Book Gila

Youtube Video : Book Party

2012-01-11T18:40:00.001-08:00

This is so awesome!

The 5 Books To Read List

2012-01-10T00:59:00.000-08:00

I love buying books as much as reading them. Since buying is a lot speedier than reading, every year I end up with a growing stack of books to be read. Then comes the dilemma of what to read next. I find it helpful to periodically list down 5 books I intend to read. I don't end up reading them in order, or reading them as the next five books, but after a couple of months I find I would have read

Books Read 2011

2012-01-05T21:25:00.000-08:00

So how was your past reading year? I started the year with a 50 book goal, and finished with a 66 books read count! But I got stuck in Regency Romances, reading ALL of Julia Quinn's books, a number of Lisa Kleypass's and sampling a few others writers of the genre - and that pushed up the numbers of read books substantially. A regency romance novel would take about 2 days to finish, while a

50 Book Goal : Fourty-Nine!

2011-09-04T22:46:00.000-07:00

Just one book away from the 50 book goal! 45) Soul Music by Terry Pratchett 46) Firmin by Sam Savage 47) The Book of Scandal by Julia London 48) The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee 49) Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Connie Brockway

Daily Quote : Madness

2011-08-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

From Sam Savage's Firmin : Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife And from them I learned a valuable lesson - that no matter how small you are, your madness can be as big as anyone's.

50 Book Goal : Fourty-Four

2011-06-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

Have not updated in a while. Here's the latest read books. 36) The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn 37) Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn 38) The Duke & I by Julia Quinn 39) The Witch of Portabello by Paulo Coelho 40) On The Way To The Wedding by Julia Quinn 41) Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn 42) An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn 43) The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett 44) How

Lists : Julia Quinn Novels

2011-05-20T01:15:00.000-07:00

I love lists, and I love working my way through a list. Here's a list of Julia Quinn novels (source http://juliaquinn.com/booklist.htm) 1) [READ] Splendid ~ Alexander and Emma 2) [READ] Dancing at Midnight ~ John and Arabella 3) [READ] Minx ~ William and Henrietta 4) [READ] Everything and the Moon ~ Robert and Victoria 5) [READ] Brighter than the Sun ~ Charles and Eleanor 6) [

50 Book Goal : Thirty-Five

2011-05-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

This list has no Julia Quinn in it. Fifteen more books to 50 books goal! 32) The Greatness Guide 2 by Robin Sharma 33) Small Gods by Terry Pratchett 34) Born To Run by Christopher McDougall 35) It Happened One Night by Various Authors

Daily Quote : Skepticism and Amusement

2011-04-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

From Christopher McDougall's Born To Run The desert glare had scrunched his eyes into a permanent squint, leaving his face capable of only two expressions: skepticism and amusement. No matter what I said for the rest of the night, I could never tell if he thought I was hilarious or full of shit.

Daily Quote : A hundred sheep

2011-04-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

From Terry Pratchett's Small Gods The shepherd had a hundred sheep, and it might have been surprising that he was prepared to spend days searching for one sheep; in fact, it was because he was the kind of man prepared to spend days looking for a lost sheep that he had a hundred sheep.

50 Book Goal : Thirty-One

2011-04-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

Five more reads brings it up to 31 books so far. When I reach 50 books I'll revise the goal to a hundred! 27) Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn 28) The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever 29) What I Talk When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami 30) It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn 31) The Viscount who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Daily Quote : Who You Are

2011-04-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

From Robin Sharma's The Greatness Guide Book 2 How can you be who you are if you don't know who you are?

Daily Quote : Something Important

2011-04-19T23:51:00.000-07:00

From Julia Quinn's It's In His Kiss "I think something important is about to happen,' Hyacinth said with a sigh. "Something important is always about to happen, my dear girl," Lady Danbury said. "And if not, you'd do well to act as if it were. You'll enjoy life better that way."

50 Book Goal : Twenty-Six

2011-04-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

I'm going to run out of Julia Quinn to read very soon. She's so addictive! 18) Some Girls : My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren 19) Dancing at Midnight by Julia Quinn 20) Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn 21) Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach 22) Tales of Beedle The Bard by J K Rowling 23) How To Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn 24) When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn 25)

Julia Quinn - Delighfully Funny Romances

2011-03-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Julia Quinn's regency romances are just like all romance novels - girls meets guy, some plot in between, and they end up happily ever after. But, unlike most romance novels, Julia Quinn's are bloody funny. I've laughed out loud countless times while reading her books. Here's an excerpt from Ten Things I Love About You Annabel had heard the hearts-dropping-to-the-stomach expression before, and

50 Book Goal : Seventeen

2011-03-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

I am going absolutely crazy over Julia Quinn. Her regency romances are so good (and funny). I've never read her before this year, and now I've just finished a seventh book. 12) Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord 13) Life Coach by Pam Richardson 14) Minx by Julia Quinn 15) To Catch a Heiress by Julia Quinn 16) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 17) To Sir Philip, With Love by

50 Book Goal : Eleven

2011-03-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

Four more reads brings the number up to eleven book so far. And I'm very obviously going through a Julia Quinn phase. 8) Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn 9) Splendid by Julia Quinn 10) What Happens In London by Julia Quinn 11) Faust Eric by Terry Pratchett

Eviscerate

2011-02-16T19:38:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from Julia Quinn's Brighter Than The Sun That Ellie had gotten caught in the proverbial line of fire made him want to eviscerate someone. e·vis·cer·ate 1. To remove the entrails of; disembowel.2. To take away a vital or essential part of: a compromise that eviscerated the proposed bill.3. Medicine a. To remove the contents of (an organ). b. To remove an organ, such as an

50 Book Goal : Seven

2011-02-14T02:28:00.000-08:00

Finished 4 books during the holidays, bringing my 2011 read book count to 7. 4) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 5) Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison 6) Brighter Than The Sun by Julia Quinn 7) The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn Unfortunately during that time I also bought about triple that number of books.

Buys : 1st Feb 2011

2011-02-02T09:59:00.000-08:00

Today's buy @ Bookalicious 1) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman : RM 35.90 2) Brighter Than The Sun by Julia Quinn : RM 32.90 3) Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk : Buy2free1 promo (np:RM32.90) 4) Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison Great Buy RM 29.90 (np:RM39.90), box set with journal 5) Quick & Clever Handmade Cards by Julie Hickey Great Buy RM 19.90 (np:RM79.90) Hurrah!

January Reads

2011-02-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

January has flown by and so far I've notched up 3 reads. 1. Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter 2. The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad 3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 1. Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter Rating: 4/5 What's it about: This girl who's very into books (and runs a bookstore, too) thinks Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice as the ultimate

50 Book Challenge

2011-01-13T01:49:00.001-08:00

I challenge myself to a 50 book read this year. Wish me luck!

MPH Bagful of ...

2010-10-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

Last weekend MPH had a Members Special weekend. Promotions include a 20% discount on all books, and this very interesting Bagful of Knowledge. Isn't that so cool? I thought so too. What a quirky concept. What was the idea behind the bag? Is it to limit the amount of books you can buy at 70%? Of course I was itching to go have a look, so we went to MPH Subang Parade. Before buying the bag, I

Reads - August 2010

2010-09-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

1) The Art of Happiness by HH Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler 2) Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Richard Parker

2010-09-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

My favorite character in Yann Martell's Life of Pi is Richard Parker the tiger. I've always thought the magnificent tiger's magnificent name adds a certain added oomph to the character. A tiger named Benny might not be as cool doing the same things a Richard Parker is doing. But WOW. I found out there's a reason Yann Martell named Richard Parker so. Richard Parker is the name of several people

Roman-fleuve

2010-09-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a term I did not know I did not know : Roman-fleuveI came across the term while browsing Nancy Pearl's Book Lust. She groups her reading recommendation into little chunks and one such chunk was under the heading roman-fleuve.[Quote Wiki] A roman-fleuve (French, literally "river-novel") refers to an extended sequence of novels of which the whole acts as a commentary for a society or an

Quote - Eat Pray Love

2010-09-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

I laughed out loud - very loudly! - at this one.Having a baby is like getting a tattoo on your face. You really need to be certain it's what you want before you commit. - Eat Pray Love , Elizabeth GilbertIts so very true.

