Dec 15, 2012

Carry-Ons

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Do you bring the book(s) you’re reading with you when you go out? How? Physically, or in an e-reader of some kind? Have your habits in this regard changed? (I know I carried books with me more when I was in school than I do now–I can’t read while I’m driving to work, after all.)
I havent done BTT for ages… hehe.. but really liked that question, so i thought i’d join in the fun.. 
Actually, when i was younger, i didnt know that it was okay to bring a book with you when you go out. That other people are doing it. Haha. I do always bring a along a book when i take the flight, especially back when i used to travel to Singapore a lot. 
Then i discovered ebooks! i started with my Sony Reader (& now using ipad) & it was so easy to slip that into my handbag, that i always had it with me even when i dont have the time to stop & read.
I’ve also transferred some of my ebooks into my smartphone, not ideal for long period of reading, but for that few minutes that i could spare, it’s really handy to be reading rather than staring into space or fiddling with games (i’m not much into games as you can imagine).. 
So now i cant go anywhere without having something to read on hand, either on my phone or my ipad. And it allows me to read more when i travel, when before, i would be stuck with only one physical book & nothing to read once i’ve finished it. I would love to have a reader like kindle fire (since my Sony Reader is now defunct), but my ipad is really more than enough. there’s too many to read, too little time that i have as it is… haha… 

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Jul 7, 2011

Family..

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"What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless. It wasn't just about blood relations or shared chromosomes, but something wider, bigger. We had many families over time. Our family of origin, the family we created, and the groups you moved through while all of this was happening: friends, lovers, sometimes even strangers. None of them perfect, and we couldn't expect them to be. You can't make any one person your world. The trick was to take what each could give you and build your world from it."
— Sarah Dessen

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Jan 20, 2011

Wings

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Wings (Wings, #1)Wings by Aprilynne Pike

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'm pleasantly surprised that i like this book. I started reading Wicked Lovely, but it wasnt quite as intesting to me. Could be because the language is too teen-lingo? maybe.



It started with Laurel's first day at school after years of homeschooling. She's always been different, but never gave it much thought. She met David, a friendly classmate who's into science. She woke up one morning with a bump on her back, which turned out to be a wing-like flower and resulted in the revelation that she is actually a plant/faerie. With the help of a male-faerie, Tamani, she learned about her background & how she ended up being adopted by humans.



I liked the flow of the story & also how the author weaved in the love-triangle. However, i still ca3nt imagine the wing-like flower, which wilted after a period & the whole faerie-world yet. Maybe the next book will bring some light on it.





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Jul 18, 2010

Monster Alert

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In view of the vampire-craze these days, with Eclipse showing in cinemas, i thought i'd review some of the vampire-related books that i've read recently.

1. Twilight Saga
If you still havent heard of Twilight, you've clearly had your head in the sands lately.. hehe.. Just watched Eclipse in the cinema & it was quite impressive as a movie.. But as usual, it's not quite what i imagine like from the book.. of course the book was much, much better, how can you compare it?..

As high as Twilight is on my radar, i think it's not my no1..




2. Vampire Academy
This is right now, is my no.1 vampire series. Not sure why though, hehe.. but i guess i like the balance in the storyline, between the action & romance part of it..
Wah, just realised that they're planning to make a movie.. Huh? Ben Barnes as Dimitri? Noooo....!!!


3. House of Night
The first few series of this book was so-so.. but then the storyline picked up & now i cant wait to read the 7th (Burned) & 8th (Awakened) book of the series. However, out of all the vampire stories, this one has a lot more love complications to say the least.. haha..





4. True Blood / Southern Vampire Series
Same with Vampire Diaries, i've yet to read the books. But i heard that the books are pretty good, although the books & tv version are quite different. Obviously the tv drama is meant very much for adults viewing only.. Okay la.. can layan.. hehe..




5. Vampire Diaries
I've seen a few episodes of the tv drama, but i've yet to read the books. However, the few pages that i've read from The Awakening, doesnt sounds very interesting. Popular blond girl gets upset when the new cute guy in school is not interested in her? Duh.. Starting storyline already sounds boring..
Tv version, i'm not sure how interesting is it, but the characters are cute.. hehe.. will reserve my judgement on it first..





6. Undead series
I've read a few of MaryJanice Davidson's Undead series & it's absolutely hilarious.. I think i've read another similar funny-vampire-story-type, but wasnt as interesting..








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Jul 6, 2010

Musing Monday Jul 5

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What are you currently reading? Would you recommend it to others? Is it part of a series (if so, which one)? What are you thinking about it? What book(s) would you compare it to, if any?


