Summer Reads

Hola! I was very occupied throughout the summer and now I only find time for leisure reading while I am in the elevator. Anyhow, here are my summer reads:

Title: George's Secret Key to the Universe

Author: Lucy & Stephen Hawking
ISBN: 978055255958
Get it from BetterWorldBooks
Check it out on my bookshelf.

I seriously love this book! Although the book is for children, Lucy and Stephen Hawking got me engrossed in the world of Physics! I revived my knowledge from school and also learned more about the Universe reading the book. Given the choice, I would choose the series and not read my boring textbooks! I strongly recommend this book for both children and adults. What is wrong with reading children books? I love them.

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Title: Honk! If You're Malaysian

Author: Lydia Teh
ISBN: 9833698123
Check it out on my bookshelf.

I think this locally published book would rarely be found at other places so when I chanced upon it when I returned home this summer, I immediately decided to bring it home, with the hope of letting it tour around the world with BookCrossing when I have finished reading.

Lydia Teh playfully recorded the anecdotes of the regular life as a Malaysian in her many carefully divided chapters. Most of them, if not all, can be identified with a typical Malaysian. Perhaps I find that many of the experiences are all too similar with that of mine, or that I have known them already that I do not find some as exciting.

Overall, I would say this is a good, light read, especially for those who want to know more about how it is to live on the multicultural country.

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Title: The Princess Diaries

Author: Meg Cabot
ISBN: 978-0330482059
Get it from BetterWorldBooks, Hong Kong Public Library (HKPL).
Check it out on my bookshelf.

A quick and fun read giving you insights into the life of an ordinary girl named Mia, and the transformation that she undergoes to become Amelia, the Princess of Genovia!

Experience the teenage life which is full of uncertainties, surprises and anxieties with the obnoxious Mia!

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Title: The Queen Geek Social Club

Author: Laura Preble
ISBN: 978-04252116499
Get it from BetterWorldBooks.
Check it out on my bookshelf.

Admit it if you're a geek. If you're a geek, you'll find yourself loving the book in no time!

Follow the life of Shelby, a smart, witty and pretty geek who, together with her army of geeky friends, try to make a difference in the world. Having read this book, I am proud to say that it is cool to be a geek.

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Title: Jurassic Park

Author: Michael Crichton
ISBN: 978-0394588162
Get it from BetterWorldBooks.
Check it out on my bookshelf.

The late Michael Crichton brings you to a world of fascination; a world dominated by dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park'. It has been many, many years ago since I last saw the movie and do not quite remember what happened in it. The book serves as a refreshing read, as I rarely read on Science nor dinosaurs. I liked it, but not very much though.

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Title: Chinese Cinderella

Author: Adeline Yen Mah
ISBN: 978-0385327077
Get it from BetterWorldBooks, Hong Kong Public Library (HKPL).
Check it out on my bookshelf (soon! ~as I have not registered the book and have passed it to a friend).

Mesmerizing, touching, inspirational. I have never cried so much reading a book. Adeline Yen Mah's recollection of her life growing up as an unwanted daughter touched me very deeply. The fact that she is now a successful author and doctor serves as a reminder that no matter what the circumstances one is put in, one can live through them. I loved the story so much that I thought that I will just keep it as a permanent collection, and read it again when I need to find solace and courage to keep me going in life. However, a good book shall not be left to collect dust until the next time I pick it up again and hence, I passed the book to another book lover.

Until I finish reading my next book, hasta luego!

The Reader ('Der Vorleser' in German) by Bernhard Schlink

A very quick read during my short travel trip as the book is available in the hostel where I stayed.

Title: The Reader ('Der Vorleser' in German)
Author: Bernhard Schlink
ISBN: 0679442790
Check it out at Amazon.com.
Check out the movie.

Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley

Read another book! I first watched the movie and then read the book (this is my usual preference for movies that are adapted from novels.) A year 2005 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama, Doubt is a good read that shall not be missed.

Title: Doubt: A Parable
Author: John Patrick Shanley
ISBN: 1-55936-276-6
Check out the movie.

I like the last page of the book, by the way.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

I have no time to write more about the books that I have read recently but I am writing the information here for keepsake.

Title: Never Let Me Go
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
ISBN: 1-4000-7877-6
Check it out on my bookshelf.

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Title: The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
ISBN: 978-1400034772
Get it from Amazon, Hong Kong Public Library (HKPL)
Check it out on my bookshelf.
This is also made into a movie.

This is a fun, quick read. With the witty and funny Mma Ramotswe on the go looking at every nook and corner for information to solve the many cases of her clients. Sometimes she also takes trivial matters into her hands, even though those pay her very little, in order to maintain the her agency. Reading the book, you will find yourself seeing different aspects of life in Botswana and South Africa and you will find that being the only private detective in Botswana is no easy task!

Here comes the trivia:

1. Mma Ramotswe's full name is ________________.

2. Mma Ramotswe agrees to marry ______________.

3. ______________ seeks Mma Ramotswe's help to investigate whether his daughter, Nandira, has a boyfriend.

4. Mma Ramotswe regrets marrying _____________, a jazz musician.

5. In one of her many cases, Mma Ramotswe finds that there are _____________ Dr. Komoti(s) who work alternately at two different places.

6. ______________ accuses Mma Ramotswe of stealing her husband, which is of course, not something Mma Ramotswe will do.

7. Mma Ramotswe's father passed away when she was _____________ years old.

8. ________________ tells Mma Ramotswe that she never have to marry anybody she did not want to marry.

9. Mma Ramotswe was abused by ______________________.

10. Mma Ramotswe's baby daughter died after only ______________ days she was born.



Answers:

1. Precious Ramotswe (p.4)
2. Mr J.L.B. Matekoni (p.235)
3. Mr Paliwalar Patel (p.94)
4. Note Mokoti (p.55)
5. two (p.213)
6. Alice Busang (p.144)
7. thirty four (p.59)
8. Obed, Mma Ramotswe's father (p.54)
9. her husband, Note Mokoti (p.57)
10. five (p.59)