Day 12 - A book you used to love but don't anymore

This is a hard one, but then I will changed this title to suit my needs, so what I am gonna mention on books I used to love but not anymore will be the Shopaholic series.

I love the first book. It was really funny.  I won't deny it. 

However as the series spawned more books, I begin to detest Becky. What is wrong with her that she can't seems to see that her habit is terrible? Why does she takes the meeting (shopaholic anonymous) as something frivolous ? How she had still not learned that because of her shopping, she lands in trouble? And the solution to a shopaholic is to marry a really rich guy so he can support her habit? 

I beginnning to detest the books and Becky because while I don't think that it is anything wrong that people should aspire to be a fictional character, many people seems to think that 'being Becky' is a good thing. I won't deny that sometimes the compulsion to shop is irresistible. It does not happened to just women. Men too (oh please you gadget freak guys). However a lot of people have a serious problem with shopping that amounts to debt that can feed a small nation of African children and the books seems to be so superficial in dealing with Becky problem that I feel like burning her shoes and clothes. 

So for a book that is laughing out loud funny at the first time due to Becky tendency to shop, it is becoming irksome later on as I can't help but tire of her antics in the later books. I don't like to think of myself that way, (never learning of past mistake), and I don't want my friends to be that way too. So Becky I am breaking up with you because you're so vapid I could scream. I like my characters in a series to develop and develop well. You know what is a good chic lit series that the characters grew well? Try to read Meg Cabot, Queen of Babble. The first book deals with a girl so incredibly naive but by book three you can't help but admired how she grew. (That's how I felt btw) . 

Day 11 - A book you hated

I had blogged about this book, but I can't find the post. This is way before Blogger start having tags in their options. 

Plot wise, can't remember, you can google it if you want,but I think it is about a woman grappling about post-birth, babies and so forth. 

Why I hate it? 

I can't remember the story but I remembered how after I put it down, I felt like I had waste a few hours of my life that I can never get back. And I never felt this before with a book. 

I hate the characters, I hate the writing, I hate the story ( like I i said I can't remember the story but I remember I hate the story). 

And for a book I hated, I don't think so I will dwell much more on it than the above. 

Ronery

Hello all. I guess some of you who're not bookworm are all sick n tired of the book meme updates. Too bad. Been enjoying doing it in fact.

Not gonna talk much about that but instead I am gonna whine on how ronery I am. Which is a lie. Because I am waiting for my friend to pick me up anytime now. However because I don't enjoy being stuck in a jam and driving around looking for parking spots I chose to go early ( like several hours early) and basically walk alone. There are times when I enjoy it but not so much today because today is my husband birthday. Happy birthday!

Now resuming back to complaining. Well it gets kinda boring especially walking around in ikea alone. I think we can dine alone, watch movie alone, shop alone. But window shop in ikea alone is not so awesome which goes hand in hand with eating buffet alone. However that is slightly better than playing bowling alone. Because I had once played bowling next lane to a man who are playing alone and man did we speculate. Was he training for a competition? Olympic? Was he burning down some stress or downtime? Or was he just weird.

So people, don't bowl alone.

Anyway I am veering off course. I meant to write here that sometimes when you walk or dine alone you get a chance to hear things you don't normally hear when you are with someone else. Like the guy next table where I am sitting now had just called some girl making excuses to her on how sorry he is that he is late but unable to meet her now because he is busy while his friend is laughing at him. Just an hour ago I overhear a guy asking his date with a note of concern in his voice if Subway would be enough for lunch while the girl goes 'yeah' distractedly. Awwww. So sweet. Or maybe he is concerned that it is not enough for him? Hmmmm.

Telinga pasang besar je bile tadek ape nak dibuat kan?

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Day 10 - Favorite classic book

This is one of the easiest one. Without a doubt is :

Pride and Prejudice is deservedly lauded as one of Austen best work (some people may argue and will cite Emma or Sense or Sensibility, but I personally think Austen is at her best here). I think at the time she is writing this she is still young so dreams are sweeter thus the book have a certain evergreen feeling of optimism, hopefulness with a side commentary on the social life she was used to.