Reads - July 2010

2010-09-04T01:24:00.000-07:00

1) Life of Pi by Yann Martell2) The Truth by Terry Pratchett [a Discworld novel]3) A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World by Isabel Losada4) Hogfather by Terry Pratchett [a Discworld novel]

SuperFreakonomics

2010-09-02T22:43:00.000-07:00

Many people who in previous generations would have died from heart disease are now living long enough to die from cancer instead. - SuperFreakonomics, Levitt & DubnerThis book is power-packed with such economics. I'm only halfway through and I daresay already its better the first book, Freakonomics. Pick this up for an interesting read.For example, they list down average prostitute's charges per

Kick Start

2010-09-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

The last post on this blog was 2 years ago. How sad!But although I've stopped blogging about books and reading for a couple of years, I did not stop reading. I've changed my reading patterns, changed my taste in books, changed my reading goals, changed my anal don't bend my book spine attitude, but the undying love for the written words and the smell of books is still there.And I'm starting to

Currently Reading

2008-11-13T00:47:00.000-08:00

Changing Places by David Lodgenuffnang_bid = "789c4f4bf2e9b258a8d5c6a82cf4ad31";document.write('' );

Optimism

2008-03-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

"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

2008-02-04T20:49:00.001-08:00

If On A Winter's Night A TravellerItalo CalvinoVintage Classics, RM 35.90

Gratitude

2007-12-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-21T17:37:00.001-08:00

Under Renovation

2007-11-21T17:13:00.003-08:00

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

Banned

2007-11-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

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

Coffee

2007-11-01T01:42:00.001-07:00

Coffee .. yum.. Coffee goes very well with reading.I am 81% Addicted to CoffeeFree Connecticut Dating

Towards 100 Books : 75 !

2007-10-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

Two months before the year ends, and my book count stands at 75 with these additions.1) Special Topics in Calamity Physics Marisha Pessl2) Memoirs Are Made of These Swan Adamson3) Malaysian Politicians Say the Darnest Things comp. by Amir Muhammad4) My Name Is Red Orhan PamukThe goal of 100 books this year suddenly seems not achievable. I blame Togo!

Pearson & Penguin Books Warehouse Sale

2007-10-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

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

Today's Buy: 25 October 07

2007-10-29T02:27:00.000-07:00

After a hiatus of not visiting any bookstores, I 'accidentally' walked into MPH Sunway Pyramid and came away with these:Malaysian Politicians Say the Darndest Thingscompiled by Amir Muhammadwith illustrations by Shahril NizamRM 24.00 (20% disc)Blue Shoes and HappinessAlexander McCall SmithRM 36.00A Spot of BotherMark HaddonRM 25.42 (25% disc)

Jom

2007-10-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

Stealing Books

2007-10-17T01:34:00.000-07:00

Found on Yahoo! Odd News Great news! They're stealing our books! Mon Oct 15, 10:44 AM ET

Coffee with Red

2007-10-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading Orhan Pamuk's My Name is Red, and its giving me a severe coffee craving.The book is hardly about coffee, but there's so much coffee dripped all over the story. You can almost smell that wonderful aroma from the bits and pieces of coffee-text.Relieving it has just upped my craving. I'm off to make myself another cup of coffee.

Read (past tense)

2007-10-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

Recently I reviewed my credit card statements, to get a feel of my spending patterns. No surprises that entries like MPH, Borders and Kinokuniya regularly crop up. But do I really read all the books I greedily buy?Ha.. that's why I keep lists. I like ticking things off. Let's do a quick one on recent buys.29 April [100%]READ The Handmaid's Tale Margaret AtwoodREAD The File on H Ismail KadareREAD

Proselytizing

2007-10-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Orhan Pamuk's My Name is RedI was told that scoundrels and rebels were gathering in coffeehouses and proselytizing until dawnpros·e·ly·tize 1. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith. 2. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine.

Writing Togo

2007-09-28T01:44:00.000-07:00

I like reading. A lot.Way back then, I liked to write too. Somehow I ended up writing codes instead, and that love for writing got lost somewhere.Now the itch is back.I've been reading some books about words, about people who write, about living the writing life, and the prospect of writing suddenly seemed so interesting again. [What books? Floozy Little Black Dresses! Lost in Words by Lorelei

Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes

2007-09-27T00:06:00.001-07:00

Hahahahaha.Here's a book with a very attractive title.

