cgeek's reads

On Autism - for Kids

2010-04-10T22:35:00.001+08:00

Autistic Planet by Jennifer Elder (ISBN 9781843108429)

A highly illustrated book, this is book is written for children, particularly those with autism. Through simple story-telling of the differences among people in the world, the book helps readers to gain a basic understanding of how autistic children feel they are different from others.

Being Gifted - for Kids and Teens

2010-04-10T22:29:00.000+08:00

In the book, Frances O’ Connor addresses the issues concerning teenagers who are gifted. Written for adolescence, the author provides a guide to readers on coping with the pressures that comes with their talents, as well as encouraging them to make use of their abilities to expand their knowledge base and to make contributions to the society by taking appropriate actions under the guidance of their teachers. The book also provides explanations clearing up several myths that entail people associated with giftedness, such as ‘gifted persons loves studying and are often lonely’.

From the perspective of a reader, the book is a good source of basic information on the social and psychological interference resulted by one being segregated as a gifted person. Already adolescences have to face the emotional changes during puberty, and being labelled as gifted will only increase their anxieties. In this case, the book offers appropriate guidance to teenagers uncertain about their special talents and emotions.

Choking to death

2010-04-10T17:16:00.001+08:00

Chuck Palahniuk's idea of 'Choke' is a fresh one which encapsulates the aspirations, problems and responsibilities of the contemporary man through the life of Victor Mancini, a sexually addicted medical school drop-out who lives by by gaining the sympathy of others by pretending to choke in upscale restaurants. Not one to be entirely hated by the audience for his manipulative acts, Victor is but one actor among us who put on good shows in order to support his ailing mother.

I Went to College, and It Was Okay

2010-04-04T14:14:00.002+08:00

I Went to College, and It Was Okay by Scott Dikkers (ISBN 0836218671)

I went to college, and it really was okay.
This Scott Dikkers' comic strips journal is about Jim's life at college. The expressionless face of Jim may be a tad boring, but Dikkers hit the point right at summarizing a college student's life, whether it is academic matters or hostel life, the comic strips reflect well on reality. The strip I like best is the one on "I did nothing today..."

Rereading Doubt

2010-04-04T13:09:00.002+08:00

Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley (ISBN 1-55936-276-6)

Set in the 1960s when allegations on sexual abuse in churches were prevalent, 'Doubt: A Parable' is a play written by John Patrick Shanley challenging audience and readers alike on the power of doubt. Without any evidence or overt action or dialogue that implores Sister Aloysius being sceptical of Father Flynn's credibility as the priest of a Catholic Church and school for she suspects that he is involved in sexual activities with the one and only Negro student at the school. The young Sister James, fresh at the school as a teacher, is roped in by Sister Aloysius to clarify her doubt. However, Father James is defensive, as well as Sister Aloysius is adamant on her suspicion. "What is truth?", the characters doubt; "What is truth?", the audience question, for Shanley writes, "Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty".

Often, we ponder about the truth. When shall one believe someone or something, especially when there is no evidence to prove any of our assumptions? When one is in doubt, where do one look to? Sometimes, words cannot explain any doubt or certainty, for it may be just a feeling that only one can sense. In life, rarely do I doubt things or people around me, for I always believe that sincerity is important and it is in every person. But many a time, people fails me. However, I am more disappointed with myself at such occurrences. When things slowly reveal themselves as they are not expected to be, that is when doubt envelopes me. That is when I begin to doubt about myself and others, but things have turned tables - does it matter to have doubt and think through it at this time? Would it be better if I start doubting like Sister Aloysius ahead of time and actions?

Undeniably a good read, 'Doubt: A Parable' is still an enjoyable read even when I read it again and again, for I decided to write a paper on it as a course requirement. I wish to watch a play or film of it in near future.

To be educated is to be...

2010-04-03T15:00:00.003+08:00

Educating Rita by Willy Russell (ISBN 0413767906)

A screenplay written by Willy Russell in 1981, 'Educating Rita' summarizes the conflicts that are present in the society in terms of education. In order to fulfil her desire to be an educated person, Rita, a married hairdresser, decided to go to the Open University to study Literature under the tutelage of Dr. Frank Bryant. Rita represents the working class with her outward and direct way of expressing herself, whereas Frank is a representative of the educated class who shows aesthetic qualities and formalities in his appearance and speech.

Comedic effects are very well injected by the writer in the screenplay, with the interplay of words and famous literary works and people. As Rita becomes more 'educated' in a way that she regards literary topics as more important than her home life, Frank, on the other hand, starts to talk and curse like a working class. The clash of cultures and ambitions between Rita and Frank brings the audience to think what is an education, and what makes a person educated. For knowledge from books is important, no less of importance are the life skills that one has to learn as part of the society as a whole.

I will very much suggest the film of the same title directed by Lewis Gilbert in 1983. Though it may be old, be attentive to the dialogues between Rita and Frank as they will definitely make you laugh and think at the same time.

Talking about education and being educated, the book and film reminds me of 'An Education', the 2009 drama based on the memoir of journalist Lynn Barber in which the issue is highlighted as well. Well, until I read the memoir, so much discussion on what education is.

When to believe and when not to.

2010-04-03T14:37:00.003+08:00

Not without My Sister by Celeste Jones, Kristina Jones and Juliana Buhring (ISBN 9780007248070)

The three sisters, Celeste, Kristina and Juliana, recalls their memories of being part of the 'Children of God' religious cult in which the practice of free sex and 'everyone is a family' are inculcated in them since they were toddlers. The Bible is interpreted in a way that love equals sex and the members of the cult were very much sexually exploited. It is utmost disturbing that the first hand accounts of the sisters' experience of being sexually abused were well shared in this biography which they details on how they become part of the cult and the difficulties they face to get out of it. The sisters undergo trials and tribulations to get accustomed with the outside society, the normal society.

A thought-provoking book, on the hows and whys of peoples' beliefs and change of beliefs in the religious and logical contexts, it serves as an informative book that warns others about the existence of the cult and other similar ones in the past and sadly, still in existence in today's world.

The Ugly and Sickened Object

2010-03-03T00:47:00.007+08:00

Ugly by Constance Briscoe (ISBN 0340976608)
A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer (ISBN 1-55874-366-9)
Sickened by Julie J. Gregory
Not without My Sister by Celeste Jones, Kristina Jones and Juliana Buhring (ISBN 9780007248070)

Question. What makes a child?

Recently, I have read several books on child abuse and they have left me with vivid imaginations of the unimaginable, cruel things that people can do to a child. Shockingly, the perpetrators in all the true stories that I read are mothers. Told by the victims of abuse themselves, the words I saw are now plastered on my mind and I can still picture the misfortunes and challenges that these unlucky people have gone through in their childhood and teenage hood. I do not remember being hit by my parents except for once and that etched a memory on my mind until now. And that was all because of my incessant and annoying (and perhaps provoking) speech. In comparison, that is nothing compared to what the children in the books have endured. The worst type of ‘abuse’ that I think one could possibly have to endure is emotional torment. I personally think that if one can suffer the psychological torment, one could survive anything. Feelings, negative or positive, in my opinion, stem from one’s own mind.

What is fear? What is shame? Innocent children would never know these unless they are taught by adults.

First come ‘Ugly’, in which Constance Briscoe recollected memories of her being the ‘ugliest’ daughter any mother could have. The emotional abuse performed by her mother was not enough, for Constance was often subjected to physical abuse as well, having to learn to fend for herself and her sister at a young age. Not knowing her real name until she turns eighteen, Constance ‘Claire’ Briscoe survived her incredible mother with her self-belief and courage which helped her to realize her dream to read Law. Now this is a story where the weak and abused triumphs over evil.

