend?
This is such a difficult question for a book lover. If you forced me for an answer now, I would say “The Color Purple” and “ Wide Sargasso Sea”
Chinese Translation
你是怎么听说书精灵的？
2021年3月，我决定在我的电梯口设立免费的小图书馆。我自己是一个爱书的人，我希望与他人分享阅读的乐趣。不久，我发现书精灵在我的图书馆留下了一些书。
你是什么时候开始当书精灵的？
找到新加坡书精灵留下的书后，我认识书精灵，也觉得将书本留在公共场所供让任何人找到并享受阅读很有意义也很有趣。我决定加入书精灵，从一名书虫转成了书精灵。
成为书精灵最好的事情是什么？
我认为是实现我的愿望吧。小时候父母不是很富裕，买不起很多书。但是我很幸运，在印刷厂工作的阿姨（她是我生命中的第一个书精灵），总是给我带来各种各样的书籍（大多数是由于轻微的印刷或包装错误而被拒绝的书籍）。我总是迫不及待她来拜访我们，给我书本。这样我就可以读更多的书了。我真的很幸运从小就体会到了阅读所带来的快乐。所以，我的梦想就是与他人分享阅读的快乐当一名书精灵。
到目前为止，您最喜欢的书精灵活动是什么？
书精灵寻宝活动。我在邻里藏了 5 本书。然后，我叫附近邻居的孩子们装扮成海盗，并给他们 5 个谜语猜。他们解答谜语后，可以寻找书本的位置。有趣极了！
你对任何想成为书精灵的人有什么建议吗？
想当书精灵就马上行动吧，不要等待了！计划你的书单并立即订购一些贴纸。
你推荐哪本书？
对于一个爱书的人来说，这是一个很难回答的问题。如果你非要我回答，现在我想到了“紫色”和“宽马尾藻海”
Some pics from Szewei’s book fairy birthday celebrations:
