Aku Terima Nikahnya - Book 11 2010

sebahagian dari imej kulit depan buku Aku Terima Nikahnya. saya kira itu berdasarkan pengalaman penulis sendiri.

Aku Terima Nikahnya - Hasrizal Abdul Jamil

Sudah usai membacanya. Silly me, baru saya tahu kalau bertunang tak perlu dihebah-hebahkan. Kalau majlis walimah, perlu diwar-warkan. Sebab? Bertunang belum pasti berkahwin. Proses untuk kenal-mengenal. Bila bernikah, perlu dihebah-hebahkan agar salah satunya, tidak mendatangkan fitnah bila dilihat berdua-duaan.

Buku ini sesuai untuk bacaan ringan. Lebih kepada perkongsian pengalaman si penulis iaitu Hasrizal Abdul Jamil, yang lebih dikenali sebagai saifulislam di alam cyber. Tulisannya berkisar tentang pra-prekahwinan, perkahwinan itu sendiri, hidup bekeluarga, hidup bersaudara. Saya tersentuh juga bila saudara penulis turut menyatakan kekesalannya bilamana waktu yang dihabiskan bersama anak-anak sangat singkat. Saya rasa bagi yang tinggal di Lembah Kelang pasti setuju!

Bacakan kesibukan beliau sebagai penceramah dan pelajar manakala isterinya seorang doktor yang juga sedang menyambung pembelajaran. Bacakan penekanan beliau terhadap pentingnya kasih sayang ibu bapa kepada anak-anak. Bacakan pentingnya perkahwinan tidak didasarkan kepada menghalalkan apa yang haram sebelum ijabkabul. Bacakan pentingnya kita saling memberi dan bukan hanya menerima. Bacakan pentingnya keberkatan dalam semua hubungan berkeluarga.

Kisah harian yang boleh dijadikan panduan kita.

Three Cups of Tea - Book 9 2010

This, is something I highly recommend to read.

This book tells about a man's vision and effort that goes beyond the boundary of race and religion. He gives without expecting to be given anything back. He gives what I can say as beyond his means. How many of us are willing to sleep in the back of our car so our pay can go to building schools for the unfortunates? He is one.

Greg Mortenson was a mountaineer. In his attempt to conquer K2, worlds second higest peak, he was lost in the icy coldness, without enough food and water to survive long. Long story short, he stmbled upon a small village. He felt so welcomed. The people there, despite being poor, offered him the best things they have. Despite him being an American and christian. He later, built schools for the children there, despite them being Pakistani and muslim.

There's 2 things that catched my attention most. One is about what change a contribution can make from just a single person. It's like a drop of water in the ocean but without that one drop, the ocean will be lesser. Another is, believe in Allah but tie your camel. Tawakkal is not without first putting out effort.

Go read this one. Inspirational.

For more information about this book (and other books as well), go to threecupsoftea.

Where Rainbows End - Book 6 2010

After reading The Concubine's Daughter (read what I think of it here), written by Pai Kit Fai, I immediately grabbed another book. Of late, I find reading is like releasing your stress. Like being thankful when reading about less fortunate. Getting inspiration when reading about betterment in life. Albeit being fictional.

This, was what I read. Where Rainbow Ends by Cecilia Ahern (more info on the author here). I've bought this way back in 2009 but has yet to read. It's a box set consisting of three books i.e. Where Rainbows End, If You Could See Me Now and A Place Called Here (read its summary here). I choosed Where Rainbows End (summary here) over the other because it is written before the others.

Anyway, this book is about childhood friendship between Alex and Rosie. It started back when they were 5 years old and ended when they were 52. What I considered between them as platonic relationship and yet they never openly admitted it, not until they were 52! Alex did tried once but the letter got into the wrong hands. The story then included their offspring, Katie of Rosie and Josh and another baby of Alex.

What I like most about this book is the way it is written in text, sms, letter form and not the usual scenario and dialogues. Other than that, I'd rather be reading Jodi Picoult!

The Concubine's Daughter - Book 5 2010

Can't believe I'm already on my 5th book! Bagi seseorang whose reading history memang tak impressive langsung, this, is something. And by now, I am already halfway through. I was ding-dong-ing between Cinta Sang Ratu (I need to read Bagaikan Puteri first), Inspector Singh: Bali Conspiracy Most Foul (nope, too much.. Singh overdose kang), Three Cups of Tea (tak sabar but I decided not to, yet) and alas, The Concubine's Daughter.