Perhaps I have shed too much of a tear reading ‘Ugly’ that I myself was flabbergasted that I was somewhat a person without feeling, reading what happened to Dave Pelzer when he was an ‘It’, abused by his (sadly, again) mother in ‘A Child Called “It”’. What Dave gone through as a very young child was hard to imagine. His mother performed inhumane acts on him, and those that are still fresh in my memory include having him sniffing ammonia in locked bathrooms and forcing him to eat his little brother’s faeces. Enough, I guess? I don’t have to say no more for if you can take what I have written here, you should be able to cope with the entire story. Reading about Dave gave me the strength to live on with whatever challenges that I am having or may be facing. I look forward to reading the next two parts of his trilogy.

Upon finishing the two books, I decided that I have to read something different. However, I was again attracted by true stories about abuse and psychology, for I cannot deny that I am interested in these subjects…

In ‘Sickened’ by Julie J. Gregory, I learned about how her mother with Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) syndrome, had Julie ‘treated’ for multiple illnesses throughout many years of her life although she has none. To fulfill her own psychological needs, Julie’s mother convinced not only herself and Julie, but also healthcare practitioners about Julie’s problems which cannot be diagnosed. Misled and being psychologically controlled by her mother, Julie often heeds her instructions and pretends to be sick at times to seek sympathy and help from doctors. Going from clinics to clinics and diagnosis to diagnosis, Julie became tired of the whatever illness that she is having, for she sees herself as being a healthy person, just like many others.

Well, if all these torments are not enough, I am reading ‘Not without My Sister’ by Celeste Jones, Kristina Jones and Juliana Buhring. No, you did not get me wrong. Now this one is also about child abuse, but just of a different kind.

“What has the world become?” I always thought to myself, but now, I realize that inhumane acts have always been around for as long as men can remember. Can we bring back the harmonious environment for the well-bring of us human beings?

Aaahhh… The Phoniness of the World.

2010-02-05T01:18:00.004+08:00

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, 252 Pages

Last term, I have to choose a recommended book to criticize on for a course on child and adolescent development. I very much wanted to write on the Brothers Grimm due to my liking to read the Grimms’ manipulation of happy fairy tales into fearsome ones, but I eventually find J. D. Salinger’s controversial ‘Catcher in the Rye’ to be more interesting as it allows me to explore the minds of adolescents and adults from different perspectives.

The story follows the series of events that occurred to its main character, Holden Caulfield, in a matter of days that spanned from his being expelled from a good school to his going home. Throughout his journey home, Caulfield spoke about his family, school, teenage angst, girls and love. More importantly, the scaffolding of his thinking provides readers opportunities to delve into the minds of adolescents who are represented by Caulfield. Very much of the time, Caulfield criticizes the phoniness of the world – especially the world of adulthood which he thinks is pretentious. This implores that the children’s world is innocent and being an adolescent, Caulfield is caught between the two worlds. He finds that it is difficult to let go of his innocence, whereas it is also difficult for him to accept and penetrate the phony world of adults. Eventually, Caulfield came to a realization that it is inevitable that he has to grow up, but would he still choose to be his younger self or mature with time, in compliance with all the phoniness that surround him?

Written in 1951, what Salinger wrote is still very much relevant to the society today, especially in terms of the misunderstanding between adolescents and adults due to their different worlds. No, their worlds are not much of different actually. It is just the different perceptions that both groups have on the other that resulted in their inability to have a good communicative relationship. I have never thought that the story printed on the very brown papers would be of much interest to me. Whenever I look at old books, I always have this thought that they will not interest me. Ironically, I was caught up with Caulfield’s narration of the world as seen from his eyes. Although sometimes Caulfield can be an unreliable narrator due to his telling readers only what he wants to tell, and perhaps have manipulated the truth from being told, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ was able to project me to a state in which I reflected very much on the phoniness that Caulfield described throughout my winter break. Although I cannot agree entirely with Caulfield, I somewhat cannot deny the phoniness in the people and the world that show up in my life. I do not want this to be true, but I get upset when proven wrong. True enough, I cannot agree totally with Caulfield, but I also cannot deny what Shakespeare said is wrong, that “all the world’s a stage”. Prove me wrong.

My TBR Pile

2010-02-03T02:09:00.000+08:00

My TBR Pile

Title

Author(s)
0-9
1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List Patricia Schultz
10 Insider Secrets to A Winning Job Search Todd Bermont
1984 George Orwell
33 Things Every Girl Should Know : Stories, Songs, poems, and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women Tonya Bolden
90 Minutes in Heaven Don Piper

A
A guide to codes and signals: International flag code, secret ciphers, weather signals, morse code… Gordon A. J Petersen
A Long Way Down Nick Hornby
A Series of Unfortunate Events Lemony Snicket
A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses Gini Grahm Scott
Advantage Quest Guide: Business Etiquette Anne Sabath
Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process Irene M. Pepperberg
Amerika Franz Kafka
An Education Nick Hornby
Anansi Boys Neil Gaiman
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Louise Rennison
Annie's Baby: The Diary of Anonymous, a Pregnant Teenager Anonymous
The Almond: The Sexual Awakening of a Muslim Woman Nedjma and C. Jane Hunter
The Andromeda Strain Michael Crichton
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler

B
Bad, Badder and Baddest (Bad Girls) Cynthia Voigt
Basic Course in American Sign Language Tom Humphries, et al
Belle de Jour: Diary of an Unlikely Call Girl Anonymous
Birthday Koji Suzuki
Blind Side, The Michael Lewis
The book of codes : understanding the world of hidden messages:an
Paul Lunde
Bog Child Siobhan Dowd
Boy in Striped Pyjamas John Boyle
Boy Next Door Meggin Cabot
Brick Lane, The Monica Ali

C
Castaways of the Flying Dutchman Brian Jacques
Castle, The Franz Kafka
Choke Chuck Palahniuk
Crank Ellen Hopkins
CSI Body of Evidence Max Allan Collins
CSI Miami Max Allan Collins
CSI The Files: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to CSI Paul Simpson
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Serial Max Allan Collins
CSI#1 Double Dealer Max Allan Collins
CSI#2 Sin City Max Allan Collins
CSI#3 Cold Burn Max Allan Collins
CSI#3 Cold Burn Max Allan Collins
CSI#5 Grave Matters Max Allan Collins
CSI#6 Binding Ties Max Allan Collins
Curious Case of Benjamin Button F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe CS Lewis
The Complete Book of Intelligence Tests Philip Carter
The Couple's Book Benrik
The Criminal Mind Katherine M. Ramsland

D
Dark Ground Gillian Cross
Daughters or Arabia Jean Sasson
Diary of an Anorexic Girl Morgan Menzie
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens Richard Carlson
Dreams from My Father Barack Obama
The Day I Swapped My Dad for 2 Goldfish Neil Gaiman
The Devil Wears Prada Lauren Weisberger

E
Emily Post Talks with Teens about Manners and Etiquette Elizabeth L. Post
Esfera Michael Creighton

F
Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury
Fear Itself Jonathan Nasaw
Fear Street: All-Night Party RL Stine
Fear Street: The Stepsister RL Stine
Fear Street: The Perfect Date RL Stine
Fear Street: The Rich Girl RL Stine
Forensic Science of CSI Katherine M. Ramsland
Forever X Geraldine McCaughrean
Freedom Writers Diary, The Erin Gruwell

G
Gold Dust Geraldine McCaughrean
Golden Grove Francine Prose
Green River, Running Red Ann Rule
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson
The Girlfriend RL Stine
The Girls He Adored Jonathan Nasaw
The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman

H
Hannibal Rising Thomas Harris
Heavy Metal and You Christopher Kroratin
Hope's Boy: A Memoir Andrew Bridge
How to Talk to Girls Alec Greven

I
The Iron Man Ted Hughes

J

K
Killing Britney Sean Olin

L
Let's Play Doctor: The Instant Guide to Walking, Talking, and Probing Like a Real M.D. Mark Leyner, Billy Md Goldberg
Let the Right One In
Little Children Tom Perrotta
Loop Koji Suzuki
The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family Dave J. Pelzer
Lovely Bones, The Alice Sebold
The Little Book of Scientific Principles, Theories & Things Surendra Verma
The Lucky One Nicholas Sparks