I think I had mentioned before that my love for this book and the author start from the excellent BBC miniseries. I can't say enough how I love that series (please the movie is nothing, compare to the series. Mary is incredibly beautiful in the movie, while she is suppose to be plain and which is why she resorted to be an insufferable know it all to stop people comparing her between her beautiful sisters, poor thing. ).

This is Colin Firth at the heigh of his yummyliciousness. At the time of filming both of the actor and actress had briefly date.

While I can go on and on and on about Pride and Prejudice, I think it is easier to said in point form to why this is my favorite.

• I had read this several times over and never getting bored
• Mr Darcy is incredibly delish in book, series or movie form. ( I prefer Colin Firth)
• The book packed romance, sharpy witticism,  humour. 
• Every characters is deliciously human, as garish as Mrs Bennet is, as haughty as Darcy is, as guileless as Jane is.

The reasons I gave above is so short, but really the book is really something wonderful, which is why it is one of my beloved classic. 

Day 09 - A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving

Well, not exactly 'love' but like it immensely, I did.

The book is Collected Short Stories Vol. 2 by W. Somerset Maugham. Yes it is a collection of short stories and I like it immensely and I don't really prefer short stories. 

I bought this book on the first ever BBW sale. (Sobs. Kalau ade book sale di obscure places and En. Shamani tiada untuk jadi driver, terpaksa la aku terkulat-kulat GPS-ing the location, walaupon my ability to read map is slightly better than my ability to read Mandarin).

I have no idea why I bought it, but I was intrigued by the picture of the Malay guy in front. I like reading about British life, and more intrigued to know about the British colonial life. Saying that, after I picked it up, I felt the book is going to be a bore. I mean 19th century writer usually used long winding words and were frightfully bored eh. 

Therefore imagine my surprise on the first story I was completely engrossed and laughing out loud. I did not expect it, but it is a pleasure to know that I did not waste my money on this book. 

Not all writers are able to write witty/gut wrenching write short stories. Maugham manage to do that. His stories range from the laughable to sadness to haunting. Falling in love, murder in the jungle, high society 19th century life, those are just some stories in the book and all of the stories are written well and completely enjoyable. 

Googling him I found out that he wrote a lot of short stories during his life and several novels but short stories was his forte. After reading the book, you completely know why. He is now an author that I wish to get to know his work well and will be on the lookout for his works. 

Day 08 - Most overrated book

There were several books that came to mind, but I think this one is my personal favorite of "I don't know why people said it is so funny"

I bought and read the book due to:

1. Zombies

2. Many people favorable reviews

While the book does not sucks, it does not leave me clutching at my side holding my stomach from laughter. Most of the times I am just 'meh'. It got some pretty amusing moments and some of the ending for the characters end more satisfactorily than the original book. Also I found Elizabeth as annoying and wishing she would just shut up which I never thought of in the original book; as haughty as she was.

Perhaps my expectation was high due to many favorable reviews or maybe my funny bone just work differently but I can't help thinking that people are loving this because it spins something new ( there are now countless other reimagining of classic and monsters) but I can't seem to muster a laugh or interest in this particular reimaginings plot.

Day 07 - Most underrated book

This is one of the hardest topic for me. I almost want to skip this but that would be cheating. I can't think of any book that can be called as underrated. Some are obscure, yes, but it is deserving of being obscure. I am not involved enough in the book community to know if a book is well-received or not. 

Then I suddenly thought of Georgette Heyer, A Civil Contract. An author and the book that I kinda love but I rarely heard people gushing/talking about. 

The synopsis are:

The romantic plot centers on a viscount who reluctantly enters a marriage of convenience with a wealthy commoner's daughter.

While I used to love Georgette Heyer books due to the predictable romantic formula rich guy meet not so rich girl, not exactly love at first sight but fall in love madly. This story is more realistic. The guy marry a rich girl to save his family. The girl is not a great beauty. In fact she is very plain and in the chubby side. 

It deals with what to do when our dream falls to pieces and we are left to deal with harsh reality. (While granted this harsh reality is not exactly dirt poor/traumatic experience type of harshness) . I love the book I love all the characters, even the flighty, vapid one. The thing about Georgette Heyer is that even her most weakest character are redeemable. 