The book comes in two parts i.e. The Children of The Moon and The Red Lotus. Nak baca part 2, kena graduate baca Part 1 okey. This book is Chinese equivalent to Japanese's Memoirs of A Geisha.

Part 1 is about the life of Li-Xia, before she was even born until the day she took her life away. Like her mother, she was free spirited, full of will which translated into stubborness and percepted as wild child. She was born in the time where lotus feet (which were hardly 3 inches long, can you imagine how a 6-sizer like me have to endure in order for the bone to snap and flex into 3 inches.. not to mention the process of binding and soaking in hot solution.. ouchh!!) were much sought after. Not forgetting to mention that lotus feet were associated as being sexure allure as well as, 1 death in every 10 as a result of infection.

I think we have enough of that lotus feet already, now haven't we?

Back to Li-Xia, her life started bad even when she first saw the world, by being a female. Her mother, who thought Li-Xia was burried alive seconds after birth, took her life away. Li-Xia, who was thought as having fox-fairy as guardian, cheated death twice as an infant. She, then was sold to a silk factory where she found happiness despite constant hardwork. When she was of suitable age, she was sent to the silk factory master to serve him as concubine but she fled, which later caused her death sentence. She then escaped another death when an european saved her. Despite all odds, they got married and got isolated since mix-marriage were not approved amongst the society, regardless the class. Long story cut short (hey, sila baca sendiri okay), she took her life moments after her child is born.

I'm not done with my part 2 yet so I can't say much yet. It revolves around Red Lotus, Li-Xia's daughter who was separated from her parents at birth. She was taught martial arts and was on the journey of finding her father.

This book conveys the plots well. The descriptions, more often than not, are always vivid. The kind that makes you shiver upon reading bathing in cold clear stream or makes you hunger for steaming hot congee with salted egg, dished out with a bit of scallion!

I'll tell more once I'm done with it. Maybe in a day or two.

More info on Lotus Feet here. Gruesome, I'd say.

Kakak asked, what is this? (referring to the book's tittle) Cucumber's daughter? Nope, read carefully, it's concubine. What is concubine? Err....

Inspectior Singh Investigates: A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder - Book 3 2010

Pat me on the back. Am pretty good at keeping my Resolution 2010 No 2. Am done with Inspector Singh Investigates: A Most Perculiar Malaysian Murder, written by Shamini Flint.

Written in simple english, bearing simple plot. Easy to digest. I considerer this one is a relaxing read but it lacks the urge for you to read more and more and more of it. Unlike when I read Hijab Sang Pencinta the other day.

The story is about a murder of a businessman, in which the ex wife was the prime suspect. They were in custody battle over their children following a bitter divorce. But as we go along, everybody had motive to kill that man, his brothers, his ex-wife's lover and even his son! This book also provides you mockery of what the real life is in Malaysia. The laidback of authorities, how people convert to moslem to win custody of underage children from their non-moslem ex-es, how bad Malaysian drivers are (me not!)

Singh, a Singaporean came about in this book because the suspect was a Singaporean. Together he teamed up with Malaysian police to crack the murder. Although he is the main character, it was not him who solved the case!

Albeit the urge to flip further, I still look forward to reading the sequel to this, Inspector Singh Investigates: A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul. Image taken from http://www.amazon.co.uk/

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid - Book 4 2010

Am done reading this book, this morning. Light and relaxing. Seswai di baca after long day while unwinding. Ala-ala bedtime story la lebih kurang. Just that it doesn't make you sleepy.

It's about Greg, a middle-schooler, who, as his school implies, is in between a child and an adult. A difficult age (as I remembered mine) where he thinks he's old enough to do adult's things but his parents think otherwise and keep on treating him like a child. But, on certain occasion, he himself proves that he is a far cry from being an adult, by acting childish!

Greg is in the age where, what his peers think of him matters a lot. He wants so much to hang around and be cool. Just imagine how he feels when his mom makes him join a school play entittles The Wizard of Oz!

Now that I'm done with this book, am looking forward to its three, yes, read me right, not one, but three sequels. Afterall, this 1st book was launched in 2007, it's only me that just realized its existence recently ha ha.

So, here goes my book wish-list..

1. Rodrick Rules - Rodrick is Greg's brother btw. Greg has a younger brother, Manny. I guess Manny will make his debut in other book in this series. I hope by then, I am still in the age that read this kind of book.