M
Magnificent Mind at Any Age: Natural Ways to Unleash Your Brain's Maximum Potential Daniel G. Md Amen
A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness Dave J. Pelzer
Mary Mary James Patterson
Mayada: Daughter of Iraq Jean Sasson
Maybe Baby Lani Diane Rich
Molly Nancy J. Jones
Morse Code: Breaking the Barrier Dave Finley
Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets Jon Gosselin, Kate Gosselin, Beth Carson
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey Jill Bolte Taylor

N
Nation Terry Pratchett
Night Call Radclyffe
Nights in Rodanthe Nicholas Sparks

O
Outliers: The Story of Success Malcolm Gladwell

P
Panic: The Story of Modern Financial Insanity Michael Lewis
Princess Jean Sasson
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance Jane Austen
The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager's Story Dave J. Pelzer
The Pact Jodi Picoult
The Power of a Praying Teen Stormie Omartian
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio Terry Ryan

Q

R
Rape of Nanking Chang
Redwall Brian Jacques
Revenge of the Sarong Party Girl Jim Aitchison, Theseus Chan
Rich Dad, Poor Dad Robert Kiyosaki
Rosie Dunne (a.k.a. Where Rainbows End) Cecelia Ahern
Rotten School: Dudes, The School is Haunted! RL Stine
Rotten School: Party Poopers RL Stine
Rotten School: Punk'd and Skunked RL Stine
Rotten School: Party Poopers RL Stine
Rotten School: Shake, Rattle, & Hurl RL Stine
Rotten School: The Good, The Bad, and the Very Slimy RL Stine
Rotten School: The Great Smelling Bee RL Stine
Rotten School: The Heinie Prize RL Stine
Rotten School: The Rottenest Angel RL Stine
Rotten School: The Teacher From Heck RL Stine
Rotten School:Lose, Team, Lose! RL Stine
Rotten School:The Big Blueberry Barf-Off RL Stine
The Ragwitch Garth Nix

S
Signing for Dummies Adan R. Penilla, Angela Lee Taylor
Smack Melvin Burgess
Snakes and Earrings Hitomi Kanehara
Spectrum of Chinese Culture Lee Siow Mong
Spiral Koji Suzuki
State of Fear Michael Crichton
Sticky Fingers Niki Burnham and Rodrigo Corral
Stop the Train Geraldine McCaughrean
Stories We Could Tell Tony Parsons
The Secret Life of Bees Sue Monk Kidd

T
Teen Idol Meg Cabot
Thinking Smart: You are how you think isbn 9679789187
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations...One School at a Time Greg Mortenson
Tipping Point, The: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference Malcolm Gladwell
This Book Will Change Your Love Life: The indispensablecompanion to any self-respecting relationship Benrik
Tom's Midnight Garden Philippa Pearce
Trial, The Franz Kafka
Trump: Think Like a Billionaire Donald Trump

U
The Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Book of the Human Body isbn 0794506283

V

W
Waltz into Darkness Cornell Woolrich
Wenny has Wings Janet Lee Carey
What's Your Poo Telling You? Anish Sheth and Josh Richman
White Tiger Aravind Adiga
Why Men Lie and Women Cry Allan & Barbara Pease
WOW: "A Gift for the Fun Mom" [ISBN 9679789217]
The Wolves in the Walls Neil Gaiman

Y
You are Brilliant Mike Francis
The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published Kathy Henderson
You're Wearing That?: Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation Deborah Tannen

Z
Zits Jim Borgman, Jerry Scott

Rawr!

2010-02-02T14:05:00.002+08:00

Rawr (I do mean ‘hello’)!

The Year of the Tiger marks a significant new beginning for me, for I learn to acknowledge the challenges awaiting me in the coming days…

Upon seeing my failure to sustain my many blogs, I have decided to just stick with one blog for now; one blog which I will devote to books which have touched my life in a way or another.

