Books : Re-reading Books and Guilty Spending

I chose to bring Haruki Murakami's : What I Talk About when I Talk About Running for my previous trip to Indonesia. I think it's my third time to re-read the book. It was a great choice, seeing that I went to Bromo for my 10km trail run. It feel like it might get me all motivated and inspired before the run.

I actually finished the book after the run - the second last day, so the Haruki's fire didn't help me much during my worst 10km trail run that weekend :D But reading his DIY marathon in Athen-Marathon is inspiring, the training for his Ultramarathon is inspiring, the fact that he runs almost every single day for more than 30 years is inspiring. So I should definitely re-read the book every year, to keep me going strong. ♥ ♥

*

There is an old caucasian lady at my office selling books and novels near my office every Thursday. She opens her booth every week, and I try not to stop by every so often. Once I was searching for Neil Gaiman's : The Graveyard Boy - the one that was illustrated by Chris Riddell. I asked her, and she told me that she has several more of Neil's book at home that she will bring for me. I booked Orhan Pamuk's first book that was translated to English by Faber : The White Castle that I found as well.

So then I bought those 2 books and avoid stopping by at her small booth anymore. I'm really looking forward to buying Roald Dahl's books in the future. Here is an illustrations of my new books ! ♥

*

I also bought a 112-pages graphic novel : Soppy by Philippa Rice , found the single book in Borders, ioi City Mall :D It is a compilation of quirky comic + illustration inspired by her own real-life moments, living with her boyfriends. There are a lot of moments that I can relate to, since I'm living with my husband in a small one-room apartment, sharing spaces, silly arguments and all.

Note : You can buy this for your partner during your anniversary or valentines day. Looove.

True love isn’t always about the big romantic gestures. Sometimes it’s about sympathising with someone whose tea has gone cold, watching TV and sharing a quilt, or allowing your partner to order take-away pizza again. When two people move in together, it soon becomes apparent that the little things mean an awful lot. The throwaway moments in life become meaningful when you spend them in the company of someone you love. Soppy is Philippa Rice’s collection of comics based on real-life moments with her boyfriend. From grocery shopping to silly arguments and snuggling in front of the television, Soppy captures the universal experience of sharing a life together. - Philippa Rice

*

Last week I bought another 2 books ! This time, Haruki Murakami's : After Dark + After the Quake. I actually read these books several years back from a pirated e-book my friend shared with me. These 2 books are the thinnest books among all Haruki's books and they are both priced as expensive as all the other books : so I didn't buy them right-away. I read the pirated version in one-shot :D Guilty as charged.

But last week I saw that Borders was having a promotion on all Haruki's books : "Buy One Get the Second One for Half Price" and I took those two books without further thinking. Told Af that it's a present for myself la, to reimbursed my tax this year la, for finishing up my long awaited freelance work la, apa la. He didn't buy it. He knows I just buy books because I want to buy books - for no reasons. Ha.

Anyway, I'm currently re-reading After the Quake and almost finish it. 

*

And for the Game of Thrones : Book 1 - I finished it. I watched the series concurrently while I read the novel, and watching the series was much much faster than the reading itself. I can't keep up. I decided to not continue reading all the series and wait to watch the series instead. 

Doodle : Bookaholic

I found a nice picture of a girl reading and it reminds me of myself :D 

So I illustrated this for fun :

*

I finished reading Amityville Horror Part 2 while we were stuck in the car during Raya. Thanks to the technology, I have several more books in my iPhone to kill some time :D I have the classic "Neverending Story" by Michael Ende (1979). I've never read the book, but I watched the movie when I was small. I also have the classic Siddhartha (Hermann Hesse), On the Road (Jack Kerouac) and several short stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Even with all the ebooks, I still can't get myself to read the digital copy unless when I'm really bored and I need to read something. *PS : I'm still stuck with Hannibal part 2 and Neverending Story.

Maybe I should make a bag specially-made for my 'physical' book keeping. So I can bring several books at one time instead of putting several books in my handbag :D I used to secretly put 2-3 books in the car's bonnet when we went back for Raya - without my sister's knowledge, because she will complain about the amount of books that I choose I bring back.