2. The Last Straw - Do you know what it means by last straw? In my understanding, it is one last cause that make you let go an outburst or something like that. Kind of situation where you've been accepting and keeping and keep on being patient, until that one last thing happen and, you mengamuk. Not so good example but that's the best my brain could think about now. One last straw that broke the horse back. Something like that.

Why la this image terkecik la pulak?
Anyway, all these 3 sequels are available in MPH Online (click here and search for Diary of A Wimpy Kid) as well as Borders. It's just that Borders takde online store here in Malaysia.

For further info about these books, boleh layari http://www.wimpykid.com/.

Credits:-

1. http://www.amazon.com/

2. http://www.powel.com/

3. http://www.indiebound.com/

4. http://www.booksamillion.com/

Of Books & Resolution

2nd purchase of books in 2010

This week is going to be a long one. Sebelum S.T.R.E.S.S bermula, let's see my latest catch last weekend @Borders Berjaya Times Square.

I bought 4 books for meself.

1. Raising My Voice by Malalai Joya

2. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

4. 1 Dough, 100 Cookies by Linda Doesser

Diary of a Wimpy Kid reminds me of Dilbert, somehow. If Dilbert is on office thingy, this Wimpy Kid focuses on kids-at-school thingy and the pain of growing up, in humorous manner. I maybe too old for this, frankly but I enjoyed myself after flipping a few pages.

1 Dough, 100 Cookies is a cook book, obviously. It suggests one basic dough and introduces 100 variation to it. Pretty simple for a beginner like me. You see, Kakak has been pestering me into baking cookies these days. Layannn je la.

Anyway, I am still on Mr Singh Investigates, only half way through. I am still sticking to my 2010 resolution (read my 2010 resolution here)where reading is concerned. Cooking-wise, I am a bit off the track already. Monetary? Let's just say, I am living on an allowance from Tebby until my pay day!

Insight on my first book 2010, Hijab Sang Pencinta here.

Insight on my second book 2010, The Adoration of Jenna Fox here.

2 recipes which I have tried and tested in 2010 (and think it's worth sharing) is BBQ Prawns on Skewers (recipe here) and Beef Kebab (recipe here).

The Adoration Of Jenna Fox - Buku 2 2010

Done reading this.

I am not good at writing book reviews but I'll try to part with some points. Jenna Fox, is a product of modern bio-tech. She actually did not survived a car accident but what her parents 'created' another Jenna, from 10% that was left of her.

This story is about her self discovery and how she was devastated to find out who, or rather what she was. And how she tried to fit in and lived normally. She lived for 260 years, 60 years more than what her parents expected. By then, she and people like her, were normal. In fact, they have something called 'The Jenna's standard'.

Me being a melodramatic-self, this book is rather straight. Not really my cuppa but I survived reading it from the beginning till end!

Hijab Sang Pencinta - Buku 1 2010

Suka!

Ini karya novelis Ramlee Awang Murshid (bacakan sedikit biodata dari wiki di sini, untuk sinopsis dan karya-karya yang lain di sini) yang pertama-tama saya baca. Tidak menghampakan saya langsung. I was hooked from the beginning sampai habis. Saya suka cara kisah-kisah kecil dimulakan dalam novel ini, seterusnya bagaimana kisah-kisah ini bertembung dan bergabung.

Ini kisah perjuangan kebaikan melawan kejahatan. Disulam kisah cinta yang dipisahkan berkurun-kurun lamanya. Dendam itu bara, marah itu api, katanya. Itu sahaja dan mencuit hati saya untuk membacanya.

Sebetulnya ini adalah novel terakhir dalam trilogi karya Ramlee Awang Mursyid. Jadinya, saya harus mencari dua prequel novel ini iaitu Bagaikan Puteri dan Cinta Sang Ratu.

Tebby, bukanlah pencinta novel melayu. Bacaan beberapa bab pertama, bagus, komennya.

Nota - Buku ini saya pesan online dari www.ujanailmu.com.my

Nah, kan Resolution No 2 saya take-off sudah!

Books And More Books

I buy books. I don't necessarily, immediately and promptly read them tho. Justifications? Books don't expire over time but your tax relief does. Plus, instilling good habits in your children, must first start with youself.

Previous years, I made it a monthly routine to buy books worth at least RM100 so at the end of the year, I have at least RM1,000 worth of books bought. It was not hard to do, I tell you. With books at the average of RM30++ each, you can just get 3 or 4 without stretching your budget. I have 3 kids, 2 of which demanded books for themselves as well. The rest self-explains I guess.

Anyway.