While I love this book, why I classed this 'underrated'? Like I said, I gathered Heyer was/is rather popular because she got her ardent followers. However to my recollections her books are rarely mentioned or gushed about. So I place her in the underrated, because while it is not exactly Austen with her sharp wit, Heyer have her moments and this is one of her stronger book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading several times over. 

Day 06 - A book that makes you sad

The Road by Cormac McCarthy.                                          

Why I chose this book? I'll just take an excerpt from my review of the book (which you can read if you are ever so curious)  that I did few years back. 

 This book gave me nightmare. It sucked you in, make you feel hopeless and the world is empty and devoid of humanity when time get desperate. There are time, when I have to literally put the book down because I feel suffocated reading it. Maybe it is my overactive imagination. But I tell you, I find it rare that a book can evoke so much hopelessness when reading it.

It is not just sadness, but overbearing sadness. I can't stand reading the book, but I'll still continue on to see if they make it. There is nothing happy in the book, but I don't regret reading it either.

Day 05 - A book that makes you happy

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding.

From the start of the page when Bridget list down her resolutions for the new year, it reeled you in, hooked you and by 10 pages within leave you howling with laughter.

Which is why I chose it as the book that makes me happy. Bridget is neurotic, self absorbed but totally lovable because she really wants to do good but ended up totally goofing it off. That is basically the premise of the book. Of a charming, klutzy 30+ years old grappling with singlehood where neither love nor career seems to be working out. 

If I feel like I need a pick-me-up book, this is the book I'll take down from the shelf, curl up on a sofa with food in hand and read. It always make me laugh. I'll finished the book feeling refreshed and awesome because that's how it is. My sister love the book too and we had spent a night just talking and laughing on ridiculous things that Bridget had done. Not many book can make you do that I gathered. Sometimes I can suddenly just laughed out of nowhere by just remembering various excerpts  from the book. Bridget can find something hilarious when things are falling apart around her. I can only hope I can be the same.

While the move is v. good indeed, almost following the book, nothing quite beat the book. It is funnier and packed more ridiculous moment for you to enjoy. 

I mean this is of course THE book that supposedly creates the chic lit aisle. When people mentioned that they love chic lit and have not yet read Bridget Jones, I am like.. go and buy the book now! And that is my advice to you. 

Day 04 - Favorite book of your favorite series

Anne of the Island. Another owned books that looked like dire and old, but well beloved. 

I have a hard time choosing which Anne books I love more. I chose this because this is one of my most beloved story in the series. 

The reason is simple enough, the romance. 

This is the book Anne struggles on her feelings for Gilbert and her life at college. Reading on her life at college it seems like living the college life in the 1800s is not much difference from living the college life in 2000s. They still suffered through the stresses of boys, friendships, exams, professors. Only we don't have balls. Why we don't have balls??? 

I love her friendships with the other girls and I love the idyllic settings Kingsport that'd been described by Montgomery. Also this is the book where Anne finally grow up and become a woman. When I read this book, I feel like there is a blush creeping up in my cheeks. This book brings to mind, pure, true love and great friendships. That is a story I can never be bored with. 

Day 03 - Your favorite series

This does not need much thinking.

My most beloved series and possession of books are:

My sister who are the one who gave me Anne of Green Gables when I was in primary. She said she knows I would love it. I read it fall headlong in love with Anne. I love Anne, I want to be Anne and I wish she was my friend. Then there was the Canadian series I think, which if any one of you who love Anne as much as I do, should try to look for. It was wonderful and after watching it I wanted to know more!

I never knew Anne was a series of books when I was small, I thought there is only Anne of Green Gables and that's it. Then during raya I went to a relative house and my eyes caught on a the tv table a book titled " Anne of Avonlea." My mom and the makciks are eating and chatting the delicious kuih raya (that particular house have the most delicious home made raya cookies ever. They have like 10 raya cookies and all are home made even til now), but all I could think of as " I want to read that book!". But I never said it aloud but silently avowed to look at it myself whenever I am in a bookshop. I think only a year later I manage to find it. (I was small and never ask for things but rather look for it myself whenever I got the chance to go to a bookshop). 

