Currently Reading

Changing Places by David Lodge

Optimism

"What is optimism?" said Cacambo.

"Alas!" said Candide, "it is the mania of maintaining that everything is well when we are wretched."


- excerpt from Voltaire's Candide

Currently reading : Italo Calvino

If On A Winter's Night A Traveller
Italo Calvino
Vintage Classics, RM 35.90

Gratitude

Excerpt from Zoe Rice's Pick Me Up (a Little Black Dress book)

"I'm wondering if that's what I really wanted. Perhaps the gratitude just hasn't sunk in yet. Come on, gratitude. Sink faster."

I like!

Jom

Under Renovation

Book Gila is currently under renovation. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Teehee.

Banned

From today's Star paper:

Ban on books distorting Islam

KUALA LUMPUR: The Internal Security Ministry has banned seven books whose contents distort the sanctity of Islam and its true teachings.

They are Tajul Muluk; Fiqh Perempuan; Tasawuf Perenial Kearifan Kritis Kaum Sufi; Kumpulan Ilmu Ghaib; The Muslim Jesus: Kisah dan Sabda Yesus dalam Literatur Islam; Penyembuhan Cara Sufi and Kitab Kaysf Al-Asrar.

The ban order, signed by Deputy Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, was gazetted under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the ministry’s Publication Control and Al-Quran Text Division said in a statement yesterday.

Under Section 8(2) of the Act, it was an offence to print, import, produce, reproduce, publish, sell, issue, circulate, distribute and possess banned publications, it said.

Offenders are liable to a jail term of not more than three years or a fine of not more than RM20,000, or both, if convicted.

The books could create confusion and anxiety among Muslims and harm public peace if their publications were allowed to continue, said the statement. – Bernama

I'm waiting for the ban on public figures who routinely spout excellent mind-numbing wisdom. After all, they could create confusion and anxiety and harm public peace.

Coffee

Coffee .. yum.. Coffee goes very well with reading.

I am 81% Addicted to Coffee

Free Connecticut Dating

Towards 100 Books : 75 !

Two months before the year ends, and my book count stands at 75 with these additions.

1) Special Topics in Calamity Physics Marisha Pessl
2) Memoirs Are Made of These Swan Adamson
3) Malaysian Politicians Say the Darnest Things comp. by Amir Muhammad
4) My Name Is Red Orhan Pamuk

The goal of 100 books this year suddenly seems not achievable. I blame Togo!

Pearson & Penguin Books Warehouse Sale

Lately there has been a slew of tempting book sales, but I've managed to keep away. This one caught my interest, though. I like Penguin!

From ShoppingNSales