Books...more books please....

One of the thing that I rarely do in KK is visiting the bookstore.  I love books a lot...but then again...I don't know where to get cheap books.  (Yes, I am 'el-cheapo'...there I confessed huhuhuhuhu~)

Visiting to any of the book stores really breaks my heart...because I know there are so many books I wanted to own and read but the price...bikin banyak sakit hati....when the goverment gave out RM200 book vouchers to the uni students I totally envy them...how lucky they are!

Thankfully, last week Leanna dropped by and said she gonna buy me some books and off course I agreed! Hahahaha...so, we went to Popular Bookstore in at Palm Square (in Center Point)...and the hunting begins...

After so many round checks...owh, by the way I got that dress for RM20 only at 1Borneo hehehee...

and a new blue bag for RM18...the scarf is brought during my Brunei trip last year (10BND = 4 pcs)...

Don't ask what's in the plastic bag...hahahahahahahahaa~ and if you notice the blue earrings that Leanna wore is a gift from me...I got it for RM5 from Pacific Ngiu Kee...

(Photo by Pjal)

Okay...after so much thoughts, took a book and putting the other down and repeat the exercise few more times and consider the 'priority' whatever you called it...

Tadaaaaa!!!

I settle down for these 2 books.  My happy face...hehehehehe...

Thank you Leanna for the books!!! <3

Book: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

I had been sick with high fever, flu and cough since yesterday evening. Nothing much I can do except stay indoors, keep myself warm, had mugs of hot jasmine tea and rest. I remembered the book that Aunty Tina borrowed me not so long ago and decided to read it again for the...I can't remember how many times I read it again and again. Well, today I decided to share it with you all book lovers out there.

The Kite Runner is a story of a boy named Amir, who was born in Kabul in 1970's. He has the talent of writing stories, which the family friend, Rahim Khan always encouraged him to pursue his dreams of becoming a writer. Throughout his childhood, all he wanted is to gain his father's attention - winning the kite running competition is a way for him to get what he always wanted.

The crippled Ali, who grew up with Amir's father as long as their remember served their family well. Ali's son, Hassan (who was born with a harelip but soon had a surgery to repair it, funded by Amir's father as a gift) grew up with Amir and served the young master of the house just like his father did. Loyal to his master, Hassan was Amir's playmate and companion wherever he went.

Despite with the constant taunting from the rich kids around the neighborhood of Amir's close relationship with Hassan, which is more like a family member than a servant boy, nothing seem to stop them from being friends until one day, a sad tragedy happened to Hassan which changes their lives forever and Amir never forgive himself ever since.

It was in 1980's that Amir and his father were forced to flee to America during the Russian invasion. It was a new beginning for their lives. Amir met a lady named Soraya, from one of the families that also fled from Afghanistan during the invasion. A short courtship leads to marriage and despite not blessed with children, Amir and his wife lead a happy life.

One day, a letter came from Rahim Khan, now old and sick and asked him to Pakistan to see him. Amir learnt that Kabul is no longer the place he used to know when he was a little boy. The Talibans had deliberately destroy whatever they saw in sight. Massacres and even bombing the orphanage that his father once build, killing all the children.

Amir learnt that Hassan and his family also killed, except for his only son, Sohrab whom has been abducted by the Taliban. Now, it's up to Amir to safe Hassan's son from the clutches of the Taliban and bring him home.

The Kite Runner is a story of redemption and self forgiveness. So if you plan to get this book, make sure you get some tissues ready! Thank you Aunty Tina for sharing this good book with me. =)

Book: Footprints in the Paddy Fields

I am a greedy person. I just can't get enough of books, and will never stop as long as I can get my hands on it. I knew I should have made a simple review of mine from the heaps of books that I bought since the MV Doulous harboured in KK, to the ones that I looted from Bookxcess months ago. It's just that, I don't know how, where to start. But this particular one, laying invitingly on the dining table caught my attention. I grabbed it, sit and read every pages over my hot tea one by one. Each and every pages makes me don't want to stop and before long, I finished the whole book; now eager to make a review of it to share with you all.