Calamity Physics, Ended

2007-09-25T02:42:00.000-07:00

Finally! Finished! All 669 wonderful pages of it!I begun reading this around Juy 24th, see this post. It's been a long read partly because it's very thick (duh), but mostly because it's so beautifully written I keep re-reading sentences and passages.The words are so beautifully composed, some strains of it made me want to weep with joy. (Think I'm exaggerating? Read it and let me know ;)This is

Recent Library Additions

2007-09-24T02:32:00.000-07:00

Recent additions to my library (and my to-be-read list!)Gifts from my brother - 2 Little Black Dress booksPick Me Up by Zoe RiceI Take This Man by Valerie FrankelGifts from Mr.Gila's parents - 2 Amy TansSaving Fish From DrowningThe Bonesetter's DaughterBoth gifts were not gift-wrapped, since there's no surprises what the gifts were. Both parties called me up beforehand to check if I already had

Book Availibility at MPH

2007-09-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

Did you know..... that you can check for book availability in MPH stores by contacting them at 03- 2938 3818 or 03- 7726 9003, or via email at customerservice@mph.com.my .They're very helpful. Good way to check which stores carry the specific title you're looking for. With zillions of stores in the Klang Valley, this certainly helps.

Browse a HarperCollins

2007-09-19T23:53:00.000-07:00

Coolness. HarperCollins let's you put their book on your site. Your readers can then browse the book for a peek inside.A simple copy & paste is all that it takes. Here's an example, this book caught my eye from their 'Most Viewed' list.

Sit!

2007-09-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

My most recent purchase is this book from MPH Subang Parade.New Complete Dog Training Manual by Dr Bruce Fogle.There were many available books on dog training, but I chose this because it has less words and more pictures. I like that the training steps are explained in step-by-step pictures.Time to try on the little tyrant! Let's try with "Sit""Sit""Sit""Sit""Sit" Yippie!!Now if only I can teach

Writing - A Quote

2007-09-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

This quote tickled me.Writing books is the closest men ever come to childbearing. Norman Mailer (b. 1923), U.S. author

Towards 100 Books : 71 !

2007-09-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

I've upped my book count with another four tomes, thanks to reading with dog. Yippie.1) King Solomon's Mines H. Rider Haggard2) The Accidental Tourist Anne Tyler3) A Nyonya in Texas Lee Su Kim4) Lost For Words Lorelei Mathiasp/s - oho. Special Topics in Calamity Physics is still in progress.

Lost For Words

2007-09-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

I like the drawing on this cover. Reading, surrounded by books, on a gently swaying swing under a shady tree... bliss.Cover from Lorelei Mathias' Lost For Words. [ a LittleBlackDress book]

Discoloured

2007-09-13T04:55:00.000-07:00

I want to start writing again. Let's start with something simple.Oh, no. It's that unfortunate time of the year where we mixed-breeds of discoloured features have a hard time eating in public. Ho. And there. I've just begun writing again.

The Making of Penguin Great Loves

2007-09-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

This is the interesting story behind the simple covers of Penguin's Great Loves editions. David Pearson, Penguin Press Designer explains his design methods for creating the covers of the Great Loves series: 'As with the previous Great Ideas, this series makes use of a seriously-reduced palette to ensure a recognisable, coherent look across all 20 titles. Design for books on this subject can

Penguin Great Loves

2007-09-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

Simple yet so beautiful - covers from Penguin's Great Loves editions.More here.

proxemics, haptics, oculesics, kinesics, olfactics

2007-09-09T02:36:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Lee Su Kim's A Nyonya in Texas"Our sense of proxemics, the non-verbals we employ, our haptics, oculesics, kinesics and olfactics are culture-bound, internalised by us as the result of the cultures we grew up in."What a mouthful!! Here's the meanings of those big big words.proxemics- Sociology, Psychology. the study of the spatial requirements of humans and animals and the effects of

Reading with dog

2007-09-06T18:45:00.001-07:00

I haven't been blogging much, cos this little tyrant has invaded my life and is keeping me away from the computer.But not the books, I find myself spending more time reading in the early mornings and late evenings, as we spend his play-time in the garden.

... global case of

2007-09-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist"She was obviously intelligent, but she counteracted that with the most global case of superstition that Macon had ever witnessed."Such a beautifully constructed sentence.

Towards 100 Books : 67 !