Ever since then whenever I went to a bookshop, I always looked for 'M' for Montgomery to look for my Anne series. It is always in chronological order. If I got book 1 to 3, and the bookshop only have book 5, I won't buy book 5 unless I got the book 4. So it took me a while to get the whole 8 books. I think only during the last years of UTP (university) that I finally finished collecting the series. 

One of the oldest and most frequently read books I ever owned. Looked at the condition! This is why I now wrap my books.

In the mean time, I read and re-read all of the Anne series every year, never bored , always smiling and sometimes crying whenever I read the book. I had replaced the first Anne of Green Gables book because it was such in poor condition (pages falling off) and now I may need to replace it a third time as it had been so frequently read that the pages are starting to fall off again. I think I will buy the series whole and put it away because all of the current books are in bad condition. 

People say my vocabulary is good. You know why? Because Anne loves big vocabulary. As she get older and wiser she knows simple words are more powerful, and so did I. But once in a while my childish Anne got the better of me and I used big words just because it is big. 

So from now on, you may see a lot of Anne or other L.M Montgomery series popping up in the list because this is the extent of how I love the books and the story. 

Day 02 - A book that you've read more than 3 times

There are a lot of books that I read and reread and some I even had lost count on how many times I had read it. However I opt not to mention those books since I'll be mentioning some of them later on. And I opt for this because I want to include some chic lits in the mix.

The book is : The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.

I honestly can't remembered if I read the book first or watch the movie, however I know that I prefer the book more. 

Minor spoilers ahead (to those who have not watch the movie or read the book)

I read and re-read it during my first years of working. My first few years of working had been, torturous and full of uncertainties. This book seems to speak to me and comforted me in thinking that even working in a glamourous place, your work can sucks.

I like Andy journey into her career and reading it amused me, frustrates me and all in all entertains me. Why I like to reread it? Like I said, it entertains me but also frustrates me. I am not exactly in agreement over Andy decision and many would clamored over her opportunities, so to see her walk away due to principles I am kinda like throwing my hands up in frustration. So I put away the book and after some time had pass, I forgot my frustration on the ending, I picked up the book again to be entertained and relived Andy experience yet again. 

As much as people deride chic lit, this is a well written book. A coming of age sorts of journey and a great read for girls who are in the start of their career. And I am never bored reading it. Writing this again make me think of the book, and felt like picking it up again. Those who had not read it, I seriously recommend it.

Day 01 - Best book you read last year

2010 was not really a good year for me in term of reading books. I have no idea why, but perhaps the books that I chose was mostly mediocre. It was mostly chic lits and books that do not meet my expectations. Also, I have a hard time remembering most of the books I read. So if you can't remember the book you read, it does not make much of an impact right?

So choosing the best book I read last year, I come up with the Golden Compass trilogies by Phillip Pullman.

  am not sure when did I actually start reading it, but I finished it around January or February 2010. And I'll just encompass the whole 3 books into one, because really it is one continuous story. 

Why I choose it as the best? I think the reason is easily done in point form

• The characters are complex, deeply flawed and marvelously human. 

• I like Lyra. She is manipulative, deceptive but have a clear sense of right and wrong, though the way that she does things is not exactly a do gooder would do. 

• The stories are amazing. I like it if I can't predict the story and the story goes into an unexpected way.

• And most of all, the reason why I chose it as the best is because even though a year had past, I kept on remembering bits and extract of the books. I sometimes found myself thinking of the worlds. When I looked at the stars, sometimes I thought of Dust. It left an impact. Any book that does that, had been created well.

30 days of Book Meme

I want to do this. I looked at other people meme and many of them are so so good. And some I completely agree with and I can't continue reading the other memes until I'll finish or at least halfway finish with mine without agreeing and putting the same book on the list which defeats the fun fun fun part of it.

So Adek, Sue, Jane and whoever on here who still read my blog and love books, jom buattttt. I would love to read yours. ( I think Effi turned up his nose on meme. ). 

The only thing left is, whether to do it on Tumblr or Blogger. And I'll think I'll start on Monday for easier counting! And I am raking my brains on the Day 1: Best book you read last year. For the simple reason of I can't remember what books I read last year. 