I just finished reading The Magician's Guild, The Novice & The High Lord from the Black Magician trilogy, based on Mrs BF's recommendation.. It's actually quite good, something different than the current vampire-craze. Err, although i am unashamedly part of the craze also.. hehe..

What books i'd compare it to? Hmm.. i cant think of any, although it is magic-related. Not quite Harry Potter, although it is about a young girl's journey to learn magic.























P/s: Read all about our 50-Books-a-year challenge in the news.

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Jun 28, 2010

The Largest Outdoor Reading Event

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Last saturday, i joined the event organised by PPAS at Taman Tasik Shah Alam. It was announced in our GRMY forum by one of our members, BunnyBaby (who is also part of the organisors).

A few of us from the GRMY decided to take this opportunity to join in the event & meet up at the same time. However, since it was announced at the last minute, most already had plans so could not make it.

I arrived at the location at around almost 8am. While waiting to register my name (& to collect the cap & bookmark & food coupon), received a message from Khairul, saying that he had booked lot 25 for us GRMY folks. Mind you i have not meet any of these GoodReads folks before & most of us did not use our own pictures/faces as our avatar (me included).. good thing there wasnt as many people around yet, so i easily could guess which was Khairul.

The 2 of us spread out our mats, but was chased away by the usher coz Lot 25 was booked for Jabatan Pengairan (or something like that). Good thing that we were "registered" under Bunnybaby as "staff & families", so he allowed us to set up camp at Lot 35. Much later, we were joined by Najibah & her family plus Mr Thamrong/Hamizao & their granddaughter.

To be recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records, each participant was to read something for 1 hour, once the "gong" has commenced. Mostly brought their own books, some had newspapers, others magazine. The ushers also passed around some magazines for those who did not bring any reading materials.

At first, most folks was busy setting up camp.. having breakfast.. taking photos.. but once it started, everyone (at least most people) started reading.. a funny thing i overheard, about 1/2hr into the reading time, a guy behind me was surprised that he's only been reading for 1/2hr & saying that it's too long to reach an hour of reading.. haha.. i normally spend too much/long on reading, especially when i'm suppose to go to sleep..

After the 1 hour, we packed up to leave & said our goodbyes.. i dropped by to meet/say hi to Bunnybaby & ended up chatting with her for the next 2hours.. I havent meet too many people that i can talk non-stop with on the first encounter :) so it's a pleasant surprise. Of courses, we have been "chatting" online for a while beforehand..

Anyway, it's always fun to meet up with like-minded people. At least now we have a face to match to these folks that we talk to in GRMY.. :)


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Musing Monday Jun 28

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This week’s musing asks…

What do you think of books that receive a lot of hype? (think of the “Twilight” saga, or “Harry Potter”, or “The Da Vinci Code”). Do you read them? Why, or why not?

Some of these books are actually pretty good... but so far that i've encountered (& not many at that so i could be a little bias), are well.. not the greatest really.. chances are, i would want to see for myself what makes so & so books "hype"-ful, so yes, i would probably read them & then make up my mind about it..

However, i did read the Twilight saga, Harry Potter & Da Vince Code way before it got huge.. i really liked these books, but not obsessed.. And i have seen how obsessed some people are (for Twillight).. *shake head*...


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Jun 6, 2010

Bed of Roses

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Just finished reading Nora Robert's Bed of Roses.. I have to say, this Bride Quartet is one of my favourite non-supernatural books of Nora Roberts.. :)


Also, i'm totally envious of the women.. having their own business & their own space.. if i had skills such as that, i would love to do the same.. it would be great to be doing something that you love on daily basis, rather than "makan gaji" like i'm doing.. dont get me wrong, i like my job, just dont love it that's all..

and i've been so distracted lately, not sure why.. maybe coz i'm totally swamped, doing things i dont like.. which i absolutely hate & it makes me want to go off & do other things.. darn..

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Apr 6, 2010

Musing Monday Mar 29

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Oh no.. i havent update my poor blog for soooo long... hehe.. i've got tons to tell, & nothing to write.. haha.. one of the point of having the blog in the first place was to sort that out actually.. guess not quite working, huh... ? ;)


So let's start with an easy one.. i know this is a bit outdated question, but what the heck..

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about multitasking.

Do you – or are you even able – to do other things while you read? Do you knit, hold a conversation, keep an eye on the TV? Anything?