Occasionally, I have this overflow of feelings which I want to express so badly, but I didn’t have the time to do so, no thanks to the many distractions that overpowered my clutching of books in my hands. There is just so much to do, so much to be recorded for reminiscence, yet there is very limited time in our lives.

Why blog when I can spend my time meeting and talking to real people? I just couldn’t give up writing or blogging whatsoever. I just love writing so much that I just couldn’t stop at times.

I am making amend to myself and my blog this time, for real. I will try to read and write more, and think more. This blog is in no way serves as a platform for professional review of books, but merely as an arena for me to voice out personal opinions on books and how they relate to me and the world.

I will start writing soon. Let’s see how it goes.

Summer Reads

2009-10-24T10:47:00.001+08:00

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

2009-05-10T21:02:00.001+08:00

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

2009-03-22T21:27:00.001+08:00

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

2009-03-21T02:18:00.001+08:00

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

2009-02-23T21:32:00.001+08:00

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)

All American Girl by Meg Cabot

2008-12-20T02:42:00.001+08:00

Title: All-American Girl
Author: Meg Cabot
ISBN: 0-06-447277-9
Get it from Amazon, Hong Kong Public Library (HKPL)
This book was a surprise gift from Pellu. Check it out on my bookshelf.

I am more than happy to share my first book, which was a surprise gift, with you. Been wanting to read the book for a very long time and now that I have read it, I found that I would have enjoyed it much more if I read it five years back. Falling into the teen+romance genres, this is a quick and fun read for young teenagers. As I have mentioned before, here are ten questions about the book:

1. Who is the main character in "All-American Girl" written by Meg Cabot?
A. Samantha Madison
B. Rebecca Madison
C. Lucy Madison
D. The President of the United States of America

2. Who is Lucy Madison's boyfriend?
A. Jack
B. David
C. John
D. Jeffrey

3. When does Samantha goes for art classes?
A. Mondays and Wednesdays
B. Tuesdays and Thursdays
C. Wednesdays and Fridays
D. Saturdays and Sundays

4. Which language class is Samantha taking?
A. French
B. Italian
C. Spanish
D. German

5. Who is Samantha's best friend?
A. Lucy
B. Rebecca
C. Theresa
D. Catherine

6. The man who tried to assassinate the President of the United States of America was listening to which artiste before he pulled his gun?
A. Gwen Stefani
B. Billy Joel
C. No Doubt
D. Save Ferris

7. David complimented on Samantha's _____________ the first time they met each other.
A. parka
B. boots
C. hair
D. looks

8. What grade did Samantha get for German?
A. C+
B. C
C. C- D. She did not take German.

9. What's the name of Susan Boone's parrot?
A. James
B. Jason
C. Joe
D. Jack

10. Maria Sanchez, whose drawing is Samantha's choice for the UN poster competition is from _____________.
A. San Diego
B. New York
C. Jacksonville
D. San Diego

Answers:
1.A 2.A 3.B 4.D 5.D 6.B 7.B 8.C 9.C 10.A

My reading log

2008-12-19T17:35:00.000+08:00

Hey, there.

It has been a very long time since I last wrote in a diary or blog. I have decided to create a reading log since my love for reading suddenly upsurged, perhaps due to the upcoming holidays. Even though there are still a lot of other things to be done, I hope to read as much as I can and to finish reading the fifty books on my bookshelf and to cross off book titles on my reading list. If I could, then I would want to read all day, all night. This seems impossible as I have other things to do as any other person does. No matter what, to keep things short, reading; always beat everything.

I would post information about books that I have read in a particular month and include at least a pop quiz for each of them since I don't know why but I like to prepare materials as such. I hope it would be of use to some, or you can have fun answering my questions about certain books and stories. However, my ultimate reason for creating this journal is for myself to keep tab with my readings since I find myself reading lesser books as I age. This journal would not only serve as a reminder on how many good books I have missed, but also jolt my memories about good reads that I have encountered in the past.

Feel free to drop me a message pertaining my readings, yours or good and bad reads in general.

Thanks for visiting.

Yours faithfully,
criminologeek