Hence the importance of reviewing books after I finish em because my memory is like a leaky cauldron.  I also think I need to put separate tags on books review. And by Monday I'd looked through my books to ascertain which one I'll put on this list.

Whee!!! Tiba-tiba excited nak belog balik.

And for moi, and others, the below are the complete list.

Day 01 - Best book you read last year
Day 02 - A book that you've read more than 3 times
Day 03 - Your favorite series
Day 04 - Favorite book of your favorite series
Day 05 - A book that makes you happy
Day 06 - A book that makes you sad
Day 07 - Most underrated book
Day 08 - Most overrated book
Day 09 - A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving
Day 10 - Favorite classic book
Day 11 - A book you hated
Day 12 - A book you used to love but don't anymore
Day 13 - Your favorite writer
Day 14 - Favorite book of your favorite writer
Day 15 - Favorite male character
Day 16 - Favorite female character
Day 17 - Favorite quote from your favorite book
Day 18 - A book that disappointed you
Day 19 - Favorite book turned into a movie
Day 20 - Favorite romance book
Day 21 - Favorite book from your childhood
Day 22 - Favorite book you own
Day 23 - A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven't
Day 24 - A book that you wish more people would've read
Day 25 - A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 - A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 - The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 - Favorite title
Day 29 - A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 - Your favorite book of all time

Been Busy Reason #2

Been busy reading. I got started reading the second book of Betsy the Vampire Queen series and keep on going. I'd complained before that I don't like the first book. It was kind of crass and sometimes just makes me feel ickish. However the second and so got better and I kinda like the books now.

In spirit of my newly vigour in reading I gotten (well more like somebody else) myself the sequels to the Darkest Power trilogy by Kelley Armstrong. The first book kept me so interested that I can't wait to get my hands on its sequel. Oh and those are Young Adults books. That zombies book is also something I just needed to have. More about that later after I read it.

Which brings to mind that I'd finished quite a number of books and have not reviewed any of them for a while. Not like any of you care. Hermmm. Maybe I can muster a quick and brief reviews.

Well then I am going to immerse myself in the world of a silly and vain vampire. Which is why I am typing this quickly on my phone because if I stay in front of the computer, I'll be glued there for hours.

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Been Busy

With my brother wedding preparations. Selamat sudah. Habis aje wedding sume orang dalam family terus demam. Penat sangat I think.

The stress do not end. On the wedding day, orang yang mesin rumput around the home manage to break the my car window to a million pieces. Sigh. And just now, a young boy somehow lose control of his motorcycle and rammed into my husband car, denting it. Adakah kami atau kereta2 kami perlu dimandi bunga ini?

Bangkrap wehh

Of Holiday

I need to blog about the holiday. Tapi masih rasa malas. I ain't feeling like working, and at least balik office ni tadekle keje menimbun.

My husband is on holiday at the moment and fixing various things that needed to be fixed at home. The cats are home at last, but sementara kucing2 masih tiada, I manage to feed some strays di belakang rumah. There's this small orange cat that always sit around at the back of the house looking so thin that I couldn't help myself but feed him/her. (My husband maintained its a her, I maintained its a him ). Currently he responded to the name "Oren". I am secretly hatching a plan to neuter or spay him. Someone made a resolution in the PF forum to spay or neuter a random cat at least once a year to help curb population and abandoned kitties, it is maybe a good way to start. Bile kucing ada di rumah, it is a bit of a hassle to feed the stray because they are not welcoming. Mengada-ngade sungguh. Dedua datang dari longkang jugak.

It had been a good holiday, but kinda tiring. When will a holiday be relaxing? I sometimes think, during work days lagi relaxing dari holiday. Bile holiday naik kereta berjam-jam, jalan sana-sini beli barang, staying at some uncomfortable hotel. Maybe holiday-ing at KL? Duduk di luxurious hotel being pampered by spa, massage and room service. But I am one of the few people who do not like spa. I don't like the thoughts of random stranger touching me. Husband boleh. When I went for a massage in Siem Reap dulu, the masseuse was kinda frustrated because I am too tense. Heh, this suddenly brings to mind "Creepy Massage Guy" from HIMYM.