This year I was a bit slow doing this. My sister's wedding, my 4th pregnancy, followed by heartwrenching miscarriage, adjustment to Tebby's continuous domestic and overseas trips etc. To cut things short, in October, my books purchases were hardly 1/3 of the target so I am pushing the budget, so to speak. Hence the spree on books lately.

My recent purchase includes Her Fearful Symmetry, The Concubine's Daugther, The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Tebby suggested), 2 books from the Inspectors Singh's series, 2 vintage books by Jane Austen i.e. Sense & Sensibility (I know, I know, macam budak sekolah) and Pride & Perjudice (again?) and Seven Years In Tibet.

I've just finished reading The Time Traveller's Wife. Before that it was Tunggu Teduh Dulu by Fehsal Tehrani. I think I'm gonna read Hijab Sang Pencinta next. I'm not good at book review. In a nutshell, The Time Traveller's Wife, is a must read. There's a movie based on the novel too. Tunggu Teduh Dulu satistified my crave for good malay books.

Tebby suggested this. Thanks Yang.
Love it big time.

I also bought quite an impressive collection of cook and recipe books. I, however, shyly admit, I just tried like 3 or 4 recipes so far. Maybe one each week as 2010 resolution? Haven't I, every year, anyway? We'll see if I can stick to it next year, shall we?

Note the 'EASY' series. That explains what level of a cook I am :P

I also have a complete collection of Indonesia's writer Andrea Hirata. It began with the lad's Laskar Pelangi. I was (still am) hooked that I followed the 3 sequels later. These are my most loved books.. Laskar Pelangi, Sang Pemimpi, Edensor and Maryamah Karpov. He makes you cry, he makes you laugh, he makes you wonder, he makes you inspire. Go read those, worth the time.

The four books are mostly based on his own personal life experience.
I wonder if he'll be as good writing fiction solely based on imagination

'not yet read' collections

Ayat-ayat Cinta

Sebenarnya sudah banyak kali saya membelek buku yang satu ini di kedai-kedai buku. Di MPH, Popular dan Borders. Ambil dari rak, letak semula. Belek-belek, letak semula. Akhirnya minggu lepas saya ambil dari rak dan beli. Buku nan satu itu dah pun saya habis baca. Bagi standard saya, buku setebal itu, kalau dihabiskan dalam 2-3 hari, terer lah tu! When I told Tebby I had finished the book, he said 'It must be good'. Kena pulak ada komen positif dari A Samad Said.

Ayat-ayat Cinta. Novel melayu pertama saya beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini. Sebetulnya semasa saya kecil, saya sudahpun membaca 'Seluang Menodak Baung', 'Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan', 'Salina'. Bila digambarkan hujan malam, saya boleh terasakan sejuknya mencucuk tulang, bila diceritakan perihal sarapan pagi, saya boleh terbaukan sedapnya ikan masih menanti dicicah dengan ubi kayu rebus. Atau bila dikisahkan kudis bernanah di kaki Lahuma, saya serasa seolah bau busuk menusuk hidung. That kind of effect. Saya ada juga membaca novel-novel melayu tulisan penulis muda tapi bagi saya agak menghampakan. Atau mungkin I'm too old to appreciate those kind of stories kot. Tajuknya pun saya dah lupa!

'..ku tuliskan novel ini sebagai mahar cinta buat melamar belahan jiwa..' lebih kurang begitulah ayat dedikasi di bahagian depan. Bait itu saja membuatkan saya terus membaca. Strangely enough tho, saya suka membaca ayat-ayat begitu. Tapi jangan disebutkan depan saya, saya geli! Atau satu sajak untuk ibunya. Lebih kurang bunyinya begini '..ibu, kalau engkau mentari, aku tidak ingin malam..'

Tak perlukan saya mengisahkan novel itu di sini. Ramai yang sudah membacanya. Bila buku itu ditutup, alangkah mahunya saya menjadi seperti Aisha. Meletakkan agama sebelum segala-galanya. Mencintai Fahri kerana Allah. Mendahulukan suaminya sebelum segala urusan dunia. Saya? Oh, jauh dari itu.

Sebetulnya saya sasarkan 1 buku dalam 1 bulan. Saya selesai membaca 'Growing Up in Terengganu' sebagai memenuhi target Januari, saya sudahi 'Glimpses' oleh Adibah Amin pada Februari, 'Ayat-ayat Cinta' untuk target March. Untuk April saya belum mula apa-apa. Mungkin sekadar majalah National Geographic yang saya beli minggu lepas. Belum tau lagi.