*

PS 2 : Even for our next trip to Japan, I've been thinking about which book to bring since I bought the ticket in February! 5 months just for the preparation of choosing 1 book for a short trip. A tough choice to make. Any idea? 

As Erasmus, the 16th century scholar said : 

“When I get a little money I buy books;  and if any is left I buy food and clothes.”

Little Things 61 : Carpe Librum

What is it in books that I love so much? 

Is it the possibilities and stories? The hopes and faith ? The connection to the author as a resemblance to learning about other human along the way ? The art of written words or the beautiful intricate cover page? The soft smell of papers or the thickness of it packed with its own world? The beautiful quotations that reach my soul or inspiration that lighten my dim future? The knowledge it offers?

*

 

*

Matilda walked the ten blocks to the library and devoured one book after another. When she finished all the children’s books she started wondering around in search of something else. So, Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow; nurtured by all those authors who’d sent their books out into the world. Like ships onto the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message “you are not alone.” - Matilda by Roald Dahl, 1988. 

*

I watched Matilda when I was young. I remember my dad rented the VHS tape at our local video renting shop. I watched it many times before he sent it back. 

I loved the movie solely because she reads. A lot. A book lover will always love the other book lover. We are connected in an odd way we don't need to explain. 

I am a proud bibliophile :D

Books : Updates

For my 26 books aimed this year :

I am so happy to announced that I enjoyed reading 4. Reckless by Cornelia Funke. The last Inkheart trilogy was an interesting journey for me *throughout my teenage - early adulthood years. 

I took Reckless from the table on the previous BigBadWolf days, thinking : 

Hey, I might enjoy my teenage year once again.

And I was right !

Briefly speaking, like Inkheart trilogy, Reckless is a fantasy genre children book. Not as strong as Harry Potter but acceptable enough. I had never counted how many fantasy children books I've read throughout my childhood & teenage years, but I know I was hooked on the genre for years before I started to accept wider choices in fiction.

Anyone wants to try children fantasy books, in much shorter length than the Inkheart, grab Reckless. But, no high expectations, this book was aimed for young adult audience. I loved it nonetheless. 

*

Last week, I finished reading 3. The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, another children fantasy book. Luckily I found the signed version at BigBadWolf , the one and only ! Who would have thought to find such precious book in million of books !

I've been a fan of Carlos Ruiz Zafon since the previous books and I didn't know he wrote a book for young adult *I think that was his first book? Anyhow, the book was creepy enough I had goosebumps over those evil clowns in the wardrobe. Imagine reading something sinister about clowns while listening to Kill the Clown by Soley. Not a good idea. 

All in all, I didn't really enjoyed the book much, maybe because the storyline was a little bit weak, and some things like the statues in the garden got no links to the story? *I was hoping to find something more to that. But for children book, what to expect much?

*

Last 2 weeks, I reread this for the third time : 2. The Five People You Met in Heaven and 1. For One More Day by Mitch Albom. I recommended books by Mitch so many times now. 

It's heart-breaking, and sad and inspiring and everything. I've read them many times, and I am sure I'll reread them again next year. 

*

PS :
A nice leisure time with light reading.

Little Things 57 : Books Rambling

When I only read 27 books, when I had to find time to cram reading in my tight schedule, when I read all the way to work and back home, this young girl read 150 books, last year ! Not 50, not 100, but 150 books and more.

The last time I read that much books was when I was 9. I proudly won Projek Nilam and my mom took a photo of me holding the highest trophy I've ever held. 150 books was all books I got at home and the school library. They were all rather thin, considering I only read children's books & novels at that time. I remember how my mom told my family in kampung about it for several years. Ah, those young days. And the last time I read as many as 50 books in a year was when I was 15.

Current year :

I can't even reach 30 books.

I can't imagine how she even read 150 in one year. 

That's about 1 book every 2-3 days. 

I need to listen to more audio books while doodling because of the time constraint. Audio books are not cheap. They are ridiculously expensive. Movies while doodling is getting lame - I got a hard time focusing on both things. I found funny short series while doodling quite easy to engage ; by this I only meant 'How I Met Your Mom' series. 