2007-08-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

I am STILL wonderfully lost in Marisha Pesshl’s Special Topics in Calamity Physics, so much so this August read book list is a miserable three books. That's less than half my monthly average!1) The Mystery Of The Screaming Clock Robert Arthur2) The Sky is Crazy Yvonne Lee3) The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Agatha ChristieAnd yes, go get Special Topics in Calamity Physics, it's a very good read.

Book Pile

2007-08-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

There gonna be a new addition to our home this weekend, a furry four legged friend to keep me company. Before he comes, though, I gotta stash this stack - but I've run out of bookshelves!!

A Disturbing Kiddie Book

2007-08-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

You just HAVE to go read the children's book pictured in this link.Either you'll be horrified or amused, depending on your disposition. Like, I bet this friend of mine will find it extremely amusing.

In Remembrance

2007-08-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

funeral (noun)1.the ceremonies for a dead person prior to burial or cremation; obsequies. 2.a funeral procession. funereal (adjective)1.of or suitable for a funeral. 2.mournful; gloomy; dismal: a funereal aloofness that was quite chilling.So long, goodbye, rest in peace.

Buying Books - A Quote

2007-08-14T00:41:00.000-07:00

Hahaha. Now this is a quote that strikes too close for comfort.Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to read them in: but as a rule the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), German philosopher.

Previous Buys : 2 Aug 07

2007-08-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Of course I could not resist visiting the recent MPH Members Merdeka sale. I went browsing in MPH Mid Valley, where there's a number of books I've had my eyes on.After an hour I had an arm full of shortlisted books, and I had to decide which few I can afford to bring home with me. In the loooong time it took to decide the final selection, I got an sms from Mr.Gila (sitting drunk in a pub

... Caps and More Caps

2007-08-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Marisha Pessl's Special Topics In Calamity Physics"Anxiety, Doubt and Uncertainty had unexpectedly stood up in Jade's voice and now they were meandering through it making Helluva Good Time quite nervous."This book has so so many beautiful sentences.

Holiday - sans books!

2007-08-07T18:48:00.001-07:00

I was away on holiday, if you're wondering about the absence.Of course I packed a few books to devour during the down-time, but instead of watching words I ended up watching monkeys.A family of proboscis monkeys.The dominant male displaying his specially marked white underwear and huge nose.A silverleaf monkey with its trademark Beckham hairstyle.Orang utans striking various abstract poses.Ain't

Article on Cheap Books

2007-08-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a good article on where to get cheap books locally.Get Cheap Books on PASIM: Promotionand Sales in MalaysiaCheers.

Towards 100 Books : 64 !

2007-08-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

July has ended and my 100-book count creeps to 64 with these two recent reads:1) Marley & Me John Grogan2) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K.RowlingI so want to re-read all seven Harry Potters in one sitting. Hurry up and come out, you nice box set, you.

Trichotillomania

2007-07-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

From the article Are You Normal Or Nuts, Reader's Digest Aug 07:Why do I twirl my hair with one finger whenever I read? I never do this except when I'm reading. Just be glad you don't have trichotillomania, the impulse to pull out your hair in clumps - from your head, eyebrows and other fuzzy body parts. Your behaviour is just a quirk, not harmful and probably quite helpful. Chances are you

Cigarette Packet Books

2007-07-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Coolness. Books designed to resemble cigaratte packs.Tankbooks official site here.

501 Must Reads : Memoirs

2007-07-29T17:08:00.000-07:00

Although I read more modern fiction than any other genre, my favourite is actually Autobiographies. I like reading other people lives - it either inspires you, or makes you thank your lucky stars you have the kind of life you have. (I love inspiring ones better, of course).Here's the Memoirs reading list from 501 Must-Read Books. I've only read a few from the recommendations so far, each one of

Harry Potter and the Under Eye

2007-07-29T01:09:00.000-07:00

This is my eye.This is my eye with Harry Potter non-stop reading eyeshadow.Thanks Kenny for lending me your copy of Deathly Hallows.

MPH Members' Merdeka Sale

2007-07-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Look what came in the mail yesterday.The postcard says:MPH Members' Merdeka Sale, 1 - 5 August 200715% discount on all books and 10% discount on CDs, cassettes, stationery, cards & gifts20% discount on all M014 and M028 titlesYippie. Good time to go look for goat husbandry books for Daddy.