When I was in some kayak club/exploration thingies back in school, after a session we were required to stand in line and massage the shoulder of the person in front of us. I volunteered to be at the back of the line every time. That was the ok part of the team activity. Once for team bonding, a group of 12 or so, was asked to share a Twiggies. Semua wajib to take a bite. Still ok, compare to another group of 12 that have to share one tiny M&M. Apa nak dishare dengan M&M? Boleh lick aje. Euw.

p/s: Topik sudah lari jauh dari ape yang dibelog

so lazy

I wish I could stay here forever, but only because I am not looking forward to the boat ride tomorrow.

You people who don't have motion sickness. You don't know how lucky you're.

Because of this unfortunate 'malady', I am giving the open sea snorkelling a miss because I don't think my stomach can take it. Stomach, you are such a bore.

In the mean time, I am enjoying the sea still. Seeing the rollicking waves, I can't help thinking how something this beautiful, could also be so deadly.

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You know what is a bitch

... when they close 1 road down in KL and the whole KL traffic goes to hell. I predict we ain't even gonna reach to our meeting place at 6pm this morning.

... when your skin is so sensitive that you can't wear the very expensive eye cream that you bought because it makes your eyes watery and the skins under the eyes itchy.

... you are late to work and your cat had just puke green slimy stuff all over the kitchen.

And eh, no other things to rant about. Because the above complains make me feel ungrateful, and in the spirit of TGIF, let's list the one thing I am grateful to counter the negative.

... KL traffic , I am grateful for - No. I can't think of any good things to say about KL traffic because I am dreading the way back home tonight.

... sensitive skins - while my skin is sensitive it is also quite hassle free. I don't have MUCH acne problems (tho it is starting to flare up now) and I can wear any products as long as I am careful, except for the eye areas.

... I am grateful that even though I am late to work, my working hour is so flexible that everybody came at 10 am anyway ( ehem.. I sometimes stroll in at 11, like today).

So that's that. Besok shopping! (Kalau husband baca mesti die trembling in terror. I promise not to over buy things. Kut )

Inkworld

Hurrying writing a new post sementara keje on hold dan performance review belom set tarikh lagi.

So because I'd been wanting to review Inkworld trilogy. Here it goes.

Summary:

• Inkheart - I think most you know the story from the movie. A voice of certain people when read out loud can make the stories from the book came true.

• Inkspell - For this book, the family read themselves into the story of Inkheart and shenanigan  adventures happened.

• Inkdeath -The adventures from Inkspell continued. Basically fixing the stories and beating the bad guys. 

Wow. That is a pretty short summary. And I guess a short review is in order too. In point form la because I have stuffy nose, and that resulted in foggy brain.

Point form reviews: 

• I much rather watch the movie. It is much more nicer. Well, for Inkheart anyway. 

• The character Meggie is so annoying and selfish and whiny that once in a while I felt like slapping her. 

• I have no vested interest in any of the characters. Which maybe why I am uninterested to turn the page. 

• I also could not see why the story is so popular. Then I realized that it is originally in German and maybe some of the beauty are lost in translation.

• That being said, I am actually impressed with all the dark stuffs going on in the books. While Book 1 it seems like the good guys beat the bad guys. Book 2 and almost to the end of Book 3, is depressing. You don't feel that light and good are winning in the story. 

• While I did say I have no vested interest in the characters, the most interesting, complex and attractive characters I found in the book is Violante. I would love to get to know her more. She is a complex character that is full of flaws yet everything about her seems to stand out. Write a book about her!

Verdict : 

That being said. I enjoyed Inkheart (somewhat), enjoyed the early part of the Inkspell and the ending of the Inkdeath. However I felt it a bit lacking, maybe due to the characters. I find it a bit draggy. Maybe the book is too thick (mine is 3 books in one, not gonna buy like that anymore. Hard to bring everywhere and read while lying down), however if I found myself putting the book down, I am not incline to pick it up again. Maybe it appeals to a younger demographic, who knows? But I myself unabashedly love YA books. So the Inkworld trilogy felt like finding yourself eating a hot piping ramen in a rainy day and you feel like there is something missing in it to make you want to slurp the whole thing down in 1 gulp.