Ahaks.. i, unfortunately do do other stuffs when i read.. the main one is usually the tv.. my mum used to be so puzzled as to how i can follow thru both the book & the show's storyline at the same timee.. haha.. but then she's the type who can only concentrate on one thing at a time..

music - of course.. back when i was in school i used to be unable to study without having my radio with me, which drives my mum nuts coz she just cant understand it... but she came around eventually.. even tried to compensate it by going all out looking for the right type of music to stimulate the brain.. baroque, instrumental, that kind of stuff.. dont know if it was the music, probably not.. but i supposed i did okay back then...

i dont normally, but i can hold a conversation when i read.. but then again, i normally read on my own, so i suppose i dont really do that.. does that make any sense? heheh...

I cant think of anything else that i might be doing while i am reading.. oh ya, dont forget, munching / eating.. hehe.. that can be considered multi-tasking, right? *wink*...


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Feb 26, 2010

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief

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I finally managed to catch the new movie, Percy Jackson The Lightning Thief.. I also just recently finished reading the series, in anticipating of the movie, of course..


The movie is quite different really, but not in a bad way.. Although there are a couple of things that i'd complain about (spoiler alert!!):

- What happened to The Oracle? Isnt that prophecy thing a major part of the story?

- I dont quite like that in the movie, Hades had wanted a war, hence confirming the belief that he is evil. The fact was, the book specifically mentioned that he didnt want the war, but all three gods (Zeus, Poseidon & Hades) were being set up against each other by having their weapon (thunder bolt & helm) stolen.

- Plus, Percy did not leave Grover behind & taken his mother with him. Instead he promised to find another way to save his mother. Hades, not Zeus, who was grateful to Percy that he returned Percy's mother as a reward, without being asked i might add.

- Annabeth's character in the book is a whole lot smarter than the movie, who kept flaunting her hair around & playing goey eyes with Percy. Duh.. I also had wanted to see how they'd show Mr D & Clarisse and how Percy could stay dry coming out of water, but it didnt affect the movie that much.. haha..

- But Hades's "Mick Jagger" look was really cool.. ahaks.. so was Medusa & Chiron.. and i liked how they used water instead of ambrosia to heal the wounds..

All in all.. both book and movie come highly recommended, especially if you have a thing for greek gods & myth, like i do.. hehe.. :Although i'm not sure if this series can rival Harry
Potter though..*wink*..


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Nov 30, 2009

The saga continues...

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I've heard lots of comments about the Twilight saga, both good & bad.. the reason i actually found the book was coz i was intrigued by the movie's synopsis, a couple of month before it was released. I was out of the country at the time, hence wasn't able to catch it at the local cinema.. I found the book on sale, as a tie-in to the movie & i was hooked.. but i have to say that the movie, both movies, had not given it justice. Oh, for a non-reader, i suppose it was acceptable.. but i think it was missing something.. So re-reading the book after watching the movie, i think i see where is the missing link..

One of the major thing i like about Twilight saga is about how Edward loves Bella.. not in a teenager's first crush/love/etc way, but kinda pure love love kind.. And even though Bella is (very) gaga over Edward, she is basically a pretty normal kid..

These 2 movie, Twilight & New Moon doesnt show how Bella was the one who took care of her mom before she remarried & Bella moved to her dad's... or how she managed the household & cooks for her dad (& she's supposed to be a good cook), re-connected with her father over dinner in their kitchen..

How different the Cullens are from other vampires because they are truly a family, which is rare in a vampire community (in Twilight world of course).. How Edward is a gentleman for wanting better things for Bella - to finish school, attend prom, go to college, wanting to marry her, to not kill her..

These are subtle things, but just shows how they are very family-oriented & for most part, trying very hard to be sensible yet cannot be apart from each other. (obviously not everything in the book makes sense, but then again does it have to be.. ;p )

But what i see being portrayed by the movie, are 2 sort of teenagers, who is affected by the love thing.. how bella is "using" jacob to keep her happy, when the book clearly shows that she truly loved jacob, albeit in a different way than edward.. you dont see how "pure" is edward & bella's love (hello... this is after all fiction.. so of course, it's not thaaat realistic, but still logical enough to be believable) & that's the reason for Bella's overly extreme reaction to Edward leaving her.. and that bella have totally lost her marbles, to be pursuing bike ride with total strangers hanging in front of a bar or jumping off the cliff without telling anyone.. duh, so not bella.. she is after all the chief's daughter & has more sense than that, just to prove a point to a ghostly Edward.. she's never been suicidal, even when she was at her lowest ever..