Special Topics in Calamity Physics

2007-07-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

Some time back I blogged about a purchase I made, influenced by the blurb on the cover. I got Marisha Pesshl’s Special Topics in Calamity Physics because of the blurb that said:‘Made me stay up all night reading. I loved this book’ Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveller’s WifeNow The Time Traveller’s Wife made me stay up all night, so I’m trusting this blurb. And it’s true! Special

Sum of Harry Potter

2007-07-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

Have you been following the Harry Potter local retail saga over the weekend? Here's a good recap of the whole thing.All the Harry Potter (Malaysian-Related) NewsI've read the Wikipedia page on the latest Harry Potter book, that's enough for me at the moment (I know who dies!). Now I'll wait for all seven books in a nice paperback edition set, then get them and restart reading from book 1 onwards.

The Harry Potter Retail Circus

2007-07-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

There is a copious absent of Harry Potterism on this blog, mainly because I’m not salivating for the final installment and can live with someone telling me who died before reading it. Already too much Potterism everywhere as July 21st approaches, me thinks.But now I’m so excited I just have to have a say! Four major bookstore chains (MPH, Times, Popular and Harris) will not sell the latest book,

Drama in MPH MidValley

2007-07-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

Something interesting happened yesterday at MPH MidValley.I was just outside mph’s entrance with a bunch of friends, lounging waiting for another to show up. Suddenly this guy yelled “WHAT? OK COME BLA BLA BLA”. We all turned to watch this ample (ok, fat. faaaat) office attired guy huffing and puffing his way back into the store, escorted by an mph guard and an mph personnel.Drama! I like! Of

Philip K. Dick Book Covers

2007-07-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

Author Philip K. Dick has a gallery of book covers of all his works, in all editions. So cool! The gallery also includes covers of translated editions. See his gallery here.Here's a few choice covers of his book "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" (what an eye-catching title).

In The Country of Men by Hisham Matar

2007-07-17T23:28:00.000-07:00

A ReviewTitle: In The Country of MenAuthor: Hisham MatarPrice: RM 35.50This is an emotionally gripping tale.9 year old Suleiman is his mother’s constant companion as his father frequently leaves home for business trips. An ordinary enough life, except that this was Libya with the Revolutionary Committee keeping its keen eye peeled, except that the mother morphs into a depressed and “medicated”

Book Covers I Like : No.1 Ladies Detective Agency Series

2007-07-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

Alexander McCall Smith's No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series is a fun read, with very fun covers. The cover of each book is a burst of colours and pattern so wild yet still in theme with each other. I have six of the set - the seventh is out but I'm waiting for this particular edition before I get it.Here's the covers - so cheerful!

Towards 100 Books : 62 !

2007-07-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

I've upped my previous book count to 62 with these recent reads.1) A Clockwork Orange Anthony Burgess2) Forest of the Pygmies Isabel Allende3) Testing Kate Whitney Gaskell4) In the Country of Men Hisham Matar5) Confessions of an Air Hostess Marisa MackleThat's two good reads, one young adult read, and two light LBD reads. Can you guess which is which from the titles?

Book Trivia : Book Sizes

2007-07-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Found this on Wikipedia's Book entry. I prefer all my books to be of uniform size - I like em sextodecimo!The size of a modern book is based on the printing area of a common flatbed press. The pages of type were arranged and clamped in a frame, so that when printed on a sheet of paper the full size of the press, the pages would be right side up and in order when the sheet was folded, and the

... another man's heart.

2007-07-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Hisham Matar's In The Country Of Men."... but it's a sign of madness, I know, to claim to know what is in another man's heart."

Today's Buy: 12 July 07

2007-07-12T22:16:00.000-07:00

@ MPH Subang ParadeTwo bookstore strikes in a week! My wallet is protesting loudly but I'm pretending not to hear.In The Country of MenHisham MatarRM35.50I've seen this previously in the big version, and was tempted by the back cover blurb. This book is the nice small size I prefer. I've never read anything remotely Libyan before, am looking forward to reading this.Special Topics in Calamity

On Hari Kunzru's sentences

2007-07-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

Teddy has a post on Hari Kunzru, and I dropped a comment that I found his novel (Hari, not Teddy) Trasmission overdoses you with too much wit. I feel that maybe Transmission overwhelms with its clever sentences, I find myself both marveling the words and choking on the mouthfuls of them.Here's a line from Tranmission:Transmistted across the vastness of space, Jennifer Johanssen's voice sounded

Times the Bookshop Voucher.

