2013 books read

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuffnang : Animal People

I love to read. From an early age, I'd read Enid Blyton's book one after another and eventually, I graduated to the Nancy Drew, the Jupiter Jones series and Sweet Valley High followed by Harlequin romances, John Grisham and what not.

In Melbourne, you'll see me going in the library and coming out with 20 over books much to Mr. C's fascination. He truly does find it interesting that I can actually finish reading a 300 - 500 pages book a day. If it is a page turner, you'll see me dying to finish the novel and in three hours or less, I'd be flipping to the last page. However, some books, each line can be a real drag and it feels like it will take forever just to reach the end of the book!

When Nuffnang Australia was giving an opportunity to read and review a book, I jump to the opportunity. And to my delight, I was one of the few bloggers who were given the privilege to do a Product Talk post courtesy of Nuffnang Australia.

This isn't exactly my typical kind of book to read which is good. Of late, I find myself looking for a change in my reading materials. Reading romance novels doesn't do much for my dwindling intellect.

To be honest, it took me awhile to get into the rhythm of Animal People by Charlotte Wood.

I read a couple of pages whilst I was in the midst busy packing for my trip back to Malaysia. The beginning was a bit slow for me, at first. But as you read on, you feel compelled to keep reading to see how it all ends.

This book tells the story of Stephen's ordinary journey in life on an ordinary day and how he intends to call it quits with his girlfriend. With that decision in hand, we are shown how miserable Stephen is with his life, which many of us can relate to, such as his poor relationship with his family and unfulfilled job satisfaction. If his life wasn't dismissal enough, his day goes from bad to worse.

As to how all this relates to the book title, 'Animal People', I shall leave it to you to grab a copy of the book to discover it for yourself. No one likes a spoiler. ;p

And for one lucky reader, here is a chance to win yourself a free copy of Charlotte Wood's Animal People courtesy of Nuffnang Australia. All you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment telling me if you are an animal person and why you are. And if you are not, tell me why not.

It is that simple. So, what are you waiting for??!

Entries will close on 24th November 2011, 11pm Malaysian Time. This competition is open to residents in Australia and Malaysia only. Winners will be announced on this blog. Do make sure you leave an email I can contact you with in the event you win. :)

The books that kept me up

I have always loved reading right from my primary school days. Back in those days, I was mostly into Enid Blyton's and Alfred Hitchcock's The Three Investigators and I fancy myself half in love with Jupiter Jone's brilliance! I did read the Nancy Drew series but wasn't really that into it. Oooh and I loved the Malory Towers series!

I was only introduced to romance genre in my early teens. Sweet Valley High series are only considered child's play in the world of murder plots, the restriction of aristrocracy, damsel in distress and knight in shining armours! I remember how I used to go hunting for my sister's secret stash and read these novels with my trusty torchlight under the blanket. It's actually amazing that now, I don't require the assistance of spectacles despite years of reading in the dark.

Aaah.. my first romance novel was by none-other-than Julie Garwood and ever since then, she's been my no.1 favourite, followed by Judith McNaught! In this past couple of years, Julia London and Julia Quinn has also captured my book worming radar!

Besides that, I am also an ardent fan of John Grisham though I prefer his older works as opposed to the last few novels of his. Once upon a time, his lawyer jargon filled novels and the larger-than-life plots inspired a tiny spark in me to venture into lawyering but nah... I am bad with public speaking.

Despite my love for reading, I tend to get carried away when I am so deep into the book's plot that I rush to finish a novel in 3 hours or less. I would even forgo sleep just to know what happens at the end resulting in my sleeping in after Mr. C has gone to work!

Reminder to self : to have better habits!

Here are several books that I've borrowed from the library in the past month.

Libraries here are AWESOME! I can borrow as many books and other items (cds, magazines etc) as I want and I can borrow it for a month. If no one puts it on hold, I can extend it for another month! And it's FREE! They even bring in the latest and up-to-date titles... but you can only borrow those for two weeks which is rather fair IMHO.

I sincerely hope that libraries never run out of fashion like how hard copy books seem to be losing out to ebooks... but for that to happen, some things need to change. I think putting in a cafe, a playground/ area for younger kids and a hang out spot for teenagers would be a good idea to begin with.

Alas, grand plans tend to require capital which most people aren't willing to fork out if they do not stand to gain anything from the venture. Ahhh if only one was filthy rich with the means to do something meaningful for society... for the good of our future generation.

Kooky Pics #357 Books are good for the soul

You can never say "NO" to Julie Garwood's novels!

Book Review : Dear John

I read this book "Dear John" before I came to Brissie. It is written by Nicholas Sparks whereby many of his novels were adapted into movies. Famous movies in fact such as "A walk to remember" starring Mandy Moore and "The Notebook" that starred Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

It took me awhile to finish Dear John. It wasn't cause it was uninteresting and not a page turner but more so that the whole tone of the book was just sad even up to the end.

And if you really knew me, you would know by now that I loooove happy ending books and movies. I dislike sad endings mainly cause I feel that's how it is in real life. It's what I would call- reality. Not many people get to attain the fairytale happily ever after romance we often see in the movies.

Hence, I am hesitating if I should watch this movie. After all, I know how it's going to end. Then again, they have Channing Tatum as the main actor. And if you've read my blog, you would know what I think of him. Definitely droolworthy material. He also acted in Step Up 1 and 2, just in case you were wondering as to why he looks familar.

The movie however has a different ending to the book. It is a happy ending version. So, who knows, I might just catch it after all. And that will be after watching Ipman2, Ironman2, Letters to Juliet, Robin Hood and OMG... I wonder if I'll even have the time to catch them all or even any.

Stay tune for movie and book reviews.

Book Review : Time Traveler's Wife

I took the LRT to work and back home today due to a mishap that landed my poor Edward at the mechanic's. Seriously, I rather brave through KL jam everyday with asshole divers on the road THAN be squished with a gazillion dodgy people on the LRT with butts and hands pressed up against places it should never be at.

Thank God that Audrey Niffenegger's Time Traveller's Wife accompanied me on my mundane journey home and brought a smile to my face when I read this part...

Clare is not happy with this. "Sister Carmelita says animals don't have souls."

"Of course animals have souls. Where did she get that idea?"

"She said the Pope says."

"The Pope's an old meanie. Animals have much nicer souls than we do. They never tell lies or blow anybody up."

"They eat each other."

"Well, they have to eat each other; they can't go to Dairy Queen and get a large vanilla cone with sprinkles, can they?"

"They could eat grass."

"So could we, but we don't. We eat hamburgers."