I want your time.

PS : I am excitedly reading IQ84 by Haruki Murakami since yesterday and rereading Mitch's books, where is my "Tuesday with Morrie", anyone?

*

Book : Harry Potter

*

Hello!

Early this week, I decided to reread Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The book I got almost 11 years ago. It had turned blotchy brownish-yellow with old book's smell. It is wide opened in the middle, because the book's binding isn't as strong as before. In the first page, my mom's wrote :

I remembered the incident when I bought the book quite fondly because it was one of the good memories in my life. Things like that won't happen twice. I am not sure was it because of the whole family was there, after our movie's night at TGV, The Mines or was it because of my first ever expensive book I ever owned? Maybe both. 

*

My mom is the reason why I read so much, and the reason why I have so many book since my early age. She is supportive, even though she hardly read books with long writings. I used to have series of 5 Sekawan, Enid Blython's translated series. It used to cost RM3.90 each when I was in Primary School. It goes slowly to English books because of the story variation. My mom let me choose 1 book every month. I nagged her to let me wander alone in the bookstore while she went shopping so I can have longer time to chose book. 

I love the fact that she encouraged me to keep on reading. I love the fact that she never said no, when I asked for books. I love the fact that I got a couple of books as my birthday presents every year from my family, and I can put it in a line as I choose the book's turn to be read. I used to write a list of books that I would love to have. 

It's different now. I grew up, I have a decent job, I have my responsibilities to be taken care of. If I want a book, I'll replan my monthly money. If I want more than I should, I'll scrap from here and there. Years ago I wrote in my journal, asking myself whether one day I'll stop loving books. I was a bit worried. I guess I haven't changed a bit - at least that part where I play a role of a bookaholic. 

❤

Book : The Prisoner of Heaven

*

Last weekend I finished reading The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It is the third book that I've read, written by him. I was excited to meet old characters from previous books again like Daniel Samperé and Bea, along with his dad and his famous book shop, Samperé and Sons. In this book, it focused more on Fermín Romero de Torres's life before he met and lived with them. It is also a start of I bet several more books on the past of Daniel's mom. 

I guess I was waiting for the mention of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, like any other bookaholics, I wish such place exist. A place where all forgotten books were kept. And only selected people know the location. Each new chosen people can take one book out, a chosen one. Daniel took out Julian Carax's banned book. That's how the adventure started. I loved it! 

I can feel the writer's affection towards books when I read his books. 

*

Secret bookshop :

There's No Place Like Here: Brazenhead Books from Etsy on Vimeo.

*

Last thurday's perfect morning:

Little Thing 33 : Books

Books.

I love how I can wander in bookstores as long as I needed to feel calm. I can look at row and row of books, appreciate their beautiful cover, read short synopsis. Letting my fingers touch them lightly. If I was lucky enough, I'll smell the rich aroma of coffee from the next door cafe. Just like the one they have in Borders. Having Starbucks in Borders is pure genius. Eventhough I don't have the privilage to pamper myself that way just yet. 

It's funny how in these 2 months I've been having this apartment, I keep thinking on how I should arrange my books. Is it by having long shelves on the wall? Or maybe large wooden bookscase? Or modern type like Ikea and Muji perhaps? Should I arrange it according to the title or type? Or maybe sizes? Should I put a warm cozy chair next to a nice dim light, perhaps with a small table next to it to put hot drink and a plate of chocolate biscuits my sister loves to bake?

I have no idea why I let the flat-screen TV along with Astro montly subscription in the living room. I haven't watch it for months. Should I give my mother her TV back? Should I cut the subscription? I guess I let it there for the pure social purpose. A place where people gather and stare at the screen. The need to be visibly there, an activity that it simple enough to be understood by everyone. One of these days, when I have the right mind to decide, I'll give the TV to right owner back. I will.

Should I invite other bookaholics to come over? We can exchange books! I got a small collection of fictions and graphic books and comics. 

Are you a bookaholic? 

*