2007-07-11T05:01:00.000-07:00

I got an early birthday prezzie from Times The Bookshop. A very very early one, but I'm not complaining!It's an RM3 voucher and 20% discount valid for the birthday month. Unfortunately it does not clearly say if the discount is valid on one item or the whole purchase.

Pince-nez

2007-07-10T22:58:00.000-07:00

In Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita, one of its many varied character is Koroviev, an ex-choirmaster who wears a check jacket & a broken pince-nez. I was half-way through this twisted book before I had to look up what exactly a pince-nez is. My imaginary Koroviev's image was hazy, I had to complete him.This is a pince-nez.Wiki says:Pince-nez (IPA: [pɛ̃s ˈneː]) are a style of spectacles

Library I Like

2007-07-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

Droooooooooooooooooooool.More wonderful photos here.

Today's Buy: 8 July 07

2007-07-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

@ MPH Summit USJTesting KateWhitney GaskellRM 19.90Marley & MeJohn GroganRM 32.90I went into MPH looking for Tinling Choong's FireWife. And I found it. And I gasped at the RM70 price tag for a small hardcover. And I don't prefer hardcover. So...Marley & Me has been on my radar for awhile (actually Mr. Gila's radar, but we're slowly morphing into each other so my radar inherited this). Marley is

Top 5 Books I Recommend

2007-07-06T01:25:00.000-07:00

Rob Fleming and his colleagues at his record store (of Nick Hornby's High Fidelity) pass their time making "top-five" lists of everything - best elvis song, all time record, best side b hit, etc etc.They do it so much you can't help being influenced, so here's my Top 5 Books I Spout When Someone Ask Me To Recommend A Book*:1) The Time Traveler's Wife Audrey Niffenegger2) Life of Pi Yann Martell3)

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

2007-07-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

A ReviewTitle : A Clockwork OrangeAuthor: Anthony BurgessPrice : RM10 @ Big Bookshop SaleI found A Clockwork Orange a challenging read. Firstly because of my slight allergy to the science fiction genre, and second because of the narration was peppered with nadsat speak.Take for example this chapter from the first page of the book:Our pockets were full of deng, so there was no real need from the

501 Must Reads : Science Fiction

2007-07-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

To that person who came here with the search words "501 must read books science fiction", here's the list for you.1) The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Noel Adams2) Hothouse Brian Aldiss3) Brain Wave Poul Anderson4) I, Robot Isaac Asimov5) The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood6) The Crystal World J. G. Ballard7) The Demolished Man Alfred Bester8) Who Goes There John W. Campbell9) The

Why is Teddy reading?

2007-07-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

One recurring question from the previous post:Why is Teddy reading? Because he wants to :D.Teddy was reading as a participant of the Monthly Readings series organized by Sharon Bakar. Readings is an event aimed to showcase local writers and encourage new writing talents. The series is a monthly event and Teddy was reading for the June 2007 installment of it.What happens is participants go up and

Teddy @ Seksan, 30 June

2007-06-30T05:26:00.001-07:00

Here's Teddy reading his piece at Seksan.There a little bit missing from the beginning, sorry.And you have to tilt your head. Sorry again.

Towards 100 Books : 57 !

2007-06-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

I've upped my previous book count to 57 with these recent reads.1) Decent Exposure Phillipa Ashley2) The File on H Ismail Kadare3) High Fidelity Nick Hornby4) The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Muriel Spark5) The Outsider Albert CamusFive books in half-a-month? Of course I cheated. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and The Outsider are very good books, both focusing on a strong alternative-personality

Today's Buy: 27 June 07

2007-06-28T00:34:00.000-07:00

Book sales should be 2 weeks long and no more. Agreed?I tried, so very hard, to NOT go for Big Bookshop's Warehouse Sale. But everyday the temptation gets stronger, and the sale just will not go away! It should have ended weeks ago and saved me my conscience.So I succumbed. Here's the spoils of my folly.Virginia Woolf's To The Lighthouse @ 12.90Franz Kafka's The Trial @ 12.90Muriel Spark's The