My Treasure

The great Big Bad Wolf Books Sale of 2013 has ended yesterday! The 24-hour arrangement was ingenious, allowing more freedom to choose what time to visit the sale which in turn made the hall less packed. Last year's sales visitors will know what I mean.

I told myself not to buy too many books this year. And I did. 25 books weren't that many compared to the box and luggage full by others, right? And four of those books were for my nieces when they start reading English, so in actuality I bought 21 books for myself.

What's my haul for this year?

My haul so far...

Went to the Big Bad Wolf Books sale, twice. Tiring? Sure! The congestion from getting into the parking area was enough to sap anyone's energy, and that was before walking around the hall with a box full of books looking for more! But seeing all those books stacked everywhere was worth the effort.

Entrance to a happy place

Stupid and careless mistake (Someone else, not me)

Last night I came upon a review on Big Bad Wolf Books (BBWB) by a Ms Chong from KL, complaining about the Preview Passes given to winners to visit the book sale today. She had the facts all wrong and I would like clarify this on behalf of my favorite book sale event.

Bittersweet

Again, almost two months after my last post. I've gotten lazy in writing my blog now. Actually spending more time reading, but progress so-so only though.

Why am I here now? To talk about Big Bad Wold Books sale again, which will start on 6 December, just two days away. Everyone who knows about the sale would also know that the organiser gives away preview passes by taking part in its contests, sharing its Facebook posts, etc. Last year, I've tried everything to get my hands on a preview pass but to no avail. This year, I won a pass without even knowing.

Have to spread the word!!

It's been almost two months since my last post (so long already??). I guess I got lazy lately and didn't feel like posting so frequently (I admit, two months is a bit of a stretch), but I don't think anyone missed me, right? Ok, feeling a bit depressed now...

Anyway, there's a great news I heard last night that I think I ought to post it here whether or not anybody reading this. I'm sure many people know that the Big Bad Wolf Books sale is coming this December, right? Check out the following images and see if you can spot the difference.

Just four. [Updated]

That's how many books I bought from the BookFest 2013 that just ended yesterday. But with just these four books, I saved RM 128.73 as compared to buying at full retail.

Popular-The Star Readers’ Choice Awards result [2nd update]

The result of the Popular-The Star Readers’ Choice Awards for 2013 was announced on 3 August. Sadly, Tan Twan Eng came in at second place in the fiction category. I was so hoping for him to win. Perhaps I was being biased, having not read the other books in the category to make a fair choice. But I was quite optimistic that he would win, with his book being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and won both the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize and Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.

Need I say more?

My mom, a gamer??

My mom is officially addicted to video games!

While she is not playing any popular role-playing, action/adventure games in the market such as Diablo, Fallout, Resident Evil or Tomb Raider (although I'll admit it would be so cool if she does), she's fully immersed in Luxor,  Zuma and Shoot Bubble Deluxe and is quite good at them.

Giving myself a brain hemorrhage

Reading an old American literature written in the late 1800's, e.g. "The Red Badge of Courage", was a bit hard for me, not used to the way books were written back then as I tried to understand what I read. So I was, unwitting, beating myself in the head again when I try to read something written even earlier, in the 1850's, i.e. "Walden", which is way thicker than the previous book.

Mystery sleeper in the station

This happened yesterday morning as I was on my way to work. As usual, I arrived at the Putra LRT station at Taman Paramount super early. Taking the escalator up to the platform, I saw this Indian guy (obviously a homeless) sleeping on the concrete slab just above the bus waiting area. Me, along with others who saw him too, wondered how in the world did he got up there.

Arriving back at the station after work, I walked around the place where the Indian slept and found out how. Took some photos too.

Slow reading required

If you're not accustomed to old American literature, reading "The Red Badge of Courage" make take some getting use to. I had to read it slowly to understand the book and took me over two weeks to finish despite it being deceptively thin for a novel.

Mini library in the office

Did I ever mention that a colleague of mine started a mini library project in our office? No? Well, she did and so far there's quite a selection available now, contributions from everyone who enjoys reading.

He won!!

Great news!! Tan Twan Eng won the Walter Scott prize for historical fiction with his second book "The Garden of Evening Mists"!! Hoorah!!!

Tan receiving his prize

A new used book shop

There's a new used book store at the second level of Amcorp Mall.

Living green

Want to know what it would take to live green? This book might give you some ideas.

Alternative cover

An alternative cover of Tan Twan Eng's first book "The Gift of Rain" was revealed!

It's a bird! It's a plane!. It's...

The upcoming Superman movie, named "Man of Steel", will be released on 14 June 2013.

What's next?

After reading a soul-soothing and emotional book, time for something purely entertaining and exciting!

The Garden of Evening Mists

Finally finished reading "The Garden of Evening Mists" last Wednesday! How did I feel after finishing? Satisfied! The same way I felt after reading "The Gift of Rain".