So yeah, i think the movie has got all the parts correct, and yet totally missing the whole point.. it is so not alright for a teenager to act the way bella did in the movie to get over a first love.. & i'm not even going to talk about how Robert is soo not Edward... yes, Edward is an "ice sculpture" but he's supposed to be very emotional when it comes to Bella & his family.. but Robert? is just an ice sculpture, full stop.. acting-wise, the whole lot of them really does sucks (esp Robsten).. hehe..

Anyway, judge for yourself.. watch the movie.. read the book.. see what the hype is all about.. Of course, there are lots of other better vampire & werewolf books out there.. I really do love Vampire Academy & cant wait for the next book.. Have yet to read Vampire diaries nor watched the series.. hmm, there's others but cant think of more right now..

P/s: i think the werewolf were nicely portrayed in the movie, although i dont quite like how bella found out about it.. i prefer the book version.. it makes more sense..

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Nov 10, 2009

Musing Monday Nov 9

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Musing Mondays (BIG)Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about your bookshelf…

Does your house have a communal bookshelf? If not, is your bookshelf centrally located so everyone has access to it?

I live by myself, so all the bookshelf in my house belongs to me.. muahaha..

Well, i have books all over the place really, and that's not including those at my parents' house. Right now, i have my main bookcase in the living room. So i guess you can call it "centrally located" and accessible to all. Just across that bookshelf, i also have a shelf for my magazines..

I have another 2 layer d-i-y shelf in my tv room, mainly for my tbr pile & i just bought a pretty 3-layer white bookshelf for my bedroom to store my religious books. Which btw, is already 75% full.. heheh...

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Nov 2, 2009

Musing Monday Nov 2

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Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about social reading…

How much of your reading do you share with others (outside of blogging?) Do you belong to a book or library club? Do you trade books with friends? Do you tell others what you’re reading?

I do share my readings with family & friends, to those who would still listen of course.. haha.. I'm not in any book or library club, although i am tempted to go look for one. Just never got around to it. May never do.. hehe..

However, some of my current teammates are also quite the reader.. Mainly Iexora, who happens to have a similar taste in books with me.. which is absolutely fabulous for me.. I'd tell them of about my latest reads/buy, goodreads and such, although i couldnt get them to sign on *pout*... so far, i've traded books with Iexora & lend some out to the others.. discussion about some of the authors that we've tried out.. In fact, i think i was probably the guilty party who influenced them to get into the twilight-craze.. oopss.. hehe..


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Oct 12, 2009

Musing Monday Oct

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Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about books on your top book lists…

This past week, Borders re-released it’s 100 Favourite Books of All Times. Do you vote in these kinds of polls when they arise? Do you look through the list, or seek out books featured?

I love to check out such list, to try to include some of the items into my TBR pile... But i dont always keep track of them, therefore i never have them on hand or use them as basis when i go looking for books.. however, i've tried out some "best-sellers" out there & some of it, i just dont get it.. :( well, i guess not everything can cater to everyone's taste. So yes, i do check those books out, but not necessarily seek them specifically.

Vote? i dont think i've come across the polls, although i've seen lots of lists by various sources before.

p/s: Oh no, I've only read 19 out of the 100 listed in the Borders' list.. Hmm.. must keep up with the trend *wink*... hahah.. My Book 20 (Markus Zusak -The Book Thief) is patiently waiting it's turn on my shelf..

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Oct 10, 2009

Anne of Green Gables

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Anne of Green Gables (Aladdin Classics) Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I fell in love with Anne of Green Gables after watching the tv series back when i was still in school. I just loved the setting and of course, the main character Anne. However, i never managed to get hold of the book before, somehow.. Better late than never..

The story revolves around Anne Shirley, a red-haired orphan who was sent to live with Marilla & Matthew Cuthbert. These elderly sibling originally requested for a boy to help them around their farm, so imagine their surprise when Anne arrived. But Anne managed to charm them with her imagination and love of life despite her origins. This first book in the series follows through Anne's various escapades, along with her "bosom buddy" Diana Barry until her return from Queen's.

Anyway, reading this brought back lots of memories (visuals from the tv series) so i can totally "see" some of Anne's hilarious expressions.. my favourite would be of Anne smashing her board over her classmate, Gilbert Blythe's head for calling her "carrot", resulting in long-term rivalry between them. Totally hilarious..

The only setback about watching the tv series first before the book, i tend to skip LM Montgomery's detailed description of the scenery because it was just too long. But i supposed that if i had read the book first, it would have been essential to vividly paint out the storyline.