Footprints In The Paddy Field, is a reflection of a family portrait and a childhood memory by Tina Kisil, of life dated back to the 50's and 60's in British North Borneo, now known as Sabah. Days where most Dusun people still live in the bamboo huts; where buffaloes, gongs are known as prized possessions; hardworking young maidens are consider as the sought after ones rather than the pretty, delicate ones by suitors into a family; preserving some of the old Dusun beliefs and customs, animism still lurks in the society even during the Christian missionaries already made their way to live among the Borneo people.

As you read page by page, the writer brings you back to an amazing journey how she lives her life with her siblings and parents during that time like a time machine, carefully detailed on each and everything as far as she could remember. Her thoughts, her feelings and things that she saw through her eyes. Thirty-five years later, she lives with her own family in Kota Kinabalu, dedicated her life to countless numbers of students, so as to appreciate the value of education that she once had limited access on.

I am proud to say, the writer is my own aunt. Her uncle that she mentioned living with in the book is my paternal grandfather, who married to her aunt, her father's sister. By reading this book, I found myself seeing another side of the family that I am not that familiar of, and also a little knowledge of my heritage from my grandmother's side. Perhaps, just perhaps....who knows I would be inspired to write a family memoir on my own someday? =p

Anyway, I am reviewing this book is not because of the writer has a family relation with me. It just this book is a doorway for you out there, who wanted to learn more about how the Dusun people live back then, where photos are only taken in black and white, where a 5 dollar note can mean so much to a big family (now I believe my late father used to tell me how much 10 dollars can buy).

For us, the younger generations to have a glimpse how hard life must be back then, no electricity, gas or tap water...or telephone, internet, everything the luxury that we enjoyed now, and be grateful for the things we have that they don't have during those times.

If you wish to have a copy of this book, please visit to your nearest MPH Bookstore and enjoy the journey that I had. Happy reading!

Book: The Other Boleyn Girl

I bought this book for a very cheap price (Only RM9!!!) at MPH Bookstore in Midvalley during my trip with my mom for my sister's convocation last October. I had finished it after only 2 days reading it non-stop, and I can't recall how many times I had re-read it again and again until today. For those who loves the English monarchy, this is the book that suits you.

The Other Boleyn Girl is an excellent portrayal of one of the most fascinating eras in English history, the turbulent reign of Henry VIII. Under Henry's direction, the English Court changes course, breaking from the Roman Church in order to dissolve Henry's marriage to Katherine of Aragon, who cannot provide a living heir to the throne.

The relatives of the great aristocratic families fill the courts and fawn upon the King and are immensely enriched by this association. To this end, various influential nobles position their young female family members to serve the Queen and gain the King's particular attentions. Comely as a young man, Henry VIII is accustomed to garnering the flattery of these young court women.

When Henry first notices Mary Boleyn Carey, he is attracted to her refreshing candor and youthful exuberance as well as her bright-eyed beauty. Mary, already married, is acceptable for a tryst with the King. A dalliance would actually be scandalous were she not married, a virgin and therefore prime for marriage to a noble. Mary's sister, the erudite Anne, recently returned from the French Court, is one of the clever minds pushing Mary to prominence as the King's paramour. The third Boleyn, George, their brother, is also a popular member of the current royal Court. Sisters and brother form the family triumvirate that is an essential element of the intrigue surrounding the eventual dissolution of marriage to Katherine of Aragon that will set a precedent and change the history of England.

Mary is the primary focus of the novel, even when replaced in the King's affections by her duplicitous sister, Anne. Yet Mary remains a trusted royal confidante and servant of her family's interests. George and Mary are instructed by their family to retain their favored positions in support of the clever, if unlikable, Anne. For five long years Anne seduces and challenges Henry, until she herself is crowned Queen. The faithful Mary remains at her sister's side, forced to watch Anne's increasing emotional instability. Eventually, Henry tires of Anne's insufferable temper and constant demands, his attention captured by the seemingly docile and self-effacing behavior of a simpering Jane Seymour. Anne must live with the precedent she's established, swept aside by the King in his desperate pursuit of another fertile woman to provide his male progeny.

Philippa Gregory's characters are intricate and persuasive, the story masterfully told, the plots, counter-plots and political intrigue unending. No less complicated than modern day political affairs, the degree of scheming is truly Machiavellian. Engaging and thought-provoking, Gregory's beautifully imagined novel overflows with greed and ambition, teeming with ignoble characters who bet everything on the whims of a puerile King. The adventure is magnificent.

Other source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Other_Boleyn_Girl