Not a good week so far...

It has not been a good week so far. Water leaked into my car when there's heavy rain; the refrigeration gas has depleted, therefore no air-con in car; accidentally locked the online account of my mobile service provider because I forgot my password. Now have to contact my service provider and have my car fixed this weekend...

How I spent my Labour Day

'Nuff said!

Limited Edition from Kinokuniya

Yesterday, I went straight to Kinokuniya after work and look for the limited edition The Garden of Evening Mists. Conveniently located just next to the entrance, it's impossible for anyone to miss it.

I couldn't agree more!

Something said by Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng that I couldn't agree more:

“The popularity of e-book readers will keep rising, but I believe that a beautifully produced book, one that was created with a great deal of care and attention to detail, will always find a home on the book-lover’s shelf.”
Quoted from The Star Online, 28 April 2013.

Surviving the apocalypse

The post-apocalyptic worlds that we've seen showing in the movies and TVs lately were zombie infestation, viral outbreaks, alien invasions, doomsday prophecies, etc. It's getting a bit over-repetitive and boring, too much drama, and there were so many of such movies that came out before and after our supposedly the end of the world (Remember 21 December 2012?). I suppose that why reading this book was much more refreshing and has more sense of reality to it.

Another great news for Tan Twan Eng!

Our proud Malaysia author Tan Twan Eng's second book The Garden of Evening Mists was shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction!!

Two great books to read next!!

My next two books to read:

Man In The Dark

What would you do if you can’t sleep at night? Drink some warm milk? Do some light exercise? Listen to the radio? Stay in bed and do absolutely nothing? August Brill had no choice but to stay in bed that night. But he wasn’t doing absolutely nothing. He tells himself a story. Not just because he tried to keep his mind occupied while waiting for sleep to come, but to stop himself from thinking about the tragedies that happened to him, his daughter and grand-daughter.

"Cargo"

Saw this short film on Facebook today. I was so touched by the story tears started rolling in my eyes.

Meeting Tan Twan Eng

Yup! That's me and our proud Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng! Lol...

2013 Man Asian Literary Prize winner coming to MPH Subang Parade!

Funny, being a self-proclaimed book lover and I totally forgot to mentioned about our proud Malaysian writer winning the 2013 Man Asian Literary Prize, Tan Twan Eng. He'll be showing at MPH Subang Parade on 7 April 2013.

I've read his first book "The Gift of Rain" and I loved it! I'm hoping to buy "The Garden of Evening Mists" soon. Maybe I'll go there this Sunday, bring my copy of his first book, buy his second book and have him autograph both! That'd be cool!

Have you been brainwashed to smoke cigarette?

Malaysians read 8-12 books in 2010

Remember your roots

Glory and Guilt

A long-delayed review of two books I've finished reading long ago, and I'm already half-way through my current book too.

PENANGITES REJOICE!!

BBWB Aftermath Sale 2013

The Aftermath Sale was held between 28 February and 4 March 2013 at the MIECC. The same location as the phenomenal BBWB sale last year, albeit in a smaller hall.

Used bookstore closed

I was visiting Amcorp Mall during the weekend after CNY. Heading towards my favourite bookstore, I noticed Bookstreams, a used bookstore next to Kenny Rogers Roasters, was closed. The banner that used to hang outside the store was missing and renovations have already started. All the books were gone.

From beginning until... the end??

How ironic it was to be reading an article about how DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace founded Reader's Digest, when Reader's Digest Association filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time.

My Samsung Galaxy S3

Finally, I have upgraded my mobile device to a "proper" smartphone, a Samsung Galaxy S3!! I said "proper" since my previous phone the Nokia E5, while still considered a smartphone, was quite low-tech and uses the Symbian system, which was way out-of-date. Now, I'm among the many smartphone users out there that will constantly do the finger-swiping action. Lol...

The Last Hunt

Two-month break

No, I'm not taking a two-month break from reading or writing my blog. I'm talking about a rather well-known home cooking restaurant near my home. You may have heard or even dine there before. It's called 鼎丰家乡菜.

What will happen if we're gone?

It's a mere coincidence that I read this book just after the end-of-the-world craze last year. This book talks about what would happen to our planet if the human race was to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth.

Another cool video from Walk Off The Earth

I'm sure many YouTube users are familiar with an indie group called Walk Off The Earth and their one-guitar performance of Somebody That I Used to Know that went viral in early 2012. If you think that's cool, you should really check out this video too. Super Cool!!

Swear fest!!

After reading the first few pages, first thing came to my mind was, "You kiss your mom with that mouth?!"

Reader's Digest 2012 Special Edition

Reader's Digest published a special edition for 2012, an Editors' Choice Best of the Best where 18 stories were chosen throughout the magazine's 90 years of publication.

A brand new year!