The Straits Times' Star E-Books app kicked into high gear this year with a record 12 new e-books as well as the monthly The Life e-magazine, which has just released its 18th issue.

Here's a look at some of the award-winning, and some of the most popular, e-books released in the app this year.

These books are all available, for free, in the app. Download them here.

1. Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And His Ideas (May 2015)

2. Lee Kuan Yew: The Final Journey (April 2015)

The two most popular e-books in the Star app were published to mark the death of Singapore's founding Prime Minister on March 23 this year.

Lee Kuan Yew: The Man And His Ideas is adapted from a 1997 bestselling print book of the same name, co-authored by Han Fook Kwang, Warren Fernandez and Sumiko Tan. The e-book draws from the book's original content which comprised 46 speeches as well as information from a series of 13 interviews the authors conducted with Mr Lee.

The e-book adds audio clips from the interviews as well as new photographs. It has been downloaded more than 140,000 times.

Lee Kuan Yew: The Final Journey recaps the seven days in March when the nation collectively mourned the passing of Mr Lee. The e-book brings together stories and photographs published in The Straits Times, as well as audio and videos featured on the website.

This e-book has been downloaded more than 82,000 times since it was published.

3. Ocean's Fury: Are We Ready? (December 2014)

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that wreaked havoc in Asia, The Straits Times, together with fellow newspapers in the Asia News Network, produced a 15-page print special.

The e-book collected some of the best pieces from print and added multimedia in the form of interactive graphics and videos.

The results clinched the gold award for Best Data Visualisation Project at the Asian Digital Media Awards held in Hong Kong in November.

The awards, organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), attracted 133 entries from 14 countries and 36 publishers this year.

4. Living History: 170 Years of The Straits Times (July 2015)

The newspaper celebrates 170 years in print this year, a history longer than even the venerable New York Times. Besides giving readers a year's worth of treats and giveaways, ranging from concert tickets to holidays, The Straits Times also celebrated its birthday with this e-book.

This e-book recaps the paper's evolution from an eight-page weekly in 1845, to a morning daily to 1858, to the paper of national record in the 20th century.

Aptly enough, in this brave new internet age, the paper has moved into the digital realm with this potted history which has been downloaded more than 22,700 times.

5. Beauty Tips: The Experts' Guide To Looking Good (May 2015)

The Straits Times' Urban magazine, published from 2004 to 2015, covered Singapore's fashion and beauty worlds. It also contained a popular column, Ask Urban, in which the magazine's writers addressed readers' fashion and beauty woes.

Taking inspiration from that column, this e-book draws on the experts for beauty advice that works. Divided into chapters focusing on areas such as Skin and Hair, the e-book doles out tips and tricks that makes looking good a breeze.

6. Cook Mee: 60 Recipes To Jazz Up Your Instant Noodles (June 2015)

Singapore is a foodie city with nosh available around the clock. But instant noodles, fast to cook and good to eat, remains a staple in the Singapore diet.

Why just dump it in boiling water when you can jazz it up with kimchi or ikura, fry it for mee goreng or dress it up with truffles or balsamic? This e-book offers a collection of 60 recipes from chefs. Instant noodles will never be the same again.

7. Guilty As Charged: 25 Crimes That Have Shaken Singapore Since 1965 (July 2015)

Singapore has a reputation for being squeaky clean and safe. But lurid crimes have been committed in Singapore, and this e-book recounts 25 of the most famous ones.

A collaboration between The Straits Times and the Singapore Police Force, this e-book contains never-before-seen photographs of crime scenes and perpetrators, sourced from the archives of both institutions.

From the shocking Adrian Lim ritual murders to the case of the Orchard Road body parts murder, this true-life narrative will keep you on the edge of your seat.

8. 50 Food Myths Busted (November 2015)

Food and health are closely entwined. And the writers for The Straits Times' Mind&Body section have got together to address 50 widely-held beliefs about food and drink in this e-book.

Divided conveniently into five themed sections which address concerns such as The Daily Diet and Pregnancy And Babies, the writers checked with the experts on the real facts behind these beliefs. Glucosamine supplements are not really that useful, for example, and if you are exercising, coconut water is not a good replacement for sports drinks.

9. Home: August 9, 2015 (August 2015)

This is the year of Singapore's Jubilee, and celebrations revved up to the high point of Aug 9, when the nation celebrated its birthday with a National Day Parade that looked back to its first incarnation and forward to the future.

This e-book recaps the celebrations with 50 memorable moments from the year, from the SG50 goodie bags distributed free to Singaporeans, to the unexpected indie film hit that was 7 Letters, to the awesome show offered by the elite Black Knights who thrilled Singaporeans with live shows over the National Day weekend.

10. The Life (December 2015)

The Life, a monthly lifestyle e-magazine, won the gold award for Best Lifestyle Mobile Service at the Asian Digital Media Awards held in Hong Kong in November.