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Oct 5, 2009

Musing Monday - Oct 5

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Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about books on your wishlist…

Last week we talked about keeping a wishlist. Why not pull out that list and show us some of the books you’ve been eyeing off?


My wishlist is probably miles long, but since i've never keep track of it... i wouldnt know.. plus, i doubt anyone would actually buy me any books.. haha.. since i dont celebrate christmas, christmas gift is out of the question.. birthdays? hmm.. in this digital age, i get more smses & fb wishes rather than actual birthday cards or gifts.. and the gifts i do get, are usually not books.. ;p

But no fear, with all the reviews i see in Goodreads and book blogs that i follow, i just had to start a wishlist over at Goodreads just to keep track of all those interesting reads that are being recommended. If no one else will buy it for me, i'd just have to buy them myself so there.. haha.. But obviously this is by no means a complete list.

But right now, the top of my wishlist is Nicholas Sparks's The Last Song & Richelle Mead's Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4).













I still cant decide whether i want to read Dan Brown & Audrey Niffenegger's latest books. The former coz i'm wondering whether it is another carbon copy of the Da Vince Code. The latter coz i just love The Time Traveller's Wife & not sure whether this one can exceed the expectation. Either way, i'll most likely to try and get hold of these books, but definitely not planning to buy the hard cover.















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Oct 2, 2009

Would You Lie?

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Suggested by Monibo:

Saw this article (from March) and thought it would make a good BTT confessional question:

Two-thirds of Brits have lied about reading books they haven’t. Have you? Why? What book?


Me, lie? err.. not that i can recall.. haha... but then, the only reason would be, the fact that i read at all already "impresses" people (though for the life of me, i cant see what's the big deal about it.. hehe.. i still have not reached that 100 books per year target yet..)...
However, i supposed if i'm in a crowd of folks who have read some great literature, i suppose i'd probably end up just keeping quiet rather than speak & make known that i've not read of the book that they are raving about.. hehe..


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Sep 22, 2009

Out of the Blue

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Out of the Blue Out of the Blue by Belinda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Surprisingly i really liked the book.. Initially i was interested in another of Belinda Jones' book, Cafe Tropicana, but somehow never managed to pick it up. By chance i came across this book, so thought i'd give her a try and i was not disappointed.

The story revolved around Selena Harper, who works on a cruise ship, going from one port to port and loving it. As her latest 2-month leave came around, she finds herself deserted by her newly-engaged best friend. Surprised to find herself feeling homesick, when she has no home to go to in the first place, she agrees to go along with Alekos, to the beautiful island of Crete. She believes him to be a terrible womanizer and only pursuing her because he could not believe that she would reject him. However, the more time she spends with him, she begins to question whether he is truly the person she thought he was..

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My Sister's Keeper

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My Sister's Keeper My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

i was drawn to the book mainly due to the trailer of the upcoming movie featuring Cameron Diaz. plus i've heard of the book for quite some time but it never got to the top of my tbr list before.

If you still haven't heard of the storyline, it's about how a family with a terminally ill child, genetically engineered another to be the Saviour. However, it came to a point where the child, Anna, no longer willing to be her sister's donor, files a lawsuit against her parents for the rights of her own body.

The book did touch on a few difficult topics and given the situation, a very heart-wrenching storyline. However, the book just didnt grab my attention the way it should.

Anyway, i have to say it was an interesting read. i don't hate it, but at the same time, it won't be part of my all-time favorite either.
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Sep 14, 2009

Musing Monday Sept 14

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Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading trends… Do you find yourself forming trends in your reading? Is this a conscious act, influenced by either your own interests or current publishing fads?

Hmm.. that's a tough one.. i guess a little of both.. i like the supernatural related books - fairies, magics, vampires, time travelling etc .. so i tend to be more interested in those.. (think Harry Potter, Time Traveller's Wife, Twilight, Nora Robert trilogies).. but it also depends on what i felt like reading at the time.. i'd go from romance to thriller to religous to motivational, with no reason whatsoever..

However, if i find an author that i like, i'd try out his/her other books.. how i came across these authors could be due to current publishing fads like Dan Brown (i finished all 4 of his books in matter of weeks, but by his 3rd book, the plot was getting too obvious.. or maybe it was coz i read them all in 'one' sitting? )... or promotion of a new movie (currently reading My Sister's Keeper, Cirque Du Freak).. or these days i just pile up my TBR via recommendations by Goodread pals or from book bloggers'review..

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